The Forestry Commission is urging woodland managers, landowners, and the forestry sector to remain highly vigilant as the flight season for the Ips typographus beetle begins. Known as the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, this pest poses a serious risk to spruce trees, particularly in areas where trees are already under stress.
Increased Vigilance Due to Wetter Conditions and Dry Spring
This warning comes after a record dry spring followed by last year’s heavy rainfall and waterlogging, leaving lowland spruce, particularly on clay soils, more susceptible to stress. These conditions increase the likelihood of Ips typographus attacking both stressed and healthy spruce trees. The beetle has been active in Europe for years and was first identified in the UK in 2018. If left unchecked, it has the potential to cause significant damage to the UK’s forestry and timber industries.
The Risks and Management Plans
As the beetle enters its flight season, the risk of infestation is heightened due to blowover from mainland Europe. The Forestry Commission, along with Forest Research, leads a comprehensive management program to tackle this threat. If the pest is left unmanaged, approximately 725,000 hectares of spruce could be at risk, with an estimated value of £2.9 billion.
Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spence, urged forestry professionals to be extra cautious as temperatures rise. She emphasized that the combination of a dry spring and a wet summer the previous year creates ideal conditions for the beetle to thrive. The cooperation of the forestry sector has been essential in preventing the spread of the pest, and continued vigilance is necessary.
Reporting and Restrictions
Dr. Anna Brown, Director of Forest Services at the Forestry Commission, also stressed the importance of continued vigilance and urged landowners and managers to report any sightings of Ips typographus through Tree Alert. Reporting sightings helps reduce the spread of the pest. The beetle can attack both stressed and healthy trees when conditions are favorable.
The Forestry Commission has also set up a ‘Demarcated Area’ within parts of the South East and East of England, where specific restrictions are in place to manage beetle outbreaks. These restrictions include limitations on planting, movement, and felling of spruce materials in the affected areas. Eradication efforts include removing infested material and using pheromone traps to capture any remaining beetles.
Ongoing Support and Solutions
A grant is available for proactive spruce removal as part of the Tree Health Pilot. The Forestry Commission also plans to offer additional support for spruce removal later in the year. In collaboration with the UK Agri-Tech Centre, Defra will host a workshop to exchange knowledge and explore technological solutions for managing bark beetle pests.
Key Actions to Combat the Pest
The Forestry Commission has outlined a series of actions to manage the Ips typographus threat, including:
- Immediate removal of infested material to disrupt the beetle lifecycle.
- Felling of healthy spruce surrounding original infestation sites as a precautionary measure.
- Placement of pheromone traps for three years following spruce removal to capture any concealed beetles.
The actions aim to prevent further spread and protect the UK’s forestry industry.
Resources and Information
For more details, forestry professionals can access updated outbreak maps, movement restriction guidance, and other relevant resources. These tools are designed to assist in managing the threat posed by Ips typographus and provide up-to-date information on outbreak sites and infestation control.
