Consequences of Ciara

[Newbeeneil]

I got a call earlier from the owners of a garden I keep 4 hives in to say a 60' eucalyptus tree had fallen on the hives. I collected plenty of spare kit and set off on the 25min trip to the apiary with all sorts of scenarios dancing through my head.
When I arrived it was no where near as bad as I'd thought with only one hive caught, damaging the stand and roof. I quickly temporarily replaced the crownboard that had been dislodged and went to the van for some kit.
Temporary stand from a brood box with a new floor on top then gingerly moved the brood box over. Only a few frames dislodged and a tight cluster over about 6 frames. Plenty of bees paying me lots of attention but as soon as the roof went on they settled down very quickly.
It's a strong 14x12 so I'm sure they will cope but I'll have to temporarily remove them to another apiary while the tree is dissected as I'm sure the tree surgeons won't want the company of a few thousand bees!

 

[Poly Hive]

And one is canine bladders under strain due to the torrential rain.

Just howled with laughter at a video of a pack of whippet puppies tumbling out the outside door to go for a wee and promptly turning tail (literally) and tumbling back into the house. Not for us thank you very much! Whippies and water very rarely mix.

PH

 

[Murox]

Not much beach left this morning. Right now its just VERY windy with sun.

 

[Millet]

You have been lucky there..I am currently waiting for this 50ft Ash tree to come down.

 

[Erichalfbee]

You have been lucky there..I am currently waiting for this 50ft Ash tree to come down.

Do you think it will?
Like soon I mean?

 

[Millet]

Do you think it will?
Like soon I mean?

Yes it will definitely come down but not sure on the timing..it has been like this for over a week and these strong winds are making it creak and crack further..if it is not down by next weekend I will give it a helping hand as it is dangerous and the field it will drop in has horses in it which shelter from the wind behind these trees.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Lot of nice firewood there

 

[Millet]

Lot of nice firewood there

Most definitely..another big Ash come down last year and the log store still has roughly 2 ton of it inside..this one will be for next year.

 

[Ian123]

Waiting at a set of lights near Ascot earlier went to go and 40m in front a large lime came down with a van just going under. It was not until I waved the guys in the van down and told them to look behind that they realised what happened. Nice look on their face when they did!!

 

[Poly Hive]

We've had a mature beech come down along the road from us. It stood on a low bank between the road (single track) and the field.

I've never seen anything like it. The root end came out the ground utterly detached from any roots. Every "root" ended in a rounded stump about a foot or less from the trunk. Where the tree had stood was a socket like a pelvic socket and the tree was the femur?

Really really odd so I suppose some sort of disease?

PH

 

[pargyle]

Lot of nice firewood there

OMG .. Firewood ? Ash ? Sacrilege ...

Ashwood has been the mainstay wood of craftsmen since time immemorial ... Furniture, chairs, stools, wheel spokes, plates, spoons, bell staves, bowls, cups, tool handles, food containers (it has no taste), hockey sticks, tool handles, pit props, table tops, Morgan sports car frames ...

Mostly it is straight grain but there is nothing more beautiful in terms of grain than a piece of ash with a curly or figured grain (olive ash) where the tree has been put under stress - spalted ash is much sought after but very rare.

I attended a talk by the chap who wrote this book a few years ago ... fascinating:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Man-Who-Ma...d=1581275048&sprefix=ash+tree,aps,205&sr=8-10

We are losing our trees to ash die back disease and it's a tragedy that we may be losing one of our native trees that has been used for centuries in just about every way possible.

It will bend if steamed, it takes a polish, it's strong but flexible, you can work it green or season it and turn it on a lathe .. you can even make candlesticks !

Only the shavings and bits too small to do anything with should be burnt !

 

[Erichalfbee]

OMG .. Firewood ? Ash ? Sacrilege ...

Ashwood has been the mainstay wood of craftsmen since time immemorial ...

You’re right, of course but if all you have is a chainsaw and no artistic inclination ..........
Never had an Ash down here over the years but plenty of Beech. Those have been logged.

 

[Newbeeneil]

I'm burning ash this very minute in my log stove to keep me snug and warm. The ash came from along the local canal where they are cutting down ash trees with die back. There are thousands along the waterway and a lot have die back..... such a pity

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

My neighbour's pussy willow has cracked almost to the ground today, so we've been sawing chunks off it to prevent it falling onto the road. Sad as it's just budding up and my bees appreciated the pollen in the Spring.
The wood is no good for the stove either....

 

[Erichalfbee]

My neighbour's pussy willow....
The wood is no good for the stove either....

Why not?
Surely if it’s well seasoned it’s ok?

 

[Beefriendly]

The wood is no good for the stove either....

Willow is fine. Just takes a bit longer to dry out. Ash is the driest British wood, willow probably the wettest. I have about 1/2 a ton drying ready for next year.
But try those supermarket heat logs....boy do they produce some serious heat.

 

[pargyle]

Why not?
Surely if it’s well seasoned it’s ok?

It will burn if well dried but does not give off as much heat as say ... ASH !!!

Leave it around for 20 years or so and make cricket bats ...

 

[thedozzer]

The Bee tree has gone

It's a strong 14x12 so I'm sure they will cope but I'll have to temporarily remove them to another apiary while the tree is dissected as I'm sure the tree surgeons won't want the company of a few thousand bees!

Glad its not as bad as first expected.
I was having a nice cup of tea earlier and heard and almighty crash and bang, next door lost a lovely Cedar
Its the tree the bees like to go to when they were swarming, and was a hansom looking tree.
was only about 100 years old.

Thankfully it only flattened a few fence panels and the corner of a shed roof.
Looks like i will be using my new splitter again!

 

[nantmoel]

My Apiary escaped the storm, even though my greenhouse didn't, lucky really when I watch the news and also hear the sound of chainsaws around where I live.

 

[Curley]

OMG .. Firewood ? Ash ? Sacrilege ...

Only the shavings and bits too small to do anything with should be burnt !

i agree we should be conserving the remaining stocks of ash but traditionally it has been the most prized wood for burning, burning green or dry. Pedant alert - it is bell stays not staves.