the body language of Decay, The Delights of D

[Matthew Arnold]

Just spotted a crack in the stump going from left to right too

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1z2weyp3qg&feature=player_embedded]‪Largest River Birch Tree in Minnesota‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]

 

check out the decay column associated with the dysfunctional wood, there is a target canker at the base, the upper cavity is also a target canker, the dysfuntional ripewood has hollowed out and disguised the cause to some extent.

 

 

what a tree.

[rootstoshoots]

Ham

I took the time to read every post....WOW is all I can say, I learned quite a bit from all of you, I hope this is not the end. a question on the buckling. Is it always caused by a fungi or decay of some sort? I find that to be most intersting. If you can , can you elaborate on this a bit, more detail like how does this start and what actually creates the buckles? thank you very much for sharing your knowledge!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Buckling is not always caused by the fungi within the tree or thier decay in most instances but by the fact the wieght of the tree is being forced down on a ring of sound wood as apposed to being spread over the origional volume of the once healthy main trunk.

 

there are many forms of buckling, and mostly its just a normal proscess of a trees development, think of them as a slipped disc, or a twisted ankle, the tree then strengthens the zone, like we might heal a broken bone.

 

Often we will see little ripples, or bulges on root collars.

 

There is also the life belt which is perfectly healthy non fungi altered wood, it is the result of extreme forces applied (bending moments) to the maturing tree at its weak or hot spot the wrist of the main stem. see pic

[rootstoshoots]

Makes sense, I see this but not as often as I am sure you guys do, I have only seen it on beech. and then it was on a cutleaf Beech which we do not see many of. I love this thread, I have learned more on this thread with everyone's advice than anywhere. By the way I am getting the books you recommended on this thread also, one by Mattheck, the other is shwarz,--- and mattheck I believe. keep up this thread Hama, we have a meeting once a week called advanced arbo---we discuss this thread, everyone in our group loves it.

[Fungus]

one by Mattheck, the other is Schwarze, and Mattheck ... we have a meeting once a week called advanced arbo

 

In Mattheck's "Stupsi explains the tree" (3rd enlarged edition, 1999), you will find the basics of buckling and wrinkling of tree trunks, whether caused "mechanically" or by wood degrading fungi.

Also see this post on simultaneous white rot and my thread on the body language, i.e. buckling of Quercus caused by Laetiporus sulphureus.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Makes sense, I see this but not as often as I am sure you guys do, I have only seen it on beech. and then it was on a cutleaf Beech which we do not see many of. I love this thread, I have learned more on this thread with everyone's advice than anywhere. By the way I am getting the books you recommended on this thread also, one by Mattheck, the other is shwarz,--- and mattheck I believe. keep up this thread Hama, we have a meeting once a week called advanced arbo---we discuss this thread, everyone in our group loves it.

 

that is a great compliment, and means a great deal to me:thumbup1:

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

heres another life belt, one of my local trees.

 

[rootstoshoots]

just amazing, I am in awe at some of the pictures from where you guys are, we plan a trip to England soon, will be looking for some advise on interesting places to visit for trees, it looks like that will not be hard.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

just amazing, I am in awe at some of the pictures from where you guys are, we plan a trip to England soon, will be looking for some advise on interesting places to visit for trees, it looks like that will not be hard.

 

Do you want a list of super bad ass sites then!

 

how many are going to be in your group?

 

Sounds like a wicked adventure, dont be a stranger while over, i would be more than willing to show you some sites, you should have a word with david too:thumbup1: