Landowners to get financial support to beat larch blight

FINANCIAL support is being made available to help landowners tackle a disease that is threatening to kill thousands of larch trees across Scotland.

Phytophthora ramorum, commonly known as Sudden Oak Death, initially infected rhododendrons in Scotland but in recent years has spread to larch trees. Currently there are eight confirmed areas with diseased larch trees, all on the west coast of Scotland.

However, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) believes more cases will come to light as the trees resume growth in spring. FCS has put together a new support package to encourage early detection and action to try to control the spread of the disease.

The organisation has worried that woodland managers have been put off taking action to tackle the disease because of the cost. They will be eligible for up to £1,200 per hectare for clearing infected areas of larch.

Hugh Clayden, FCS’s tree health policy adviser, said: “It is vital that we continue to engage the support of the sector on managing this disease and minimising its environmental and economic damage.

“We also need to raise awareness across the forestry and recreation sectors.”