Disease hits New Forest

An outbreak of the fungus-like plant disease Phytophthora ramorum - popularly known in the USA as 'sudden oak death' - has been found in a small number of rhododendron bushes the New Forest, the Forestry Commission has confirmed.

Mike Seddon, Deputy Surveyor for the New Forest, said,

"As a result of routine monitoring undertaken as part of national measures to protect Britain's trees and forests against Phytophthora ramorum, infection has been confirmed on some Rhododendron ponticum bushes near Brockenhurst in the New Forest.

"We are now working with Defra to determine the exact scale and extent of the outbreak, to destroy infected plants, and to decide what other action might be needed.

"In the meantime the public may continue to enjoy visiting the New Forest as usual. However, to help prevent the spread of the disease, we ask that in signposted infected areas they stay on the footpaths, keep dogs on leads, and do not take plant cuttings. There is no risk to human health."

Further information about Phytophthora ramorum is available from the Plant Health section of the Forestry Commission's website, www.forestry.gov.uk/planthealth