November 2025

Sadly forest and woodland management is not always about planting trees. Occasionally we have to remove plants to prevent the spread of diseases, as is the case at Venford Reservoir on Dartmoor. Our Head of Environment Nicola Morris explains more:

We are currently working to remove the invasive non-native rhododendron at Venford after Forestry Commission and Animal and Plant Health Agency identified an infestation of the highly destructive Phytophthora ramorum. 

This algae-like organism causes extensive damage to a number of our native trees and as such we are working under a Statutory Plant Health Notice issued from Forestry Commission to remove the rhododendron and larch at Venford, which have been affected by this disease. 

To go about this sensitively, we sought advice from Forestry Commission before working with the landowner South West Water to produce a methodology which adheres to Environment Agency guidelines of working near water with drinking water protection at the forefront.

We are spraying the smaller plants outside of a 10-metre buffer zone of the water's edge as this is the only effective way of managing these very small plants. Those plants which are inside the 10-metre buffer zone are being stem injected with chemical, a method which injects the chemical into the stem of the plant to remove the risk of drift from spraying and ensures the chemical is only applied where it is needed and will be effective. 

Unfortunately, the rhododendron which is adjacent to the reservoir is very large and cannot be controlled by the "lever and mulch" method which we have employed on other sites. To do so would mean the destruction of the bankside and path and would have a huge impact on water quality through sedimentation.

Once the work is complete, we will be working to encourage native trees to re-colonise. An area of Venford where similar work was carried out in 2014 is now home to a very healthy native woodland which is full of bird song from the species which now live there.

Main image: with thanks to Jon Hey