Ash fell - Polyporus squamosus

[John Hancock]

This Ash has been well known to me for many years. It stands in a formal park that’s well used, there is a footpath below and a park bench located close-by.

 

The tree has a cavity approximately 3m from stem base and has been host to Polyporus squamosus for a number of years, there was also a line of decay extending upwards towards the branch unions.

 

Four years ago we carried out a heavy crown reduction in an attempt to put a control measure in place for the obvious defect, the hope was that the tree would receive further crown reductions and so end up with a much more compact crown with much less lever-arm and stress on the branch unions.

 

The extent of decay in the cavity has been regularly checked, on the last inspection it became evident that the decay was increasing at an accelerated rate so regrettably the decision was made to fell and re-plant.

 

Other options were considered including a further reduction or a ‘pollard’.

 

*Pictures from my iphone

[mad matty]

Good work....controlling the fell with that much decay in the stem!

[John Hancock]

Few more pics....

[timtree81]

That's very extensive decay , what a shame it was a good size tree

[sloth]

Wow, that's pretty extreme. Good call on the fell. ..

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Nice post John, timely fell, retained well for as long as was practical:thumbup1:, long time no see, hows tings?

[John Hancock]

Nice post John, timely fell, retained well for as long as was practical:thumbup1:, long time no see, hows tings?

 

Hello buddy, pretty well thanks – still hanging on in there in local authority land!

[Ian C]

Nice pics John and a good call by the looks of it.

 

Good too see you back on here mate.

[David Humphries]

Great shots John,

 

did you consider retaining a low monolith ?

 

 

 

 

 

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[Paul Barton]

Nice photos John - and nice to read you on here again. I ditched my f/book acccount last year so haven't been keeping up with your news.

 

I note on the other thread where you mention this tree you said it was being re-assessed to determine the level of decay...do you do this using a mallet and ear or something fancier?