End of thickets??

[Oldman]

Is this the end of thickets??

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/365894 ... warns.html

It would also stop that annoying planner's habit of tucking away controls almost inside them!

[gingerflyer]

Maybe...

I am sure planners will find somewhere else to hide controls...

[Nails]

Defra and Forestry Commission have been carrying out phytophthora surveys since 2003. The intial 2003 survey found no cases in the UK.

Since then there has been a few outbreaks in the UK (mainly at nurseries) where the pathogen has been brought in from abroad. Rhododendron ponticum is a very good carrier of the disease. However if you are going to cull rhododendrons then you had better cull bilberrys from the moors as well -they are even more susceptible. Some toffy headed gardner from the National Trust if you ask me.

[mharky]

we should cut down trees as well, i ran into a tree once and hurt myself

[EddieH]

Yeah Mharky, but remember to remove that stumps as well - look what happened to Steve Whitehead when he met a stump

[NFKleanne]

better get rid of rabbits too. I keep finding darn rabbit holes. Can't get rid of rhoddadendrons - they are wot make Sandringham, Sandringham and I bet her maj wouldn't like it!

[mark2]

Hmm.....

http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/news/broctoncoppice.htm

Does Stodgetta or any other chasers have any more info ?

[Stodgetta]

Seeing as you asked....

We have received notice from Staffordshire County Council that we have a potentially serious problem caused by Phytophthora Ramorum. It is the reason we had to cancel 1 Feb Event which was to have been at Shugborough and Satnall Hills. We are now asked not to go into these areas and to keep to the main paths and to keep dogs on leads in the Brocton Coppice area. Phytophthora has been found in the rhododendrons in Shugborough and it is now thought that the fungus may have spread to bilberries in the Brocton Coppice area . Samples have been sent off for testing

Phytophthora Ramorum is a serious fungus-like pathogen causing damage to trees, a range of native plants and ornamental plants. Certain species are very susceptible - rhodendrons being one, and, in laboratory tests, bilberries and heathers have been found to be others. Details about phytophthora can be found through Google or direct to http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/ph.htm. It is a real threat to tree species as it can cause the death of the tree and there is obviously great concern regarding the oaks in Brocton Coppice.

It is thought that spores are produced on the leaves of the hosts and can be dispersed locally by rain splash, wind driven rain, ground water. It can survive in plant debris, soil and water courses for at least 2 consecutive winters. Long distance spread occurs by movement of contaminated plant material, growing media and in soil carried on vehicles, machinery, footwear or animals. On the Chase, it is thought it might be carried on wet deer fur.

So, we hope it will not spread further across other areas of the Chase. Please be aware of any notices - there are already some around the coppice area - and do everything possible to prevent the spread of this very real threat.

Was an email all Chasers got earlier this week.

There have been signs up around Shugborough land since ~ Christmas asking us to keep out completely, & signs up around Broc Coppice for the last week or so asking people to keep on the main paths with dogs on leads.

We have had to cancel one W Mids League event in February, & have lost use of the Satnall Hills, too, so our monthly beginners events have also stopped for the forseeable

Fingers crossed restrictions remain localised, & we have no problems regaining access/permissions when it's under control.

[Klebe]

E-mail circulated today.
Seems heather is unaffected (until proved otherwise)


Correction: Plant Disease affects Cannock Chase

We have been asked to point out that Cannock Chase has not been closed as a result of the Phytophthora disease. Walkers have been asked to keep to paths and to keep dogs on leads to avoid spreading the infection by roaming through the vegetation. In addition Phytophthora has not been confirmed as infecting heather.

Cannot really see how walkers and the like are going to make the situation any worse, there are hundreds of rabbits and large herds of deer roaming free up there. Deer fur is known to carry the fungal spores once the animal has come into contact with it.

[geomorph]

Hope this is not blown out of proportion.

Former colleagues of mine have been involved in plant disease containment on the US West Coast since before this one appeared in 1995 ish.

They have photos of the spread of other fungal diseases in remote mountainous areas which show linear and areal spread on two adjacent valley sides of similar vegetative mix. In the linear case it was thought to be deer following grazing paths, in the areal it was thought to be bear rooting.....but not easy to prove - it could have been hunters and air respectively.

The problem we have is that we will be restricted because it is easier to apply blanket restrictions, but nobody has shown that humans and especially humans in bright-multi-coloured pyjamas have the same propensity to transport the spores as fur covered animals do - wild and otherwise.

The bit about heather is good news - it may mean that the Ericaceae are not universally susceptible, otherwise we would find all our acidic uplands closed off.