rupert

Loved the second vid. What was the music?

I find a long-reach hedge cutter works best

An extract from my dissertation:

Although A. hippocastanum is the principal host of C. ohridella in Europe, many other Aesculus species are also susceptible. A. turbinata (Japanese Horse chestnut) is highly susceptible, and species from North America, such as A. californica (California Buckeye), A. flava, A. glabra (Ohio Buckeye), A. parviflora, A. pavia (Red Buckeye), and A. sylvatica (Painted Buckeye) are moderately susceptible (Freies et al., 2004). In contrast, other species from Asia, such as A. assamica (East Himalayan Horse chestnut), A. chinensis (Chinese Horse chestnut) and A. indica, are generally resistant (Straw and Tilbury, 2006). A. x carnea is highly resistant to C. ohridella, killing the larvae in the first or second instar (Freies et al., 2004). The majority of other Aesculus hybrids are derived from crosses between A. flava, A. glabra, A. pavia and A. sylvatica (Bean, 1970; Daniels, 1984; Huxley, 1999). Susceptibility to C. ohridella varies from moderately susceptible in A. x bushii to highly resistant in A. x neglecta (Straw and Tilbury, 2006). C. ohridella has also been reported to damage Acer platanoides (Norway maple) and Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) (Gregor et al., 1998; Straw and Tilbury, 2006). This host range expansion is expected to increase further, threatening many other trees (CONROCAM, 2004).

No, I've just done my dissertation on it.

thanks for that gang is this a problem affecting most of the uk and is there anything that can be done to stop it?

 

regards

a

Fallen leaves can be removed and destroyed to prevent the pupae over-wintering. And a variety of chemical insecticides, including diflubenzuron, imidacloprid and abamectin, are effective in controlling the leaf miner and preventing leaf damage. Systemic insecticides are best applied as root drenches or injected into the stem cambium or soil. Alternatively, Allicin/Conquer injected into the stem cambium like a systemic insecticide is also proving to be successful.

As well as the dry spring we've had causing summer branch drop?

Yes, the particularly weak horse chestnut branches become even more brittle and susceptible to sudden fracture and drop as the infected dead wood dries out.

There are no proven ways of treating the bacterium. However, ensuring the tree is healthy and vigorous will reduce susceptibility to the infection and facilitate recovery. As more than 80% of urban tree disorders are caused by problems below ground it's paramount to create a healthy environment for the tree's roots to thrive. The most common problems include nutrient deficiencies, drought and soil compaction.

So anything to remedy these problems (decompaction/aeration of the rhizosphere, nutrient and mycorrhizae spore injection, aplication of organic mulch and restricting public access to the RPA) will improve the tree's chance of survival.

Leaf miner infestation will also reduce the tree's photosynthetic performance, depleting starch reserves and reducing the tree's productivity and vigour. Thus also needs to be controlled.

It's also worth looking into Allicin/Conquer if the budget allows.

The dead tissue on your leaf are the mines of the horse chestnut leaf miner larvae, while the shedding limbs in your local wood are most likely caused by horse chestnut bleeding canker.

No worries scottie

Beat me to it

The target area is high with many vehicles passing and parking beneath it on a daily occurrence

Sadly thats what I thought. But as it has a TPO wont I have to provide evidence that the decay is advanced enough to cause root failure?

Yeah, sounds about right, I think it started in the mid 80's. Before I was borne anyway. The interior side is where I started but soon progressed to the exterior side.

To those of you that helped me with my dissertation and others who are interested, please find attached a copy of my dissertation on the extent and severity of horse chestnut leaf miner and bleeding canker, and the success of management techniques used to mitigate these problems.

The dissertation achieved a first class honours thanks to many peoples help. I hope you find it informative. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Dissertation Final.pdf

What action would you take considering this healthy oaks location? I'm thinking of proposing a root investigation to establish the extent of the decay. Would you also suggest a picus scan? Thanks

Thanks Tony and Chris, thats what I thought.

Chris it's the Hornbeam of fertility at Hatfield Forest in Essex.

Anyone?

This weeping lime I had a look at today has reverted. Should the top be cut out to encourage weeping re-growth, or will this just result in vigorous non-weeping re-growth and cause problems in future with decay and weakly attached branches?

I heard the 260 is being replaced this Autumn. I'd get a MS341.

I brought one last week.

We've got the 130R and really rate it. We use the strimmer, pole pruner, adjustable hedge cutter and extension shaft all the time.

The bristle brush is great for removing moss on paving and the power sweeper is great for moving snow and wet leaves. They're both great fun too!

We've also got the pick tines but there useless if the ground is less than perfect.

If you get a pole pruner I'd recommend getting the angled gearhead as it enables better work positioning. A harness would also be good if using it for longer periods. We don't have one but it gets your back after a while.

Its got to be Horse chestnut bleeding canker caused by the virulent pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pathovar aesculi.

I've got the stihl bar mounted one and never use it. I think they're a waist of time.

Brilliant