The relative disease free status that Ireland's forests currently enjoy requires careful monitoring to ensure that any outbreaks of potentially threatening new organisms are dealt with quickly and effectively. Forest Protection Section has this as one of its objectives as well as the provision of a diagnostic advisory service on control methods for a wide range of insect pests, diseases and competing vegetation.

Coillte have been advised by the Forest Service that the Pathogen Phytophthora ramorum has been recovered from Japanese larch in the Tipperary/Waterford area .

Coillte are currently assessing the extent of the disease on their estate. On sites where the disease is found Coillte will implement bio security measures and where necessary infected trees will be felled.

Pure Japanese larch stands make up only less than 2% of our forest estate.

Please see Forest Service Website for information about Phytophthora ramorum symptoms on Japanese larch 

 

 

• Pest and Disease Management aimed at developing cost-effective pest management strategies for the known range of pests and diseases and also developing and maintaining the capability to deal with pest and disease outbreaks.
• Annual monitoring of forest condition as part of an EU-wide study to provide quantitative data on the vitality of the Union's forests.
• A forest damage study associated with the forest condition survey but aiming to determine the underlying causes of problems with forest condition.
• Vegetation management with the objective of developing cost-effective methods of managing competing vegetation and to evaluate technological advances in herbicide application.
• Joint projects with chemical companies to develop label recommendations on the use of herbicides for forestry applications.
• An evaluation of dyes as indicators of the use of urea as a stump treatment to protect crops against butt rot fungus.

Dr. Aoife Dillon
Forest Protection
Coillte Research & Development
Dublin Hill
Cork
Ireland

Tel: +353 87 752 2820
Email: aoife.dillon@coillte.ie

 

Annmarie Hamilton
Forest Protection
Coillte Research & Development
Newtownmountkennedy
Co Wicklow
Ireland

Tel: +353 1 281 1445
Emal: annmarie.hamilton@coillte.ie