What causes this?

[Onelifeoverland]

As per title really. What causes this in trees? Some sort of virus...fungi.....damage?

Whatever it is does it only affect certain trees?

Sorry about picture quality. Light wasn't great.

OLO
www.onelifeoverland.com

 

[Broch]

That's common on Ash. I've got one or two like that on 25 year old trees but others around them are fine. That's not Ash die back (which looks different) it's pseudomonas syringae, bacterial ash canker (though there may be other bacteria/fungal infections that cause similar scars and growths).

Advice for woodland which is managed for timber is to remove it but when the wood is managed for bio-diversity and ecology, as mine is, it's left because it provides habitat.

 

[Onelifeoverland]

Ah that's interesting, thank you. I didnt think it was dieback, I've seen that myself so know what I'm seeing.

So if its left is it 'contagious' or whatever the correct word is for bacterial transfer between trees? And as per the name I guess it only occurs on ash?

OLO
www.onelifeoverland.com

 

[Broch]

Actually no; it can affect a number of trees including prunus varieties. Yes it is contagious but doesn't seem particularly aggressively so. It is not a notifiable disease either and there is no general advice to cut and burn. I have perfectly healthy ash all around infected ones and infected trees carry on maturing and live for quite some time. However, when badly affected they become structurally weakened so, if somewhere people walk, it is probably worth removing them.

 

[Toddy]

Is this what causes the wonderful 'spalting' in the grain of the timber ?

 

[Broch]

Is this what causes the wonderful 'spalting' in the grain of the timber ?

Possibly but in my experience it is very close to the surface and when it has penetrated any depth into the tree the fibres are very brittle and unusable. Having said that I am keen now to go out there and slice some up and polish it - I'll let you know how I get on!

 

[Toddy]

On that note, have you seen Ian Saunders tree tables ?

http://www.tree-tables.co.uk

 

[Broch]

On that note, have you seen Ian Saunders tree tables ?

http://www.tree-tables.co.uk

Oooh, I like those. I will be doing more with my ash this year but I have to make a milling frame first.

 

[Toddy]

Lot of work, not cheap to buy, but Ian Saunders ones are lovely.

 

[Broch]

Lot of work, not cheap to buy, but Ian Saunders ones are lovely.

Good craftmanship never is (or shouldn't be) cheap - I wasn't implying I have the skills to do anything like that though.

 

[Toddy]

No, I agree. A craftsman or tradesman is worth his fee I wonder about some 'art' but that's very subjective.

M