Oak Processionary Moth

[Tonythetree]

Dear All,

 

Some of you may or may not have seen the following article from Horticulture Week | Garden centres, nurseries, landscaping, parks, turf, arboriculture. Obviously this will apply to some more than others due to geographic location. Please note that restrictions are in place relating to the transport of Oak timber. Further information is available from the Forestry Commission.

 

Those working on Oak trees in the affected areas should also give due consideration to the presence of OPM in Site Specific Risk Assessment. Contact with OPM will induce allergic reaction. Further information in this respect is available from the Forestry Commission GB.

 

Arborists in oak processionary moth outbreak areas reminded of removal restrictions

 

 

 

by Magda Ibrahim

HortWeek.com

01 April 2010

Arboriculturists working in the oak processionary moth outbreak areas in London are being reminded not to remove wood.

 

Following a meeting of the oak processionary moth outbreak management team, the Forestry Commission is reminding arborists of restrictions on oak material removal.

 

The restrictions apply to those pruning or felling oak trees in the Brent, Ealing, Hounslow, Richmond Upon Thames and Hammersmith & Fulham boroughs and bordering areas.

 

There are restrictions in place on the movement of oak material off sites in the outbreak area.

 

The Forestry Commission is also encouraging them to l report sightings of oak processionary larvae (caterpillars) or their nests, and to contact it for advice on [email protected] or 0131 314 6414 before removing oak material off sites in the affected boroughs.

 

Just thought i'd share this

 

Tony

[janey]

A good reminder, Tony.

 

They are nasty lil' blighters and their potential for damage to our tree cover and human health shouldn't be underestimated.

[David Humphries]

I'll be putting up the pheramone traps again this year at Hampstead.

 

We caught one Male OPM last year.

12 miles from the outbreak, they're definately on the spread.

 

 

 

 

.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Not had personal experiance of the OPM as yet though have seen the damaged trees about here and there.

 

Thanks for the info guys, I was not aware how serious an issue this was till this popped up!

 

maybe I need to spend a little less time focusing on fungi and look at other pests for a while!