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80 year old arbutus

tonilouise55089tonilouise55089 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi, we bought this house last year with this arbutus that’s been here since the house was built in the 1940s maybe it’s older. Anyway it’s got a split down the middle and the wood there is soft. Is it dying? Sorry I don’t know how yo rotate the photos! 🫣

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited October 2023
    @tonilouise55089 seI think it would be a question for an Arboriculturalist. You could also contact Westonbirt or if you have an RHS membership that might be another course of action. Last November it was very wet then very cold in December.  As a result splitting has been a problem in alot of old trees and shrubs. Some may be more resiliant than others and recover
    It can take years for a mature tree to die it can be a slow process over years.
    I think you also need to consider the safety aspect hence my thoughts on calling in a professional.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I agree . You can’t be too careful.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Hi,
    which country are you in? Just checking
  • tonilouise55089tonilouise55089 Posts: 2
    I’m in Dublin Ireland 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    edited October 2023
    What a lovely, characterful tree!  I'd guess that the split and rot may have been evident for a long time.  The crown of the tree looks pretty good, I think...  If you can find a genuine, qualified arborist to give you advice on how to keep it healthy for as long as possible, that would be the way to go, I think.  Beware of those people advertising themselves as "tree surgeons" who are unqualified, trigger happy men with chainsaws, who love cutting things down, though.

    I wonder if you'd get advice from the national botanic gardens in Dublin?  They might be able to suggest someone to help you.  (The gardens include an arboretum so they may well employ an arborist.)

    Edited to add:  some Arbutus can live for 400 years...
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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