There have been quite a few violent squalls over the last few weeks, heavy rain and high winds are not a great combination for old trees. Inevitably the bursts of extreme weather have damaged some of the older fruit trees in the orchards, apple plum or pear the wind didn't discriminate.
This tree happened to be an old Marjorie Seedling plum tree and we only saw the damage because the terriers put up the woodpecker that was at work looking for some breakfast insects and larvae under the bark and in the old and dead wood. It's interesting the way damage has torn off the branch on each side leaving a hole right through the trunk and meanwhile the tree carries on growing with the sap just going around the hole and peripheral damage. A bit like traffic and roadworks I suppose.
I suppose the woodpeckers, insects and other birds will further weaken the tree now and in reality it's just another small part in the natural cycle of things.
John those oddities in nature.....a Beatles tune?
ReplyDeleteWell spotted! It'll be interesting to see what the old tree produces next year. By the way I'm unable to comment on your blog, Google having a tantrum I think. It's the same on a few other sites too. No doubt they'll sort it it eventually. John
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