Structural Integrity of Ash Tree

[Cloppy]

Hello all,

 

Could anyone help me with an assessment of the structural integrity of a neighbour's tree?

 

I had a chap round today to have a look at it, and he told me it was a walnut tree and had honey fungus. For this reason, he recommended that the tree was removed. Now, I'm certainly no expert, but I've used online resources to identify the leaves and twigs and I'm pretty sure it's an ash tree, and that it has daldinia concentrica.

 

I'm not sure how tall the tree is, but I'd have a guess at around 60ft or more. The trunk has a diameter of about 80cm (2ft 7inches). On the north side of the trunk, there is wood completely missing in the core 25cm (9 inches) up to a height of about 60cm (2ft), where it appears someone had cut out a small horizontal section as if to stop the problem travelling up/down. The wood is also visibly rotted/rotting above this to a height of 2m (6ft). During the storms in the last few months we had a number of branches fall into our garden, two of which were about 12cm in diameter. Another branch has become detached but is still stuck in the tree.

 

I've spoken to the owner of the tree (the property is rented), and he is unwilling to do anything with it, including getting a professional to have a look (hence I've asked someone myself), or trimming the branches. I also explained that if the tree falls southwards (which seems most likely), it'll damage 3 properties, including my own but (conveniently?) not his. If the tree were to fall westwards, it would cover a railway line.

 

I've attached pictures which show the problems I've described, and labelled what I think I've identified to be daldinia concentrica. I've also labelled some tiny bore holes, but I've no idea about what caused these, or of their relevance.

 

Any advice with this would be greatly appreciated.

[Ross Smith]

Whoever thought that was a walnut is a walnut

Get someone professional in who will probably condemn the tree for removal or at least a heavy reduction

Hard to make a call from pictures but the land owner needs to accept he has a duty if care or hope he has a good insurer especially now you have risen the issue.

Good luck

 

 

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[treequip]

If the owner wont act you need to write to them by recorded delivery include your pictures and concerns about the condition of the tree, reminding them of their duty of care to others. Once you have put them on notice they will find it difficult to use the "act of god" excuse.

 

If they don't respond to that, another option is to speak to the council tree officer, they have the power but not the duty to intervene. The tree usually has to be an imminent danger but they might be willing to drop a line which ought to rattle a cage somewhere.

 

 

PS don't call Mr Walnut back, that's an ash tree and he is a nut of some sort

[Steve Bullman]

Definetly needs an inspection by a professional. You are spot on with your identification of the tree and the fungus, although daldinia might not necessarily be the primary fungus present on the tree

[Riggerbear]

Just my 5 pence worth, that damage and the cavity that has formed might of been caused by having a bonfire to close to the tree many years ago.

Where are you based, I'm sure there's someone on here that might be able to help you.

[Cloppy]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm glad I'm not going mad and that the tree is indeed an ash! When I last spoke to the owner regarding this, he seemed to think it would be acceptable to deal with it if/when it actually falls. I'll definitely be getting another professional in to have a look at it, and will be contacting the owner with the outcome of that visit, and with photos. I hadn't thought about sending a letter via recorded delivery, so I'll be sure to do that when I next contact him.

 

I'm in Dover, and if a forum member can recommend anyone, I'd appreciate it. I'd rather that than have to pluck a random name out of the Yellow Pages!

 

Again, many thanks for the responses.

[Wolfie]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm glad I'm not going mad and that the tree is indeed an ash! When I last spoke to the owner regarding this, he seemed to think it would be acceptable to deal with it if/when it actually falls. I'll definitely be getting another professional in to have a look at it, and will be contacting the owner with the outcome of that visit, and with photos. I hadn't thought about sending a letter via recorded delivery, so I'll be sure to do that when I next contact him.

 

I'm in Dover, and if a forum member can recommend anyone, I'd appreciate it. I'd rather that than have to pluck a random name out of the Yellow Pages!

 

Again, many thanks for the responses.

 

Not sure if he's a member on here but try Mr Walnut, Snowdown Rd, Aylesham.

[rustcutter]

If there is any chance of it falling near the railway: Drop a line to the railway (not sure if its Network Rail anymore ) voicing your concerns they will kick up a fuss if not sort it out themselves.

[D A Tree Surgeons]

Yes there's a very good Tree Surgeon in Dover called

D A Tree Surgeons

just Pm me if you would like a report

Regards Dave

[MattyF]

Honey fungus ha ha ha !