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micky45

By Micky45

North Somerset, United Kingdom

Does anyone know much about As Trees?

We have one close by us, it's a huge one but occasionally branches do come off unexpectedly and unpredictably!, one just lately that could have killed or seriously injured anyone below it.

I did hear a story about a boy scouts hand book that says to never pitch your tent under or near and Ash tree because of this! does anyone know about this story or anything to do with this subject?

Thanks, Micky 45




Answers

 

You are quite right, Micky. Ash limbs are very brittle and are easily broken in a gale. We have a large tree in the garden. From my own experience branches tend to die off quite regularly but can stay attached to the tree for several years. Then, in a good wind these can detach and fall to the ground. It is less usual for live branches to fall but it can happen.
A good boy scout would not set up his tent under any tree: rain dripping off, bird droppings, dead wood, etc etc!

18 Dec, 2009

 

You don't pitch a tent under trees of any sort, they can be struck by lightening and it can cause damage to the roots, also there may be damage to your canvas/material due to falling branches and excreta. You need to tent in the open for light and air. If you have a tree near to a house branches can damage the building, roots, drains and foundations. All large trees will have their branches broken in windy weather or gales. I have known very large branches of Oak trees to snap off on a very hot day with no wind.

18 Dec, 2009

 

Sorry Bulbaholic we posted at the same time.

18 Dec, 2009

 

;-)

18 Dec, 2009

 

Bulbaholic's right - Ash trees are known to drop bits or limbs in high winds, and sometimes just anyway. Robinia is another tree that can drop branches in high winds.

18 Dec, 2009

 

Yes, Micky - we've had branches down from our old weeping ash. It is not a good idea to linger under it in a gale!

18 Dec, 2009

 

Lots of people refer to Ash as a 'weed' tree, but it's a very good tree for timber. It makes excellent firewood for the open fire and is so quick growing.
Depending how large your tree is, I would think judicious pruning and removal of diseased wood and over-heavy branches would keep it safe.

19 Dec, 2009

 

Our tree surgeon casts his eye over ours regularly. He's had to remove rotting branches twice, and tidy it up after a storm ripped off a very large branch.

19 Dec, 2009

How do I say thanks?

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