There was a packed room with 60 members and guests on Thursday 5 Feb at Madingley Hall, Cambridge for EATTA’s AGM and GM.
Greg Pickett’s 3 year term as Chair ended and he moved to Vice-chair. Read his 2025 round-up here.
Ian Drane moved from Vice-Chair to Chair until 2029 find out more about him and how to get in touch here.
Richard Fatkin (past Chair) and Martin Gillingham who is stepping down in June, were thanked for their time and service and James Ellul welcomed to the committee.
It was a busy meeting with five new members joining, trading updates from Chris James, Mark Giles, Frank Consentino, and Damian Thomas, followed by updates from Laura Qualters TDUK and Stephen King Swedish Wood and an insightful talk from Edward Perry from Plant Health Forestry Commission, on the local eradication of the 8-toothed bark beetle.
UK Spruce Bark Beetle ‘Ned is a Plant Health Officer with the Forestry Commission, based in Cambridge. His work focuses on keeping plants healthy, ecosystems thriving, and businesses protected through active surveying, statutory action, and stakeholder engagement. Ned has studied in Germany and Australia and brings a global perspective to plant health. Outside of work, he’s a keen forager with a passion for the natural world.”
Talk was well received by members, with lots of questions of how to identify and assist in the eradication. https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/tree-alert/
This is how everyone on this call can help
When visiting spruce sites, take care to look for material that is susceptible to infestation by Ips. Focus on recently dead trees, perhaps with retained green or reddening foliage, windthrown or partially uprooted trees, and look out for the presence of woodpecker damage, which can indicate bark beetle activity under the bark. Fresh harvesting residue over 8cm in diameter is also a good place to look.
When you visit the site, look up and look down – up at the canopy for reddening foliage, and down on the ground for harvesting residue and fallen trees. Up close, look for round exit holes 2-3mm across, and possibly the presence of orange, sawdust-like frass around the entrance holes during the flight season, so April to September – this is made up of beetle droppings and woody debris, and may not be present if the area is windy or if trees are still standing. If you find any exit holes, take a large bark panel around the holes using a mallet and chisel and look for signs of the distinctive galleries under the bark. If you’re concerned, please log a TreeAlert through the Forest Research website, and attach at least 3 good quality photos, with a scale. FR entomologists will assess your report and get back to you. If they are concerned, they will triage the site to my team for follow up inspection.
Members and guests enjoyed a two course lunch followed by a presentation to Sheila Hutchings and Bob Hutchings for their outstanding service to EATTA over the past 13 years.
EATTA’s Golf Day 15 May in support of TTBS Timber Trades’ Benevolent Society is now sold out. Update here.
Next meeting is on Thursday 18 June at 1pm with a theme of New-Generation at Madingley Hall and will be followed by a BBQ.
