Went hiking in a county park, Densmoore Woods, today and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of dead ash trees there. We were there a couple of months ago, before 3 bouts of 50 to 60 mph winds. The change is mind blowing! The place is a tangle of downed trees, some of them must be near 200 years old. In several places huge ash trees broke off and took out three or four living trees. Cell phone pictures do not accurately portray the extent of the damage. I'm afraid honeysuckle bush and Russian olive will move in before any species of trees can get a foothold. Unfortunately, the county will not allow anyone to come in and cut and remove the downed trees.
Yep, the falling ash took out oaks, beech and cherry trees. Looks like most of it will rot and/or make wildfire fuel.
Gubbiment intelligence right there. 30 years from now they'll be making excuses why they gotta raise fees to combat invasive species.
There is a small state owned forest nearby us that looks very much like that...only worse. Not much Ash in these woods, all hardwoods though...very old and large trees...they are not managing it in any way...other than to cut what is needed to keep the walking path open. They don't let anyone else touch it either. Massive old trees laying all over...looks like a bomb went off in some places...kinda sad to see...especially as a firewood hoarder!
enough to make a wood hoarder cry. Wonder how much ash will be left anywhere in ten years? Starting to be a rare sight to see one in the summer with leaves.
I just found out what ash looks like this year. Not a one on my property. But driving around I’m noticing them,,,or what I think are them. Ash question. These trees I’m seeing many have developed what I’ll call a rash. Just a changing of the bark color on one side of the tree to sort of crayola flesh tone. Anyone know of what I speak? Are they ash? Is this part of the EAB death?
Hard to say without seeing pics. Ive noticed that on beech. It develops a blackish stain and half of it dies, grows fungi until the win breaks it off. Lots of them in my woods like that. Most of the dead ash ive seen will get fungi. Maybe different in your area???
Yeah I know. I’ve been meaning to stop and take pics. These look like ash but with a blond or flesh tone color usually on just one side.
Here’s a pic that’s at least similar. Friend just so happened to post this on FB about a day after I noticed this phenomena driving down a road I usually never go on. Since then I’ve seen it everywhere. They thought it was an animal clawing way up in the tree. That’s not what I’m seeing though it’s possible woodpeckers are getting at some of them.
Yup, thats ash. Doesnt happen on all of them. Not sure what it is and why...almost looks like bark friction. I got a couple truck fulls of large rounds on a recent score and some of it had the bark like that. Maybe some FHC members can shed more light?
Looks like an exit hole on the top right, although it doesn't appear to have a 'D' shape. Birds/woodpeckers can peel bark off rather than just peck away digging, but trees can slough bark off for a number of reasons.
Ash blonding... The Emerald Ash Borer Invades Ash Trees in North America | Lake Metroparks Dying trees also attract woodpeckers that strip the bark off the trees and drill small holes to get to the larvae in a process known as blonding. Blonding refers to the noticeable changes in color of stems, branches and trunk after the woodpeckers flake off the dark outer layers of the tree. In three to four years, even the healthiest tree is unable to survive this attack.
Indiana DNT announced they will be doing prescribed burns this winter to make the undergrowth better and o improve oak and hickory. Fortunately, they still have foresters running the place. Curious how soon your county park will have a huge forest fire.
All the EAB damage is inside the tree between the wood, the membrane that carries nutrients to the crown and the bark, at least until the crown begins to die. The change in bark color is not really a change in color. It's from woodpeckers and other birds scurrying up and down the tree pecking the bark to catch their dinner. They are actually wearing off some of the outer layer of bark by their actions making the bark look lighter. Since the EAB arrived on our property, we've had a huge increase in numbers and species of woodpeckers. Oops! I didn't read all the posts I didn't mean to repeat.
Yep that’s a definite relation to the pic I posted. I’m gonna have to stop and check out all the trees I’m seeing and see if it’s the same. And take some close ups too!! Thanks.
No I appreciate your knowledge and reply. I’ll investigate further. Would be nice if you were allowed to harvest some of that wood but I’m becoming painfully aware of just how myopic government entities can be.
very interesting. Id love to watch the woodpeckers do that. Lots of them around here and on our feeders. Another new term ive learned on FHC. Thanks BW!
