Ideas on what is causing this...

[Giles2373]

Hi - I'm new to the forum and hoping for some help. 

 

I bought a cottage with some land which included about 3 across of woodland. It is a mixture of Beech, Oak, Sycamore and Ash. Since being here a few trees have split and I believe they are all ash. The middle of them looks like the attached photo. Is this ash die-back? Or something else where they have just rotted inside?

 

The land is very wet and boggy in places (exceptionally so in some areas), so I was wondering if this was causing an issue?

 

Just be interested in the thoughts of those far more knowledgable on the subject than me. Hop the photo is clear!

 

Thanks

[Paul in the woods]

Looking at the photo the tree looks more like grey/goat willow or similar. That flourishes on wet land and is very prone to splitting like that. I gather it's one way they spread.

[Tippin Alaybye]

looks like some form of willow and they die a natural death as this picture seems to indicate. don't take my word though

[Giles2373]

Well that was easy! Thanks for the info. Now I know what I'm potentially looking at I can Google more on it. It is very wet boggy land there and the ones that have split have been mature trees so that would make sense. Thanks again.

 

[Paul in the woods]

If you look up 'willow carr' you might find similar examples to your land. They often split after a bit of wind and we've had a fair bit recently.