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Why are these Ash struggling?

Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
in Problem solving
Hi,
Wondering what is wrong with these ash trees? They are in quite a damp area- are they getting too much water or too little? There are many other ash trees growing happily nearby in less damp areas. I have about 40 growing. I dont think there is any ash dieback in this part of northern ireland (co. Down).
Thanks
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Posts

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I hope it's not ash dieback, but a quick Google suggests that by late 2022, 96% of northern Ireland's ash trees were suffering from dieback...  and this newspaper article 
    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ash-dieback-confirmed-at-five-sites/28923609.html
    says one of the first places it was found in 2012 was in county Down.  Sorry!
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
     :# 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2023
    I’m afraid that does look a lot like the way Ash Dieback affects ash saplings … I’ve seen a lot of it around here. It seems to affect saplings much more than mature trees. 

    There’s a theory that some ash trees carry a genetic resistance, so the thing to do if you want to grow ash, is to gather and grow seed from an unaffected tree that is in an an area where there is Dieback … and cross your fingers🤞 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
    There are a few rowan trees showing similar signs. Could it just be leaf scorch or drought?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Rowan don’t get Ash Dieback … despite being called Mountain Ash they’re not the same species as the Common Ash, so if they’re living their leaves it’ll be for a difference reason. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
    Yes that is what im trying to determine in the original post 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What's the problem with the rowans?
    They like plenty of moisture, so that's often the most common reason for foliage getting brown - ie drought, or it can be too much sun and wind frying the edges. Photos would be necessary to see the differences. 
    It's too early yet for autumnal colouring on them, unless you're further north than me [which you aren't]  or they're in a very exposed location. They often get a bit of wind damage, especially the cultivated ones which aren't quite as robust as the  native    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
    Yes the site gets a lot of wind & sun so that could be the issue. Anything I can do to protect them?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd need to see the site @Sam76. It's not possible to give good advice without knowing more, but they usually cope well enough once established,  if there's other planting, or buildings/fences/walls  around them to give a bit of shelter.
    Wind isn't really a problem at that point - they're extremely tough. The native ones will seed and grow on hills in exposed sites, but that's not the same as actively planting one, and especially one of the cultivated types.
    Very hot sun for long periods will fry foliage quite easily, especially new spring foliage. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    The council keeps planting them here as street trees and they always die. I assume it's lack of water but maybe the neutral/ slightly acidic soil isn't acidic  enough
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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