Horse chestnut leaf miner, unusual year here.

[Mick Dempsey]

Every year they seemed to be getting worse and worse earlier and earlier, no sooner in leaf than the signs would appear and by mid July they were awful looking.

 

Bizarrely this year I have waited and waited but it never appeared (or not noticeably anyway) so here we are end of August and the chestnuts in full leaf, some with conkers.

 

How strange! What are they like where you are? (I’m south west France)

 

[The avantgardener]

I have seen very little signs of it in East Sussex this year, I was looking at some beautiful pollarded ones in Normandy two weeks back that where untouched also.

[MrNick]

Just as bad as ever up here in north Yorkshire, seems like there is no respite.

[AJStrees]

Over in East Grinstead, West Sussex, I think its our worst year yet. Leaves been falling off the trees for weeks and more signs of the leaf minor than ever before. 

[Paul Cleaver]

still bad in Cheshire what I have seen

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Well, I wonder what has caused the improvement down here, anyone else in the Deep South of the UK noticed the same as the avantgardener?

[Adam M]

I think it's a bit slower to hit this year than previous (Hampshire). Definitely there though. 

[nepia]

1 hour ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Well, I wonder what has caused the improvement down here, anyone else in the Deep South of the UK noticed the same as the avantgardener?

No; I'm more in line with AJStrees up the road here in Caterham though I would say definitely not the worst year.  The intensity of attack has been worse, i.e. greater browning of leaves.

Edited August 28, 2019 by nepia

[The avantgardener]

On 28/08/2019 at 19:11, Mick Dempsey said:

Well, I wonder what has caused the improvement down here, anyone else in the Deep South of the UK noticed the same as the avantgardener?

I visited an estate in Rye, East Sussex today. 30 plus very large Horse chestnuts in stunning condition, showing no leaf miner damage just the first blush of Autumn.

It has been very dry down here since early Spring and we have had record temperatures throughout July and August, what’s the weather been like in your parts Mick?

I have certainly seen heavier infestations in the wetter Summers.

[Mick Dempsey]

Dryish, but nothing exceptional for SW France.