The Kings Beech

[Stubby]

Saw a couple of large beech like that blown down to day in the arboretum behind West Dean college whilst on the shoot to day . Always seems a shame to me initially . Like all of us we are only here for a relatively short time . .....

[s.varty]

Would it be ok to replant on the exact site?

[sloth]

No, it's now detached all around from its roots

 

A replacement will be sourced & planted.

 

 

We had contact from the office of Prince Charles in the aftermath of the storm,

concerned as to the level of damage to the trees on the Heath.

 

Perhaps we could invite him to replace his Great Grandfathers tree

 

 

.

 

A shame, though that sounds like a great idea. So will it be left to rot, or carved into something perhaps?

[David Humphries]

Would it be ok to replant on the exact site?

 

I don't see why not.

 

Meripilus has a strategy of association via exposed sapwood (roots)

So as long as any new young planting is secured in its pit and not damaged from the root collar downwards then any residual mycelium in the locale should not really penetrate the young roots.

 

I'd imagine if we do replant in the same area then we would ensure that the immediate planting pit is free of decayed wood and has a soil structure and texture that retains and releases nutrients and moisture and promotes good root growth.

 

 

.

[se7enthdevil]

that's the sort of sized tree I would like for my skittles. could anyone mill it for me?

 

i'd be happy to give his highness a set in recognition of his grandfathers planting...

[David Humphries]

that's the sort of sized tree I would like for my skittles. could anyone mill it for me?

 

i'd be happy to give his highness a set in recognition of his grandfathers planting...

 

I'm afraid not.

 

It will be staying on site to decay down and provide habitat for a myriad of saproxylic species

 

 

.

[agg221]

that's the sort of sized tree I would like for my skittles. could anyone mill it for me?

 

i'd be happy to give his highness a set in recognition of his grandfathers planting...

 

If I'm right, you don't want that one, even if you could get it. I'm no mycologist but my understanding of meripilus is that there is highly likely to be considerable heartwood decay running a considerable way up the butt.

 

I'm keeping an eye out for suitable ones.

 

Alec