what is this cracking in this ash bark?

[testcricket01]

this is a ash tree in my garden had these marks on the bottom of the stem but has got alot worse and couple years ago it got the bigger marks down the whole length of one of the stems, now its getting more cracks.

 

just really wanting to no what causes it and recomendations i thought it would be as it moves in the wind it causes cracking in the bark (its in a very open position infront of a open field catches alot of wind) so i reduced the crown to reduce the wind sail but more cracks have appeared.

 

any ideas?

 

many thanks

[Danavan]

Old lightning wound maybe. Just from your description that it passes the whole length of the tree.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

that will be ash canker, not hispidus will come back with the correct name in a mo

[Danavan]

Would that be the primary cause of the canker infestation Tony?

[ScottF]

Pseudomonas syringae ssp. savastonoi pv fraxini

 

A bacterium

[ScottF]

More often than not it's more disfiguring than fatal, and tends to only cause failure where the cankers have entirely girdled a limb, for instance.

 

Not sure if there's a specific vector for it, but I see it loads down here on Anglesey where ash are exposed to strong, salty winds.

[roseyweb]

Old lightning wound maybe. Just from your description that it passes the whole length of the tree.

 

would i be correct in saying that lightning usually spirals around a tree?

[Graham]

would i be correct in saying that lightning usually spirals around a tree?

 

It will follow the course of least resistance; wherever that may be.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

its probably a drought crack that has become infected.

[Ian Flatters]

James, stop looking for excuses to turn it into firewood:lol:

 

It looks like Pseudomonas syringae ssp. savastonoi pv fraxini like the rest have said. Just keep an eye on it and carry-out whatever works if required and when. All you really need to do.