Activities

The project studied both implementation and transfer of good management practices from the forests studied (most of them in Catalonia) to other European areas. Based on their work, the project compiled a guideline for best forest management practices for these groves. The publication is available in Spanish, Catalonian, English and Portuguese.

Additional information

The project delivers advice on sustainable forest management and how this management can help prevent the main diseases affecting the cork oak forests of Catalonia. Concerning diseases of oak groves, the project delivers advice for two types of canker (bot and charcoal) and the root rot associated with Phytophthora cinnamomi.



The cankers affect the trunk and branches, usually entering through bark wounds, and weak trees are more prone to the illness.



Therefore, to prevent or avoid the progress of these fungi, it is recommended to keep a good hygiene when pruning or stripping, disinfecting the tools to reduce the risk of spreading the disease. Also it is highly recommended to adapt the pruning, reducing the frequency and intensity, while not compromising the tree vigour (e.g. helping to still cope well with drought). Furthermore, especially in the case of charcoal canker it is important to clean the forests and destroy the pruned branches affected by the canker, preferably by burning them.



The third disease, root rot, is a soil fungus and the tree does not need to be weakened for it to enter. It is so virulent that it can lead to the death of the tree. The main recommendations against this fungus are to avoid waterlogging and limit soil work to prevent root damage, e.g. by reducing tilling beneath the tree crown. Also, a forest in good shape, with diverse bacterial and fungal flora and strong trees will help to limit the incidence of the illness.