Ash dieback or just old age?

[Khriss]

@Dan Maynard  have seen a few Ash  trees that were drought failures rather than ADB recently,   quite young ones thou, but remember Inonotus taking out Ash years n years ago . Seems so prevalent now its an easy assumption . K

[averagearborist]

@Dan Maynard  have seen a few Ash  trees that were drought failures rather than ADB recently,   quite young ones thou, but remember Inonotus taking out Ash years n years ago . Seems so prevalent now its an easy assumption . K

The effects of ash dieback have been compounded by drought. Pretty much all ash are affected by ADB - and while some are more resistant than others, the tree's response to ADB uses a lot of its energy, making it more susceptible to secondary infections, especially if growing conditions (like access to water or nutrients) are poor.

[Stubby]

5 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

It's also been very dry, had a willow the other day which had suddenly died and I'd put that down to drought rather than ADB.

Pretty safe bet Dan .Don't think any willows have died from ash die back 😁

[PeteB]

8 hours ago, maybelateron said:

I would vote for diagnosis being ADB. Been up to Scotland twice recently and loads of roadside Ash with it on the northern limits of M6, then the A74(M).

 

On a brighter note I just love seeing all the big healthy Elms in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

I was in Dingwall last week and out on to the Black Isle, the Elms there have now been hit, scenery reminiscent of southern England some 30-40 years ago! And as you say, significant stands of ADB figure all over the place....

[Dan Maynard]

Pretty safe bet Dan .Don't think any willows have died from ash die back [emoji16]

Exactly. Not all trees die from ash die back, I'm extending the logic to propose that not all ash trees die from ash die back.

FC have now updated the identification document showing symptoms with a couple of mature tree photos but also point out could be insect damage.

I'm still thinking it's hard to be sure on those mature trees, most of the id is around young shoots and wilted leaves which I don't see on our ash trees. They don't look right though, have to agree with that.

[Khriss]

If i see a group of Ash, similar age and form with same crown die back, i would lean towards ADB on visual assesment, but not on an individual tree,  without poking further. K