The fallen ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) in my garden
I mentioned in the October tree-following link-box blog that the biggest ash tree in our garden had been felled by Storm Aileen on the night of September 12-13. After the tree surgeon came to inspect the damage I went to have a closer look at the fallen giant and spent half an hour “communing” with it and taking pictures.
It felt like I was stroking a beached whale as it died.
As I approached the top of the steps up into the wild top of the garden I could see the way was blocked
Horizontal branches
A bit of an OMG moment
The base of the trunk – I had never been able to get close to the tree as it was half-way up a bank
The tree was a wonderful place for many creatures to shelter…
Like an eye with tears…
A small hole made by a woodpecker – we often have great spotted woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major) in the garden – where will they go now?
An inviting haven for a small creature
Another cavity
The bare timber is a beautiful creamy white
This reminds me of Mary Anning’s ichthyosaur fossil
The eye
A shattered limb among the ivy
A crow (Corvus corone) looks down
A strange bulge, like a bare belly
This bare patch looks red-raw – perhaps the layer immediately beneath the bark
The eye and mouth of a sperm whale
Textured bark
Leaves of a shrub I hadn’t noticed before…
…perhaps Viburnum plicatum?
A gash near the top of the tree – I think from when we had the crown reduced many years ago…
…and I think this was the very top of the main trunk after it had been shortened
Tomorrow the experts start cutting the tree into small chunks and carrying it away – down the 50-odd old steps, across the lower garden and through the garage. It may take three days. There will be damage and I am dreading it! I expect to lose some shrubs along the way.
But I am taking the advice of Shaz on Jera’s Jamboree, to look for the silver lining. Some of the shrubs are old and oversized and probably need replacing anyway, especially the conifers. Maybe it’s time to rethink the garden for next year.
Collateral damage
Hawthorn leaves (Crataegus monogyna)
Dying ash leaves
Damaged sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
A self-seeded Norway maple (Acer platanoides) among the ivy
Golden laurel (Aucuba japonica)
Goodbye for now
Back down the steps to the house
View from the bottom – the brown leaves are the top branches of the fallen tree, resting lightly on some smaller ash trees
The gap in the canopy
I will remember… when the ash lived – a picture taken 10 years ago
Sadly it will never see another blue-sky winter’s day
The Squirrelbasket 
Sad to see such a giant topple but I enjoyed your wonderful series of images, Pat. Maybe a few bits of the tree could be left for the fungi and insects to enjoy?
Thank you.
Yes, I have asked the tree men to leave something but I’m not sure what I will get! They seem keen on removing nearly everything as there isn’t much room up there. We shall see.
I am currently sitting at my desk and trying not to watch what they are doing as they drag the branches out and chip them. I’ve already had to sacrifice two shrubs to give them access – a conifer and a Lonicera nitida, both rather old and blocking my view anyway.
All the best š
Let’s hope the extra space and light brings some nice surprises. š
Well, I’ve already noticed more daylight!
Best wishes š
Yes, I was wondering if you would leave some part of the tree to ‘meld’ into the existing landscape as a resource for creatures.
Excuse me sending you more or less the same comment as sconzani’s!
I have asked the tree men to leave something but I’m not sure what I will get! They seem keen on removing nearly everything as there isn’t much room up there. We shall see.
I am currently sitting at my desk and trying not to watch what they are doing as they drag the branches out and chip them. I’ve already had to sacrifice two shrubs to give them access – a conifer and a Lonicera nitida, both rather old and blocking my view anyway.
Best wishes and thank you for your support š
I hope that it wasn’t too depressing.
In the end it was a good thing. They did it in one day not three, by using extra people, and have removed a couple of shrubs that were annoying me.
We also used it as an excuse to make a start on spring-cleaning the garage.
All the best š
Interesting lumps and bumps (it does look like a belly!) and swirls and cavities. Carve a piece (or several pieces) and make a totem Pat!
Feeling your sadness …
Thank you for the mention š x
Sadly I have no talent for carving!
We do have a bowl made from one of our other ash trees, though.
Thanks for your support š
What a shame to lose such a thriving mini ecosystem. It is nice that you have taken the time to record all the nuances of this giant. I love the way the tree has responded to previous losses and wounds with the lava-like scar tissue, so different in texture to the bark.
Thanks.
The tree surgeons have now completed the work (managing to do it in one day, not three, by using five people) and left me quite a bit of wood. So hopefully something will make use of it. I also hope to take a picture of the stump and count the rings!
All the best š
It is sad to see the loss of a mature tree, they support so much wildlife. It is the cycle of life I guess when itās natural, to many are felled on the whim of man.
Yes, and in fact we would have needed council permission to fell it ourselves as it was “protected”. We can now see it was rather hollow, too.
So, looking on the bright side…
All the best š
Perhaps one of the smaller ash trees … will fill in with enthusiasm. I do feel for you as I remember two huge trees we left behind.
Actually I have my thoughts on a small sycamore maple that I hadn’t noticed before…
Thank you for your kind thoughts š
The ten-years ago photo is beautiful. The image of stroking a giant whale fits.
Thank you š
My only worry now is that the gap will let the winds through and they may fell some of the smaller trees nearer the house!
All the best…