PARK users and gardeners are being advised to be on their guard to help combat a woodland disease.

Environmental officers are urging countryside enthusiasts to keep a watchful eye for cases of phytophthora ramorum, a fungus-like pathogen which is killing rhododendron plants and larch trees.

Although large wooded areas are causing the most concern for experts, rhododendron in parks and domestic gardens are also at risk.

Lancashire County Council forestry officer, Paul Bullimore, said gardeners could help limit the spread of the infection by keeping an eye out for symptoms, which include new shoots dying gradually from the tip giving a ‘crook’ effect, spots on leaves and wilting of fresh growth.

He said: “This disease could have an effect on the places people visit and an example of that would be Spring Wood near Whalley, where a lot of rhododendrons have had to be removed.

“People can make a difference – if they want to do the right thing, they should wash the mud off their boots after they have been walking so they don’t spread anything around or introduce it into their garden.”

But he added that fewer rhododendron plants in areas like Spring Wood might have a positive effect on other wildlife, allowing other plant species to grow more successfully.

Two wooded areas, Black Hill and Churn Clough Reservoirs, had to be felled earlier this year when a ramorum infection spread through woodland near Sabden in the Ribble Valley.

Ribble Valley Council’s countryside and tree officer, David Hewitt said biosecurity measures were being put in place to limit the effects of the infection.

He said: “You could have a major change to the landscape if large areas have to be felled – it is causing a lot of concern.”

Chris Binney, planning officer at Pendle Council dealing with trees and woodland, said that although the disease had only been found in small parts of the borough so far, people should look out for symptoms in their gardens or in woodland.

He said: “It is not something we can control – the only remedy is to fell the trees and control the movement of the disease.

“But it would be very sensible to get in touch with the Forestry Commission if you see any symptoms.”

For more information about what to look out for and what to do if you think you have spotted an infected plant, visit www.forestry.gov.uk