In article ,
martin wrote:

I would bet good odds on an inspection showing parasitic fungal
infection.

You would lose your bet.

Hmm. How thoroughly did you inspect them?

From your other posting, it isn't the wind that will
worry them (a MERE force 9 is a trifle!

Force 9 is about as strong as it gets in UK most of the time, Force 10
is rare.

Er, no it isn't. That is true in the relatively calm east, but it
regularly gets to force 10 and above in the north west, and on high
ground in the far north. And silver birch grows in places where that
is common.

Yesterday there was a storm of force 8-9, trees were uprooted and
there was structural damage locally.

Because it is unusual for YOU. In the Western Isles, a wind of that
speed is just what they expect. Seriously.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.