Guidance

Quick guide on planting spruce trees in the Ips typographus demarcated area

Published 8 October 2024

Applies to England

New restrictions for planting spruce trees in the Ips typographus demarcated area come into force on 29 October 2024 as per Notice 7 (2024).

The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is a serious pest of spruce and we need your help to deal with it. All landowners, managers and timber processors should remain vigilant for Ips typographus. Any suspected findings of Ips typographus should be reported to the Forestry Commission.

Notice 7 (2024) imposes a prohibition (ban) on the planting of spruce trees (Picea genus) within the south-east of England and East Anglia. This control measure aims to limit the number of host material available for Ips typographus within the high-risk areas for the beetle blowing over from the continent.

This prohibition has exemptions for certain circumstances of planting, including:

Find out what this means for you.

Christmas tree growers

What can I do under the notice?

You can grow spruce, but there are restrictions for trees over 3 metres.

You can grow an unlimited number of trees up to 3m in height above the root collar. If the trees exceed 3m an authorisation is required.

This applies to any trees grown in the ground or in pots before being sold.

You can grow any number of dwarf spruce species/varieties that will not reach 3m at maturity as no restrictions apply.

Can I request authorisation for growing trees for sale over 3m?

Yes you can request for authorisation for approval.

Arboretums

What can I do under the notice?

You can grow spruce, but there are restrictions in place.

For scientific purposes, for example, planting trees to retain specimens in collections:

• you can plant 5 Picea (spruce) plants per hectare of any height but the total number of established spruce in 1 hectare can not exceed 5
• you can plant any number of dwarf spruce species that won’t grow above 3m

Can I request authorisation for more than 5 trees according to the notice?

Yes you can request for authorisation for approval.

Landscapers and private residents

What can I do under the notice?

You can grow spruce, but there are restrictions in place.

For ornamental purposes, for example, planting trees for aesthetic value:

• you can plant 5 Picea (spruce) plants per hectare of any height but the total number of established spruce in 1 hectare can not exceed 5
• you can plant any number of dwarf spruce species that won’t grow beyond 3m

Can I request authorisation for more than 5 trees according to the notice?

Yes but it’s unlikely to be approved as alternatives are available. Find out how to request for authorisation for approval.

Nurseries

What can I do under the notice?

You can grow an unlimited number of spruce to any height, including dwarf species/varieties.

This applies to any trees grown in the ground or in pots before being sold.

Can I request authorisation according to the notice?

You don’t need authorisation for planting trees at nursery sites.

Foresters

What can I do under the notice?

Planting of spruce trees for commercial use or for timber products is not permitted within the Ips typographus demarcated area.

Can I request authorisation according to the notice?

You can make a request for authorisation but it’s unlikely to be approved.

Further questions

Who does this apply to?

The spruce planting restriction introduced within the revised notice applies to those planting spruce within the current demarcated area unless they meet the exemption criteria. This includes all landowners, land managers and professional operators.

What do I do if I’m growing spruce for other reasons, like foliage or seed stands?

Exemptions from the prohibition on planting spruce are in place under the specified circumstances listed within the notice. These include exemptions for dwarf varieties of spruce, as well as for ornamental or scientific purposes, for the purpose of trade at nursery sites or for the purpose of trade in Christmas trees.

You can check eligibility for exemptions from this restriction within the notice on the Ips typographus guidance page or by speaking to a plant health inspector. For authorisation to plant spruce trees within the demarcated area, beyond the scope of the existing exemptions, contact: ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

What is ornamental planting?

Ornamental planting consists of any planting of trees for the purpose of recreational use that does not have an additional function other than display, decorative or aesthetic purposes.

What planting is ineligible for written authorisation and will not be approved?

Planting of spruce that would be considered commercial timber planting will not be permitted within the demarcated area under authorisation.

Planting of spruce for use as a nurse crop, windbreak or shelterbelt will not be permitted.

What alternative species can be planted instead of spruce?

The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) expects any species used to protect and enhance the features of the site, where tree species should reflect the soils and climate of a site.

Landowners should consider which tree species are well suited to the ecology of a site, most resilient to any pests and diseases that may be prevalent in the area, and resilient to the impacts of climate change, including drought and windblow.

Landowners can seek advice from their local Woodland Officer or professional foresters and it’s recommended that the Ecological Site Classification decision support tool is used to aid species choice locally.

Further information on what alternative species can be planted instead of spruce can be found on the Ips typographus guidance page.

Apply for authorisation to plant spruce within the demarcated area

For authorisation to plant spruce trees within the demarcated area, beyond the scope of the existing exemptions, contact: ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Any written authorisations for exceptional circumstances are granted on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to conditions set out in an authorisation letter provided by the Forestry Commission. Contact us to check eligibility for authorisations before applying.

Read more about applying for Ips typographus authorisation.