A newish disease of uncertain provenance, it causes limb lesions and eventual limb shedding with obvious potential for harm to the public. The identifying lesions are on the upper surface of the limbs and thus near impossible to spot from the ground, but at least it is usually smaller limbs that are affected first. These are still up to 10cm diameter and thus physically substantial, and the disease can in time affect limbs up to 1 ft in diameter. Pruning out affected branches is the only current control.
The fungus (Splanchnonema platani) has been found on Planes in Europe for a long time where it is regarded as a minor problem, and has also been found in the UK as one of a population of saprophytic and parasitic fungi present in affected wood, but has not produced spores here until 2013, and it is not clear why it has now started. Research continues.
If you have Planes in your garden that might pose a danger to yourself or others then it makes sense to have them aerially inspected every 4-6 months if possible, as the disease apparently can develop this fast. For those with trees overhanging public spaces it is advisable to notify your insurers of this risk.
Read more about this disease in Forestry Research
The fungus (Splanchnonema platani) has been found on Planes in Europe for a long time where it is regarded as a minor problem, and has also been found in the UK as one of a population of saprophytic and parasitic fungi present in affected wood, but has not produced spores here until 2013, and it is not clear why it has now started. Research continues.
If you have Planes in your garden that might pose a danger to yourself or others then it makes sense to have them aerially inspected every 4-6 months if possible, as the disease apparently can develop this fast. For those with trees overhanging public spaces it is advisable to notify your insurers of this risk.
Read more about this disease in Forestry Research
RSS Feed