Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus)
Find out about the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus), including how to report sightings.
Latest news
The new Spruce Site Assessment grant is now open to applications. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and will help landowners assess spruce trees and plan for felling and restocking activity.
The proactive spruce felling grant under the Tree Health Pilot is under review and expected to open late autumn with improved funding rates and expanded eligibility.
Read the full story: New grant helps woodland owners stay ahead of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle.
Find out more on the funding to plan, fell and restock trees.
Overview
The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle is considered a serious pest on spruce in Europe and has recently been found in the wider environment in England as part of routine plant health surveillance activity.
The beetle is mainly a secondary pest, preferring stressed or weakened trees. However, under the right environmental conditions, beetle numbers can increase enough to result in attacks on healthy trees.
If left uncontrolled, the beetle, in association with pathogenic fungi (particularly the blue stain fungus Endoconidiophora polonica), has the potential to cause significant damage to Britain’s spruce-based forestry and timber industries.
There is no evidence that Ips typographus is spreading in England. The latest establishments are likely to have come directly from the continent and are not related to the original 2018 finding.
Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus). Credit: Forestry England
Landowners should check the health of spruce trees on their land. Identify stressed, fallen, and snapped trees, and take action to remove them and any surrounding susceptible material.
The video, Beat the Beetle, explains the threat of Ips typographus on spruce trees, and advises on how woodland owners can help reduce the risk from this pest.
Watch the video: Beat the Beetle.
Identification and symptoms
Adult beetles are dormant and hibernate over winter under the bark of trees, logs and leaf litter. They re-emerge in spring, when the temperature rises above 20°C.
Female beetles lay eggs along a linear gallery system from which larval galleries radiate, becoming wider as the larvae grow. The pattern shows in the bark and in the surface of the wood, and is unique to Ips typographus. Look for this symptom in any susceptible material, such as dead trees.
The beetle prefers stressed or weakened trees, for example windblown, damaged and recently felled spruce trees, where, under the right environmental conditions, beetle numbers can increase. Inspection of trees in this category should be a priority.
Look for standing individual and groups of dead trees. This happens when the beetles ‘mass attack’ trees, overcoming the trees’ usual defences by a combination of large numbers and blue stain fungus carried by adult beetles. Under the right environmental conditions, this phase can lead to extensive tree deaths.
How to identify the beetle
Infested bark, and the wood under the bark, will have a linear gallery system, where the females lay their eggs.
Refer to the for images of affected trees to help with identification.
The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle is often confused with the larger ‘great spruce bark beetle’ (Dendroctonus micans).
Report sightings
If you think you have spotted signs of this beetle anywhere in Great Britain, tell us using Tree Alert.
You can also submit a tree alert if your spruce woodland is exhibiting signs of decline or stress. We may follow up with an inspection.
Report suspected sightings in Northern Ireland using Treecheck, the all-Ireland tree pest reporting tool.
Restrictions and prohibitions in the demarcated area
To protect the country against this pest, under powers conferred by The Official Controls (Plant Health and Genetically Modified Organisms) (England) Regulations 2019, the Forestry Commission introduced a notice to demarcate an area around the confirmed outbreak sites. This is to restrict:
- the planting of spruce trees
- the felling, stacking, movement and processing of spruce material
- methods of forest operations
Read the latest with a map of the demarcated area and description of the boundary. This came into force 29 October 2024.
You can also refer to the previous .
You can view all the areas in the .
The demarcated area covers parts of:
- Lincolnshire
- Bedfordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Hampshire
- Berkshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Hertfordshire
- Surrey
- City and County of London
- Greater London
- East Sussex
- West Sussex
- Kent and Essex
Notice 7 (2024) includes the following conditions:
(i) Restrictions on the felling of susceptible material without prior notification. Landowners must provide notice of their intention to fell relevant material at least 14 days in advance of any felling in the demarcated areas. Felling may only commence once written authorisation is provided the Forestry Commission.
(ii) Restrictions on the killing of trees (either by ring-barking, chemical injection or application, mechanical means, biological control or arboricultural intervention) of the genus Picea A. Dietr over 3 meters in height, without prior notification. All operations must be agreed in writing by the Forestry Commission.
(iii) Prohibition on susceptible material being left in situ, unless authorised in writing by a plant health inspector.
(iv) Prohibition on the movement of spruce (Picea A. Dietr) material with bark (for example, wood with bark, isolated bark, live trees over 3 metres) that has originated within the demarcated area.
(v) Prohibition on planting spruce (Picea A. Dietr) within the demarcated area, unless exempt as detailed within the notice, or authorised by either the Forestry Commission or the Animal and Plant Health Agency. This prohibition applies to any trees grown in the ground or within planting containers.
Planting of spruce
There is a prohibition in place on the planting of spruce trees within the demarcated area, as introduced in . This applies to all landowners, land managers and professional operators.
Exemptions are in place for planting dwarf varieties of spruce and planting spruce for:
- ornamental or scientific purposes
- trade at nursery sites
- the Christmas tree trade
See the quick guide on exemptions on planting spruce trees in the demarcated area.
Authorisations for planting of spruce within the demarcated area, outside of those situations already exempt within the Notice 7 (2024), will be granted on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to conditions set out by the Forestry Commission. Contact us to check eligibility for authorisations before applying.
Read more on the exemptions and how to apply for an authorisation to plant spruce trees within the Ips typographus demarcated area.
Felling of spruce and movement of timber
There are restrictions in place on the felling of spruce trees, the movement of spruce timber and leaving spruce material on site (timber stacking) in the demarcated area.
No spruce harvesting residue greater than 8cm diameter can be left on site within the demarcated area following felling operations, unless authorisation to stack this material has been granted.
Watch the video: movement restrictions of spruce trees.
Refer to the visual guidance on the movement restrictions of spruce material within the demarcated area.
Provision is made to enable plant health inspectors to authorise movements and processing of spruce material with bark from the demarcated area where this can be achieved without risking the spread of Ips typographus.
Email us for authorisation to either:
- commence felling
- dispatch timber from a harvesting site
- stack spruce timber
This applies within the demarcated area.
Find out more about applying for authorisation to plant, fell, stack, transport or process trees originating within the demarcated area.
Find a company authorised for handling wood and material affected by Ips typographus.
Non-spruce conifer timber that is bark-free is not subject to the same movement restrictions. It can be moved and processed without need for inspection or authorisation.
Plant passports must not be used when moving spruce material with bark that originates in the area demarcated for Ips typographus. All other non-spruce conifer species with bark originating in the area demarcated for Ips typographus must be moved with a plant passport.
Read more about when you need plant passports.
Stacking timber
Authorisation is needed before adopting any approach of timber stacking.
Landowners or managers felling spruce and looking to stack timber in situ to season (dry out), must apply for authorisation to stack timber in the Ips typographus demarcated area.
Processing timber
Processing of spruce material that originated in the demarcated area must only take place at premises authorised by the Forestry Commission to receive this material.
Find out more about applying for authorisation to plant, fell, stack, transport or process trees originating within the Ips typographus demarcated area
Export guidelines
Read guidance on exporting wood and wood products to the EU (and rest of the world).
No phytosanitary export certificate is required for exporting to countries in the EU that don’t have a pest free area status for Ips typographus.
Any movement of spruce from within the demarcated area to a point of export must be authorised by the Forestry Commission, and any point of despatch requires authorisation by the Forestry Commission as a place to receive and process material.
For authorisations, contact ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.
Restocking guidelines
Landowners should remove susceptible spruce (stressed, windblown) from the Ips typographus demarcated area within the South East and replant with other species.
Funding is available through the Tree health pilot for landowners to fell and restock woodlands in the Ips typographus demarcated area.
Read the restocking guide following the removal of spruce trees within the Ips typographus demarcated area. This guide explains what is permissible under both legal requirements and in grant funded situations when spruce trees are felled under a Statutory Plant Health Notice and in proactively felled high-risk areas.
The guide also includes requirements across different sites including:
- Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites
- designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest
- Special Protection Areas
- Special Areas of Conservation
- and other protected landscapes, for example national parks
Find out what happens if you’re issued with a Statutory Plant Health Notice.
Guidance for alternative species to planting spruce
The UK Forestry Standard expects any species to protect and enhance the features of a site. Tree species need to reflect the soils and climate of the site. Use of an inappropriate native species could do more harm than a non-native, that was well suited to the ecology of a site.
Landowners should consider which tree species are most resilient to any pests and diseases that may be prevalent in the area, and resilient to the impacts of climate change, including drought and windblow. You can get advice from your local Woodland Officer or professional forester. We recommend you use the Ecological Site Classification decision support tool to help choose species locally.
Choosing the right species
The soil where spruce has been planted will be good for a wide range of other tree species. It is essential that a soil survey is conducted to ‘ground-truth’ a site, and that current and future climate is considered.
Good ‘spruce sites’ in the South East are potentially suited to:
- pedunculate oak
- Douglas fir
- many pines
Alkaline soils would suit:
- hornbeam
- Norway maple
- sycamore
- Italian alder
- Atlas cedar
Moister soils would suit:
- most firs
- common alder
- aspen
- coast and giant redwood
If land managers continue growing non-native species on Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites, crops that cast a lighter shade are strongly encouraged. For example, moving from spruce to pine, which generally have more open canopies. Dense regeneration of freely regenerating conifers that cast a heavy shade, such as western hemlock, should be prevented or controlled to avoid threatening ancient woodland components if they are currently present.
Forest Research has several tools to help advise you on restocking:
Get funding to plan, fell and restock trees
Landowners and managers in the demarcated area may qualify for funding to plan, fell and restock woodlands affected by or at risk from Ips typographus.
Check the proactive spruce removal area map to see if your site is within the area eligible for funding:
Spruce Site Assessment (SSA) grant
The SSA provides support to help woodland owners evaluate their spruce trees and plan for potential felling and restocking. This grant supports initial site assessments to estimate costs and determine condition of spruce within the .
This scheme is available on a first-come-first served basis with 65 agreements available. Applications are open and you can find the eligibility criteria on Spruce Site Assessment funding: eligibility and how to apply.
Proactive spruce felling grant
The proactive spruce felling grant under the Tree Health Pilot will be updated late autumn with improved rates and expanded eligibility. We are encouraging proactive spruce felling to greater prevent ecological and economic impacts relating to Ips typographus.
The updated grant will cover a percentage of actual felling costs rather than using the current net-cost approach.
Applications under this scheme are currently paused until the improved rates are implemented later this autumn. You can read more about grants for spruce with or at risk of Ips typographus under the Tree Health Pilot guidance.
Applications to support spruce removal following a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) remain open and unchanged.
Find out more about the Tree Health Pilot scheme, including funding for spruce with an SPHN.
Read the Tree health pilot case studies to hear about the proactive management of spruce within the Ips typographus demarcated area.
Further information
See detailed information about this pest on the Forest Research website.
Sign up for Plant Health Forestry emails to get the latest news on tree pests and diseases, and information on grants and funding.
Contingency plan
The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) contingency plan is under review. Visit the plant health portal contingency plans for more information.
Latest resources
Refer to the latest maps, guides, and resources for Ips typographus:
- proactive spruce tree management - take action early to protect your woodland
- Statutory Plant Health Notice process explains what to do if you’re issued with a Statutory Plant Health Notice
- guide to restocking your woodlands (Ips typographus)
- infographic explaining the spruce planting prohibition for different industry groups
- authorised processors for Ips typographus
- detailed visual guide on movement restrictions explains the movement restrictions of spruce trees and spruce material originating within the demarcated area
- read how tree health pilot grants can help the proactive management of spruce within the Ips typographus demarcated area
- see the for eligibility for the tree health pilot for proactive removal of spruce
- find out about the ongoing studies on this pest and the susceptibility of spruce trees in our science blog
Updates to this page
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Added news item on the new Spruce Site Assessment grant. Updated the 'Get funding...' section. Added a new map for the proactive spruce removal area.
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Added a new map of confirmed outbreak sites (10km grid summary, south-east) in latest resources.
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News item 'Vigilance urged as warm and dry spring increases tree pest risk' added.
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Updated the section 'Felling of spruce and movement of timber' and added links to three new resources. Replaced the movement restrictions video with a new version.
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Added the latest news item 'Weather conditions means spruce trees at heightened risk of beetle infestation'.
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Added a new version of the confirmed outbreak sites 10km map.
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Added new version of Ips typographus guide for landowners and managers.
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Updated the section on Christmas tree trading.
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Added updated maps for confirmed outbreak sites (25km grid summary) and confirmed outbreak sites (10km grid summary).
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Content updated to reflect Notice 7 (2024) coming into force, added a new section on alternative species, a link to the new webpage on growing spruce trees and a link to the latest press release.
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Updated Ips typographus outbreak maps: 10km grid summary and 25km grid summary.
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Updated to add two outbreak maps: 25km grid for full DMA, and 10km grid for the south-east. Added notice on Ips typographus finding on Stika spruce species in UK.
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Added link to the latest news item 'New action to protect against impacts of bark beetle tree pest'.
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Added new latest news item, a new Notice (2024), and new area maps, including Proactive Spruce Removal Map.
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Added latest news about ips typographus finding.
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Added the latest news item 'timber stacking authorisation'. Removed words 'larger' and 'European' when referring to 'Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle'.
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Replaced the 'Outbreak sites summary map' with the most up to date map.
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Added an updated version of the Ips typographus outbreak map.
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Added information and links to the new Guide to restocking your woodlands (Ips typographus) webpage. Removed guidance around Christmas trees.
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Information added on spruce Christmas trees including moving spruce Christmas trees grown within the demarcated area and outside of the demarcated area.
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New outbreak summary map added.
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Link to new case study added.
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Update to the 10km grid summary map.
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Addition of an Outbreak sites summary map.
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Update to the attachement: Ips typographus guide for landowners and managers.
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Added information: impact on Spruce Christmas Trees
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New section added: 'Export Guidelines'
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Updated: revised Notice which comes into force on the 20 July 2022 taking over from the Notice of the 22 December 2021; also updated - the IPS demarcated area map.
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Update to guidance for what to do during warmer weather.
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List of authorised processors added to page
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Advice added for dealing with storm damage
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Ips typographus guide for landowners and managers added to the page
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Page updated to reflect that there is no evidence that Ips typographus is spreading in England
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Updated guidance on processing (or utilisation as biomass) of spruce material which has originated in the demarcated area
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New Notice issued which comes into effect on 22 December 2021.
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Notice and Demarcated Area updated.
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Updated information for Christmas tree sellers.
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Information about the Tree Health Pilot added.
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Documents updated: "application to receive and process spruce" and "authorisation to process spruce".
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Updated order for the 20 July 2021.
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The Ips typographus Q&A has been updated.
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Details of how to report suspected sightings of the larger eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) in Northern Ireland have been added to this page.
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Attached new application and authorisation forms
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A revised Notice of the Order has been added to this page.
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Page updates and addition of an identification guide.
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Additional information including field symptoms guide.
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First published.