Xref: kermit england.rec.gardening:1943 uk.rec.gardening:155663

"Snowman" wrote in message
...
This morning about 5 am we were awoken by a creaking, splintering sound
and
discovered later that a large branch had broken off a large mature ash
tree
at the bottom of the garden. I don't quite know how tall the tree is, but
it
is big. The branch came from about half way up and at the thick end is
about
10" diameter, it's about 24' long, with side branches etc. It's now
covering
the bottom end of the garden.

My question is this - why should such a large branch break off? Smaller
branches have dropped off in the past, but nothing this big in the 19
years
we've been here. There are plenty of leaves on this branch and on the rest
of the tree. Is it just natural ageing, or could the tree have other
problems?

Peter.


Check the colour of the wood in the crack. If it is white and clean looking
then the limb was unlikely to be sick. The dry weather can make some
species brittle and this may be the cause.
Neil