A “dreadful” disease responsible for killing 3million trees in the UK in 14 years has been found living in rhododendron bushes in Epping Forest.

Ramorum disease, a fungus-like infection which kill trees and shrubs, was found in its earliest stage by conservation experts at the Warren plantation near Waltham Abbey.

The infection is “especially destructive” to beech trees.

Epping Forest is home to over 85 per cent of the UK’s ancient beech trees, with many over 1,000 years old.

The City of London Corporation (CoL) is now planning to remove rhododendrons and larch trees, which are both known to host and spread the disease.

Judy Adams, chairwoman of the Friends of Epping Forest, said: “The risk of this dreadful disease getting a hold in the forest would be extremely serious, with the potential loss of thousands of beech and other trees.

“It is only in these circumstances that we feel able to support the conservators’ removal of rhododendron and other alien host species.”

From January, larch trees will be completely cleared from the Warren plantation and all other so-called “buffer land” in the north of the forest.

Rhododendrons will be removed from the Warren plantation as quickly as possible, followed by the Warren in Loughton, Knighton Woods in Buckhurst Hill and Wanstead Park.

Some rarer specimens of the bush will be clipped and offered to collections away from the forest, where they can be monitored and controlled.

Chairman of the CoL’s Epping Forest Committee, Philip Woodhouse, said: “There is no public health risk and Epping Forest remains open to its many visitors.

“We are working closely with the national plant health and forestry agencies, in line with nationally recognised good practice.

“Those rhododendron bushes which have been identified with the disease have already been removed and destroyed onsite.”

The disease is known as sudden oak death in North America, but native species of oak in the UK have proved resistant.

It has so far mainly been found in the southwest of the country.

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing said: “I commend the conservators of Epping Forest for acting immediately.

“It is clearly good news that the initial outbreak has been contained, and I am very keen for the conservators to continue to take the necessary measures to halt the spread of this potentially damaging disease.”