Are you contributing to the spread of tree pests & diseases?

With the ever-increasing amount of tree pests & diseases entering the UK from around the globe, there is a high chance that you are!

Since the 1970s the number of tree and garden pests and diseases that have entered the UK have dramatically increased and are threatening our tree stock on both a commercial level and in our streets, parks and gardens.

From the Dutch Elm disease breakout in the mid-1970s to more recent invaders such as Oak processionary moth (OPM)Thaumetopoea processionea, Phytophthora ramorum and Ash dieback Hymenoscyphus fraxineus the threat is ever increasing with the most dramatic increases of tree pests & diseases entering the UK being seen from the mid-1990s.

How good is your Biosecurity?

Are you aware of the threats that are present in the UK and do you know what to look for? – Observatree have a useful and easy to follow calendar and guide for the signs and symptoms of what to look for along with identification guides for the major pests & diseases that are currently threatening our trees.

Have I done enough to ensure that I am not spreading diseases?

Could I improve my Biosecurity? 

These are some of the questions that you should be asking yourself. The Forestry Commission & Observatree have a wealth of information and resources to help you to answer a lot of these questions. More information and resources can be found on the Forestry Commission page of the Gov.UK website and on the Observatree website.

Working with Biosecurity Officers from the Forestry Commission’s Tree Health Team, Sorbus International have developed the Biosecurity Kit and the Biosecurity Kit Lite based on the FC’s Keep it Clean biosecurity guidance.

Supplied in a useful holdall the Biosecurity Kit contains the tools you require to carry out Biosecurity good practice and include:

• Boot Scraper
• Brushes
• Collapsible water container
• Flexible bucket
• Chemical protective gloves & Goggles
• 100 Biohazard Bags

The optional extras that are also available are Pressure washer along with Cleankill & Propeller sanitisers.

The Biosecurity Lite Kit has been designed to be more portable and easily carried by the individual when working in remote & urban areas and includes the extremely handy Boot Buddy the portable boot cleaning tool!

Details of full the range of Biosecurity products can be found on our website here.