Tree pests and diseases - Lake District National Park

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Author: Olivia Wass, Woodlands Officer at Lake District National Park

Overview

Tree pests and diseases are growing concerns and threaten a significant number of trees nationally, including in the Lake District National Park, resulting in the decline of key tree species, disruption to woodland habitats, and visible changes to the natural and cultural landscape. Introduced from overseas, many pests and diseases spread rapidly and unpredictably – a threat likely to be exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Building woodland resilience through diverse planting and taking steps to prevent the spread are now more important than ever – with everyone, from land managers to visitors, playing a role in reducing the transmission of harmful pests and diseases.

What can we do to prevent the spread?

The Lake District National Park Authority is committed to promoting best practices in biosecurity and tree disease management by:

Staying informed with latest pest and disease developments
Reporting sightings of pests and diseases to Forestry Commission via Tree Alert
Encouraging best practice biosecurity practices for staff and visitors, such as cleaning boots and tools before and after visits – for more details, visit GOV.UK
Conducting regular survey inspections to monitor tree safety across all our car parks and woodland sites
Sourcing trees for planting from local, disease-free areas
Responding promptly to Statutory Plant Health Notices

By following these practices, we aim to safeguard the long-term resilience of Lake District’s woodlands for future generations.

Current threats

Ash Dieback

Ash dieback is a tree disease that is affecting ash trees across the Lake District National Park.

Ash is one of our most important native trees, supporting a wide range of wildlife, plants, fungi and lichen and shapes the landscapes people value and enjoy. As the disease progresses, some trees become weakened and can lose branches or become unstable, particularly near roads, paths and places where people live or work. In these situations, trees may need to be felled to keep people safe.

However, not all ash trees are affected in the same way. Some show only mild symptoms, while others appear to have a natural tolerance to the disease and continue to grow well. Where it is safe to do so, we will retain and monitor these trees, as they may play an important role in the future of ash in the landscape.

As part of our ash dieback programme on the property that we own and manage, we are regularly monitoring affected areas and taking a balanced approach that protects public safety while retaining as many ash trees as possible for wildlife, biodiversity and the future health of our woodlands.

Learn more about Chalara ash dieback in the UK.

Phytophthora Ramorum

While ash dieback has received significant attention, it is only one of many challenges currently threatening the health of our trees and woodlands. Phytophthora ramorum, commonly known as ‘larch disease’, has already affected several larch plantations within the Lake District National Park. It infects bark and foliage causing wilt, blackened needles and needle drop. This infection can lead to the gradual death of branches and needles of infected trees. Where outbreaks occur, Forestry England may issue a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN), requiring landowners by law to fell and remove affected trees to help contain the disease and reduce the risk of further spread.

P. ramorum affects a wide range of plant species, with larch trees being particularly vulnerable and heavily impacted in some of our woodlands. Rhododendron, also highly susceptible, can contribute to the spread of the disease – providing another important reason to eradicate it from our sites.

Useful links

Advice to people using our woodlands can change quickly. Please look at the following websites for the best information: