In a press release, the Forestry Commission says it has isolated a three kilometre radius of Rhinefield Drive in Brockenhurst after tests on suspected plant material, taken on the 28th November 2008, were confirmed to be infected with the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum - Sudden Oak Death Syndrome.
So far, the disease has only been found on three Rhodendron ponticum bushes but the commission is surveying the immediate surrounding area for further signs of infection.
The infected plants will now be removed and destroyed and the area will be treated with herbicide for a further three years to stop the plants re-growing.
The Forestry Commission are asking anyone who suspects Phytophthora ramorum to contact them or on of these local DEFRA offices.
The Phytophthora ramorum pathogen come from a very large group of Phytophthora organisms causing bleeding cankers and/or oozing lesions, on the trunks of infected trees
Visual signs can be die back(necrosis) of the very tips of leaves, which can be accompanied or not by stem wilt and stem lesions on infected shrubs and plants.
The disease can be spread through the air via rain-splash or transported on 'water heavy' winds or via watercourses and infected material is often rooted in waterlogged airless soil.
This picture shows a Forestry Commission contractor felling Rhododendrons in the Forest (but not the actual infected material.
Thank you to Richard Loader of the New Forest for sending me the images.
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The aerial view shows the the track and gate (in the centre) that has the notice on it and the triangular area is the arboretum.
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