Confor offers response to FC Ips update

The Forestry Commission (FC) has published a Press Release and associated Blog reporting that the latest intensive Ips typographus surveying programme has found Ips breeding galleries on a small number of cut and fallen Sitka spruce trees, located in an outbreak site in West Sussex within a stand of infected and unhealthy Norway spruce.

Like other Ips infestations in South England, the trees were already under stress. Sitka spruce is clearly not adapted to the climate of the South East England and where rarely found is likely to be stressed and unhealthy.

Although Sitka and other spruces were already known to be susceptible to Ips from both lab testing and indeed evidenced from Sitka spruce infestations on the continent, the confirmation that Ips can infest Sitka in the UK forest environment reinforces the threat this pest poses to our forest industry.

You will see in the FC release that despite this news, Ips outbreaks continue to be successfully managed within the demarcated area (which was extended following the East Anglian outbreaks) and the evidence still suggests all Ips outbreak sources are from continental blow over, rather than spreading within the UK.

FC encourages landowners in South East England (who clearly are in higher risk areas for continental blow over of Ips) to proactively harvest spruce and replant with non-susceptible species. It also highlights a “Proactive Spruce Removal Zone” within the southern part of the Demarcated Area, whereby Tree Health Pilot grants will support this process.

Proactive spruce removal in the South East England is one of a number of measures being deployed and Confor will continue to work with Defra, FC and other partners to ensure we strive to do what is necessary to protect our spruce-based forest industry across the UK.

Our next Ips industry leadership meeting will be held in during September 2024 and we will keep our members updated with any news on Ips as we receive it.