Arborists reminded of OPM hazard

[David Humphries]

12 minutes ago, ABtrees said:

Hi David

 

I'm guessing that would take out all caterpillars rather than selectively just the OPM ?  No chance of seeing any Purple Hairstreak for the next few years then ?

This is one of the most significant issues that we are working around on the site. Hoping that the current PHCN will be rescinded for next year so that we can be more targeted with the ongoing management with an eye on biodiversity. 

 

We have breeding colonies of Purple Hairstreak, and that's just one species that we are mindful of, others include White Admiral & Purple Emperor.

 

[ABtrees]

3 minutes ago, David Humphries said:

This is one of the most significant issues that we are working around on the site. Hoping that the current PHCN will be rescinded for next year so that we can be more targeted with the ongoing management with an eye on biodiversity. 

 

Purple Hairstreak is just one species that we are mindful of, others include White Admiral & Purple Emperor.

 

I'm not sure I have this right but of those, is the Hairstreak the only one with Oak as a primary foodplant ? 

 

It's certainly an unenviable choice - get rid of the critters but take out some good guys in the process !

[David Humphries]

19 hours ago, ABtrees said:

I'm not sure I have this right but of those, is the Hairstreak the only one with Oak as a primary foodplant ? 

 

It's certainly an unenviable choice - get rid of the critters but take out some good guys in the process !

Yeah the Purple Hairstreak caterpillars have oak as its primary foodplant. (robur, petraea & turkey which the opm love here.)

 

The problem with the others is that there is going to be some residual drift risk of the spray on to other foodplants/trees like the goat willow for the Purple Emperor, and honey suckle along the woodland rides edges for the White Admiral.

[Khriss]

Just discovered our first crop this year ( un-pruned Oaks ) within M25 , so crew is now on call . K

[openspaceman]

What's the current rule on transporting oak logs and chip out of the infected area?

[Khriss]

OpensPaceMan , we got told - no chipping of brash , then they changed their mind ! If its off a 'treated ' site ie no caterrpillars  left , it should be ok , K

[openspaceman]

1 hour ago, Khriss said:

OpensPaceMan , we got told - no chipping of brash , then they changed their mind ! If its off a 'treated ' site ie no caterrpillars  left , it should be ok , K

Thanks kRiSS

 

My worry would be that the logs contained eggs and the crew had not noticed signs.

[Khriss]

It's still a risk - but then isn't everything ? I get itchy just walking under OPM Oaks . K

[openspaceman]

5 minutes ago, Khriss said:

It's still a risk - but then isn't everything ? I get itchy just walking under OPM Oaks . K

I suspect you miss my point; many gangs commute into London and come home with waste. The outbreaks near my village could have come here in waste as they are 15 miles from the core area

[Khriss]

Just now, openspaceman said:

I suspect you miss my point; many gangs commute into London and come home with waste. The outbreaks near my village could have come here in waste as they are 15 miles from the core area

Best you make this known at the next seminar- Forest Research is going to have to be clear on guidelines for this - and depending on the weather ( Including landowners reactions to the problem ) its not going away , K