16 parts of the UK will go into ‘lockdown’ to stop the spread of tree bugs

Large parts of the UK are to be quarantined in a bid to stop the spread of a dangerous insect that could threaten the country’s forests. The Forestry Commission has issued a warning in an attempt to prevent the spread of Ips Typographus, the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle.

The tree pest was found on spruces in East Anglia. The beetle, first found in the UK in Kent in 2018, can attack healthy trees. From Wednesday 12 June, a ‘lockdown’ will come into effect across a demarcated area (DMA) in South East England and East Anglia to prevent potential spread.

16 areas will be affected with limits as movement and operations for affected businesses will be restricted. The existing Demarcated Area, last extended in 2022, covers parts of Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, City of London, Greater London, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Essex and Hampshire and will now be extended.

The expanded area will now cover parts of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Felling of trees and movement of all spruce material in these areas will be prohibited for all businesses, including bark, isolated bark and wood chips.

Any suspected discovery of the beetle should be reported using the TreeAlert online portal. Forestry Commission spokesperson Andrea Deol said: “Following a report of Ips typographus to the East of England Forestry Commission, we carried out a rapid investigation, including rapid eradication measures, alongside wider environmental monitoring for to determine the extent of the problem and to identify appropriate additional management actions.

“All landowners, managers and timber processors should remain vigilant for Ips typographus. It is important that landowners continue to check the health of the spruce on their land, this is especially important now that we are entering the next flying season.”