Comments on: More threats to the horse chestnut http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/ A blog about woodland activities, outdoor skills and conservation Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:04:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-7843 Chris Tue, 30 Aug 2011 08:56:50 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-7843 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/nature-surveys/horse-chestnut-national-survey-of-leaf-miner-moth/ http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/trees/horse-chestnut-leaf-miner-moth/ Yes, it is proving to be a particularly<strong> invasive species</strong>. One might have hoped that the very cold winter would have ensured the death of many, if not all pupae that over-winter. However, the only effect of the very low temperatures seems to be a slight slowing of its advance through the tree canopy this year - presumably the weather has affected the number of life cycles that it has been able to complete. The Forest Commission's advice seems to remain constant - quote "<em>Experience from Europe indicates that once established, the moth will cause severe damage to the foliage of horse chestnut on an annual basis, and defoliation before normal leaf-fall in the autumn. The larvae mine within the leaves and at high population densities they can destroy most of the leaf tissues. Damage can be reduced by removing fallen leaves during the autumn and winter and either composting them thoroughly, to destroy the over-wintering pupae, or if the leaves are collected into smaller heaps, by covering them with a layer of soil or other plant material to prevent adult emergence in the following spring.</em>" end quote http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-59YJKP Many horse chestnut trees in and around SE London are looking in a 'very sad' state. http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/nature-surveys/horse-chestnut-national-survey-of-leaf-miner-moth/
http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/trees/horse-chestnut-leaf-miner-moth/

Yes, it is proving to be a particularly invasive species. One might have hoped that the very cold winter would have ensured the death of many, if not all pupae that over-winter. However, the only effect of the very low temperatures seems to be a slight slowing of its advance through the tree canopy this year – presumably the weather has affected the number of life cycles that it has been able to complete.
The Forest Commission’s advice seems to remain constant – quote
“Experience from Europe indicates that once established, the moth will cause severe damage to the foliage of horse chestnut on an annual basis, and defoliation before normal leaf-fall in the autumn. The larvae mine within the leaves and at high population densities they can destroy most of the leaf tissues. Damage can be reduced by removing fallen leaves during the autumn and winter and either composting them thoroughly, to destroy the over-wintering pupae, or if the leaves are collected into smaller heaps, by covering them with a layer of soil or other plant material to prevent adult emergence in the following spring.” end quote
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-59YJKP

Many horse chestnut trees in and around SE London are looking in a ‘very sad’ state.

]]> By: Carolyn Klickermann http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-7840 Carolyn Klickermann Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:15:59 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-7840 We planted a horse chestnut tree approx. 16 years ago and every year the tree loses its leaves earlier and earlier. We notice large brown spots in early June and it now has approx. 1/3 of its leaves left! We fear we will lose what was once a beautiful shade tree over our deck for the hot summer months. Checking on the internet I see that it is either leaf blotch or miner (will check this out!) and that we cannot control it except for raking dead leaves for the trashbin. So sorry....Carolyn We planted a horse chestnut tree approx. 16 years ago and every year the tree loses
its leaves earlier and earlier. We notice large brown spots in early June and it now has
approx. 1/3 of its leaves left! We fear we will lose what was once a beautiful shade
tree over our deck for the hot summer months. Checking on the internet I see that it is
either leaf blotch or miner (will check this out!) and that we cannot control it except
for raking dead leaves for the trashbin.
So sorry….Carolyn

]]> By: Arthur http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-7675 Arthur Sat, 30 Jul 2011 13:11:59 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-7675 My single Sweet Chestnut tree, about twelve years old, fruited for the first time two years ago. Last year the leaves were stunted,curled, and browning from the edges in. This year is similar, but the trunk base is going brown on one side. Noting that the soil surface had a dark, wet appearance I dug to investigate. Although having a clay based soil,this was unusually wet and slimey. The slighly rotton smell was,I think,due to some rotting bulbs. After a little rain, the pooled water looked a strong, dark brown. I've dug out the worst of the dodgey looking soil,leaving black roots that scratch to red. Is this typical of Bleeding Canker or is there anything I can do to help the tree before I replace the soil with something more breathable? My single Sweet Chestnut tree, about twelve years old, fruited for the first time two years ago. Last year the leaves were stunted,curled, and browning from the edges in.
This year is similar, but the trunk base is going brown on one side. Noting that the soil surface had a dark, wet appearance I dug to investigate. Although having a clay based soil,this was unusually wet and slimey. The slighly rotton smell was,I think,due to some rotting bulbs. After a little rain, the pooled water looked a strong, dark brown.
I’ve dug out the worst of the dodgey looking soil,leaving black roots that scratch to red. Is this typical of Bleeding Canker or is there anything I can do to help the tree before I replace the soil with something more breathable?

]]> By: Sally http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-7577 Sally Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:24:39 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-7577 We have two horse chestnut trees in our garden which budded as usual in the spring but then the buds went brown and turned to dust. The trees haven't leafed and after leaving for a while have now completely died. There are no signs of canker, no leaf minor and no fungi. For a tree to die so quickly I thought it might be related to Sudden Death Oak. Does anyone know what might have caused this? We have two horse chestnut trees in our garden which budded as usual in the spring but then the buds went brown and turned to dust. The trees haven’t leafed and after leaving for a while have now completely died. There are no signs of canker, no leaf minor and no fungi. For a tree to die so quickly I thought it might be related to Sudden Death Oak. Does anyone know what might have caused this?

]]> By: Prud http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-7304 Prud Thu, 19 May 2011 17:50:36 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-7304 Here in Glasgow leaf minor has been noticeable on trees for years now. This was first noticeable in 2007 on just a number of trees which were brown by early august. It is now affected most Horse Chestnuts and drive by parks and the brown blotches seen by mid July and leaf fall by August. Even today I seen leaves already turning brown and it's mid May. There are some Horse Chestnuts though that stay green till at least early September but you need to find them. Here in Glasgow leaf minor has been noticeable on trees for years now. This was first noticeable in 2007 on just a number of trees which were brown by early august. It is now affected most Horse Chestnuts and drive by parks and the brown blotches seen by mid July and leaf fall by August. Even today I seen leaves already turning brown and it’s mid May. There are some Horse Chestnuts though that stay green till at least early September but you need to find them.

]]> By: mamp http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-4309 mamp Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:50:35 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-4309 hi i have noticed the conker trees near me are full of fungi. My tree is in a pot and although it 16 is only 6ft, it developed the fungi and I washed it all down with anti-bacterial washing-up liquid; it's cleared it and still no sign of it, the leaves stayed this year and are just starting to fall. It has never looked so healthy. hi
i have noticed the conker trees near me are full of fungi.
My tree is in a pot and although it 16 is only 6ft, it developed the fungi and I washed it all down with anti-bacterial washing-up liquid; it’s cleared it and still no sign of it, the leaves stayed this year and are just starting to fall.
It has never looked so healthy.

]]> By: Adam http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-4285 Adam Sat, 25 Sep 2010 10:48:36 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-4285 Hello, I live in Catalonia, (80km from Barcelona) and I´ve noticed this thing with horse chestnuts for a few years now, and I thought it was drought as we sometimes have it, but then I saw it also happened in rainy summers, (this summer it has rained alot and the trees are already brown, some more than other) and also in England, and then I read on the web, it´s an illness, Does anybody know what to do? The trees look like Autumn, at the end of Summer, it´s a false Autumn, but in some cases also a False Spring, as some of the trees sprout new leaves with flowers! It´s so odd! Hello, I live in Catalonia, (80km from Barcelona) and
I´ve noticed this thing with horse chestnuts for a few years now, and I thought it was drought as we sometimes have it, but then I saw it also happened in rainy summers, (this summer it has rained alot and the trees are already brown, some more than other) and also in England, and then I read on the web, it´s an illness, Does anybody know what to do?
The trees look like Autumn, at the end of Summer, it´s a false Autumn, but in some cases also a False Spring, as some of the trees sprout new leaves with flowers! It´s so odd!

]]> By: michael davies http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-4245 michael davies Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:36:47 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-4245 hi at hatfield house today. all horse chestnut trees diseased , some cut down and others with vrty small conkers....v sad mike hi
at hatfield house today. all horse chestnut trees diseased , some cut down and others with vrty small conkers….v sad

mike

]]> By: Keith Sessions http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-4052 Keith Sessions Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:43:54 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-4052 I live in north Spain (Munguia, near Bilbao, Basque country). I planted two chestnut trees in the garden some 20 years ago simply to remind me of my happy youth in London. Last year the trees lost their leaves in early August. This year the same has occurred. I thought it was due to warm early spring weather. Yesterday, I was visited by friends from London and they explained to me that chestnut trees are suffering from a disease(s)and losing their leaves early in the United Kingdom. It would appear that the disease has reached northern Spain. I live in north Spain (Munguia, near Bilbao, Basque country). I planted two chestnut trees in the garden some 20 years ago simply to remind me of my happy youth in London. Last year the trees lost their leaves in early August. This year the same has occurred. I thought it was due to warm early spring weather. Yesterday, I was visited by friends from London and they explained to me that chestnut trees are suffering from a disease(s)and losing their leaves early in the United Kingdom. It would appear that the disease has reached northern Spain.

]]> By: Chris http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/comment-page-1/#comment-3864 Chris Sun, 18 Jul 2010 09:42:22 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/more-threats-to-the-horse-chestnut/#comment-3864 The Forestry Commission offers a number of suggestions about managing the leaf miner problem, mainly through the disposal & composting of infected leaves. If leaves are removed then so are the over-wintering moth pupae, which would otherwise form the first generation of moths to attack the tree in the spring. see http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/website/forestresearch.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-6Q3DPF The Forestry Commission offers a number of suggestions about managing the leaf miner problem, mainly through the disposal & composting of infected leaves. If leaves are removed then so are the over-wintering moth pupae, which would otherwise form the first generation of moths to attack the tree in the spring. see http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/website/forestresearch.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-6Q3DPF

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