Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is holding a drop in event at Lochgoilhead Village Hall (Wed 20 July, 3pm – 7pm) to give local residents the opportunity to find out how felling plans will affect forests in the area.

FLS’ local team is having to manage several Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHN’s), that require

trees affected by the disease, Phytophthora Ramorum, to be felled before the disease has a chance to move on to another location.

The disease affects several species but has its most severe impact on Larch, often killing the trees.

The local FLS team expect that more SPHN’s will be issued by Scottish Forestry over the summer months.

Jamie Howie, Planning Forester for FLS, said;

“This disease has been decimating larch trees in Scotland for about a decade and has slowly been making its way up the west coast.

“There is no cure for it and the only means we have of trying to protect larch elsewhere is to fell affected trees before the disease has a chance to move on.

“Anyone who comes along will be able to look at maps showing the location and distribution of Larch in the forests around Loch Goil and talk to our staff to get an idea of what to expect in the next five years in terms of the extent and location of felling work.”

The finalised proposal will include elements of felling that are in line with SPHN requirements, as well as elements of pre-emptive felling and will be submitted to regulatory body, Scottish Forestry, for approval.

Further information on the spread of Phytophthora Ramorum across Cowal is available on our website.

Notes to editors

1. All images one time free of charge usage with this PR. Please ensure credit.

2. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.

3. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

4. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.