Database

Treat stumps in spruce forests against root rot

Habitat	Function	Type of work
Forest	High-quality timber	Thinning

Biological techniques and tools should be preferred to prevent forest damage and to control its spread. The use of non-biological plant protection products on forest land is only allowed in justified cases.

Description of the action

During the vegetation period (temperature above 5°C), treat spruce stumps against root rot with the biological plant protection product Rotstop®.

Why?

Root rot is a dangerous fungal disease that causes decay in tree roots and trunks, reducing timber quality and leading to tree death. In Estonia, spruce is particularly affected, though pine is also affected to a lesser extent. Root rot spores spread during the growing season but not in winter. The biological pesticide Rotstop helps prevent root rot spread. Stumps should be sprayed with Rotstop immediately after tree felling, preferably using a harvester during logging. Rotstop is best used in areas and habitat types (carbonate-rich soils) where root rot is present, particularly in spruce forests in heath and boreal forests.