-
I stopped by some sweet chestnut saplings on the edge of Epping Forest. There were many of these:
1 Attachment
-
ChasnotRobert
-
Apologies for being 'that Guy',
but,
OCGW is a 'notifiable pest'.
I don't spend much time in or even near Epping Forest,
so do not know the owner, but guessing either local authority or Corporation of London?
Either/both of them, hopefully, have an email address for their Parks/Open Spaces/Woodland/Green Team? -
Thanks for noticing and recording this other infestation of OCGW.
I suspect we will see a lot more of it
until Natural England/ Forestry Commission, (and potentiall other statutory bodies)
allow the release of Torymus sinensis kamija.I have emailed the Spanish outfit Oliver referenced above
to find out the cost of the OCGW-devouring predator.
mespilus
Dryocosmos kuriphilus has a specific adaptation for rapidly infesting a stand of sweet chestnut;
it reproduces parthogenetically.
It is very likely the original infestation in Mad Bess Wood was from a solitary female.
Hornets, knowing there is always an easy meal at a bee hive, or from roadkill carrion, are unlikely to be actively hunting/patrolling a stand of sweet chestnut.
The current hope for European sweet chestnut is the introduction of Torymus sinensis kamija.