Beech disease

There are worries for the many old Beech trees in Epping forest, as their Rhododendrons have been found with Phytophthora Ramorum. This is the same disease that was confirmed in Centre Vale park in Todmorden and Shibden Park Halifax.

There is to be a great effort at Epping forest to prevent the disease spreading to the old Beech and they are going to cut and burn all Rhododendron, which is a prime host and spreader of P. ramorum.

There are old Beech trees in many areas of our valley dying from Phytophthora, yet I see little interest being shown to acknowledge there is a problem.