Norway Spruce stump treatment

[Alicia Rose]

A urea application of a freshly cut Norway spruce stump surface. This treatment has been implemented as a management strategy to prevent the future crop and adjacent trees from Heterobasidion annosum infection. This is not common practice in Welsh forestry however H. annosum was prevalent in a previously felled conifer stand within this woodland and caused considerable financial loss to the woodland owner. H.annosum is a fungus which attaches the roots and kills the heartwood of many conifer species. The risk of infection varies depending on soil type and climate, the above site is high risk with lowland elevation and well drained soils. The urea will work as a food source for other fungi, allowing the stumps to rot quicker and therefore depriving H.annosum of its food source. C.G hashtag#norwayspruce hashtag#forestrymanagement hashtag#prevention hashtag#strategy