A big branch was stripped from this horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) in Llandaff Fields, Cardiff, in late February
It must be the time of year – in February 2016 Storm Imogen felled a couple of trees in Thompson’s Park, Cardiff (see my blog post here), and this time Storm Doris brought the strong winds – although luckily we did not have it as bad here in South Wales as those in the north of the country.
However, we did have some small tree losses and this horse chestnut in Llandaff Fields lost a big bough.
Chestnut avenue in Llandaff Fields – the damaged tree is in the middle, in the distance, and the small spire on the right is Llandaff Cathedral
The avenue of horse chestnuts in Llandaff Fields, not far to the north of Cardiff’s city centre, is a landmark, although I don’t know how old the trees are – certainly they are mature.
Getting nearer to the tree
Sadly some are slowly dying from bleeding canker, like a smaller chestnut tree I found in another part of the fields a couple of years ago (Felling of the winter tree). Hopefully this specimen will last a little longer, but with a nasty scar…
We had seen council workmen tidying up the mess and cutting up the long branch the day after Storm Doris
An impressive scar – angular because chestnut trunks and branches are so sinewy
Neat logs
Attractive, cracked, moss-green bark
The broken end of the bough
Who would have thought the wood could be such a lovely, creamy white?
That’s it for now, nothing else to see here…
The best part is that they nearly always grow again. I love trees.
Indeed – although these chestnuts are becoming very old 🙂
So sad.. The trees near to me remained intact. Good News 🙂
Yes, it wasn’t as bad as last year’s storms, I think…
All the best 🙂
It is sad to see large branches broken off trees. Nature is not Very tidy at pruning.
Although if it left neat edges it probably wouldn’t look right…
Best wishes 🙂
I find this more heart wrenching to look at than when a tree rips itself completely out of the ground, exposing its huge girth of roots. I know that may mean it’s never going to grow again but it seems more dignified somehow – and can sometimes begin a new ‘life’ by being climbed on!
Unless the parks people cut it up into small pieces and carry it all away…
Best wishes – I shall always be thankful that you started me on this tree following lark!