Guidance

Movement restrictions of spruce trees in the Ips typographus demarcated area

Published 5 June 2025

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is a serious pest of spruce trees and we need your help to deal with it.

Damaged, stressed and dying spruce trees are especially susceptible. If you think you have spotted signs of this beetle, report it to the Forestry Commission.

Any spruce material originating from within the demarcated area (DMA) is classified into one of two categories:

• low risk
• high risk

Low risk

Low risk is any spruce material originating in the DMA, unless specified as ‘high risk’ via a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN).

The majority of spruce trees felled in the DMA will not be on outbreak sites and will therefore be low risk.

If you have received an SPHN this will define areas of high risk, but it may also define areas of low risk material depending on the outcome of the survey and the health of the woodland.

I have spruce on land within the DMA, what must I do to harvest or thin it?

You are not obliged to do anything (unless you have received an SPHN) but policy does focus on proactively encouraging spruce tree removal and replacement with non-susceptible trees.

If you are looking to conduct harvesting, thinning or any action that is likely to kill spruce (for example, chemical treatment or ring barking), you must apply for the following authorisations:

• felling licence (apply 3 or more months before felling)
• intention to fell (minimum 2 weeks notice)
• movement/dispatch (minimum 2 weeks notice before the first dispatch)

This allows the Forestry Commission to survey the woodland/timber stacks and ensure there is no infestation. Early engagement is essential.

Find out more about applying for Ips typographus authorisation or email: Ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Any material leaving the site must go to an authorised processor for utilisation. This material does not have to be chipped and can be moved as round wood.

Harvesting residue over 8cm diameter (for example, branch wood) must be destroyed by chipping or burning or it can be removed from the site to an authorised processor.

No spruce material over 8cm diameter must be left in situ (on site) in the DMA.

When does it have to be processed?

Movement of spruce material:

• if harvested between September and December it must be processed by the end of February the following year
• if harvested from 1 January to 31 August it must be processed within 8 weeks of felling

For example, if harvested in October 2025 it must be processed by the end of February 2026.

High risk

Any spruce material that is known to be infested, likely to be infested or suspected of being infested.

How do I know if I have high risk material on my land?

You will receive an SPHN from the Forestry Commission. This will outline the infestation and what actions to take.

Where do I start?

Follow the instructions in the SPHN. This will define the timescales and methods for removal.

You will need to:

• fell the trees
• chip or burn all high risk material on site
• send round wood to an authorised processor

Harvesting residue over 8cm must be destroyed or removed to an authorised processor.

Beetles do not breed in small diameter material (under 8cm).

Find an authorised processor.

What information needs to be recorded?

The following will be recorded:

• date and time
• weight
• vehicle registration
• destination

When does it have to be done?

Your SPHN provides specific timings, but generally:

• infested/stressed material within 300m must be felled and destroyed before end of February or within 6 weeks of SPHN (whichever is sooner)
• stressed material within 1000m must be felled before the following spring (end of February)
• healthy spruce within 300m must be felled and processed (timescales based on SPHN severity)

Who to contact

There will be a named contact on your SPHN.

Spruce outside the DMA

There are no restrictions on spruce material originating outside the DMA.

Stacking spruce timber in the DMA

You must apply for authorisation.

Low risk (site without an SPHN):

• no standing spruce under different ownership within 300m
• stacks should be covered with thick tarpaulin
• you must allow ground-level inspection or dismantling within 24 hours
• an inspector may refuse based on proximity to outbreaks

High risk (site with an SPHN):

No standing spruce within 300m (any ownership).

Material must be:

• low risk (for example, healthy spruce from within 300m of infestation)
• harvested 12 months after infestation discovery
• covered where practical
• stacked at a height to allow inspection or safe dismantling within 24 hours

Authorised spruce timber stacking timescales:

Stacked between 1 September to 31 December

It can remain until end of February 2 calendar years later (for example, October 2024 until end of February 2026).

Stacked between 1 January to 31 August

It can remain until end of February next year (for example, January 2025 until end of February 2026).

Inspectors may inspect stacks at any point during the authorisation period.

Chipping spruce material on site

Low and high risk spruce material chipped on site have different authorisation processes.

All material within DMA will be inspected before chipping. Contact Ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Low risk spruce (chipped to G50)

It can be moved to any processor or storage facility, regardless of whether it’s inside or outside the DMA.

High risk spruce (chipped to G50)

Inside DMA

It can be moved to any processor or storage facility.

Outside DMA

It must go to an approved processor.

All chipped movements must be recorded and shared with the Forestry Commission.

Why it has to be done

Ips typographus poses a serious risk to UK woodlands and industries. If established, it could severely damage the UK’s timber production (spruce is widely used).

Eradication is underway via surveillance, trapping and demarcated movement zones.
Early action supports cost recovery through timber sale. Delay increases cost and reduces returns.

Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN)

SPHNs are issued after woodland surveys. They define high risk and low risk material.

Mandate:

• all spruce within 300m of infestation to be felled
• all stressed/dying spruce within 1000m to be felled and destroyed

To be felled:

• infested trees
• stressed/dying trees (within 1000m)
• healthy spruce (within 300m)
• healthy spruce (outside 300m) may also be included

Funding support

If you own or manage spruce in the DMA, you may qualify for support through the Tree health pilot scheme.

Speak to a Forestry Commission Woodland Officer for support and information on grants for felling, restocking, and maintenance.

Further questions

Will Ips typographus be eradicated in England?

Yes, following detection in 2018, extensive eradication is underway.

Is it safe to receive spruce from the DMA?

Yes, only surveyed, inspected and low-risk material is moved. High risk material is chipped before leaving site.

What is the DMA?

An area designated to restrict spruce movement and operations. Refer to the DMA map.

What is the ‘spruce removal area’?

A pilot area in the South East for proactive spruce felling. Grant funding is available only here as part of the pilot.

Why fell healthy spruce?

To reduce colonisation opportunities, especially given climate change risks.

Can Sitka spruce be infected?

All spruce species are susceptible. Sitka is less commonly infested but not immune. Ongoing research is evaluating susceptibility and risks.

Further resources and contact

Watch the video guidance on the movement restrictions of spruce trees.

For more questions contact Ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.