Lack of keys on the ash?

[mothhawk]

Has anyone else noticed in their area that there are no keys on the ash trees this year? There are lots of ash trees in the hedgerows around Leicestershire, and so far I haven't seen one bearing any keys.

There's an old wives tale that when the ash bears no keys a member of the royal family will die within the year. I wonder how true that is.

[Greenleaves]

Ash trees round here have all been chopped down because of Ash Die Back

[Guest]

I hadn't noticed but now that you mention it the ash in the garden doesn't have no where near as many as last year

[Kristen]

Was a Mast year last year I think? so having a rest this year might be to be expected?

I wonder how true that is.

Now you've said it then it will no doubt come to pass ... but other than that there is no chance that the two are linked

[poly]

Ash trees round here have all been chopped down because of Ash Die Back

Such a shame. There doesn't appear to be any sign of it around here yet, there are so many Ash around here it would be shocking to lose them all.

No Ash keys around here either.

[mothhawk]

Ash trees round here have all been chopped down because of Ash Die Back

Hope it can be controlled, and doesn't spread nationwide. I remember when all the elms died from Dutch elm disease. IMO a mature 60ft tall elm is one of the most beautiful trees there is. Such a loss.

[Alison]

Has anyone else noticed in their area that there are no keys on the ash trees this year? There are lots of ash trees in the hedgerows around Leicestershire, and so far I haven't seen one bearing any keys.

There's an old wives tale that when the ash bears no keys a member of the royal family will die within the year. I wonder how true that is.

No idea about ash keys, will look next time I'm out. The old wives tale is clearly rubbish though, goodness knows how these things get made up!

[poly]

Hope it can be controlled, and doesn't spread nationwide. I remember when all the elms died from Dutch elm disease. IMO a mature 60ft tall elm is one of the most beautiful trees there is. Such a loss.

Yes me too.
I was quite young when it struck, so many trees killed and cut down, it changed the look of the hedgerows where I grew up. Nowadays we occasionally see some young Elms trees growing, but they don't live very long. I don't know if that is still down to Dutch Elm Disease?

[mothhawk]

Yes it is, poly. The roots often survive, and send up suckers but then they get infected with the fungus and die back. I think it will be a long time before trees are bred that are resistant to DED

[poly]

Yes it is, poly. The roots often survive, and send up suckers but then they get infected with the fungus and die back.

Thanks, I had been wondering. Such a shame it is still active after so long. I remember not always being able to tell them from a Hazel (I was quite little) until I saw the bark up close and felt the leaf!

I think it will be a long time before trees are bred that are resistant to DED

Very sad.

[snakeshack]

No ash keys this year= no ash seedlings next year .in my case with a forty footer next door and upwind from my garden this is a positive bonus . Normally in the spring I'm pulling them out by the thousand


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[veggiechicken]

No Ash keys here either. Oodles of acorns though - will they do?

[Guest]

No ash keys this year= no ash seedlings next year .in my case with a forty footer next door and upwind from my garden this is a positive bonus . Normally in the spring I'm pulling them out by the thousand

For me this year it was sycamore seedlings. I think quite a few people had this.

But on a different note - does anyone join in any of the recording projects like ashtag, natures calender or track a tree? If so are they easy enough or do they become a bit of a pain in the bum?

[mothhawk]

No Ash keys here either. Oodles of acorns though - will they do?

'Fraid not, VC. Acorns don't do the whirly helicopter thing.

[Greenleaves]

You can have my Sycamore if you want Mothhawk