Phytophthora pluvialis

Species affected by Phytophthora pluvialis include:

• Western hemlock
• Douglas fir
• Tanoak, and
• pine species (Pinus radiata, Pinus patula and Pinus strobus)

Phytophthora pluvialis has now been found at 20 sites across Wales. These include Gwynedd, Carmarthenshire, Powys, Newport, Monmouthshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

See the latest press release on Phytophthora pluvialis in Wales.

This follows several recent findings in England and Scotland.
For further information on England’s findings and response, please visit Phytophthora pluvialis - GOV.UK. 

For further information on Scotland’s finding and response, please visit Scottish Forestry.

Signs of Phytophthora pluvialis include:

• needle cast – where needles turn brown and fall off
• shoot dieback, and
• lesions on the stem, branches and roots

Forest Research has prepared a symptom guide, which illustrates symptomatic trees.

If you suspect a tree of having this disease, report it via the TreeAlert online portal. Give as much information as you can, including the location and the species affected.

A risk assessment has been carried out 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.

Wales

To protect Wales against this disease, under powers conferred by The Official Controls (Plant Health and Genetically Modified Organisms) (Wales) Regulations 2020, The Welsh Government will introduce demarcated areas around confirmed outbreak sites.

Further evidence has shown there is a low level of impact and a low likelihood of infection transfer through timber. Therefore the requirement for the restriction of movement of timber has been lifted. Movement restrictions on material capable of spreading Phytophthora pluvialis remain in the Notices. Five demarcated area notices are currently in place across Wales.

The demarcated areas across Wales are shown on the Wales Demarcated Area map.

Crychan

Demarcated Area 8 comes into force on 24 January 2023 replacing Demarcated Area 2 which was issued on 22 April 2022. The demarcated area applies to an area around Crychan, Carmarthenshire. The boundaries are shown on the  Demarcated Area map. The Notice provides a description of the boundary.

Powys

Demarcated Area 9 comes into force on 24 January 2023 replacing Demarcated Area 3 which was issued on 21 April 2022. The demarcated area applies to an area around Powys. The boundaries are shown on the Demarcated Area map. The Notice provides a description of the boundary.

North West and Mid Wales

Demarcated area 10 comes into force on 24 January 2023 replacing Demarcated Area 5 (Demarcated area map) which was issued on 21 April 2022. The demarcated area applies to an area around Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Powys and Ceredigion counties. The boundaries are shown on the Demarcated area map. The Notice provides a description of the boundary.

South East Wales

Demarcated area 11 comes into force on 24 January 2023 replacing Demarcated Area 6 (Demarcated area map) which was issued on 21 April 2022. The demarcated area applies to an area around Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen, Powys, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot. The boundaries are shown on the Demarcated area map. The Notice provides a description of the boundary. Corresponding Demarcated Area Notices on Gov.uk have been issued in England for this outbreak site. They apply to parts of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

Carmarthenshire

Demarcated area 12 comes into force on 24 January 2023 replacing Demarcated Area 7 which was issued on 21 April 2022. The demarcated area applies to an area around Carmarthenshire and the boundaries are shown on the Demarcated area map. The Notice provides a description of the boundary.

The notices prohibit the movement of any relevant susceptible material out of or within the demarcated area specified, unless authorised in writing by a Plant Health Inspector.

List of authorised processors for Phytophthora pluvialis on Gov.UK

For enquiries please contact: treehealth@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Movement Authorisations will be issued by Forestry Commission so applicants need to e-mail ppluvialis.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk to request authorisation.

Landowners are reminded that to fell material a felling licence is required. For enquiries please contact fellinglicence@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.

Felled material in the demarcated area, which is not known to be infected, no longer requires inspection. Neither does it need to be sent to authorised processors. For more information please contact: ppluvialis.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk