Snipe Dales’ trees hit by disease 

Snipe Dales Country Park is owned by Lincolnshire County Council and managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.  It is managed for public enjoyment and wildlife conservation, and  used by many county schools as a teaching resource. 

The Country Park includes 30 hectares of corsican pine trees, planted by the Forestry Commission in 1966, which help to give the site its secluded character.  The pines have become infected by the fungus Dothistroma pini that causes the disease red band needle blight.  The disease causes the trees to shed their needles and limits the trees ability to feed themselves and can result in death.  Additionally, the affected trees are much more vulnerable to infection by other agents such as decay fungi. 

The disease was first noticed at Snipe Dales in 2005 and has spread throughout the pine population killing many trees; unfortunately the situation is not likely to get better. 

To deal with the outbreak, the County Council and the Wildlife Trust have begun a programme of felling the worst affected trees and those closest to heavily used paths.  Felling is due to start in September. 

Lincolnshire County Council’s Trees and Woodland Officer, Nigel Sardeson said, “People who know Snipe Dales are likely to notice big changes to the local landscape as badly diseased trees are felled.  It is a shame to lose these trees but our long-term objective for the Country Park is to establish mixed native woodland over the site for the benefit of the landscape and wildlife.  We are fortunate to have lots of young broad-leaved trees already growing under the pines so, with a little help from us, we should soon have a much more natural-looking and diverse Snipe Dales.  Fortunately the pines have had time to grow to a usable size so will not be wasted.”  

For more information, please contact:

Nigel Sardeson, Trees and Woodland Officer, 01522 552362