Double trouble for Asplenifolia

[jacquemontii]

I came across this mature Fagus sylvatica Asplenifolia. Appears to have a bit of a lean. Checked around the buttress and discovered what I think are kretzschmaria deusta and the remains of meripilus giganteus?

[David Humphries]

Yes on both counts.

 

Root/buttress morphology appears to suggest the tree is adapting to the colonisations.

 

Did you sound the wood volumes?

 

Any thoughts on further investigation/reduction/removal?

 

 

 

,

[Gary Prentice]

Not much more to ask than what David has. The canopy looks well furnished with little indication that the kretz is interrupting hydraulic function.

 

What's the target area like?

[jacquemontii]

Its a valuable specimen amongst a collection of other old trees (some veterans) in an historic private garden setting. I would loathe to have to recommend it be felled without first carrying out some further investigation to ascertain the extent of decay.

 

There's no sign of crown die-back. It doesn't feel like it has started leaning recently, no signs of cracks or lifting earth around the roots. So maybe it is adapting. But with two fungi at work?

 

In terms of targets its currently on the periphery of a private formal garden, with few visitors as its not open to public. However this may be set to change, so a management decision may be required. I think I would like to move all potential targets and exclude/discourage people from walking under it. It may be possible to zone it off with some planting and fencing, without spoiling the design of the gardens?

[Gary Prentice]

Crack out the airspade and resistograph?

 

Paul Muir might be the man to talk to, those pull tests are worth considering

[Kveldssanger]

Its a valuable specimen amongst a collection of other old trees (some veterans) in an historic private garden setting. I would loathe to have to recommend it be felled without first carrying out some further investigation to ascertain the extent of decay.

 

There's no sign of crown die-back. It doesn't feel like it has started leaning recently, no signs of cracks or lifting earth around the roots. So maybe it is adapting. But with two fungi at work?

 

In terms of targets its currently on the periphery of a private formal garden, with few visitors as its not open to public. However this may be set to change, so a management decision may be required. I think I would like to move all potential targets and exclude/discourage people from walking under it. It may be possible to zone it off with some planting and fencing, without spoiling the design of the gardens?

 

Two fungi at work is probably absurdly common. In fact, I'd anticipate a tree could have dozens upon dozens of fungi active on it at one point, and many more latently present in the vascular system or within the bark. Yes, they are two fungal pathogens we recognise as being the harbingers of excessive risk aversion, though I would say you propose a suitable solution in your very last sentence that would not be excessively risk adverse.

[jacquemontii]

Crack out the airspade and resistograph?

 

Paul Muir might be the man to talk to, those pull tests are worth considering

 

I think that will be the recommendation in the short term. If it turns out not to be an imminent risk then Ideally will try to retain it with a re-designed setting.

[jacquemontii]

Two fungi at work is probably absurdly common. In fact, I'd anticipate a tree could have dozens upon dozens of fungi active on it at one point, and many more latently present in the vascular system or within the bark. Yes, they are two fungal pathogens we recognise as being the harbingers of excessive risk aversion, though I would say you propose a suitable solution in your very last sentence that would not be excessively risk adverse.

 

Some interesting points thanks. Yes these two particular fungi do tend to set off the alarms! I do hope it will be feasible to make some alterations to the current layout so the tree can be retained for many years to come.

[Gary Prentice]

I think that will be the recommendation in the short term. If it turns out not to be an imminent risk then Ideally will try to retain it with a re-designed setting.

 

I had a day out with Paul a couple of years ago. The beech we 'pulled' had Merip brackets all around the rootplate, developing ganoderma and something else which I can't remember.

 

Access drive to the house ran adjacent and the neighbours house and parking was in the fall zone.

 

My initial thoughts were 'fell it', but the testing showed/proved that the tree was well within 'normal' limits. It certainly revised my thinking!

[jacquemontii]

I had a day out with Paul a couple of years ago. The beech we 'pulled' had Merip brackets all around the rootplate, developing ganoderma and something else which I can't remember.

 

Access drive to the house ran adjacent and the neighbours house and parking was in the fall zone.

 

My initial thoughts were 'fell it', but the testing showed/proved that the tree was well within 'normal' limits. It certainly revised my thinking!

 

That does sound surprising. Thanks for the tip.