Two oak trees in Church Square are being chemically treated and removed following the discovery of O - Monday 15 July 2019

By Hartlepool Alert

Two oak trees in Church Square are being chemically treated and removed following the discovery of Oak Processionary Moth caterpillars. Hartlepool Borough Council is working closely with the Department for Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission after being alerted to a potential pest problem. Similar outbreaks have been reported in other parts of the UK The oak trees which are each about 1213 metres tall, were purchased by the Council from a nursery in the Netherlands and planted as part of the recent refurbishment of Church Square. The caterpillar eggs are thought to have already been on the trees when they left the Continent. The caterpillars, which are nonnative to the UK, turn into pupae and then moths in late July. They defoliate and weaken oak trees and can be a hazard to human and animal health. Their tiny toxic hairs can trigger allergic reactions and skin irritation. Pic Credit Hartlepool Borough Council

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