Thanks to Gavin and Clive for this:
Trees infected by disease. Like other sites in Sheffield and beyond, it has been confirmed that Wyming Brook nature reserve has the Larch disease Phytophthora ramorum.
Phytophthora ramorum causes extensive damage and death to various species. Larch is particularly susceptible and large numbers of trees have been affected. It can also affect Sweet Chestnut trees and other tree species. There is no cure for the disease. Scientific advice is to fell and remove the trees to minimise further spread. We will be receiving a Statutory Plant Health Notice related to Wyming Brook. This means we will have to fell all Larch and Sweet Chestnut across the infected area.
A major joint operation with Yorkshire Water will be required this autumn/winter to fell and remove hundreds of trees. This will have a drastic effect on the landscape, and large forestry machines will be required to fell and extract the timber.
Felling operations will cause considerable disruption to site users. For safety reasons, the car park and the main Wyming Brook Drive will need to be temporarily closed to allow foresters and hauliers to operate. We will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum and provide information on alternative recreation routes.
This situation provides an opportunity to restructure the woods, making it more resilient for the future. With Larch removed, gaps in the canopy will allow native broadleaf trees and shrubs such as oak, birch, rowan and holly to naturally regenerate, which in time will provide excellent wildlife habitat. In some situations, we may be able to ‘ring-bark’ trees; this will create a valuable standing deadwood resource.
Part of the site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); removing the Larch will actually help move this area to ‘recovered’ status. We are in early stages of the scheme and a definite plan has not yet been confirmed. In the meantime, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on nature.reserves@wildsheffield.com or 0114 263 4335
