Oriental Sweet Chestnut Gall Wasp

[Gollum]

Apparently there is an outbreak of Oriental Sweet Chestnut Gall Wasp

in Kent,

supposed to be on BBC south east tonight @ 6.30.

[john k]

I was at a FC briefing about this today and it sounds like they've been responding very quickly.

 

In the space of two weeks they have done a survey of the entire wood, felling sample trees to check for galls, and found out which area is currently affected. They have also got contractors in to machine harvest the 14ha where they have found galls, and will be burning all lop and top hoping to get it done before the wasps emerge. The timber isn't affected and there are no movement restrictions, but it isn't being harvested as tidily as you'd normally see due to the rush.

 

They are also carrying out surveys in the surrounding area, and have asked everyone to keep a look out and to report it if you find any.

[john k]

FC web site with more details here: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/gallwasp