Horse Chestnut Trees

[Ed Strong]

Like most areas our horse chestnut trees (SE London) have suffered through the weather and disease. However, yesterday morning, on my way to work, I noticed that on one particularly large tree amongst the shrivelled and dead brown leaves there was a small area with green shoots and 'candles', just like you get in the Spring! That made me start looking at the other chestnut trees and I spotted the same thing. Is this nature trying to overcome adversity or has it gone completely mad? Anyone else noticed this?

[Lonnie]

I haven't seen it myself yet, but its probably 'Bleeding Canker', i've read about it quite recently, anyway, here's a site that'll tell you all about it.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-6KYBGV

[Thunderbird+]

You could well be right Ed, I would expect to see one flower in may but not October! seem like the weathers gone completely topsy-turvy!

[Ed Strong]

Thanks for the link Lonnie, but I don't think that's the problem because as far as I can tell the bark has not been affected. I was just amazed seeing small areas of 'Spring' on a tree in October.