Observatree Visit to Rosliston Forestry Centre

On a glorious Saturday morning the Midlands Observatree volunteers met at the Rosliston Forestry Centre within the National Forest on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The site is managed by Forestry England and South Derbyshire District Council and covers just over 150 acres. Between 1993 and 1997 over 120,000 trees were planted creating the young woodland amongst the existing trees and hedgerows of the area.

After fighting our way through the sea of fluorescent Lycra clad runners, just completing their ParkRun, we set off around very well laid out ‘Tree Trail’ that was extremely informative. but also allowed us a chance to practice our tree ID skills.  Hopefully, Matt Parratt, would have been proud of us as we demonstrated our knowledge. 

We saw several interesting tree health issues and several priority pests and diseases as we walked around the site. The first of these were symptoms of Dothistroma needle blight, confirmed by the characteristic ‘lion’s tails’ and with close examination, using a hand lens, we could see the red bands and small fungal fruiting bodies.

As we turned the corner, we saw a fantastic example of Great Spruce Bark Beetle (GSBB) on a small stand of spruce.  The extensive resinous bleeds running down the main stem were a good indicator of some form of damage, but the presence of the characteristic ‘resin tubes’ confirmed this was GSBB.  There was an interesting range of colours of the resin tubes from pink and darkening to brown.

As we continued round the site, we saw the extensive impact of ash dieback caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus that was becoming a major problem in the woodland. 

Surprisingly, we initially saw little damage of grey squirrel feeding which would be expected in a broadleaf woodland, but eventually we saw several large areas of damage. Julie Lane, Head of the National Wildlife Management Unit, APHA, gave us an interesting update on the progress being made in controlling these non-native species using a diversity of techniques including fertility control. 

As we headed back to the visitor centre, we came across a few dead elm trees with classic symptoms of Dutch elm disease with the galleries of the insect pest and vector clearly visible as the bark had already flaked off.

So once again, another interesting visit with the Midlands Observatree group and thanks to Sue Quick for organising it and to Helen Bralesford for suggesting the venue.  If you haven’t visited Rosliston Forestry Centre before and happen to be passing the Tree Trail is excellent and well worth a visit.