Winter work at The Roaches

Larch disease

Throughout the winter 2024 and 2025 we sadly had to carry out work to fell larch trees in Back Forest (not far from Gradbach Scout camp) at The Roaches Nature Reserve. Some of these trees were close to footpaths, so sections were closed while the work took place. 

Why did we do this?

Unfortunately, we had to remove a large number of larch trees in this area after being issued with a statutory plant health notice by the Forestry Commission. This meant that the Trust was legally required to fell the trees, because they had a disease called Phytophthora ramorum. In larch, the disease progresses very quickly, killing trees which makes them very weak and liable to fall.

What is Phytophthora ramorum?

Phytophthora ramorum is an algae like organism called a water mould.  It causes extensive damage and death to infected trees. Larch trees, which were widely planted for the timber market, are known to be particularly susceptible, and large numbers have been affected across the UK and beyond. Phytophthora ramorum does not just affect Larch. It can also affect European sweet chestnut and horse chestnut. Other conifer species such as douglas fir, grand fir, noble fir and western hemlock can be infected when growing near infected larch. It has also been confirmed in a small numer of sitka spruce (information from Forest Council and can be read here: www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/pest-and-disease-resources/ramorum-disease-phytophthora-ramorum

Phytophthora ramorum spores spread via wind-driven rain. When they land on a leaf they grow into the tree by breaking down the cell walls in the leaf. This leads to the initial blackening symptoms. It then grows within the tree and blocks its water transport system leading to dieback and eventual death. While this process is happening, the pathogen will also be spreading onto other nearby trees and shrubs.

How many trees were felled?

Sadly we lost hundreds because as well as felling infected trees, we also had to fell any other larch within 200 metres of infected trees. We were legally required to do this, due to the diseases ability to spread rapidly to nearby trees. Thankfully, Back Forest has lots of native trees too. This will mean we still have a forest; it will just be a little sparser for a while although we are already seeing signs of regeneration with native saplings growing in many areas.

Will new trees be planted?

We’re working with the Forestry Commission to draw up a restoration plan for the area. We hope we can restock with native hardwoods, which will complement the existing woodland. New trees would include species such as oak, hazel and birch (pictured below).

Other work at The Roaches

During winter 2023 we also installed a timber fence around Doxey Pool, which sits not too far from the trig point. We worked under Natural England consent to fence around the pool, to improve the water quality and reduce the erosion around the pool edges. Eventually this work will allow the pool edge to revegetate, and provide quality habitat for wildlife to move back in.

The ecological condition of the pool was very poor and we had to act to turn things around. It had no wildlife, yet it should support various peatland invertebrates and plants. The water quality could never have recovered while the pool continued to be used by passing dogs (sometimes people too). Wildlife needed both to stop. While we understand why people might have encouraged their dogs into the pool, we had to put wildlife first. Each year thousands of dogs (and people) used to enter the pool causing erosion to the banks, disturbing the floor of the pool, and adding harmful chemicals from flea treatments and shampoo to the water.

The images below show how it looked before the work, and how we hope it will look in time – the last two photos show Mermaid Pool (also called Bake Mere), which is not to far away (not managed by SWT). This is the only other tarn in Staffordshire.

We hope visitors will be understanding and work with us to turn this pool into a wildlife haven; please respect the fence and keep dogs out. Let’s work together to give wildlife a chance to benefit from this wild pool.