Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Chestnut Tree Death.

Options
  • 13-07-2010 1:14pm
    #1
    farrelly57
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭


    While living in Germany in 1996 I became aware of a new problem that was killing Chestnut Trees. It was felling these green giants with speed everywhere across Europe.
    I was not able to discover the exact cause as there was much debate on what exactly was responsible.
    It seemed like a combination of a fungal disease and a leaf miner insect, possibly even something else.
    Then in 2005-06 I noticed that it was beginning here.
    It may be that the leaf miner defoliates the trees and then due to drought and heat stress the fungal disease overruns the resistance the tree has. It may be that the insect is carrying the fungal spores into the trees as has happened with Dutch Elm Disease, it may be another host or some other problem with another means of entry?
    I still have not managed to get a definite answer; in fact no one seems to want to answer me here at all!
    However trees are dying and death in most cases happens about three to five years after the problem has appeared. The problem appears first as yellowing and curling of the leaves, leading to premature leaf drop, then crown thinning and eventually death.
    Many different attempts have been tried on the continent to arrest or stop this problem
    including some small and local alternatives which seem to work somewhat, in Ireland though there has been only denial and silence.
    Since I started to track this I have brought my findings and concerns to many Government Departments, Institutes, the OPW etc but as of yet I have been treated as if I am inventing a problem. Sadly it is now visible for all to see.
    There may be work going on in an attempt to halt or slow it here but if so I am unaware of it.
    Over the last five years I have been monitoring four strands of Chestnut Trees in four separate locations.
    The locations are on the Hill of Tara, on the main thoroughfare through the Phoenix Park, in Griffith Park Glasnevin and in the grounds of St Josephs School on the Navan Road.
    All these places have/had large stands of mature Chestnut trees and all were healthy when I started five years ago.
    This year, for the first time the trees that are dead, ill or dying now outnumber the ones that are healthy and well.
    Chestnut tress are non native but they have been planted in all our parks, estates and towns over a span of centuries. They are also found in some numbers in our old woodlands. They make up a sizeable proportion of all our amenity trees, they are huge things of beauty, habitat and ecological value and it would be strange if they are allowed die without acknowledgement, care or an attempt to help them.


    http://dyingirishchestnuttrees.blogspot.com/
    Tagged:


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    As of today, Horse chestnut leaf miner - Cameraria ohridella has not been recorded in Ireland. That's not to say it isn't here, but if so very localised with Dublin or SE most likely to have first outbreak.
    If I saw photos of leaves I may be able to determine if it is casued by the moth.

    Leaf fungus is responsible for any browning of leaves in my area.

    Also I've heard os something called Bleeding Canker, but know nothing about this.


  • Options
    #3
    Feargal as Luimneach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭Feargal as Luimneach


    Non-native tree. Better off without them.:D
    Bad if it's happening in their native range though.:(


  • Options
    #4
    dogmatix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭dogmatix


    Hmmm - the Horse chesnut may not be a native species, but it is a hugely attractive tree. One of the first to come into leaf in spring, produces nice white flowers and of course conkers in the Autumn. It's my favourite tree!

    I'm not a fan of non-native flora or Fauna as a rule but i'd be greatly saddened if this was to go the same way as the Elm.


  • Options
    #5
    recedite
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,993 ✭✭✭✭recedite


    farrelly57 wrote: »
    Since I started to track this I have brought my findings and concerns to many Government Departments, Institutes, the OPW etc but as of yet I have been treated as if I am inventing a problem. Sadly it is now visible for all to see.
    If the Germans have more experience of this, you might be able to find out the best options for a cure from them, then take the info to the OPW park warden in Phoenix Park. They have an ongoing tree management program there, so they would be likely to take on board any constructive comments. Your knowledge of german should come in handy for this.....
    http://www.cameraria.galk.de/index.html
    dogmatix wrote: »
    I'm not a fan of non-native flora or Fauna as a rule but i'd be greatly saddened if this was to go the same way as the Elm.
    Thats usually how it is; the non natives are not so bad once you get to know them :)


Advertisement