Ips typographus, commonly known as the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, poses a severe threat to Britain’s forestry sector and woodland ecosystems.
When established, as seen in continental Europe, it can spread rapidly through forests, creating infestations that can destroy entire stands of spruce trees. For Britain, the threat of Ips typographus risks nearly 60% of conifer woodlands, equating to £2.9 billion of social, economic and environmental value.
The beetle’s impact extends beyond individual trees to affect whole woodland ecosystems, reducing biodiversity, compromising carbon storage and eliminating valuable timber resources. This makes early detection and proactive management essential to prevent widespread ecological and economic damage across our landscape. Current evidence shows that Ips typographus is arriving from continental Europe through natural dispersal.
The Forestry Commission have an extensive management programme in place for Ips typographus, with the aim to prevent the beetle from establishing and to protect our important spruce trees.
New site assessment grant to support woodland owners
With the launch of the Spruce Site Assessment grant, woodland owners within the proactive spruce removal area, will receive crucial support to protect their woodland. The new grant will provide £2,000 to help landowners evaluate their spruce trees, estimate felling costs and plan for early removal of trees to reduce the risk of infestations of Ips typographus.
Only 65 agreements are available on a first-come-first-served basis, making this a limited opportunity for eligible landowners.
The initiative forms part of the government’s proactive approach to tree health, taking proactive action to mitigate risk whilst supporting sustainable woodland management. This targeted investment helps landowners make informed decisions about protecting their woodlands early.
A group of healthy spruce trees. Crown copyright.
Woodland owners who complete their Spruce Site Assessment will soon have access, along with other woodland owners, to improved funding for proactive tree removal through updated Tree Health Pilot programme launching later this year.
Enhanced proactive spruce felling grant
The enhanced proactive spruce felling grant addresses one of the key barriers identified by woodland owners the high costs of preventative action. Unlike the current system, the new funding approach moves away from considering timber value and instead provides direct support based on actual felling costs.
The updated grant offers intervention rates depending on location and tree condition. Woodland owners in the priority area or those with stressed or dying trees as assessed by a Woodland Officer, will be eligible for 80% funding support. Other eligible sites within the expanded proactive spruce removal area can access 40% funding.
The programme also provides complete funding for necessary permanent infrastructure improvements, with support capped at £30 per square metre or £100 per linear metre. Individual applications can access up to £100,000 in total funding.
This support recognises that early intervention delivers better outcomes for both woodland owners and the wider environment.
Applications for the current proactive felling grant are temporarily paused whilst these improvements, along with other rate changes, are implemented. Applications to support spruce removal following an Ips typographus Statutory Plant Health Notice will remain open and unchanged.
The Forestry Commission will provide full details of the enhanced programme when applications resume later this autumn.
Get further information
Woodland owners, find detailed guidance for the Spruce Site Assessment or email the Forestry Commission at [email protected].
Find out if your land is within the proactive spruce removal area.
Read more about the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus).
