By Debbie James

THE disease infecting larch trees across Wales has been significantly reduced through felling large acreages of contaminated woodland.

Over 600 Statutory Plant Health Notices covering 37% of all larch in Wales – over 9,100 hectares - have been issued by Natural Resources Wales to contain Phytophthora ramorum.

The Welsh government says its disease management strategy, to fell infected trees on the edge of the diseased area, is working. The government is now offering grants for the replanting of this woodland.

A second Expression of Interest window in the Glastir Woodland Restoration scheme opened on October 19 to support the re-planting of woodland where ramorum disease has become a threat.

The scheme, which first opened in the summer, has already received 40 applications during the round of expressions of interest.

Wales’ deputy minister for farming and food, Rebecca Evans, said replanting would need to be completed by March 31 to qualify for the funding.

“It is really important that when replanting larch woodland, we get the right tree in the right place for the right reason, to increase the resilience of the woodland to climate change and future disease threats,’’ she said.

“That is why we require woodland owners applying to the scheme to prepare a forest management plan drawn up by a listed Forest Management Planner with professional qualifications and is consistent with the UK Forestry Standard which is the benchmark for sustainable forest management.’’

The application window will close at midnight on the November 13.