Ash Dieback
Just about all the ash trees in the Ribble Valley have been infected with a fungus called Chalera, popuarly know as Ash Dieback.Ā The treesĀ provide a hazard as their internal structures are weakened, so could fall at any time where people are walking nearby.
The Council have previously removed the main danger from infected trees, and have left the them about 10ft high rather than cutting right back.Ā When you see these poles, you can also see the tree surgeons have cut some grooves in the top. This is to encourage rotting, so that fungi and other organisms invade and provide further feed sources for birds.
Climate Change
I heard a youngĀ girl say: "Oh no, we have been taught that trees are good for climate change".Ā indeed they are, as theyĀ 'sequester' carbon. But trees always have a limited life, and a lot depends on what we then do with the wood. If we make ornaments, sculptures or use for fencing, then we keep that carbon captured. However, ifĀ used to burn,Ā thatĀ sends the carbon up into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Many trees are grown in America, then turned into chips and shipped here,Ā to be put on a long train that goes through Todmorden every week to Drax Power Station, where they go up in smoke.Ā We are not going to do that, but leave much to rot down. The creatures that come in to eat the wood keep the carbon in their bodies.
Rot down
We can't expect all these creatures (below) to arrive from foreign parts, but we can expect moreĀ woodboring beetles and creatures called ichneumon flies - that parasitise those beetles. Hopefully we will see and hear more woodpeckers and nuthatches feeding on these bugs. There will be new cycles of life, which some local schools may like to set up as projects.
Saplings
Young treesĀ seem particularly susceptible. This is our main concern, as for years we have been clearing Balsam in order for the ash saplingsĀ to grow. We knew Ash DiebackĀ was on the way - and there are rules stopping movement of ashtrees to reduce infection. So we hoped that we had enough to grow through. We have been successful with that - as you can see stands of ash saplings near Turkey LaneĀ and in the area to the left as you enter from Fell View. However it looks like only 5-10% will survive.
Future
WeĀ - the Friends of Whalley Moor Woodland - are continually thinking about what happens next. FellingĀ opens up clearances, where we could grow other plants and we need to talk about what new trees we could plant.
It is time to imagine what the woodland could look like in 5-10 years.
We will send out invites when we have a meeting.