Dying trees.

[Henrietta]

There are a few large Norway spruce in the wood that have always looked very impressive, but which now appear to be dying from the bottom up. I wonder if it has anything to do with the drought we had in the spring. The soil is sandy.

Does anyone know if there is a disease which is likely to attack these trees?

[greyman]

Henrietta,

Just did a quick Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooogle and found this:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=10&sqi=2&ved=0CGwQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwashtenawcd.org%2Fdownloads%2Fbluesprucediseases.pdf&ei=NFubTrPdOMGV8QPVhO3KBQ&usg=AFQjCNH92rytc0e-_3VjdlRBVWex2wEhMw

There were plenty of other hits so it might be worth your while having a look in more detail.

Greyman

[Henrietta]

Thanks greyman, will have a closer look next visit, with a magnifing glass.

[Keith Williams]

Branch end

Trunk break point

I was out bushcrafting last weekend and a large ash branch dropped off about forty yards from us. No wind or rain, just a loud crack followed by the branch crashing to the ground. The tree looks in generally good condition, so maybe posting under 'dying trees' isn't quite right. Here's a couple of pictures of the break off point on the trunk and the branch on the ground. Any comments? this isn't something I'd expect from an Ash tree.