Latest forest news

This page has information about tree diseases, forest closures and other developments in public forests.

Glenariff Forest Park open after weather closure

Due to the recent bad weather access to the forest is limited. The car park and some paths reopened on 17 April.

Paths may still have debris on them, so great care should be taken when walking. Work continues to clear all paths.

The Waterfall and Rainbow Trails will be closed until further notice while damage is assessed and repairs made.

The caravan and camping sites reopened on 19 April.

Preventing the spread of tree disease

Phytophthora lateralis, a plant disease that affects Lawson cypress trees, has been diagnosed for the first time in Northern Ireland on trees in Tollymore Forest Park, County Down. Users of the forest are asked to observe signage and remain on the way marked paths.

Tree disease at Glenariff Forest Park

There is currently an outbreak of the Japanese larch tree disease (P. ramorum) at Glenariff Forest Park and timber harvesting work will be ongoing until the end of November. During these works it is necessary to place some restrictions on public access into the Forest Park and on forest paths, including closure of the Rainbow Trail.

Visitors are asked to observe all health and safety signs and other signage providing information on bio-security measures required to help prevent the spread of this disease.

Further information on preventing the spread of tree disease can be found on the page below.

• Preventing the spread of tree disease