Forestry Commission Acts to Control Oak Tree Pest

On March 8, the Forestry Commission is updating the operational zones and boundaries to control the spread of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM).

OPM caterpillars and their nests possess hairs that can lead to itchy rashes, as well as eye and throat irritations, and should never be touched. These caterpillars consume oak leaves, increasing the trees’ susceptibility to other pests and diseases, thereby reducing their ability to endure harsh weather conditions like droughts and floods. The period posing the highest risk to human and animal health is from May to July, when the caterpillars emerge and feed before transforming into adult moths.

With the onset of the OPM season in March, when caterpillars begin to emerge, adjustments will be made to the three operational boundaries of the management zones: Area designated free from the pest, Buffer Zone, and Established Area, to further restrict the pest’s spread.

Following government surveillance in 2022, the Established Area where OPM is found and the Buffer Zone—where the Forestry Commission conducts an annual OPM management program—will be expanded. This expansion aims to curb the spread of OPM to other parts of the UK that remain pest-free.

Trade and local authorities are advised to review the updated zones and boundaries on GOV.UK and the OPM resource hub to determine which zone they are situated in beginning March 8, 2023.

Andrew Hoppit, Oak Processionary Moth Project Manager, stated:

The larvae of the oak processionary moth can inflict considerable damage to oak trees and pose a danger to both human and animal health. These measures are intended to minimize the spread and effects of the pest, thus safeguarding our invaluable oak trees as part of our broader tree health protection strategy.

Any sightings should be reported to the Forestry Commission through our TreeAlert portal.

Initially identified in England in 2006, this pest is presently found in London and the neighboring counties. Management of OPM varies throughout England based on the pest’s known distribution, aiming to protect areas that are uninfected. A government program aimed at managing OPM has been active since 2012, conducted by the Forestry Commission to control its spread and diminish its prevalence.

Landowners, the general public, and trade sectors are encouraged to stay alert for the pest and report any sightings to the Forestry Commission through our TreeAlert portal, by sending an email to opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk, or by calling 0300 067 4442.

Later this year, new regulations will come into effect that will allow large oak trees to be moved within the OPM Buffer Zone and Established Area, provided specific biosecurity and movement protocols are followed. Any Professional Operators operating in the Buffer Zone or Established Area for 2023 should consult their Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI) now to review biosecurity requirements and necessary preparations.

For additional details, visit ‘Managing Oak Processionary Moth in England’.

ENDS

Further information on support for those affected by Oak Processionary Moth:

• The OPM Groups Grant finances the surveying of oak trees within local communities in London and the South East, supporting initiatives to enhance understanding of the risks and management of OPM. To facilitate administrative processes and promote collaboration, it funds a lead facilitator to gather local landowners who require assistance in addressing the pest, leveraging existing support and guidelines to minimize the pest’s impact and spread.
• The OPM Private Residents’ Pilot assists private homeowners with small oak tree populations in managing treatment.
• A toolkit for local authorities and larger landowners to aid in planning and managing OPM has been produced by the Tree Council in collaboration with Forest Research.

Wider background:

• After potential OPM contact, consult your pharmacist for relief from mild skin or eye irritations. For more severe reactions, contact a GP or call NHS111. If animals are significantly affected, reach out to a veterinarian.

An interactive map illustrating confirmed OPM reports in 2021.