Sweet chestnut blight has been confirmed in Devon by the Forestry Commission as of today (March 26).
In response to the outbreak, the Forestry Commission has introduced restrictions on the movement of susceptible material in parts of South Devon from Thursday, April 2.
These measures are designed to contain the disease and reduce the risk of further spread.
Sweet chestnut blight is a destructive disease caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica which attacks the bark of European sweet chestnut trees.
It enters through fissures or wounds and spreads to the underlying tissue and wood, killing the tissue as it advances.
Symptoms of the disease include fissured or discoloured bark canker with orange pinhead-sized fungal fruiting bodies and buff-coloured fungal fans under the bark.
Previous findings have been made at a small number of sites in England, all of which have been subject to statutory control measures.
This action is in response to the first finding in 15 years in Great Britain of the causal fungus reproducing sexually.
This mean that airborne spores are being produced, thus creating an increased risk of wider environmental spread.
Defra chief plant health officer, Prof. Nicola Spence said: “The confirmation of sweet chestnut blight in Devon and the presence of airborne spores represents an increase in risk of the disease.
“We have acted swiftly and decisively to introduce restrictions to protect sweet chestnut trees across the country, and we urge anyone who suspects they have seen signs of this disease to report it immediately via TreeAlert.”
Restrictions
The Demarcated Area being introduced will mean restrictions on the felling, killing and movement of sweet chestnut trees and other susceptible material capable of spreading the disease.
Andrea Deol, head of plant health forestry at the Forestry Commission said: “We encourage woodland owners, land managers, tree nurseries and members of the public to engage with the Check a Sweet Chestnut campaign to maintain biosecurity and prevent spread.”
The movement of plants for planting of the genus Castanea to outside of the demarcated area is also prohibited, and there are further restrictions on the movement of sweet chestnut wood and bark within and outside the demarcated area, unless authorised by the Forestry Commission.
