Just to clarify - we haven't spotted any symptoms of Acute Oak Decline on Cherry Orchard - but we do have affected oak trees in Warndon Wood.
We aren't aware of any trees suffering from Sudden Oak Death in Worcester, but it's worth keeping an eye out for symptoms.
From The Forestry Commission Website, regarding Ash Dieback:
Advice to forest visitors
The risk of visitors spreading the disease is very small and we are not closing forests or advising owners of infected sites to do so.
We do ask that if you are visiting an infected or suspected wood, please take some simple precautions:
?do not remove any plant material (firewood, sticks, leaves or cuttings) from the woodland;
?where possible, before leaving the woodland, clean soil, mud, leaves and other plant material from footwear, clothing, dogs, horses, the wheels and tyres of bicycles, baby buggies, carriages and other vehicles, and remove any leaves which are sticking to your car;
?before visiting other countryside sites, parks, garden centres and nurseries, thoroughly wash footwear, wheels and tyres in soapy water;
?follow the instructions on any signs.
If you are unsure whether a wood is infected, or suspected of being infected, it is always good practice to follow the advice above.
Of course, these measures help prevent spread of all these diseases!
Heather (Assistant Ranger)
