ONE of Ireland's most historic tree collections is under threat from a killer disease. The Northern Ireland Forest Service last night confirmed an outbreak of Phytophthora ramorum - more commonly known as sudden oak death - in Co Down's Castlewellan Forest Park. Officials have declined to say where exactly the disease has been identified but a spokesman has admitted that it poses a threat to the park's world-renowned arboretum which includes many rare species from around the world.
Planted from the mid-1700s onwards by the Annesley family, the arboretum extends to more than 40 acres. It has been controlled by the forest service, an executive agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, since the late 1960s.
In 2011, the same tree disease was found in nearby Tollymore Forest Park but was successfully eradicated following a major felling operation. The forest service said the affected area in Castlewellan covered around 100 hectares. It said many trees had already died as a result of the disease and that many more would be felled in an effort to contain it. Forest service chief executive Malcolm Beatty said he was disappointed by the outbreak as it was further evidence that Phytophthora ramorum was continuing to spread. He said the forest park remained open to visitors. "However, visitors to the forest should follow the guidance detailed on signs at the affected sites," he said. "It is especially important to avoid any action which could result in the movement of infected soil or plant parts to uninfected areas." Mr Beatty said the disease presented no risk to humans or animals.