Over the years I have made many pieces of furniture from ash - wood that was sourced locally and seasoned in my woodstore until ready for use. It is a beautiful timber to work with, especially the big old trees with their wonderful grain pattern and colouring. From warm creamy white to deep grey browns, the variation is endless. I have spent many happy hours with my Lie Nielsen plane creating piles of soft shavings around my feet. In 2008 I acquired an especially lovely stash from an old tree felled at Sharpham Estate, Devon. The huge sections of trunk were transported back to the workshop where they were converted to boards using an impressive piece of machinery – a Wood-Mizer mobile sawmill. Revealing the years of growth to the elements for the first time is quite magical, seeing that first glimpse of what lies within and the potential for future designs…
Sharpham Ash - milling & 'in stick', 2008
This was some 4 years before ash dieback was first reported in the UK and threatened this species with almost complete obliteration. Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the scientific name for the disease, is a fungus which releases spores (that have overwintered on leaf litter) and is carried on the wind, wreaking havoc. Penetrating the leaves and beyond the tree is eventually unable to transport water and dies. Initially the leaves darken and wilt followed by bark lesions as the infection spreads. These cankers can eventually circle the trunk cutting off the supply of nutrients and causing death.
Whilst ash dieback could have arrived by chance from our close European neighbours it is highly likely that it arrived in the UK on nursery trees from the Netherlands, and since late 2012 there has been a ban on imports. It seems incredible that we were relying on importing thousands of ash whips to meet our supply needs when this a native tree that seeds easily, and it is tragic that we now face losing 80% of our ash. This raises important questions about biosecurity and the need for vigilance when considering new species introduction. With plans to plant millions of trees we may indeed need to examine non-native/exotic species that will be better suited to a changing climate, but we must be certain that we are not compromising our existing flora and fauna. Of course, the concept of native plants exists within a timeline of our making. Most people probably think chestnut trees are native to the UK, but sweet chestnut was introduced by the Romans and horse chestnut from Turkey in the 16th century. Most of our commonly known trees in the UK are indeed true native species, having been here since the retreat of the last ice age, 10,000 years ago, but there are plenty of ‘newcomers’ who thrive and we may see more in the coming years.
Old Yorkshire ash trees – Wensleydale, 2020
On a recent trip to the Yorkshire Dales I was struck by the number of huge and incredibly old ash trees. They clung to the stony riverbanks and lined the impressive dry-stone walls that crisscross the landscape. Being often alone in their space they were expansive with great gnarled boles and fissured bark. I felt compelled to comment on the presence of each one and required an affirmative response from Johnny, my husband. Many had also succumbed to ash dieback and many more will join them. In the local woods where I often walk, I am used to seeing more slender examples - branchless trunks wending skyward, competing with their neighbours for light. Here in Devon ash trees are dying and have been removed, others with a pink spot marking their fate. Back at home our own ash was recently felled, fading very quickly from last years apparent healthy state. I think I will miss having to pull up the plethora of baby ash trees that germinate so successfully in our garden each year. We must hope that the ongoing efforts of scientists and silviculturists, searching for resistant specimens and ways to protect and propagate them, are successful. Recent studies indicate that locations with sparser densities of ash (and a mix of other species) show more resistance to the disease which bodes well for the survival of trees in those areas. Vast numbers will still be lost, especially younger trees and those in denser populations, but some will survive and hopefully prosper - their ‘keys’ spinning through the air and taking root. A new generation of strong, healthy ash trees.
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