Forestry Commission
Impact on Spruce Christmas Trees
Spruce Christmas trees are considered to be at low risk to Ips typographus as the majority sold will be healthy trees, whereas Ips typographus prefers dying and stressed spruce trees. However precautions have been put in place in the demarcated area around the Ips outbreak sites in South East England for spruce Christmas trees 3 metres in height or more. If you trade in Christmas trees please read the following information.
Moving spruce Christmas trees grown within the demarcated area
Movement of spruce Christmas trees over 3 metres in height must be authorised by a Forestry Commission Plant Health Inspector. The demarcated area has expanded this year, please check the latest map.
The material may be subject to inspection before dispatch and its movement must adhere to conditions set out in an authorisation letter provided by a Forestry Commission Plant Health Inspector. If you grow Christmas trees over 3 metres in the demarcated area, please contact Ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommisson.gov.uk
A plant passport cannot be used to accompany movement of Spruce Christmas trees (or foliage) which originate in the demarcated area, but you should continue to use plant passports for any non-spruce Christmas trees.
Moving Christmas trees grown outside of the demarcated area
Christmas trees that have originated outside the demarcated area, you must use a plant passport if you want to move any Christmas trees over 3 metres in height anywhere within Great Britain. This relates to spruce and non-spruce varieties and includes foliage taken from conifer trees that is over 3 metres tall.
You need be registered and authorised with the Forestry Commission if you want to use plant passports. For more information, visit the GOV.UK guidance page.
Remove storm damaged trees: action required
All landowners, managers and timber processors should remain vigilant for Ips typographus, and it is important to continue taking the necessary action, to rapidly remove storm damaged trees in their area.
With significant storm damage reported across the South East of England during last winter, spruce trees that fallen or snapped in the storms significantly increases the chances of an establishment of Ips typographus occurring spring/summer if another flight occurs from the continent. We recommend that spruce continue to be walked, with fallen or snapped trees identified and destroyed where possible. Ips typographus feeds on live but significantly weakened trees, with snapped stems down to 8cm diameter being a key target. These trees will have lower resin pressure as they cant draw water up from the roots, which weakens their ability to repel Ips attacks. Trees which have been pushed over but which are leaning or hung up with roots still largely intact are not a significant risk, as they will still be able to draw water. Older, dead trees are not a risk for establishment.
Chipping or burning are suitable methods of destruction, but if this is not possible, the wood can be sawn, dragged into a pile, and covered with a weighed down tarpaulin with the edges tucked in and weighed down. This will speed up the rotting process, rendering material unsuitable in time.
Any woodland owner, manager or timber processor in the demarcated areas, need to get authorisation for removal of damaged trees. Please see below for more detail on authorisations and contact Ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.
Overview
Read the latest press release - Forestry Commission introduces further controls to tackle bark beetle tree pest.
You can also find updated information on the Forest Research pest and diseases resources page
Read our .
The larger eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is considered a serious pest on spruce in Europe and has recently been found in the wider environment in England as part of routine plant health surveillance activity.
The beetle is mainly a secondary pest, preferring stressed or weakened trees. However, under the right environmental conditions, beetle numbers can increase enough to result in attacks on living trees.
If left uncontrolled, the beetle, in association with pathogenic fungi (particularly the blue stain fungus Endoconidiophora polonica), has the potential to cause significant damage to Britains spruce-based forestry and timber industries.
There is no evidence that Ips typographus is spreading in England; the latest establishments are likely to have come directly from the continent and are not related to the original 2018 finding.
Eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus)
Symptoms
Adult beetles are dormant and hibernate over winter under the bark of trees, logs and leaf litter. They then re-emerge in spring, when the temperature rises above 20C.
The beetle prefers stressed or weakened trees e.g. windblown, damaged and recently felled spruce trees, where, under the right environmental conditions, beetle numbers can increase. Inspection of trees in this category should be a priority.
Also look for standing individual and groups of dead trees. This arises when the beetles mass attack trees, overcoming the trees usual defences by a combination of large numbers and blue stain fungus carried by adult beetles. Under the right environmental conditions, this phase can lead to extensive tree deaths.
Adult females lay eggs along a linear gallery system from which larval galleries radiate, becoming wider as the larvae grow. The pattern shows in the bark and in the surface of the wood, and is unique to Ips typographus. This symptom should be looked for in any dead trees, whether standing or fallen.
Please note, the larger eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) can often be confused with the great spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus micans). A symptom guide is available to download from this page to assist with identification.
Reporting sightings
Please remain vigilant for signs of Ips typographus. If you think you have spotted signs of this beetle anywhere in Great Britain then please tell us using our Tree Alert form.
Report suspected sightings in Northern Ireland using Treecheck, the all-Ireland tree pest reporting tool.
Plant Health Ips typographus demarcated area notices
To protect the country against this pest, under powers conferred by The Official Controls (Plant Health and Genetically Modified Organisms) (England) Regulations 2019, the Forestry Commission has introduced a Notice to demarcate an area around the confirmed outbreak sites restricting the movement and methods of forest operations.
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