2 dead after tree failure

[Steve Bullman]

http://www.kwqc.com/content/news/Arborist-weighs-in-on-possible-cause-of-deadly-tree-branch-collapse-487343071.html

 

 

[difflock]

I was wondering about the likelyhood of the UK experiencing the  "sudden branch drop" little understood/phenomena, which I associate with periods of prolonged heat, like we are currently experiencing here in NI leastwise.

Also aware the causes of this failure could be different.

marcus

[Gary Prentice]

wait til it rains! I think that's when to expect it - normally a dry interval causing reduced moisture content in timber which then becomes replenished after rainfall results in more SBD events.

[wicklamulla]

yep them trees gasping ferra drink whilst in full leaf,   major and minor lateral limbs having it easy (weight wise) during a calm dry spell, then suddenly heavy rain and it soaks it all up along with a breeze and i guess this adds to the likelihood  of limbs being shed?

[ostosix]

could anyone keep up with the subtitles on that news clip? At work hence no volume

[openspaceman]

3 hours ago, Gary Prentice said:

wait til it rains! I think that's when to expect it - normally a dry interval causing reduced moisture content in timber which then becomes replenished after rainfall results in more SBD events.

Apart from fungal attack I always wondered if it was associated with lignin softening in the heat.

 

I walks south from Euston to Waterloo today and took in several squares with their huge  london planes (which I thought looked in very good nick) with all the office workers taking lunch and sunbathing by them, it doesn't bear thinking of the injuries that could happen if a large limb let go.