Bilberry fungal infection

[SheffieldLass]

I was going to put this on the Fungal Plant Parasites thread, but then though it might send that one off on a diversion ...

Just by chance I happened on this, about a fungal infection new to bilberry, which they are taking very seriously in Cannnock Chase as they don't yet know how destructive it is, and are asking walkers, dog owners etc to keep strictly to the paths so as not to spread it, and have put boot and tyre washing facilities at the gates. So that is another to be watching out for, but hopefully not to come across. I've been trampling through lots of bilberry today in Yorkshire, before I came across this bit of news ... hopefully it isn't in the area I've been in today, or I'd have been spreading it around. But I will be looking out for it, or for signs of dieback anyway, now that I know.

A potentially serious disease of bilberry in the Cannock Chase Country Park

Melanie

[Chris Yeates]

hi Melanie

interesting stuff, though that picture looks like every bit of bilberry I see round here, there are other causes for dieback as well

while it seems like a good idea to have boot and tyre washing points, that is probably a token gesture unless they can get birds, deer, pollinating bees (indeed the wind and the rain) etc to read the signs as well

best wishes

Chris

[BarbaraEmma]

Around here we call bilberries - whinberries or whimberries,and the hills are covered with bushes.They are now all in flower and the bees love them .I hope this horrible fungal disease doesn't spread to here abouts because I can't imagine many local people caring enough to stop dog walking and mountain biking ,which is one of my pet hates,they'll just carry on as usual.
Every year when the whinberries are ripe we pick pounds of them by hand and freeze a lot for future use.This has been going on for generations ,and believe me it's not easy work,but they're absolutely delicious and supposed to be very good for you.
Well, for the last couple of years the use of whinberry combs which strip the bushes of ripe berries,unripe berries and buds, has become more and more of a problem.It's quite profitable as whinberries can be sold in town for £2 or £3 per pound.This shortsighted ,greedy attitude is ruining what has been a local tradition for many years and also gradually depriving the local wildlife of a much needed food at this time of year.Apparently it's not illegal ,but I think it should be.