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Phytophthora ramorum is a plant disease which is commonly known as Sudden Oak Death (it originates from the United States where it affects oak trees). It is a contagious fungus that can be spread naturally through air currents, watercourses and rain splash and can also be spread by humans through infection on shoes, dogs paws and bicycle wheels. Other means of spread are through tools such as chainsaws and equipment.

The fungus poses no threat to humans or animals. However, to curb the chances of spreading the fungus all walkers are asked to stick to paths, keep animals on leads and clean cycles and footwear of mud on leaving the affected woodlands.

Southway Valley

A large amount of tree felling has taken place in Southway Valley during the spring of 2016. The tree felling was necessary because all of the trees (larch) were found to have the disease Phytophthora ramorum. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs issued a plant health order and therefore the landowner had to fell all of the affected trees.

The area affected is entirely on private land. We own the site adjacent, Southway Valley Local Nature Reserve. The trees within the reserve were entirely unaffected by this disease and no trees were felled.

Cann Wood

A number of trees were felled in 2015 in Cann Wood Local Nature Reserve between Whitleigh and Southway after the discovery of the plant disease.

The Forestry Commission investigated the site to assess the extent of the spread and issued us with a felling order. The trees that were felled were Larch and Sweet Chestnut. We removed these trees as if left untreated some other species of tree and garden plants can become infected.