[CANUFNET] green ash decline

[Elaine Johnson]

We are seeing the same thing here in Red Deer.  In late September some Green Ash were still leafed out when the temperatures plummeted.  We observed many trees holding dead leaves over winter. To compound the problem, we've received little precipitation in the fall and little snow cover over the winter.  This spring was hard on our trees too.  In April the temperatures were really mild until the end of the month when the temperatures dipped going into the beginning of May.  Many Aspen poplar that were leafed out during this time period, suffered a bit of frost damage.  I would agree that it is abiotic.

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Elaine Johnson
Urban Forester
Parks Planning and Technical Services
City of Red Deer
(403) 342-8344

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From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Boone, Jeff (IS - Parks)
Sent: June 28, 2010 12:53 PM
To: 'canufnet at list.web.net'
Subject: [CANUFNET] green ash decline

In Saskatoon, many of our green ash are struggling this year.  We are seeing many trees with portions of the mid and upper crown dying and often the lower crown is struggling to leaf out.  In some cases the trees have not leafed out at all.  The damage is widespread throughout the city.  The trees are of mixed age but many are well established.  I'm wondering if other prairie cities are seeing green ash fail to leaf out with significant dieback in the crown.

We suspect the cause is abiotic.  Not sure if this is part of the story but we had very unusual Fall weather.  We had an early snow fall in October, exceptionally warm weather in November and then a very sudden drop in December with no snow cover.  We also had two weeks of warm weather in January.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

Jeff W. Boone
Entomologist B.Sc. M.Sc
(306) 975 3466
(306) 220 5368 (cell)
1101 Ave P N
Saskatoon SK
S7K 0J5

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