Correspondence

eAlert: 10 July 2020 - Helping tree nurseries recover from the impact of coronavirus

Published 10 July 2020

Read our refreshed operational update: coronavirus on GOV.UK, find out about new funding to help tree nurseries recover from the impact of coronavirus. We have a new guide on the use of tree shelters and stay up to date with protected zone passports.

1. Operational update: coronavirus

We have refreshed our operational update on our working arrangements during the coronavirus pandemic on GOV.UK. These include changes to our site visits and our office reopening. We are currently still not able to take calls at our offices due to the limited staffing numbers in the offices, please read the operational update to find out how to contact us.

2. Helping tree nurseries recover from the impact of coronavirus

Apply for Scottish Forestry’s Harvesting and Processing Grant which is also available for nurseries in England and Wales.

Over the last few weeks we have been working with colleagues in Defra, Scottish Forestry and the Welsh Government to bring forward support to help tree nurseries invest in equipment that will increase their productivity and overall production levels.

Plant supply is a UK wide business. Most major tree nurseries are based in England and Wales whilst the largest market for their product is in Scotland. It is estimated that around 100 million trees are produced for woodland creation and restocking in the UK each year.

COVID19 had a serious impact on working practices at some nurseries and overall production levels are still recovering from dry conditions during the 2018 growing season that led to significant losses. £500,000 has been made available by Defra, from the Natural Carbon Fund budget announced earlier this year. This matched with funding from Scotland and Wales. One of the conditions of the scheme is that the nursery involved must intend to supply some planting stock to Scotland.

Overall this scheme should result in more productive and resilient tree nurseries supplying increased volumes of stock to planting programmes across the UK. You can read more about this scheme and how to apply for the Harvesting and Processing grant.

3. Information about the use of tree shelters and guards

We have recently published a new guide which is now available online.

The new Tree protection: The use of tree shelters and guards guide outlines a framework for woodland owners and managers considering what method(s) of protection are needed for the successful establishment of trees. The guide also highlights the key considerations when evaluating the efficacy of tree protection, and explores a sustainable approach to the use of plastics within forestry.

4. Protected zone plant passports required

If you are looking to move any conifer and Castanea species.

The new Plant Health Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 (PHR) requires the use of protected zone plant passports for the movement of all conifers and Castanea species (including sweet chestnut) with bark and isolated bark of these species, including when mixed with other bark species and other material. This requirement also applies to GB origin material moved within GB.

For a full update please see the latest updates on plant passporting. Log into the e-learning module as a guest and then click on ‘Resources’ in the top right hand corner to see the latest copy of the Plant Passport Overview released in July 2020.

5. New guidance on ground-based use of Asulam

The Chemical Regulations Division (CRD) has issued an additional Emergency Authorisation that will reinstate the ground-based application of Asulam for bracken control in conservation areas, and land covered by an agri-environment scheme and forestry (in the establishment phase). CRD has also changed the approved concentrations for hand-held use from 1:100 to 1:4. This will make it easier to carry out follow-up treatments and initial treatments of small areas using hand-held equipment. The conditions attached to this approval must be noted, and there is more information on the Asulam page of the website. This page provides a link to the approval document issued by CRD, which contains full details.