reconstitution and underplanting scheme · damage assessment category 2 sites tools and equipment...

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Reconstitution and Underplanting

Scheme Damage Assessment Training Document

Registered Forester Guidance

March 2020

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Contents Purpose and Objectives ...................................................................................................................................... 3

Work Flow ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

Damage Assessment Category 2 Sites ............................................................................................................... 5

Tools and Equipment ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Work Steps ..................................................................................................................................................... 5

Damage Assessment Rules ............................................................................................................................ 8

Examples of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus Stem Damage ............................................................................... 10

Collar lesions ........................................................................................................................................... 12

Stem symptoms not associated with Ash Dieback ...................................................................................... 13

Bacterial canker ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Mechanical damage ................................................................................................................................. 16

Epicormic shoots ...................................................................................................................................... 16

Other Notable Ash Pests & Diseases ........................................................................................................... 17

End ............................................................................................................................................................... 18

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Purpose and Objectives DAFM’s revised policy and support scheme approach to ash dieback disease focuses on ash plantation

management “living with the disease” rather than continuing attempts to eradicate it through the removal

and replacement of affected ash plantations. The ash reconstitution scheme is no longer available to any

plantation from which a positive for ash dieback disease was found as was the case heretofore.

The revised approach categorises plantations into three groups based on the plantation age and tree size.

Different support options are available, depending on the category into which the ash plantation may fall.

The development of a system of plantation damage level assessment has allowed DAFM to sub-categorise

ash plantations in Category 2 by level of infection. The relevant DAFM support scheme is dependent on the

level of infection found.

This training document and accompanying SOP have been developed by DAFM in order to provide

foresters and forest owners with a methodology for assessing the level of stem damage to ash plantations

caused by ash dieback disease. It has been developed from experience derived from the inspection of

numerous ash plantations affected by ash dieback disease over the years. It involves the evaluation of stem

and root collar symptoms of ash dieback disease which provide a robust foundation for an assessment of the

degree of infection of ash dieback disease.

This is intended as a training document and should be viewed as such, for scheme rules please refer to the

scheme document.

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Applicant contacts registered forester

regarding RUS scheme

Registered forested carries out assessment into which category the

plantation falls.

Category 1 ≤7m top height

Category 2 >7m and ≤17m top height and ≤ 18cm dbh and less than 25 years

old (i.e. must satisfy all three criteria)

Category 3 >17m top height or >18cm dbh or

>25 years old

RUS Under-plant (all GPCs)

RUS Reconstitution (all GPCs)

Scheme Options

Registered forester carries

out a stem damage

assessment

On Category 2 sites

2a: Low level of stem infection<4%

2b: Medium stem infection≥4% and <10%

2c: High level stem infection≥10%



RUS Reconstitution (all GPCs)

(DAFM scheme supports available outside RUS scheme - WIS)

(DAFM scheme supports available outside RUS scheme - WIS)

Work Flow

Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme

(RUS)

The Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) is available on all site categories if qualifying criteria are met. WIS applications are made separately to the RUS

scheme.

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Damage Assessment Category 2 Sites

Tools and Equipment

1:5000 species map of site

Silva type 3 compass or equivalent

Scale ruler

GPS

Clip board

Damage assessment field recording form

Forest marker tape or forest marker paint

Suitable clothing and PPE for site work

Binoculars

Sanitation equipment

Work Steps

1. Classify site into Categories 1, 2 & 3. If required CN can be stratified into smaller areas with

different categorisations these stratified areas should not be less than one hectare in size.

2. Carry out appropriate risk assessments.

3. Identify Category 2 areas.

4. Indentify longest diagonal via the IFORIS NET map viewer or with the 1:5000 map and scale ruler.

5. If the site is split into multiple isolated ash plots (in category 2) each of these plots should have a

transect across the longest diagonal. If ash plots are separated by rivers, streams, roads or

impenetrable hedgerows/ditches which makes the recording of a continuous transect impracticable,

each separated plot should have the longest diagonals assessed. Each ash plot may/should be

considered separately. Different prescriptions may be applied to different ash plots in the same

plantation.

6. Plot transects lines on the 1:5000 map and note transects bearing with compass.

a. Transect map example;

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7. Proceed to transect start point

8. Mark start point with forest marker tape or forest marker paint ensure markings are visible from site

access direction. GPS start point and record on field sheet.

9. Follow transect bearing, the bearing must be followed accurately to ensure repeatability. This

bearing will form the route of the transect. Do not leave the transect line to record trees out of reach.

10. Assess all ash trees along transect for Chalara induced stem and collar lesions. See damage

assessment rules. Assess stems from the base of the tree removing grass and vegetation if necessary.

Carry out assessment to the height of the merchantable timber or the “spring of the crown”

a. Upon inspection trees that are judged to be inappropriately included in the line transect will

be discounted by the forestry inspector and may influence the final infection thresholds

calculated for the site.

b. Count only Fraxinus main crop stems, regrowth from cut stumps where site has been thinned

previously or natural regeneration must not be included in the transect. Trees that forked

above or below 1.3m are treated as one biological unit therefore if both stems bare lesions it

is only counted as one.

c. Only trees over 7cm diameter at breast height should be recorded on the transect

d. Dead trees should be skipped and not counted as part of the transect. Suppressed trees can be

counted if they are planted main crop trees with a live crown. A note should be made if a

large number of dead trees make up the crown and its reasonable to assume that

Hymenoscyphus fraxineus was the cause of death.

e. Where Ivy or moss obscure the tree making assessment impossible skip the tree without

counting as included in the transect or infected. If more than 20% of the tree should be

obscured by moss or ivy the tree to be skipped. If more than 50% of the trees in a transect are

skipped an alternative assessment on the stand or plot will be made by the district inspector or

forest health inspector.

f. Timber height assessed;

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g. Chalara induced lesions;

h. Lesion may not be immediately evident stems should be assessed carefully

Stem lesion usually

found at epicormic

branching. Collar lesion

Stem lesion

outline

Stem lesion

bark removed

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11. Optional to mark each tree where a stem lesion has been identified with tape or forest marker paint.

12. Tally all trees counted and all trees with stem/root collar symptoms using the field recording sheet.

13. Mark transect end point with forest marker paint or forest marker tape. GPS end point and record on

field sheet.

14. Tally the data collected.

a. Example;

15. Sanitation

a. After visiting any site suspected of being infected by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus it is

important to disinfect and clean all equipment used with an emphasis on boots.

Hymenoscyphus fraxineus can be transmitted long distances to areas not previously infected

due to poor hygiene practices.

b. Before leaving the site, ensure that footwear and clothing is free from all plant and soil

debris, then wash down and disinfect.

c. Tools to be cleaned of plant and soil debris before leaving the site, and a disinfectant applied.

d. Personnel vehicles should not enter the site and should be parked in an area free from ash

trees or debris. Before departure vehicles will be checked to ensure there is no plant debris or

material on the vehicle.

Damage Assessment Rules

The transect should not follow a single planting line to avoid possible bias.

Minimum of 150 trees are to be sampled on sites greater than 1 hectare in size, additional transects

may be required if minimum numbers are not achieved.

For small sites (<1ha) or sites that may have been thinned a minimum of 100 trees should be

sampled. Its acknowledge that on thinned sites the minimum 100 trees threshold maybe difficult to

achieve, if 100 trees is not possible this must be noted and justified or the application may not

progress.

Assess all trees within arm’s reach along the transect.

Do not leave the transect line to record trees out of reach.

If the stand has been thinned and the stocking rates are low a second transect along the second

longest diagonal may be required. The second transect tallies may be added to the first transect to

establish damage levels.

The number of trees sampled scales up proportional to the block/plot size where the longest diagonal

method is used.

Transects should be a representative sample of the ash site as a whole. If the site is variable it may be

necessary to stratify the site and take a transect in each stratum or plot as different management

prescriptions may apply to different parts of the site.

Transects should run through the longest diagonal on the site. If the CN is split into multiple isolated

ash plots each of these plots should have a transect across the longest diagonal. If ash plots are

separated by rivers, streams, roads or impenetrable hedgerows/ditches which makes the recording of

a continuous transect impracticable, each separated plot should have the longest diagonals assessed.

Trees Assessed Hymenoscyphus fraxineus

Stem Symptoms

Level of Infection

156 12 7.7%

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Each ash plot may/should be considered separately. Different prescriptions may be applied to

different ash plots in the same plantation.

Upon inspection trees that are judged to be inappropriately included in the line transect will be

discounted by the forestry inspector and may influence the final infection thresholds calculated for

the site.

Count only Fraxinus main crop stems, regrowth from cut stumps where site has been thinned

previously or natural regeneration must not be included in the transect. Trees that forked above or

below 1.3m are treated as one biological unit therefore if both stems bare lesions it is only counted as

one.

Only trees over 7cm diameter at breast height should be recorded on the transect.

The stems are assessed for the purpose of damage evaluation from the ground to the height of the

merchantable timber i.e. the spring of the crown or to the estimated 7cm point.

Dead trees should be skipped and not counted as part of the transect. Suppressed trees can be

counted if they are planted main crop trees with a live crown. A note should be made if a large

number of dead trees make up the crown and its reasonable to assume that Hymenoscyphus fraxineus

was the cause of death.

Assess stems and root collars for damage. Images of other forms of damage are also shown – these

should not be counted as Hymenoscyphus fraxineus stem damage. Check for root collar lesions

clearing away vegetation at the base of the tree as required. Often root collar lesions occur on trees

that also display stem symptoms.

Where Ivy or moss obscure the tree making assessment impossible skip the tree without counting as

included in the transect or infected. If more than 20% of the tree should be obscured by moss or ivy

the tree to be skipped. If more than 50% of the trees in a transect are skipped an alternative

assessment on the stand or plot will be made by the district inspector or forest health inspector.

Walking transects through the site will help inform a suitable management prescription. Depending

on the variability and size of the site, different management options may be applicable in different

parts of the plantation.

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Examples of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus Stem Damage

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Collar lesions

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Do not count as stem lesions:

Stem symptoms not associated with Ash Dieback

Ash is a site demanding species and if it is planted on a less than optimal site will often become stressed and

susceptible to secondary or more weakly pathogenic diseases such as Phomopsis and Neonectria. Symptoms

of these can be confused with those of Ash Dieback. Symptoms may include long vertical fissures/lesions

progressing up the stem (Figures x-y). Ash Dieback symptoms may also be present in some cases.

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Bacterial canker is easily distinguishable from symptoms of ash dieback

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Mechanical damage

Epicormic shoots - these are an indicator of general stress and are not specific to Hymenoscyphus fraxineus

.

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Other Notable Ash Pests & Diseases

Emerald ash borer is an exotic pest native to eastern Asia that was accidentally introduced into North

America in the 1990s causing severe damage. Emerald Ash Borer is not know to be present in Ireland, but

we ask forest owners and foresters to remain vigilant. Any suspected sighting should be reported

immediately to the Forest Health Section [email protected]

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End

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