Managing Trees with Decay & Dysfunction

David Humphries · August 10, 2014

This seems like an appropriate thread to just say well done David. Your article in the just delivered Arb Mag was great, and the photo selection was (unsurprisingly!) excellent. Nice one, a good example for tree managers everywhere

Ta muchly, glad you liked it Kevin :001_smile:

Haven't seen it in the flesh yet

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Adam M · August 10, 2014

This seems like an appropriate thread to just say well done David. Your article in the just delivered Arb Mag was great, and the photo selection was (unsurprisingly!) excellent. Nice one, a good example for tree managers everywhere

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Arbtalk mobile app

Seconded :thumbup1:

Arborowen · August 28, 2014

I'd be terribly interest in some opinions about a copper beech I've known for a couple years.

In 2013 the tree was noted to have Meripilus. A small palm sized expression which didn't get very large, (I'm aware this isn't necessarily and indication of extent of decay). I will have to dig out the original photos. after lengthy discussion with the owner it was decided to reduce the tree. It was agreed that in the following year the owner would monitor fungal activities.

Here we are in 2014 and it's all over the place! It's a copper beech that I'd estimate to be at least 200 years old. Primarily due to the age of the property and documents that speak of the tree, (not my telepathic dendrochronology).

I am interested now given the increase in activity, future management recommendations. I'm keen to give the owner all the information he should need to make the decision that's right for both himself and the tree. Although I'm pretty sure it will all come down in the end I think I'd be happy to leave it standing for a while. It survived January and this is a fairly coastal downland locale. The xion has some bark necrosis on the side of the fungal activity and using a sounding hammer a hollow can be noted in the central stem possibly resulting from the historic branch removal / inclusion. I've intentionally not talked about targets.

Let's hear what you all have to say :-)

David Humphries · August 28, 2014

I'd be terribly interest in some opinions about a copper beech I've known for a couple years..........

Interesting development.

The main question I'd be posing to myself with the hindsight of its history and having a feel for it's surroundings, would be whether I'd be comfortable with it surviving an unseasonal big blow with its full summer/autumnal jacket on?

How much foliar mass was removed ?

The fruit body spread out into the rhizosphere is a significant concern in terms of linear root dysfunction and subsequent decay.

How were the leaves this year?

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treeseer · August 28, 2014

And a poor looking graft union to boot.

Given the extent of the reduction, sounds like much load has been removed. Sounding the roots themselves may be worth a listen.

Arborowen · August 30, 2014

Thanks for your replies guys. I believe I will provide the client with a quotation to remove the tree but also supply this with a brief letter detailing what we've found, what we've done so far and some management options explaining why I feel the tree could be retained and an idea of what managed decline would involve for his tree.

Sadly this is one of this scenarios where ultimately the tree can't really be allowed to complete its life cycle.

Nick Harrison · September 3, 2014

Saw this today on a Norway. The leaf size is small and the crown is showing signs of die-back. This is involved in a root damage to footway issue, the offending root is too big to prune so i'm thinking long term the tree will need to go. Just thought i'd show some pics of the dysfunction