Exploding branches
pansyface
PEAK DISTRICT DerbyshirePosts: 20,545
For the last couple of months I've been noticing trees around here with branches that are not just broken, they look as if they have exploded. The branches vary in diameter from as thick as a finger to as thick as someone's torso. They are all high up in the trees, above head height, some over 5 or 6 metres up. The trees vary from willow to alder to cotoneaster. The breaks are traumatic, the broken off sections of branch hang almost vertically downward. In the case of my cotoneaster, the upper surface of the branches (3) were shattered while the under surfaces were undamaged. Other branches were unaffected. It is impossible to return the branches to their original shape because the splintering has distorted the timber so much.
We have had snow but nothing so severe as to cause a large branch to break. We have had frosts, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Anybody got any ideas as to what has affected these trees in this way?
Posts
Sorry for the delay. The Peak Park are always very quick to trim the branches off and mine went into the shredder but I'll have a look.
I think I'd have a stab at the weather in the past few years. We haven't had low temperatures in winter for a few years, wood/trees need low temperatures to maintain the density of the wood. Warm winters produce weaker wood which makes them more susceptible to frost damage. I saw a documentary a few years ago where wood was shattered by low temperatures, it's common in other countries apparently. I've not seen the same over here but climate change is having an effect on all our flora and fauna. Only a guess mind you, but I do know wood density is affected by weather conditions.
Thanks for that. I'm going to go on a hunt tomorrow and see if I can find an example.
Good lord!!
Just been out for a walk on this unexpectedly beautiful day. Fog had been forecast.
Every man and his uncle are out in the Peak District today so it was a quick walk to find an exploded tree and home to hide behind the garden wall and sit in the sun.
Here is a silver birch with both large and small branches blown open. It isn't wind damage. Strange that so many different types of tree have been got.
It looks like wind damage in the photo but you've seen it for real.
If it's in the Peak Park maybe you could contact someone there to see what they think.
Curiouser and curiouser
Can you get in touch with the Peak District National Park people, or maybe the clever people at Kew and see if they have an explanation?
Snap Dove
Unfortunately, the men at Peak Park are very quick to tidy things up so some of the best examples have already been taken away. This is one that they haven't caught up with.I shall gave a word with them the next time I see them. They love to stop and have a chat about their work.
The reason I say it isn't wind damage is because of the position of many of the trees which are sometimes in sheltered spots or in hollows which are full of other trees none of which show any damage at all. Each damaged tree seems to be mainly affected on its inner branches and the ones that are broken are surrounded by others which are not. Also, it hasn't been very windy lately, at least not for round here!
Yes, I'll catch one of my PP friends. I have heard them and their chain saws in the last few days. Thanks.