Mole reveals bad tree management

Our Readers' Letters page includes a letter from someone working within the NPT council stating the bad management with the diseased trees in the borough.  

The mole states that lack of supervision, care and attention is not helping the situation and may be causing the disease to spread.

The situaton is serious to the extent that mature trees have to be felled in what is thought to be a planned programme.

Another reader suggests that the workmen envolved should be give a badge to indicate that they are authorised persons who have been given instruction on correct procedures.

The news that trees at the Gnoll estate are affected has been received with great saddness to those who treasure the lovely area.

The following is an extract from the Gnoll Country Park website:

Phytophthora Ramorum Tree Disease in Gnoll Estate Country Park

Due to the discovery of the tree disease Phytophthora ramorum, the Moss House Woods area of the Country Park will be closed to the public from September 2013 to March 2014. All other areas of the Park remain open to the public during this time.

Information extracted from the NPT CBC website:

Tree felling operations will begin in Gnoll Estate Country Park from next Monday, September 2nd following the discovery of a disease affecting Larch trees.

This follows advice Neath Port Talbot Council received that the fungal disease Phytophthora ramorum had been found in the larch plantations within the award-winning park.

The felling work involving around 5,000 trees has been planned to minimise disruption to visitors but will require the temporary closure of the Moss House woods section of the Country Park until March 2014.

However, all other areas of the Country Park will remain open to visitors including the much-loved children's play areas, Bottom Pond, Fish Pond, the formal footpaths and the Visitor Centre and Café.

The disease is not harmful to humans or animals and visitors are being advised to follow three basic rules:
1. Keep to pathways
2. Brush off any loose mud and dirt from footwear and clothing in the car park
3. Thoroughly clean all footwear at home before the next visit

The work aim sto ensure as much as possible of the regenerating broadleaf trees are protected, and the Council, will be applying for grant funding to replant the felled areas with further native broadleaf trees.

Frequently asked questions relating to Phytophthora Ramourum at Gnoll Estate Country Park can be found via the website: www.gnollestatecountrypark.co.uk

How can visitors help to prevent the spread of the tree disease Phytophthora Ramorum?

You can help prevent the spread of the disease by;

• keeping to marked paths
• keeping dogs on leads
• not removing any plant material such as cuttings from the woodland
• removing soil and mud from shoes before leaving the woodland
• thoroughly washing boots and shoes before visiting susceptible areas such as woodlands gardens or garden centres and nurseries.