[CANUFNET] green ash decline

[David Stevenson]

Vince (hello again!): Green Ash is native here in the Prairies (at least as far 
as Saskatchewan) so the range map may be a bit out. What Jeff and others are 
referring to is a dieback event that has affected green ash (but interestingly 
not red ash at least here in Prince Albert). The consensus of the SK Forest 
Service (myself and John Thompson) is that it is related to the exceptionally 
warm weather in late October 2009 (25C and more in places) followed by the 
exceptionally cold snap in early November 2009 (-30C or less). We think that the 
cambium did not have a shot at shutting down for the winter and got frozen. The 
result has been winter dieback affecting the crown of green ash in the city. 
(Daylilies and spirea were also widely affected here in PA).

The trees are showing evidence of epicormic branching where the dieback has 
occurred and some trees have undergone a secondary flush of at least part of 
their crowns. Tough year to be an ash tree! I suspect most will survive but they 
will have to reform their crowns from remaining live branches which will take a 
few years and will look goofy but is better (and cheaper) than cutting them down 
and starting afresh.

Cheers,

David Stevenson, RFP
Forest Renewal Expert, 
Forest Service Branch, 
Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment





________________________________
From: Vince Rutter <vince at rutterurbanforestry.ca>
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net>
Sent: Tue, June 29, 2010 7:25:45 PM
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] green ash decline

In Thunder Bay we share a prairie climate (sort of) but our green ash are 
thriving right now.  I have noticed a few white ash that for the past 10 years 
at least have grown exceptionally well but this year have died back drastically.

If you look at the native range of green ash, it extends this far but not to the 
alberta Prairies.  Likewise the white ash ranges not quite to here.  I think 
Stephen is right on in thinking that this is the climate (sans global warming) 
keeping species distribution in check.  

Vince Rutter, RPF
Rutter Urban Forestry
Thunder Bay, Ontario


On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 9:06 PM, For Trees <trees at fortrees.ca> wrote:

Yes, I do concur that the problem is widespread in Alberta from at least as far 
north as Grand Prairie and through to the communities south of Calgary. 

> 
>Have observed lots of environmental damage (hail too, and other storm 
>injuries)to many different species of thin barked shrubs and trees as well as 
>the Green Ash, young Elms, Birches, and many newly planted trees everywhere I’ve 
>been this spring in Alberta. 
>
> 
>Almost makes you wish for more poplar, spruce and more native trees and shrubs 
>to be planted here on the prairies and foothills, eh?
> 
>Regards,
> 
>Gerard Fournier
>Board Certified Master Arborist #PR-0130BT
>Tree Canada Community Advisor-Southern Alberta
> 
>President
>For Trees Company Ltd.
>1-877-390-TREE (Alberta toll-free)
>http://www.fortrees.ca
> 
> 
> 
>From:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On 
>Behalf Of Elaine Johnson
>Sent: June-29-10 1:49 PM
>
>To: 'Canadian Urban Forest Network'
>
>Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] green ash decline
> 
>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.
>June is Recreation & Parks Month.  How do you live it everyday? 
>We want to hear from you throughout the month of June!  
>Email your recreation, parks and culture experiences to rpc at reddeer.ca.
>You'll automatically be entered to win a prize package valued at more than 
>$1,000.
>Elaine Johnson
>Urban Forester
>Parks Planning and Technical Services
>City of Red Deer
>(403) 342-8344
>
________________________________
 
>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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-- 
Vince Rutter, RPF
ISA Certified Arborist
www.rutterurbanforestry.ca
807-627-6201


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