Do Larch trees always die when they get Phytophera?

[Squaredy]

My work site is in a 3000 acre planted ancient woodland, where tens of thousands of Larch have been felled due to Phytophera by Welsh Forestry Commission (and now NRW) and the woodland trust - the main woodland managers.  Now a number of the trees within my little site are suffering.  They looked good in the spring, but not at all good now.

 

 Now if NRW serve a plant health notice on me I guess I will have to fell them.  But if they do not I am tempted to only take them out as they die.  Is it ever the case that a tree will recover or that some in a group will be resistant like with ash dieback?  The FC website says Phytophera will kill Larch quickly but I know local trees that have been going downhill for four years and are still not dead.

 

 The main stand is a group of about twenty large larch that have a fantastic amenity value.  There are a few others dotted around the site but they are of less consequence.  I will post some pictures tomorrow but wondered about fellow arbtalkers experiences.

 

 Thank you in advance for your input.

Edited August 21, 2022 by Squaredy

[5thelement]

The main issue with leaving PR infected trees standing is the spores spread onto healthy trees each time they come back into leaf.

The last block of Larch that I clear felled was only 10 acres, only half a dozen trees had been identified with the disease. Below the site was a large stand of Sweet chestnut, also susceptible to PR if left unchecked.

I have never heard of any Larch being resistant to the disease.

[Squaredy]

29 minutes ago, 5thelement said:

The main issue with leaving PR infected trees standing is the spores spread onto healthy trees each time they come back into leaf.

The last block of Larch that I clear felled was only 10 acres, only half a dozen trees had been identified with the disease. Below the site was a large stand of Sweet chestnut, also susceptible to PR if left unchecked.

I have never heard of any Larch being resistant to the disease.

Thank you for that.  I am not too worried about spreading the spores as there are thousands of NRW larches within spitting distance which also have Phytophera, so my handful are insignificant.  NRW are so far behind they missed their own deadlines for felling diseased trees.

[5thelement]

1 hour ago, Squaredy said:

Thank you for that.  I am not too worried about spreading the spores as there are thousands of NRW larches within spitting distance which also have Phytophera, so my handful are insignificant.  NRW are so far behind they missed their own deadlines for felling diseased trees.

Once they identify PR in plantations they usually clear fell the lot asap, in a bid to harvest at least some timber value.

A lot of harvesters have been transported up North to deal with the extensive storm damage seen up there so NWR may be short on machines/drivers.