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Ash tree - please help

harrietjanewoodharrietjanewood Posts: 1
in Problem solving
 Please could somebody take a look at these photos and tell me if my ash tree is healthy? I know nothing about trees but have recently moved (January) and this is the only true in our garden. All the other trees around look leafy and green. I’d like to try and help it if there is something wrong with it but I simply don’t know the first thing. If it’s useful...our house was only built about 18 months ago. There is a large oak tree and large ash tree in the garden next door (nexts doors ash is also bare) Our tree lost a lot of its brittle branches during storm ciara and the garden flooded. The ground around it is now rock hard. There’s signs it lost a large branch (see photos) but this didn’t happen whilst we’ve been here. 
I’d be grateful for any advice. Thank you x

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Well it certainly looks like its been in the wars. Like the builder rammed it with a digger.  If it doesn't produce leaves it is dead. If it does produce leaves, I would get a competent insured tree surgeon in to give an assessment. I think there are prettier trees for a garden.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    There is a sickness going round called ash tree dieback and which, like Dutch Elm disease before it, is killing off mature trees in their prime.   In addition, yours has had some large chunks of bark eaten off either by rabbits or deer and this has taken away the cadmium layer that transports water and nutrients (sap) to the upper parts of the tree.    When they get sick they do become brittle and start to loose branches in strong winds.

    We inherited several ash trees when we bought this place nearly 4 years ago and have had to have 2 cut down by a tree surgeon.  He cut it all the trunk and bigger branches into lengths that fit our log burner so e do have free firewood now that it's dried.   Two more were tidied up and deemed good for a few more eyars and we have 3 younger saplings coming along.

    I suggest you get together with your neighbours to have an tree surgeon make just one trip to cut down yours and theirs.  Ours wasn't too expensive but it'll save money if he can do both in one go.  Do make sure you get more than one quote from qualified tree surgeons who will have training, equipment and insurance suitable for the job and ask about chipping for the smaller branches if you don't have a chipper.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    You can look on a DEFRA site regarding the ash die back as it helps to show prevalence in your area. Memory serves me right the die back effects tree above 20 years, they die from the centre leaving telltale black centre to the tree. It shows up on any decent sized limbs that are cut through. Tree surgeons would definitely advice you on this as it's become so common 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Ash are always late into leaf so it may be alive, but it has taken a hammering. I would be planting something to replace it, with an eye on removing the ash if it goes into decline. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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