Ash Tree

[Dowie]

Hi, found this ash whilst repairing a fence for one of my clients, it's on a bank just the other side of their boundary next to a private lane. It is approx 15inch dbh and about 50 foot tall. As you can see from the pics it has some damage to the stem which runs from the base to about 10ft and is about 6-8in wide. It appears that the cambium has tried to heal the damage but at the base there is a sizeable cavity.

 

Could this tree be reduced and therefore kept or would it have to be removed given the damage to the stem and the cavity at the base.

 

sorry for the rubbish pics but its in a tricky position, (holly bush growing right next to it)

 

thanks for any advice

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

reduction will suffice, youll find its cavity probably doesnt increase in volume but the tree will continue to secondary thicken and in time will overcome providing a problem does not occur with parasites like armillaria. trees can stand hollow 70% hollow is the T/R threshold for an unreduced frame and hence reduced this should be fine but it would need a good look from a knowledgeable arb to determine the right course of action.

[Riggerbear]

Possible old fire damage Hama, what do you reckon ?

[slack ma girdle]

If it was in my garden i would not be overly worried, the tree seems to be coping.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

yes I reckon fire damage is a good guess

[Dowie]

Thanks for the replies guys much appreciated, I will get someone in to have a good look at it and advise going forward.

 

Many thanks