We have been asked by Councillor Teresa Cullen (Ward Councillor for Toton & Chilwell Meadows and current Broxtowe Mayor) to provide the following update in relation to controlling the Oak Processionary Moth, that you may remember caused a lot of concern last year.
Last summer there was a positive sighting of Oak Processionary Moth Caterpillars at Toton Fields, off Banks Road in Toton. The Forestry Commission sprayed insecticide on to the infected tree to deal with the infestation. No further nests were identified during the summer period.
However, the Forestry Commission has recently written to the Council to say that they are planning to undertake further control measures in and around the tree that they identified as affected. At Toton Fields, the Forestry Commission have identified five Oak trees, that are over 15 metres in height, that were in close proximity to the initial infected tree, that they would like to crown prune. These works are due to take place in January and February this year, and the Forestry Commission will inform the Council, when they have an exact date.
We are grateful to Cllr Cullen for providing this advance notice and explanation to hopefully avoid any consternation when the works start (as has happened previously without any warning e.g. around the power lines). Once we have been provided with the dates, we will update this post.
For more information about the Oak Processionary Moth, and what to do if you spot any of its caterpillars, see this Leaflet and Poster