Ash dieback - Different perspective?

[Paul in the woods]

2 hours ago, Steven P said:

Going to put Scots Pine in further away from the road side (currently Ash / Pines / willows along the river)

 

What pines do you currently have? I like Scots Pine and have quite a few in my woodland but they are a squirrel magnet. Some of mine have grown very tall and the squirrels nest in the upper reaches making them hard to control, they also provide ample food for them so support a large population of them.

[Steven P]

A mix, a few Scots pines, most are spruce though. The ones I have were never managed and thinned so a lot are falling over now - which will be replaced as and when I get to it.

 

 

Squirrels - never thought of that, we only have about half a dozen at any one time (local fox, cats, crows and buzzards, road see to a lot for their control)

[Ledburyjosh]

Interesting article..  I can't help but think the urban factors he mentioned may just be irrelevant and the trees genetics alone it's the primary reason for its reasonable health. This can be evidenced by many healthy Ash trees surrounded by declining ones that do not have any of those urban factors he's has discussed. Which to some extent invalidates his observations, particularly as its a sample size if one he discusses. And as he mentioned, other Ash trees, just streets away, are declining. Presumably these would also have the urban factors he mentions as the reasons this particular Ash tree is doing OK, again suggesting that it's more likely genetics being the primary factor.

 

I do agree that many thousands are being felled without a valid reason based on poor risk assessments, panic and tree surgeons cashing in on it.