The dead wood was caused by a previous owner hacking lumps off at random, leaving snags which rotted back. He induced water shoots, which were then not pruned ,and ruined the balance of the tree.
What I'm trying to say is..
Oak trees have grown for a long time. They are very long lived trees. Mine are estimated at 150 years old,and are coming up to their prime. They have tree preservation orders on,and will be touched as little as possible.
They have lots of insects, which cause varying symptoms,none of which have any effect on the long term health of the tree. There are no cracks in the bark with weeping cankers, and no loss of branches in the crown, so I dont think they have either sudden oak or chronic oak decline.
I was trying to reassure the original poster, having a similar drop of twigs with leaves attached, from an otherwise healthy tree.
Ed, Joe and everyone else who has contributed here, thank you for your input.. Joe, indeed it seems that the Sycamore's will live (more's the pity!) but I will get some photographs tomorrow of the Oak and will post and would appreciate any further comments.
There used to be an elm in the hedgeline, about level with the polytunnel. It got Dutch elm disease. It was cut down and had to be craned out over the house that you cant see to the right of the top picture., about 30 years ago. The stump was left, about 3 ft across. It has sent up lots of elm shoots that are now part of the hedge, amongst the hawthorn.
The Elm shoots come from the roots, not the stump. They dont get diseased. Apparently they will only get diseased if we let them get above a certain height, because the insect vector flies high.??
OH wanted to let one grow up big and tall. Apart from upsetting the neighbour who is closest to it, by blocking out their light, and the hedge is about 15 ft from their back door, if it grows into a tree again , it will then be susceptible to Dutch Elm again. So it seems like elm has become a hedging tree not a tree tree.
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The dead wood was caused by a previous owner hacking lumps off at random, leaving snags which rotted back. He induced water shoots, which were then not pruned ,and ruined the balance of the tree.
What I'm trying to say is..
Oak trees have grown for a long time. They are very long lived trees. Mine are estimated at 150 years old,and are coming up to their prime. They have tree preservation orders on,and will be touched as little as possible.
They have lots of insects, which cause varying symptoms,none of which have any effect on the long term health of the tree. There are no cracks in the bark with weeping cankers, and no loss of branches in the crown, so I dont think they have either sudden oak or chronic oak decline.
I was trying to reassure the original poster, having a similar drop of twigs with leaves attached, from an otherwise healthy tree.
Ed, Joe and everyone else who has contributed here, thank you for your input.. Joe, indeed it seems that the Sycamore's will live (more's the pity!) but I will get some photographs tomorrow of the Oak and will post and would appreciate any further comments.
I'm trying. just lost 2 lots of pics will try again.
twigs on ground.
What I think are abscission points.
What I think are Oak spangle galls.
Oak tree at the top of the garden
The other Oak tree a third of the way up the garden. The ground under this has cracked badly this summer. Too dry.
Any thoughts.?
If anyone fancies spraying these trees will they please consult their psychiatrist and a health and safety expert first.
I love the galls, My not very mature yet oaks have a good selection
In the sticks near Peterborough
I get crown galls as well in the acorn cups, but only rarely have had the oak apple gall.
There used to be an elm in the hedgeline, about level with the polytunnel. It got Dutch elm disease. It was cut down and had to be craned out over the house that you cant see to the right of the top picture., about 30 years ago. The stump was left, about 3 ft across. It has sent up lots of elm shoots that are now part of the hedge, amongst the hawthorn.
The Elm shoots come from the roots, not the stump. They dont get diseased. Apparently they will only get diseased if we let them get above a certain height, because the insect vector flies high.??
OH wanted to let one grow up big and tall. Apart from upsetting the neighbour who is closest to it, by blocking out their light, and the hedge is about 15 ft from their back door, if it grows into a tree again , it will then be susceptible to Dutch Elm again. So it seems like elm has become a hedging tree not a tree tree.