Ash Dieback

pgj2015

Hi, I am just wondering what you do when you think trees on your property might have ask dieback. do you inform anyone or cut the trees down etc

There are a number of ash trees on my property and some of them are half dead, the bark seems to be ok but there is one ash tree about 20 years old and it is only half covered in leaves and there are a lot of dead branches on it, another tree around 30 to 40 years old and id say it has only 10% the leaves it should have.

orchard farm

Im in the same boat notice alot of Ash trees with no leaves this year

pgj2015

orchard farm wrote: »

Im in the same boat notice alot of Ash trees with no leaves this year

what part of the country are you in? im in Roscommon.

blue5000

I've noticed it here too this Spring, I'm leaving this thread here in the main forum, but there is lots of info in the forestry forum.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058014640

There is a lot of ash planted on good land by farmers 20 odd years ago, now it's basically firewood. AFAIK the owners won't get anything to either remove it or re-plant it. With Covid I reckon every spare cent is being diverted elsewhere so govt money is going to be tight for the foreseeable future.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Could it be damage from the wind in the last while? The pic below if an Alder tree facing west, the prevailing wind direction here, and a neighbouring tree relatively undamaged. It's similar across all trees and hedges here.

If it's only Ash that's damaged, though, you should probably contact the Dept of Ag and report it.

Birdnuts

Last weekends storms has burnt foliage on trees over large parts of the country

pgj2015

I don't think it is due to wind damage but one thing I noticed is the bark seems to be perfectly healthy. not like the pictures below.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ash+dieback&rlz=1C1AWFC_enIE861IE861&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijwe7VidXpAhUjtHEKHX0BCD4Q_AUoAXoECBYQAw&biw=1280&bih=610#imgrc=CGQoj3dHlR_DsM

https://www.google.com/search?q=ash+dieback&rlz=1C1AWFC_enIE861IE861&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijwe7VidXpAhUjtHEKHX0BCD4Q_AUoAXoECBYQAw&biw=1280&bih=610#imgrc=gi7446kbAj_Q6M

Buford T. Justice XIX

pgj2015 wrote: »

I don't think it is due to wind damage but one thing I noticed is the bark seems to be perfectly healthy. not like the pictures below.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ash+dieback&rlz=1C1AWFC_enIE861IE861&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijwe7VidXpAhUjtHEKHX0BCD4Q_AUoAXoECBYQAw&biw=1280&bih=610#imgrc=CGQoj3dHlR_DsM

https://www.google.com/search?q=ash+dieback&rlz=1C1AWFC_enIE861IE861&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijwe7VidXpAhUjtHEKHX0BCD4Q_AUoAXoECBYQAw&biw=1280&bih=610#imgrc=gi7446kbAj_Q6M

You might be better in ringing the Dept. They would be best placed to advise you on what steps are necessary to get it looked at if needed.

Cluedo Monopoly

Jaysus the ash dieback problem is very depressing. Once mighty ash trees are dying year by year. I am in Galway and I cant believe how many trees have it already.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119304757#Comment_119304757

It's really ripping through areas now.

I thought it was going to be a problem in a few years, spotted the odd start

I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't an Ash on any of my ditches in 2 years.

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119304795#Comment_119304795

Yeah every 2nd ash tree seems to have it now. Some trees have it very bad very quickly.

I hear there the survival rate can be as good as 70% but I am not convinced.

Storms will bring down a lot of dead branches and trees.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119304820#Comment_119304820

I have had a lot of trees branch and trunk down the last 2 years..

One tree I noticed it starting on last Summer, is 90% bare now.

The speed surprised me.

magicbastarder

i've been noticing a lot of it around north county dublin, but am still seeing trees which look untouched within throwing distance of trees which are on their last legs; hopefully it's not going to be the mortality rate which was as bad as feared (i remember predictions of up to 95% mortality).

148multi

Very bad around here,some fine trees look very sick,was just wondering the other day what will be the net effect on nature

Jb1989

See the same here. Does cutting away a dying tree help or how is disease transferred?

148multi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119305550#Comment_119305550

I think by the time we see it dying, it's already dead on the inside.

Jb1989

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119305603#Comment_119305603

Oh I presumed that, but does a dying one spread its disease to others?

pgj2015

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119304871#Comment_119304871

I read an article the other day that said only 1 to 2% of Irish Ash trees were immune to the disease.

blue5000

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119305618#Comment_119305618

The fungus over winters on the fallen leaves so I suppose removing dying trees might reduce the amount of spores around.

Good loser

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119306134#Comment_119306134

No, a waste of time. It's everywhere and nothing can stop it. Get the diseased trees knocked for safety sake.

patsy_mccabe

I had a look through our Ash trees here just today and I can't see any sign of Ash Dieback. Now I didn't look that closely but still, all trees look very green. They were set by my grandfather a long time ago, so very old. We're in East Clare.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119315454#Comment_119315454

Older trees take longer to get infected.

Europe wide 2% resistance.

jaymla627

Removing all Ash trees here from roadside ditches here this year, tackled the most dangerous ones last year

20220308_101000_remastered.jpg

Came across this last March on the way back from vets had been going the opposite direction only 15 minutes previous and no tree was down, stopped a van coming the opposite direction from ploughing into it, was able to get him waved down, landowners are 100% responsible for any accidents as a result of fallen trees from their land onto a public road....

Their is going to be alot of fatalities going forward unless the issue is mandated and funded by government to get these trees removed from roadside ditches

Limestone Cowboy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119315454#Comment_119315454

Have a hazel wood here about ten acres at the back of the house. Good few Ash trees mixed in but I'd say about 50% or more are affected.

mr.stonewall

I have been looking around the farm and the effects are evident. Nearly every second tree is affected the killer on most of these is the ivy. Knocked a good few of the roadside ones this week and did a job on the ivy on the remainder.

Going to be a serious problem and folks need to be aware of it. Will be no shortage of firewood here

kollegeknight

Am I right in fearing this is dieback?

jaymla627

Their riddled with it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119326827#Comment_119326827

I'm looking round the our fields and I see a good few trees with branches the same way. It's just sickening.

kollegeknight

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119327674#Comment_119327674

Balls. It was inevitable. There’s a massive one that’s been around longer than any of us where a relatives ashes are spread and it has same symptoms. At least there a hawthorn near by

greysides

Anyone familiar with Hickory trees? I saw one years ago and thought it was visually quite similar to an Ash. Maybe in some surroundings it might be a substitute.

(Yes, I know it's non-native, I'm thinking more of ornamental situations rather than an an Ash replacement in the wild)

minerleague

Does anyone know if trees that are resistant should remain perfect or can they show some small damage, most ash trees around have leaf loss ( some more than others ) but would hate to cut down a tree that might turn out to be able to recover.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119334122#Comment_119334122

No idea, if you cut them and they have fight in them, they'll sucker away.

It may be that cutting them will buy time for them.

Do trees build immunity?

When hazel trees are cut for coppicing. They can live up to a 1000 years, 7 to 10 times longer than usual.

Neddyusa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119334122#Comment_119334122

Ya, same as that. No symptoms showing up in trees on the farm here yet, although it's in the locality.

I'm of a mind only to cut ones which may be dangerous or roadside, as if even 10% might be resistant, it would be an awful shame to have cut them.

One thing I notice is that dieback seems a hell of a lot worse in trees close to drains or rivers. Anyone know why this is?

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119334347#Comment_119334347

It's a fungus so maybe damp ground helps it.

Neddyusa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119334426#Comment_119334426

Seems so.

No drains or any surface water on the farm here, so maybe that's how we've avoided it so far.

It's probably just a matter of time though?

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119334548#Comment_119334548

I think so, it's airborne.

I wonder did the mild winter accelerate it.

tabby aspreme

It's been in the country since 2009, or earlier, research began in Denmark a few years before that, but the imported trees kept coming into the country.

pgj2015

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119334122#Comment_119334122

I read before that some will get it and die, some will get it and survive and some are resistant and wont get it at all. I cut down a 20 year old ash with dieback, it seems to be growing again.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119334948#Comment_119334948

I can confirm this , I successfully rescued two Ash trees in my garden , honestly thought they were dead, severely pruned them , thinking I'll keep trunks as a feature in garden. Two years later, they are in full bloom, I do notice some spots of Die Back and remove these stems.

I'm not exaggerating when I say I severely pruned them , this is them this morning.

pgj2015

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119334994#Comment_119334994

Did you just leave the trunk?

I read that there wont be an ash tree left in Europe because of dieback but if there are resistant ash trees, even if only 2 or 3%, surely that will mean they will survive?

148multi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119335190#Comment_119335190

Well whatever trees survive will probably be wiped out by the emerald ash beetle

pgj2015

https://www.rainbowtreecare.com/emerald-ash-borer/how-to-prevent-eab/

I see woodpeckers are also effective at killing them, maybe we should try to release them (woodpeckers) now? I know some (woodpeckers) made there way here in the last few years.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119335190#Comment_119335190

Hi, sorry was out, yes I left the main trunk and some branches but literally remove all bud, foliage, essentially left with trunk and a few thick branches.

I've a Theory and it's only a guess.

Removing all and any growth near the ground or base seems to help. I had believed these two were gone and pruned severely thinking just leave a feature.

These are 20 year old trees and I've hard younger trees less likely to survive. I should say, I've an adjoining site, and many Ash have died. It's a bewildering disease, doesn't seem to affect other species of Ash, I've a beautiful mountain Ash right beside these two Ash trees and it thriving.

I may just have been lucky, I can't explain it, Die back was confirmed, I'm in the Midlands and it's rampant.

standardg60

Mountain ash is a completely different species, they're not affected

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119335190#Comment_119335190

The species will survive but it will lose its dominant position.

148multi

What tree's are best suited to provide shade and shelter for animals in place of the ash

greysides

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119347361#Comment_119347361

I was wondering what trees will take over myself today. First thought was Sycamore, grows strong and seeds prolifically. But realistically, it will be whatever is growing beside the dead Ash.

Birdnuts

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119347361#Comment_119347361

Big fan of Lime myself - great for pollinators this time of year too

tabby aspreme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119357079#Comment_119357079

There's a few lime trees up the road from me and you can hear the humming sounds 10 meters away at the moment.

You could replace the Ash with Birch, or Hornbeam if you want something bushy

blue5000

Ya have heard birch would be good in damp areas. There is supposed to be an improved strain of birch that produces better quality timber than what we usually get from birch. Cherry might be another option too. I think have a look around locally and see what is growing well. Oak supports a lot of biodiversity.

Neddyusa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119356949#Comment_119356949

It's a big question locally, as due to our shallow soil type the ONLY type of tree that grows naturally around here is Ash!

If some Ash don't survive, it seems whitethorn will be the new largest tree for miles around.