Ash die-back disease.

Grim news about this disease spreading and being found in so many parts of the UK.  There are some very fine trees where I live, and I plan to survey these, so we can monitor their future health. [See questionnaire below]

Of course, as Alex Lockton says in his Ash die-back page "Ash die-back, like other diseases of wild plants, is simply part of [the] ecosystem" but I would take issue with his conclusion that "its main effect is likely to be to increase diversity and ultimately the stability of woods" - and what about "it is unlikely that a casual observer would even notice"?  Does he mean the average BSBI member for whom the page is presumably written - or just anyone who can't recognise an Ash tree?!

I do agree that there seems to be little that we can do now, apart from stopping the mad process of importing saplings from Holland, because it is cheaper than growing them here.  And I am sure that culling whole woodlands is not the answer either.  There is undoubtedly a lot of scientific work yet to be done on the disease and its etiology.

A fine old ash tree opposite my house

Some of you will know my views on tree-planting, anyway.  Much of that which is being done is a sop to the political perception that it is good for the environment and is an easy way to increase biodiversity.  In many cases it is done in inappropriate habitats, and in others all that is needed is to exclude grazing, for woodland to regenerate naturally.  Now, there's a way to stabilise the woods!



The interesting thing to me about this tree is the 'shelf' at the base of the trunk, which is now sprouting multiple epicormic shoots.  I suspect that in former times the ground level was so much higher when it was part of the boggy river catchment.




I would be delighted to receive records of mature ash trees in VC48 with their girth at breast height [GBH] or 1.3m [see below] and sufficient location detail to be able to re-visit them.

If you are interested in helping, I have adapted this questionnaire from the Dorset Wildlife Trust's website with essential information asterisked

Name of recorder:*
Recorder details:*
Date of survey:*
Site of tree:*
       Tree Grid Reference:*
       Attach a photo:
       Attach a sketch plan:
Description of tree:
  Do you know anything special about the tree e.g. history, etc.  
Tree girth:*
  Please note the trunk girth at 1.3m above ground level.[images] 
Tree form:* See images above
        Standing or fallen?
        Is the tree alive or dead?
 Heavy deadwood:*
  Is there a lot of heavy deadwood about the crown?
 Holes:*
  Are there any large holes in the main branches?
Hollow trunk:*
  Does the trunk have large holes?
Fallen deadwood:*
  Is there a lot of fallen deadwood on the ground?
Tears/Scars/Lightning strikes:*
  Are there any tears, scars, on lightning strikes on the tree?
What else is growing in/under the tree canopy?*
What signs of animal life are there?*
Management*
       Protective fencing around the tree?
       Management of competitive trees nearby?
       Substantial weed present under the canopy?
       Any tree surgery?