Still following the Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) that's at the village hall where we have the Keep Moving Group.
Last month we were "one step below drought" now we are in "official drought conditions" and the 5th recorded heatwave so it's surprising to see it still green and not too many falling leaves either. The roots must be good even though it's still a youngish tree.
Often by August these patches of the disease are much bigger, turning the leaves very brown. The dry weather must stop the usually quick spread.
Guignardia Leaf Blotch (Guignardia aesculi): A fungus-driven disease.
- Symptoms: Irregular dull brown or reddish blotches, often surrounded by a conspicuous yellow band, typically concentrated at the leaf tips and edges.
The conkers are growing well - again despite the drought and heat. I guess when stressed all plants strive to produce seed to make sure they survive.
When these trees were first planted in this country they were often used to line the driveways of large country houses.
In 1699 Sir Christopher Wren was responsible for the mile long Chestnut Avenue at Bushey Park ( now a Royal Park) north of Hampton court which was originally intended as a carriage drive for William III.
Now a special Chestnut Sunday is held there in May in alternate years.
Oh! There the chestnuts, summer through,
Beside the river make for you
A tunnel of green gloom,
And sleep deeply above
Rupert Brooke (1716 - 83)
All the photos from each month going back to March ARE HERE if you want to compare.
I'm up early too ! I had a walk around the garden .Threw my Robin some suet pellets and refreshed the water in the bird bath . Lovely and cool this morning though it will soon be hot again once the sun is up ☀️. Hope the Horse Chestnut tree will be o.k. 🌳Have a lovely day ! love Debbie x
ReplyDeleteI wasn't really up as early as my blog post! Always scheduled.
DeleteIt's going to be a Hot One today
Definitely a couple of hot days to come this week!
ReplyDeleteIt's looking quite good. Lots of smaller trees here are browning/dropping leaves. The Silver Birch seem badly hit. Shallower roots perhaps. It will be an early autumn. My friend P (a townee) doesn't understand the way nature works and thought the trees were dieing. . . This is the one who didn't know what a Primrose was, but she's learning and she's good with feeding her garden birds, although that has attracted rats and they are almost like pets to her . . . I told her, they were nothing that a .22 or a good terrier wouldn't put right and she was horrified!
ReplyDeleteA hot one here today (31 deg predicted) and it's 19 already, at just 8 a.m.
The tree is looking magnificent, it would be good if the hot weather is actually helping with it's disease, nature does tend to fix somethings herself. It's already 23 degrees here at 8am, I'm not enjoying this heatwave at all, roll on tomorrow and a forecasted 10 degree drop in temperature. 😀
ReplyDeleteWhat a splendid tree. I wonder if the Conner’s will fall earlier than usual due to the drought? The leaves on the trees in the school playground across the road from us are falling rapidly and filling our garden. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI like horse chestnut trees. They're stately and magnificent and provide much shade. (Underneath the spreading chestnut tree . . . 🎶)
ReplyDeleteIt’s very hot in Cornwall . We have had horses and a Shetland pony come and cool off in the water
ReplyDeleteMiriam
That is looking good considering the extreme dry weather. As you say, perhaps that is inhibiting the fungus? Here in the Tamar valley we can see lots of trees that are now completely brown. They are on the valley side, so presumably not in deep soil. We usually have enough rain here that its not a problem. No sign of any, and I suspect we are going to lose a lot of trees from our view.
ReplyDeleteThankfully the high heat has not caused harm to the chestnut tree. It is looking remarkably good and producing chestnuts is always a great sign. I am sure it would like a good rain. Just like the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for comments everyone.
ReplyDeleteThat's the greenest thing I've seen in weeks!
ReplyDelete