News Published: 14 November 2024

Seeking additional UK locations to monitor the Canker Stain of Plane, to enhance early warning effort & preparedness for this serious fungal disease.

In collaboration with Forest Research, BGCI’s International Plant Sentinel Network (IPSN) is working with Botanic Gardens and other plant collection organisations in the UK to survey for Canker stain of Plane (Ceratocystis platani). Although this fungal disease is not currently present in the UK, it has been progressively spreading north from Italy and Southern France (now recorded in Paris and Nantes) and could potentially harm London plane trees (see distribution map here).

Through this project we aim at establishing a network of monitoring sites across the UK using passive spore traps to enhance early warning efforts and preparedness for managing this disease.

We are still looking for additional suitable locations and gardens to join this project and expand the reach of the network. If your organisation is interested in joining, please complete the sign-up form as soon as possible, so we can get in touch and share additional guidelines and provide the traps (deadline to join the project would be the end of 2024).

We look forward to engaging and collaborating with more organisations in this important endeavour and look forward hearing from you.

About canker stain:
Canker stain of plane is a very serious fungal disease which can affect several species of plane trees (Platanus genus). It was introduced to Southern France and Italy from North America at the end of the second World War. Since then, it has been progressively spreading north and is now recorded in Paris and Nantes. The fungus transmits through wounds, typically causing branch dieback, but can also spread through root contact. It can spread both longitudinally and radially and its presence is indicated by distinct staining of the wood, often referred to as leopard spotting. Depending on its health, an infected tree can die within months or years. Unfortunately, the disease is extremely difficult to eradicate once it is present in part because of the ease with which new infections are caused, but also because the destruction of trees is so laborious. To prevent the spread of the disease, sawdust production should be minimised, and all infected wood must be destroyed.