2,000 trees to be axed after killer disease hits garden

ONE OF Scotland’s most popular botanical gardens will fell thousands of trees after a killer disease was found.

Inverewe, near Poolewe in Wester Ross, confirmed it is the latest victim of the fungus-like tree disease Phytophthora ramorum, also known as sudden oak death.

The National Trust for Scotland, which owns the world-renowned 150-year-old garden, said more than 2,000 larch trees and other susceptible plants will be felled by the end of next month to contain the disease and prevent further spreading.

The disease can be carried by airborne spores from plant to plant. Inverewe staff were made aware of the problem in the garden’s east belt before Christmas.

The NTS property manager for Inverewe, Kevin Frediani, said restoring the garden would cost the conservation charity in excess of £20,000.

He said: ‘Phytophthora is a fungus-like pathogen which can badly damage and often kill trees. Since being found in the UK for the first time in 2009 it has spread rapidly and made it to Scotland in 2011.

‘Responsible landowners, like the National Trust for Scotland, undertake regular visual checks from the ground. However, it was the work of the Forestry Commission Scotland, who undertake regular aerial surveys to support our checks, which identified the outbreak.

‘Fortunately, the affected larch are not in a core part of the garden, though we are required to fell the affected trees up to 270 yards out as part of a containment zone.

‘We will be able to do this using in-house teams by the February deadline, though the costs will exceed £20,000.’

He added: ‘Our teams are working hard to ensure there will be very little impact on visitors to Inverewe Garden, though we will be asking everyone to respect guidance which is designed to prevent any further infections or transference elsewhere.’

The source of the infection is unknown and given the propensity of spores to be blown over very long distances, it is unlikely it will ever be identified. Larch trees are particularly susceptible to the disease.

Inverewe, which is surrounded by a 2,000acre estate, has one of the most spectacular settings of any garden in Europe. It is warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream, and supports a range of sub-tropical plants despite being perched on the edge of Loch Ewe in the northwest Highlands.

‘The costs will exceed £20,000’