Forestry Commission
Read the latest press release: Forestry Commission lifts Phytophthora pluvialis restrictions on timber industry.
List of authorised processors for Phytophthora pluvialis.
Also read our blog: Behind the scenes - Managing the outbreak of Phytophthora pluvialis
Phytophthora pluvialis, is a fungus-like pathogen known to affect a variety of trees including western hemlock, tanoak, pine (Pinus radiata, Pinus patula and Pinus strobus) and Douglas-fir. It was originally reported in Oregon, USA in 2013 on tanoak and Douglas fir and was subsequently identified as the pathogen responsible for red needle cast of radiata pine in New Zealand.
Phytophthora pluvialis was discovered in a woodland in Cornwall in September 2021, where it was found to be affecting mature western hemlock and Douglas-fir trees. Following extensive surveillance, further outbreaks have been found in Cornwall, Devon, Cumbria, Surrey, Shropshire and at multiple sites in Scotland and Wales. For further information on the Scotland finding and management approach please visit the Scottish Forestry website. For further information on the findings in Wales please visit the Welsh Government website.
Example of Phytophthora pluvialis lesions on a tree stem.
Symptoms
Phytophthora pluvialis is known to cause needle cast, shoot dieback, and lesions on the stem, branches, and roots.
Read the which illustrates some of the symptomatic trees from which Phytophthora pluvialis has been detected in the UK.
Reporting Sightings
Please remain vigilant for signs of Phytophthora pluvialis. If you think you have spotted signs of this disease anywhere in Great Britain then please tell us using TreeAlert.
Report suspected sightings in Northern Ireland using Treecheck, the all-Ireland tree pest reporting tool.
The Plant Health (Phytophthora pluvialis) Demarcated Area Notices
A risk assessment has been done by the UK Plant Health Risk Group, which has concluded that Phytophthora pluvialis meets the criteria to be classified as a GB quarantine pest for regulatory purposes. A Pest Risk Analysis was also completed in October 2022 following public consultation. To protect England against this disease, under powers conferred by The Official Controls (Plant Health and Genetically Modified Organisms) (England) Regulations 2019, the Forestry Commission has introduced demarcated areas around the confirmed outbreak sites, and introduced movement restrictions on materials capable of spreading the disease using Notices.
January 2022 update
Having considered the latest information from ongoing research and monitored symptoms of the disease at infected sites, the Demarcated Areas Notices have been revised to remove movement restrictions on wood, isolated bark and trees. Movement restrictions remain in place on plants for planting within demarcated areas.
Six demarcated areas are currently in place in England:
Cornwall and Devon
Demarcated Area No.15 Notice comes into force on 24 January 2023 replacing the which was issued on 14 April 2022 and applies to parts of Cornwall and Devon. The covers parts of Cornwall and Devon within the boundaries shown in the demarcated area and within , which also contains a description of the boundary.
Cumbria
Demarcated Area No.16 Notice comes into force on 24 January 2023 replacing the which was issued on 20 January 2022 and applies to parts of Cumbria. The covers parts of Cumbria within the boundaries shown in the demarcated area and within the , which also contains a description of the boundary.
Herefordshire
Demarcated Area No.17 Notice comes into force on 24 January 2023 replacing the which was issued on 25 February 2022 and applied to parts of Herefordshire. The covers parts of Herefordshire within the boundaries show