Access to the Peak District magnificence spot Snake Woodland goes to be restricted to the general public because of forestry works following the problem of a Statutory Plant Health Notice.
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Forestry England, who handle the woodland as a supply of sustainably grown timber, have confirmed there may be an outbreak of Phytophthora Ramorum within the larch bushes within the space. As a notifiable illness the house owners of bushes with Phytophthora have a authorized obligation to take away the bushes to cut back the unfold of the illness. The busy street by way of the world additionally must have bushes eliminated to verify diseased bushes aren’t posing a possible threat to drivers.
The bushes can be felled in a harvesting operation that can be deliberate and managed by Forestry England, and the timber offered to the UK timber trade to develop into issues like furnishings, building supplies and cardboard. These forestry works have already began and are because of be accomplished after Easter 2024. The bushes for replanting these areas are already rising in Forestry England nurseries.
Forestry England Forester for the Peak District, Chris Bray, mentioned:
“Removing these larch trees is not only a legal obligation, it is also one of the most important actions we can take in the battle against tree pests and diseases. Phytophthora is a fungus-like organism and infection happens when the spores are dispersed in moisture, including moist air. It causes disease in trees, shrubs and plants. Larch trees are known as the worst transmitter of the disease but sweet chestnut and rhododendron are also included in the Statutory Plant Health Notice and will also be removed.”
Once the work has been accomplished, it’s thought that there can be extra harm to the paths guests use to walk by way of the woodland, brought on by the forestry equipment required to chop down and take away the diseased bushes. Much of the principle path was washed away throughout flooding in 2008.
“As Snake Woodlands is an iconic route to the High Moor, we are already thinking about how best to make sure there are walking trails in place that are of a level that they can be managed and maintained appropriately. We are a largely self-funding organisation with limited staff resources and funding available to us. Sadly anti-social behaviour across a lot of our sites in the Peak District is on the increase, and far too much of our time and financial resources are being used to clear up after these irresponsible visitors.”
“Whilst forestry works are underway at Snake Woodland we’re asking people to adhere to the trail closure signs. There are other Forestry England sites in the area that are great places to explore, including Lockerbrooke and the Goyt Valley, so we would suggest that visitors choose these sites as destinations at this time.”
