By Lee Hazell (FIBS)

Part of the Hill Cove forest that’s been around for many years will soon disappear. Agronomist with the Department of Agriculture, Aiden Kerr (AC) tells us more.

AC: We have just been out there to look at the trees. Unfortunately, it seems like the Spruce trees, which make up the bulk of the forest, have been badly affected by some insect damage. They are quite badly damaged by a type of green-fly or what’s called a Green Spruce Aphid.

As a result, we are uncertain when they may eventually die but the prognosis is really not that good. A lot of people visiting there in the next two weeks for sports will notice a remarkable difference in colour. The trees have gone brown. Unfortunately, there is not a lot that can be done. The pest has been around in the Islands on Spruce trees for quite a long time, probably introduced several decades ago.

One form of control would be to spray insecticide over the trees but that is totally impractical, very expensive and ecologically unsound. The solution is really to replant, which we always had in mind because the trees there were coming to the end of their expected life-span in the Islands. Whilst they probably would have lasted another 15 to 20 years, we don’t now expect them to go beyond another five years. Miracles might happen but it’s unlikely.

What we would like to see is some replanting take place and there are plans afoot to do that. Those are, however, awaiting confirmation within the plan for National Parks. The Hill Cove forest is one of those areas that have been put forward as a national park.

Hopefully, we will get some replanting underway in the next couple of seasons providing the resources are there and we make the best use of the shelter that the Spruce trees currently offer. That shelter will help to improve the growth of the trees we re-plant.

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