I have a milling client who has half a dozen mature ash trees in a mixed hardwood stand with pronounced white patches on the bark. These patches are roughly 2 feet in diameter and appear to be some disease.
Can anyone help with identification and cause /cure?
Thanks ken
Ken,
Where are you located? May be best to contact the Extension Service in your area for diagnosis and if its a problem of concern.
The trees are located about 35 NW of Cincinnati, Oh.
Upon closer inspection, the bark is depressed by about 1/8 to 1/4" in the area where where the white patches are. It almost looks like something either shrunk or disolved the bark.
The patches are not uniform in shape. In the affected areas, the bark retains fissures and texture similar to the unaffected surrounding areas, just lower in profile.
This makes me think it may be some sort of bacterial or fungal attack.
Ken
Ken is there anyway you could get us a picture?
Ken
I've checked out a couple of sources but haven't found any that describe a fungal or biological attack similar to what you describe affecting ash.
The closest I've come is that it may be oystershell scale but if you can still see the details of the bark that's probably not correct either.
Jeff has the right idea, if you can post a picture it might help.
Will bring my camera to the site on Saturday when I'm scheduled to mill there next.
Here are the tree Pix, thanks to Jeff for help in converting th(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/tree1.jpg)
em.
Here's a close up of the first shot.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/tree1close.jpg)
Here's another tree.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/tree2.jpg)
And another.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/tree3.jpg)
And One More
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/tree5.jpg)
I've seen those white patches on ash before. I never have attributed it to any particular disease, but to growing conditions or tree vigor conditions. I could be wrong on that.
Usually, the ash is growing off site, somewhat. They need a pretty good site, but will grow on lesser quality sites. That stresses the tree.
Another indicator pointing to stress in your pictures are the swollen knots. They usually indicate heartrot. That could come from old logging or fire damage.
I've also seen patches similar to that on white oak. That usually indicates worm infestation. Glass worm is prevelent in some ash, and I've seen very little ash with white patches turn out to be veneer quality. Glass worm will reduce ash and white oak to sawlog quality.