Honey Fungus and Base of the Tree

ASK DR. Pest Alert: BARTLETT GLYNN Conifer Shoot Miner Argyresthia dilectella The conifer shoot miner (Argyresthia dilectella) is T REE BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN TREE SURGEONS one of several related species of small Argyresthia THE FA BARTLETT TREE EXPERT CO LTD Question: How badly can trees be damaged by a moths that are becoming more widespread as a lawn mower? result of increased garden juniper (Juniperus) and T IPS THE F. A. .BARTLETT TREE EXPERT COMPANY, LTD Mr Sidwell, Bath Road, Bournemouth cypress (Chamaecyparis) plantings. The moth Answer: Trees often are wounded by careless use causes severe and highly visible damage (shoot tip of garden equipment such as lawn mowers and dieback and foliar scorch) once the tree is infested. strimmers. These injuries cut through important Damage commonly occurs on both hedges and vascular tissue just underneath the bark, which individual specimen trees. Damage is caused by Why Fertilise Your Trees can lead to decay and possibly death of the tree if the moth larvae that hollow out entire shoot tips. Protecting Tree Roots infection occurs. With young trees this type of damage Infested trees appear scorched and the dead One of the most under-rated and overlooked tasks Tree root decay fungi such as honey fungus and base of the tree. Because mycorrhiza are derived can be devastating but with older trees the tree hollowed out twigs are easily broken off. Heavy in the garden is performing a spring fertilisation. Phytophthora root rot are the most devastating type from naturally occurring soil fungi once injected stands a greater chance of survival. We always feeding injures leaf cells, reduces leaf tissue area Trees require certain essential nutrients to function of diseases to attack trees. Over time the tree root into the soil they rapidly colonise a tree root and recommend a bed of mulch around the tree ideally that, with time, leads to a loss of plant vitality. and grow. In forest trees, these nutrients are pres- system is slowly degraded and consequently tree protect it from disease attack, in essence an to the canopy drip line that eliminates the need to If complete defoliation occurs the conifer may die. strim or mow close to the tree's base. ent in the soil. Garden or landscape trees, however, stability reduced. Root decay fungi have been underground bio-control defense system. Other CONTROL Contact insecticides such as a spray may be growing in soils without sufficient nutrients shown to be directly responsible for 35% of recorded benefits of mycorrhiza soil injections include: Question: What’s the best way to control aphids on and pyrethroid based insecticide combination for satisfactory growth and development. Leaves tree failures. I Tree roots are able to tolerate adverse soil my lime tree? Mrs Patel, Wandsworth, London offer the best form of control. They are mainly and other plant parts are removed in landscape Protecting a tree structure that is formed under- conditions such as low pH, high temperatures, Answer: Recently an insecticide was given full applied as water based sprays when leaf miners ground was, until recently, highly problematic. heavy metal contamination. Research at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories government approval for the control of sucking insects are present. I An improvement in root density and subsequent such as aphids on trees to include lime, sycamore, have been evaluating a range of what are termed Dimlin Flo is a highly recommended insect growth. “mycorrhizal” fungi in conferring protection against birch etc. The name of the insecticide is Admire growth regulator due to its persistence within the Conifer miner damage whole plant level I that is applied as a soil drench once a year tree providing long term control. The main benefit a range of root decay fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi do not Enhanced resistance to prolonged drought. between the months October-November or of Dimlin Flo is thatitkills onlymoths and caterpillars, having no effect against beneficial insects such cause root disease, but instead are known to be I For further advice and information about this February-March. Results with this product have as lady birds for example. Application very early beneficial to their tree hosts. These mycorrhiza service please contact your closest Bartlett Tree been outstanding with growing season-long in the growing season (February-March) is can now be injected into the soil at and around the Expert Representative. I control provided. Importantly the insecticide is not recommended. If treatments commence after May Before fertilisation moved into the sap, flowers or nectar so the impact then control methods should rely on a spray on beneficial insects such as bees is negligible. In oil/+pyrethroid based insecticide combination. maintenance, disrupting nutrient cycling, and the addition Admire is bound by organic matter in the Removing infected leaves and shoots to prevent return of organic matter to the soil. It may be neces- soil so is not washed into ground water or nearby further ingress of the pest offers a control option but sary to fertilise or to adjust the soil pH to increase streams or rivers. As Admire is systemic then once absorbed by the roots it is moved throughout in many instances is not practical. Unfortunately at nutrient availability. For example, annual raking the whole of the tree crown. Admire will also present no biological control agents exist for the and removal of leaves typically removes 0.5-1.5kg provide control of a range of other problematic control of this shoot mining pest. I nitrogen per 100 square metres from a garden. insects such as scale, leaf miners, white fly, woolly Conifer miner damage under microscope aphid etc. Consult your local Bartlett Tree Expert Representative for further advice.

Question: Over the past few years my apple tree has stopped producing a good crop of apples. The Head Office Consultancy Office Research and Development Laboratory Phytophthora root rot symptoms Honey fungus above ground Honey fungus decaying tree base few apples that are produced go brown and rotten The South of England Centre Shenley Lodge Farm, 2 Early Gate, The University of Reading, on the trees. Mr I Farrell, Brampton, Carlisle Ardingly West Sussex RH17 6TL Radlett, WD7 9BG Whiteknights, RG6 2AU Electronic Tree Tips! Answer: It sounds like your apples are suffering Tel 011-44-1444-892900 Tel 01707-649018 Tel 0118-9318089 from Brown Rot caused by the fungus Monilinia Fax 011-44-1444-892999 [email protected] [email protected] After fertilisation fruitigena. This is a common and widespread [email protected] disease of apples. To control the problem you will BENEFITS The benefits of spring fertilisation can If you’re interested in going “paperless,” you can receive need to prune out all the mummified fruits, along PRINCIPALOFFICES be quick and dramatic. Trees rapidly green up and Tree Tips via the web. Follow this link to enroll: with a small section of the spur. Pick up all Beaconsfield 01494-677889 [email protected] overall vigour is improved while flower and fruit www.bartlett.com/newsletter When prompted enter your Customer Number. diseased windfalls and dispose of, as the fungal Bedford 01234-354673 [email protected] production are markedly increased. In many You’ll find this seven-digit number in a yellow box spores that will infect next year’s fruit overwinter Bristol 01275-371000 [email protected] instances, pest and disease resistance can be on this material. Fungicide sprays will help consid- Cheltenham 01285-720579 [email protected] improved and recovery from environmental damage 1 23 45 67 erably however to achieve any degree of control East Grinstead 01342-712215 [email protected] such as drought or salt damage enhanced. Spring you will need to spray just before, during and just on the outer envelope. Give us your e-mail address and Guildford 01483-546582 [email protected] you’ll be finding Tree Tips in your inbox instead of your after flowering and in addition when you start to fertilisation provides a proactive approach to tree mailbox! If you prefer the printed copy, you see the small fruitlet apples emerging. Timing is London 0207-2892211 [email protected] care. Nutrient deficiencies are identified prior to can always return to mail service. critical. If fungicide sprays commence two to three Manchester 01625-890150 [email protected] visible signs of tree decline such as leaf yellowing weeks after flowering then there will be no major Radlett 01707-649018 [email protected] and branch dieback. Ultimately trees remain reduction in the number of diseased apples. Sevenoaks 01959-533665 [email protected] healthier and of greater longevity reducing labour York 01423-359090 [email protected] and replacement costs in the future. I

©2009 The F.A.Bartlett Tree Expert Company, Ltd. Disease Alert Box blights: Volutella buxi and Cylindrocladium buxicola. Client Action Box blights are caused by two fungal diseases known as Volutella buxi and Cylindrocladium Good air circulation will reduce the humidity around the plants so allow adequate spacings buxicola. In combination these two fungal Now is the Winter of between plants. Perhaps it may well be, if every roots can’t supply adequate diseases form the most conspicuous problem to time you lookout into the autumnal water to the tree. Ironically, where Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage as affect box (Buxus sempervirens) and its cultivars. dry as possible. garden you are worried by your or roots are in waterlogged ground they become Both fungi can occur individually or in combination your neighbors trees bending in theOur wind. You may Discontentdecayed and don’t work anymore. Good drainage is on the same plant. Volutella has been present for also now be more aware of your responsibilities as a vital; soil decompaction and the addition of large many years. Volutella buxi results in browning of tree owner, following the rash of tree safety and tree quantities of organic matter help considerably. the leaves and dieback of branches leaving bare Arborist Action inspection articles that appeared in the press this Adding deep coarse mulch layers over tree roots as patches in hedges and topiary specimens. This If blight is suspected any implements used to summer. This was brought about by the hint that a widely as possible reduces the effects of drought. fungi spreads in wet humid conditions. Fallen clip or prune should be disinfected before new British standard was to emerge dealing with tree Reducing nutrient or water stress also improves the using on healthy material. Household bleach safety inspections. It hasn’t yet, but the draft sets out rate of wound healing in damaged trees. or methylated spirits are suitable agents. the best way to inspect a tree properly, record data If natural remedies won’t completely solve the Spray with liquid copper towards the end of and assess risk. It also makes the point that the levels problem, it’s possible to use artificial supports, the growing season. Spray in September, October and November. of responsibility and inspection will vary depending rods to pull split limbs together, cables and rods to During spring spray with a fungicide on the number of trees you own, how public they are support weakened limbs and even props to hold up containing the compound penconazole. and how well you know them. venerable trees. Spray at two weekly intervals until the At Bartlett Consulting our busiest time is just after The value of the tree vs. the risk it poses have Symptoms of Box Blight problem is under control. a storm. Even then, most trees we look at turn out to to be carefully weighed. The golden rule in all cases be sound and secure. The most common reasons for is to get a tree expert to advise, before failure known as Cylindrocladium buxicola. This fungi Note, not all brown or dead patches on box are caused by asking a consultant to call are ”the tree swayed a lot occurs, and so we come back to knowing your trees produces symptoms similar to Volutella with Box Blight. Check for other problems such as dog or cat defoliated plants the end result. The leaves develop in the wind” or “it’s too tall” Both these comments better. urine at the base of the plant. Dogs and cats can ‘territory imply that people don’t know their trees nearly as well In reality, few unexpected things happen to dark brown spots which enlarge to affect leaf mark’ the same spot repeatedly, scorching the leaves. as they ought. trees, and where they do they almost always fall tissue. Patches of greyish fungal growth appear on If the dead area occurs suddenly and not gradually Simply having a close look at the tree base and into that newly found phrase “storm events”. They the underside and spores are released to further this could be the reason; box blight tends to develop slowly. then up into the crown, at limbs and leaves, perhaps used to be called hurricanes! Aside from careful spread infection. noting what is there, doing the same three months monitoring and management of trees, little can be Black streaks appear on the stems. The spores later, comparing your notes and repeating the checks done to guard against these extremes. Analysis of produced are capable of penetrating the leaf surface CONTROL All affected branches should be so wounding via pruning cuts is not necessary for pruned out and burnt along with any fallen material regularly will help you assess your trees in a basic way. the 1987 hurricane and the 2000 storms showed Symptoms of Box Blight If changes occur; cracks or bulges in the ground that more completely healthy trees failed in trunk infection to occur. Cylindrocladium buxicola around the base of the plant to remove dormant around the tree or mushrooms in the root area or on and crown than decayed ones, Research suggests leaves carry the disease over the winter and new requires moist conditions to thrive, spores die in spores that would re-infect the following years the trunk, sagging branches or the crown dying back, that some types of structural decay make trees spores are produced in the spring. Volutella buxi dry conditions. Live spores have been found in growth. it’s probably time to call us. If things remain more flexible and able to bend with the wind. enters the plant through clipping cuts and other decomposing leaves after almost one year, so any Check potential purchases before buying to unchanged your time won’t be wasted, as you will Perhaps the most unexpected and certainly the forms of damage to the leaves and stems. debris should be burnt if possible - never added to avoid bringing box blight into your garden via dis- come to know your trees better. most spectacular thing to happen to a tree is a The other Box Blight, which is more serious is the compost heap. eased material. I We are always happy to provide baseline surveys lightning strike. Damage ranges from damaged to start the process, and of course assist if problems bark and lost limbs, tip to ground wounding to are seen. Rarely do our visits result in tree loss, as one complete destruction. With the increase in electrical of the few science based tree care companies, we storms, and readily available meteorological data Honey Fungus: have a range of cures for most tree problems. showing “hot spots”, risk areas and their trees Healthy, vigorous trees have better root structure can now be identified and lightning protection in A New Control System! to anchorthem in the ground, and resistfungal infection, those trees installed. It is a simple operation and With the withdrawl of Armillatox, a soil drench that root collar infection is a critical step in the pests and diseases. Adequate supplies of nutrients brings peace of mind to those in vulnerable areas. chemical, three years ago there has been no real development of honey fungus. Applying and the correct pH levels in the soil for the tree For those who have uneasy relationships with means by which to control honey fungus; until compressed air around the base of the tree pre- species help considerably. Trees under stress are their trees, it is reassuring to remember that most recently that is. Root collar excavation involves the vents infection of the root collar by honey fungus known to be susceptible to unexpected limb failure. risk from trees can be quantified, and that there removal of soil from the base of the tree trunk to and, if the infection is caught early infected trees Stress is most commonly caused by poor water are a range of remedies that can be applied to the depth at which main roots originate. Root collar can recover. After root collar excavation, injection uptake most obviously drought, but also where tree reduce discontent to an acceptable level. I excavation is typicallyperformed using an air-spade of a soil biological fungus known as Trichoderma that applies compressed air around the base of around the base of the tree provides a long lasting the tree. This system was developed by the means of preventing re-infection. Contact your Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory as a means of local Bartlett representative for further advice improving tree health. However, it is also known regarding this unique new treatment. I

Air-spading to control honey fungus Disease Alert Box blights: Volutella buxi and Cylindrocladium buxicola. Client Action Box blights are caused by two fungal diseases known as Volutella buxi and Cylindrocladium Good air circulation will reduce the humidity around the plants so allow adequate spacings buxicola. In combination these two fungal Now is the Winter of between plants. Perhaps it may well be, if every roots can’t supply adequate diseases form the most conspicuous problem to time you lookout into the autumnal water to the tree. Ironically, where Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage as affect box (Buxus sempervirens) and its cultivars. dry as possible. garden you are worried by your or roots are in waterlogged ground they become Both fungi can occur individually or in combination your neighbors trees bending in theOur wind. You may Discontentdecayed and don’t work anymore. Good drainage is on the same plant. Volutella has been present for also now be more aware of your responsibilities as a vital; soil decompaction and the addition of large many years. Volutella buxi results in browning of tree owner, following the rash of tree safety and tree quantities of organic matter help considerably. the leaves and dieback of branches leaving bare Arborist Action inspection articles that appeared in the press this Adding deep coarse mulch layers over tree roots as patches in hedges and topiary specimens. This If blight is suspected any implements used to summer. This was brought about by the hint that a widely as possible reduces the effects of drought. fungi spreads in wet humid conditions. Fallen clip or prune should be disinfected before new British standard was to emerge dealing with tree Reducing nutrient or water stress also improves the using on healthy material. Household bleach safety inspections. It hasn’t yet, but the draft sets out rate of wound healing in damaged trees. or methylated spirits are suitable agents. the best way to inspect a tree properly, record data If natural remedies won’t completely solve the Spray with liquid copper towards the end of and assess risk. It also makes the point that the levels problem, it’s possible to use artificial supports, the growing season. Spray in September, October and November. of responsibility and inspection will vary depending rods to pull split limbs together, cables and rods to During spring spray with a fungicide on the number of trees you own, how public they are support weakened limbs and even props to hold up containing the compound penconazole. and how well you know them. venerable trees. Spray at two weekly intervals until the At Bartlett Consulting our busiest time is just after The value of the tree vs. the risk it poses have Symptoms of Box Blight problem is under control. a storm. Even then, most trees we look at turn out to to be carefully weighed. The golden rule in all cases be sound and secure. The most common reasons for is to get a tree expert to advise, before failure known as Cylindrocladium buxicola. This fungi Note, not all brown or dead patches on box are caused by asking a consultant to call are ”the tree swayed a lot occurs, and so we come back to knowing your trees produces symptoms similar to Volutella with Box Blight. Check for other problems such as dog or cat defoliated plants the end result. The leaves develop in the wind” or “it’s too tall” Both these comments better. urine at the base of the plant. Dogs and cats can ‘territory imply that people don’t know their trees nearly as well In reality, few unexpected things happen to dark brown spots which enlarge to affect leaf mark’ the same spot repeatedly, scorching the leaves. as they ought. trees, and where they do they almost always fall tissue. Patches of greyish fungal growth appear on If the dead area occurs suddenly and not gradually Simply having a close look at the tree base and into that newly found phrase “storm events”. They the underside and spores are released to further this could be the reason; box blight tends to develop slowly. then up into the crown, at limbs and leaves, perhaps used to be called hurricanes! Aside from careful spread infection. noting what is there, doing the same three months monitoring and management of trees, little can be Black streaks appear on the stems. The spores later, comparing your notes and repeating the checks done to guard against these extremes. Analysis of produced are capable of penetrating the leaf surface CONTROL All affected branches should be so wounding via pruning cuts is not necessary for pruned out and burnt along with any fallen material regularly will help you assess your trees in a basic way. the 1987 hurricane and the 2000 storms showed Symptoms of Box Blight If changes occur; cracks or bulges in the ground that more completely healthy trees failed in trunk infection to occur. Cylindrocladium buxicola around the base of the plant to remove dormant around the tree or mushrooms in the root area or on and crown than decayed ones, Research suggests leaves carry the disease over the winter and new requires moist conditions to thrive, spores die in spores that would re-infect the following years the trunk, sagging branches or the crown dying back, that some types of structural decay make trees spores are produced in the spring. Volutella buxi dry conditions. Live spores have been found in growth. it’s probably time to call us. If things remain more flexible and able to bend with the wind. enters the plant through clipping cuts and other decomposing leaves after almost one year, so any Check potential purchases before buying to unchanged your time won’t be wasted, as you will Perhaps the most unexpected and certainly the forms of damage to the leaves and stems. debris should be burnt if possible - never added to avoid bringing box blight into your garden via dis- come to know your trees better. most spectacular thing to happen to a tree is a The other Box Blight, which is more serious is the compost heap. eased material. I We are always happy to provide baseline surveys lightning strike. Damage ranges from damaged to start the process, and of course assist if problems bark and lost limbs, tip to ground wounding to are seen. Rarely do our visits result in tree loss, as one complete destruction. With the increase in electrical of the few science based tree care companies, we storms, and readily available meteorological data Honey Fungus: have a range of cures for most tree problems. showing “hot spots”, risk areas and their trees Healthy, vigorous trees have better root structure can now be identified and lightning protection in A New Control System! to anchorthem in the ground, and resistfungal infection, those trees installed. It is a simple operation and With the withdrawl of Armillatox, a soil drench that root collar infection is a critical step in the pests and diseases. Adequate supplies of nutrients brings peace of mind to those in vulnerable areas. chemical, three years ago there has been no real development of honey fungus. Applying and the correct pH levels in the soil for the tree For those who have uneasy relationships with means by which to control honey fungus; until compressed air around the base of the tree pre- species help considerably. Trees under stress are their trees, it is reassuring to remember that most recently that is. Root collar excavation involves the vents infection of the root collar by honey fungus known to be susceptible to unexpected limb failure. risk from trees can be quantified, and that there removal of soil from the base of the tree trunk to and, if the infection is caught early infected trees Stress is most commonly caused by poor water are a range of remedies that can be applied to the depth at which main roots originate. Root collar can recover. After root collar excavation, injection uptake most obviously drought, but also where tree reduce discontent to an acceptable level. I excavation is typicallyperformed using an air-spade of a soil biological fungus known as Trichoderma that applies compressed air around the base of around the base of the tree provides a long lasting the tree. This system was developed by the means of preventing re-infection. Contact your Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory as a means of local Bartlett representative for further advice improving tree health. However, it is also known regarding this unique new treatment. I

Air-spading to control honey fungus ASK DR. Pest Alert: BARTLETT GLYNN Conifer Shoot Miner Argyresthia dilectella The conifer shoot miner (Argyresthia dilectella) is T REE BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN TREE SURGEONS one of several related species of small Argyresthia THE FA BARTLETT TREE EXPERT CO LTD Question: How badly can trees be damaged by a moths that are becoming more widespread as a lawn mower? result of increased garden juniper (Juniperus) and T IPS THE F. A. .BARTLETT TREE EXPERT COMPANY, LTD Mr Sidwell, Bath Road, Bournemouth cypress (Chamaecyparis) plantings. The moth Answer: Trees often are wounded by careless use causes severe and highly visible damage (shoot tip of garden equipment such as lawn mowers and dieback and foliar scorch) once the tree is infested. strimmers. These injuries cut through important Damage commonly occurs on both hedges and vascular tissue just underneath the bark, which individual specimen trees. Damage is caused by Why Fertilise Your Trees can lead to decay and possibly death of the tree if the moth larvae that hollow out entire shoot tips. Protecting Tree Roots infection occurs. With young trees this type of damage Infested trees appear scorched and the dead One of the most under-rated and overlooked tasks Tree root decay fungi such as honey fungus and base of the tree. Because mycorrhiza are derived can be devastating but with older trees the tree hollowed out twigs are easily broken off. Heavy in the garden is performing a spring fertilisation. Phytophthora root rot are the most devastating type from naturally occurring soil fungi once injected stands a greater chance of survival. We always feeding injures leaf cells, reduces leaf tissue area Trees require certain essential nutrients to function of diseases to attack trees. Over time the tree root into the soil they rapidly colonise a tree root and recommend a bed of mulch around the tree ideally that, with time, leads to a loss of plant vitality. and grow. In forest trees, these nutrients are pres- system is slowly degraded and consequently tree protect it from disease attack, in essence an to the canopy drip line that eliminates the need to If complete defoliation occurs the conifer may die. strim or mow close to the tree's base. ent in the soil. Garden or landscape trees, however, stability reduced. Root decay fungi have been underground bio-control defense system. Other CONTROL Contact insecticides such as a spray may be growing in soils without sufficient nutrients shown to be directly responsible for 35% of recorded benefits of mycorrhiza soil injections include: Question: What’s the best way to control aphids on and pyrethroid based insecticide combination for satisfactory growth and development. Leaves tree failures. I Tree roots are able to tolerate adverse soil my lime tree? Mrs Patel, Wandsworth, London offer the best form of control. They are mainly and other plant parts are removed in landscape Protecting a tree structure that is formed under- conditions such as low pH, high temperatures, Answer: Recently an insecticide was given full applied as water based sprays when leaf miners ground was, until recently, highly problematic. heavy metal contamination. Research at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories government approval for the control of sucking insects are present. I An improvement in root density and subsequent such as aphids on trees to include lime, sycamore, have been evaluating a range of what are termed Dimlin Flo is a highly recommended insect growth. “mycorrhizal” fungi in conferring protection against birch etc. The name of the insecticide is Admire growth regulator due to its persistence within the Conifer miner damage whole plant level I that is applied as a soil drench once a year tree providing long term control. The main benefit a range of root decay fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi do not Enhanced resistance to prolonged drought. between the months October-November or of Dimlin Flo is thatitkills onlymoths and caterpillars, having no effect against beneficial insects such cause root disease, but instead are known to be I For further advice and information about this February-March. Results with this product have as lady birds for example. Application very early beneficial to their tree hosts. These mycorrhiza service please contact your closest Bartlett Tree been outstanding with growing season-long in the growing season (February-March) is can now be injected into the soil at and around the Expert Representative. I control provided. Importantly the insecticide is not recommended. If treatments commence after May Before fertilisation moved into the sap, flowers or nectar so the impact then control methods should rely on a spray on beneficial insects such as bees is negligible. In oil/+pyrethroid based insecticide combination. maintenance, disrupting nutrient cycling, and the addition Admire is bound by organic matter in the Removing infected leaves and shoots to prevent return of organic matter to the soil. It may be neces- soil so is not washed into ground water or nearby further ingress of the pest offers a control option but sary to fertilise or to adjust the soil pH to increase streams or rivers. As Admire is systemic then once absorbed by the roots it is moved throughout in many instances is not practical. Unfortunately at nutrient availability. For example, annual raking the whole of the tree crown. Admire will also present no biological control agents exist for the and removal of leaves typically removes 0.5-1.5kg provide control of a range of other problematic control of this shoot mining pest. I nitrogen per 100 square metres from a garden. insects such as scale, leaf miners, white fly, woolly Conifer miner damage under microscope aphid etc. Consult your local Bartlett Tree Expert Representative for further advice.