Pests and diseases

This is one of the trees who had Acute Oak Decline. The cut wood shows the damage.

The heart of the oak broken.

There are two completely dead standing trees near the four who were felled and six or more with severe symptoms.

The Goddess is not impacted by that but she does boast some fungal fruiting bodies.

I've just finished listening to Forgotten Forests. In the end, he says that the next century could wreak havoc on Britain's woodlands, pests, diseases and climate change. The islands could have precious little of the little we have left.

He also argues strongly in favour of natural regeneration rather than planting. The former ensures that trees are where they want to grow and they have the benefit of fungal communities. Planted trees often don't survive. He also takes issue with tree guards - as the protection from grazers comes at the expense of microplastic pollution. In addition, he makes it clear that a forest is not just trees: it is the whole ecosystem, with large predators and boars, and not the overgrazed semi-desert conditions that now apply.

On a happier note, I always like to see this tree who has healed well after either infection or lightning - probably both.... though sadly I notice now what look like two fresh bleeds. Maybe the survivor has yet more to contend with.