Red chestnut trees are being severely affected by bleeding canker around the country, and the ones on our red chestnut avenue are no exception.
Bleeding canker is a bacterial infection of the bark of the tree. If it spreads around a branch it will kill the branch. If it spreads around the trunk, it will kill the whole tree. In the last few years the disease has become more widespread nationally and much faster acting, though the reason for the sudden change isn’t yet known.
Whilst the trees along the avenue are of medium size with no real weight, TRDC have decided to take action now and remove the trees before they get any bigger. As a result, a phased removal of the trees has already started, with 15 of the worst affected scheduled to be removed this year (2011).
We are looking for suitable trees to plant along this splendid avenue. Many chestnut species are susceptible to the canker, but there is one, the Indian horse chestnut (Aesculus indica), which appears to be resistant. This has a pink flower, and will over the years grow to a stately height of 20 metres. The first trees may be planted later this year.
The pictures below (taken end-Feb 2011) illustrate how badly the trees on the Estate have been affected, and the reason why TRDC have taken this action.
