Coppicing ash and Chalara

[tech_type]

Hi,

I have heard it said not to coppice ash, as it gives a greater chance of "letting Chalara F/dieback in". Does anyone know what the best advice is on this? I am currently restoring overstood ancient semi natural woodland mixed coppice in S Gloucestershire and in the light of this advice am not sure whether to let the ash stumps regenerate (which they are vigorously trying to do), or whether to kill them and let the new ash seedlings take over. Any comments gratefully received. Cheers

[the village idiot]

Hi,

I have heard it said not to coppice ash, as it gives a greater chance of "letting Chalara F/dieback in". Does anyone know what the best advice is on this? I am currently restoring overstood ancient semi natural woodland mixed coppice in S Gloucestershire and in the light of this advice am not sure whether to let the ash stumps regenerate (which they are vigorously trying to do), or whether to kill them and let the new ash seedlings take over. Any comments gratefully received. Cheers

 

I would have thought that the seedlings would do alright without killing off the coppice stools. Should still be plenty of light getting in.

Must admit to not knowing what the official guidance is though.

[Jim B]

Just carry on as you would before, don't kill the stumps as some may survive. Cutting or not will make no difference as it ultimately the genetic make up of the tree to tolerate the disease. Year to year climatic differences will affect how bad it's affects are. This year here not so bad because until last week it's been dry and cool. If you have a market or use, coppice but accept serious losses to growth and saplings, that would happen anyway. Personally don't replant that's the cause of this in the first place, just coppice whatever else appears, it's what our predecessors would have done in the past.

[john k]

There's absolutely no reason to kill off the coppice. Any young growth is equally susceptible to Chalara.

 

The advice about not coppicing came about because more mature trees don't get affected so easily, so in the short term were best left uncut. All you can do now is wait it out and see what happens. Depending on how quickly the disease spreads westward you might even get another rotation out of your coppice.

Edited July 11, 2015 by john k

[Jim B]

John we are finding its the semi mature to mature trees that are declining rapidly and dying with no epicormic growth and no secondary infection. Just continuously declining crowns.

[Tilio-acerion]

Long-term you need to find another silvicultural strategy - ash coppice will not be viable under ADB.

 

Cutting (to re-coppice) causes stress to the tree, then factor in that the regrowth is small diameter and close to ground level (eg higher spore loading) and you have your reasons why ash coppice appears to be so highly susceptible to ADB.

 

Allowing new regen is the best thing you can do to allow tolerance to develop but evidence shows that whilst seedlings will still be plentiful none may not survive.

 

You need to find alternative tree sp for the long term but don't give up on ash, allow for it to regenerate and promote tolerant specimens where you get them.

[Tilio-acerion]

There is no difference in susceptibility between mature and young trees. Young trees with little or no tolerance just succumb quicker whilst mature trees can struggle on for longer. Big mature trees with no tolerance will succumb very quickly 2-5 years.