Forestry Commission
Latest news: guidance on restocking your woodlands
Over the next 10 years (2024-34), Forestry Commission are encouraging landowners to remove susceptible spruce (stressed, windblown) from the demarcated area within the South East and replant with other species. Support is available through Tree Health Pilot, which provides funding for landowners who are eligible to facilitate this objective. See the new Guide to restocking your woodlands (Ips typographus), following the removal of spruce trees within the Ips typographus Demarcated Area (DMA).
Action required: Remove storm damaged trees
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 storm damage previously reported across the South East of England, spruce trees that have fallen or snapped in storms significantly increases the chances of an establishment of Ips typographus occurring in 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 area, requires authorisation to remove and transport damaged trees for processing. Please see details below on how to request a movement authorisation inspection, or contactIpstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk for further information.
Eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus)
Overview
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 healthy 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.
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. You can also submit a tree alert form if your spruce woodland is exhibiting signs of decline or stress, and we may arrange for a follow up inspection.
Report suspected sightings in Northern Ireland using Treecheck, the all-Ireland tree pest reporting tool.
Felling and movement restrictions
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.
A revised comes into force on the 20 July 2022 taking over from the of the 22 December 2021.
The demarcated area has been extended to cover parts of Hampshire, whilst continuing to cover Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, City and County of the City of London, Greater London, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Essex within the boundaries shown in the and within the , which also contains a description of the boundary.
The Notice introduces the following conditions:
(i) Restrictions on the felling of susceptible material without prior notification. Landowners must provide notice of their intention to fell relevant material at least 14 days in advance of any felling in the demarcated areas. Felling may only commence once written authorisation is provided the Forestry Commission.
(ii) Restrictions on the killing of trees (either by ring-barking, chemical injection or application, mechanical means, biological control or arboricultural intervention) of the genus Picea A. Dietre over three meters in height, without prior notification. All operations must be agreed in writing by