The felling of diseased trees across an area the size of around 300 football pitches is taking place at Wales' largest ancient woodland.
Larch trees at Wentwood Forest, near Newport, have become infected with the fungal disease Phytophthora ramorum.
The infection can kill trees and has spread across the UK after being found in south west England four years ago.
The Woodland Trust, which owns most of the forest, said the felling of the trees was essential.
"This is the most serious and devastating action we've had to take on our estate," said the trust's head of woodland management, Andrew Sharkey.
"It again highlights both the need to tackle tree disease and the importance of restoring as much of our damaged ancient woodland to make it more resilient in decades to come."
Felling the infected conifers across an area of 200 hectares (500 acres) will leave the Woodland Trust with a £35,000 bill for replanting in the forest.
It also hits restoration work that has been taking place since the trust bought 352 hectares (869 acres) of Wentwood in 2006.
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