Ips typographus update

Defra recently confirmed that a finding of Ips typographus, which fell outside on the demarcated area in Suffolk, was reported to the Forestry Commission. This outbreak was on a small stand of unhealthy Norway Spruce and log stacks. A swift investigation was conducted at the site, alongside wider environmental surveillance to determine the scale of this finding and suitable management actions, including rapid eradication measures as required.

A Press Notice from DEFRA

New action to protect against impacts of bark beetle tree pest (Ips typographus). 

• Forestry Commission to introduce new plant health requirements following confirmation of eight-toothed spruce bark beetle findings in Suffolk and Norfolk.
• Rapid eradication measures taking place, alongside swift action to extend the existing demarcated area in the South East of England into East Anglia.
• Woodland managers, landowners and forestry industry urged to be vigilant and report any sightings online after first Ips typographus finding of the 2024 season.

Woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry are encouraged to remain vigilant as the Forestry Commission (FC) today (Wednesday 5 June) announces an expansion of the current Ips typographus demarcated area following findings of the tree pest, also known as the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, on Norway spruce in East Anglia. It is important to continue taking the necessary action to rapidly remove any stressed, fallen, snapped or storm damaged Spruce trees in their area. We also advise the swift removal of any spruce timber that is left in situ, especially as temperatures rise and we enter the next flight season.

The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle is a serious pest of spruce trees in Europe and was first identified in the UK in Kent in 2018. It prefers stressed or dying trees but under the right conditions it can attack healthy trees and has the potential to cause significant damage to Great Britain’s forestry and timber industries. 

From Wednesday 12 June 2024 requirements will come into force across an extended, larger demarcated area (DMA) in the South East of England and East Anglia to prevent potential spread of the pest, in line with the eradication action taken by the Forestry Commission to manage outbreaks.

The existing Demarcated area, last extended in 2022, covers parts of Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, City of London, Greater London, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Essex and Hampshire. After findings of Ips typographus were reported to Forestry Commission, the extended zone will now cover parts of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

Within these areas, the felling and movement of all spruce material, including trees and wood with bark, isolated bark, and wood chip with bark, is prohibited within the demarcated area unless authorised by the Forestry Commission. Woodland managers must provide written notification to the Forestry Commission if they intend to fell or kill any trees of the genus Picea A. Dietr over three metres in height. Full guidance of the requirements are available on Gov.UK.

Additionally, processing of spruce material which has originated in the demarcated area may only be undertaken at premises authorised by the Forestry Commission to receive this material and there is also a prohibition of susceptible material being left in situ, unless authorised in writing by a plant health inspector.

The Forestry Commission continues to robustly manage this pest and prevent its establishment within Great Britain. Landowners, managers, and timber processors should remain vigilant for Ips typographus and are encouraged to continue to check the health of spruce trees on their land especially as temperatures rise and we enter the flight season. Any suspected findings of the beetle can be reported using the online portal TreeAlert.

 Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: 

"The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle poses no threat to human health but can have a serious impact on spruce trees and the forestry industry. We are taking swift and robust action to limit the spread of the outbreaks as part of our well-established biosecurity protocol used for tree pests and diseases. Expanding the demarcated area in response to new findings in 2024 will further strengthen this strategy and prevent this pest becoming established. As we enter the flight season, increased vigilance is needed and any sightings should be reported to the Forestry Commission via its TreeAlert online portal."

Forestry Commission spokesperson Andrea Deol said: 

"Following a report of Ips typographus to the Forestry Commission in East Anglia. We conducted a swift investigation including rapid eradication measures, alongside wider environment surveillance to determine the scale of the issue and identify additional suitable management actions. All landowners, managers and timber processors should remain vigilant for Ips typographus. It is important for landowners to continue to check the health of spruce trees on their land, this is particularly important now we are entering the next flight season."

For authorisation to commence felling, move or process spruce material that has originated in the demarcated area please contact ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Landowners and managers served with a Statutory Plant Health Notice due to an outbreak on their site may be eligible for grants to support felling and restocking activity through the Tree Health Pilot. The Forestry Commission is encouraging landowners to proactively remove spruce from the South East of England and replant with other non-susceptible species. A new map indicating the ‘proactive spruce removal area’ is available on Gov.Uk.

To view the boundaries of the extended demarcated area, a new map is available.

To conclude, the Association continues to liaise with Defra and the Forestry Commission on Ips Typographus and other matters of biosecurity impacting our sector like Oak Processionary Moth and the biosecurity restrictions on movement of large oak trees. The Association will update our members with relevant material and guidance accordingly.