This very magnificent, pollard oak split apart recently. (Picture by Roy Finch) A nearby plaque records the tree as about 250 years old. Andrew Morton mentions this tree in his book ‘The Trees of Shropshire’ (1986). He notes that in 1982 it measured 7.31m in girth and 27m tall. He recently visited the tree with the County Forestry Officer, John Blessington and discussed its future with the landowner. The owner, Mr Whitby, is positive about trying to look after the tree but the cost of the work is a concern for him. The collapse of this tree highlights the frequent lack of any source of funding for any remedial works required for important trees like this. Roy Finch, one of the Ancient Tree Forum Trustees, surveyed the tree about 30 years ago and found cracks and evidence of a significant lightning strike. He recommended some arboricultural works and a group of local landowners raised some money to save it from further collapse. Unfortunately a large limb fell out of the tree before the work could be done but Roy cable braced the remaining stems. Then in November 2001 two of the stems suddenly collapsed out of the tree on a windless morning leaving one remaining pollard stem. Roy arranged a visit for some ATF supporters in late December 2001. There was lively discussion about how the remainder of the tree should be treated to retain as much of it for as long as possible. The main trunk of the tree and the buttress zone were well decayed and contained large cavities in which abundant aerial roots had developed. The fruit bodies of four different species of decay fungi were present – Laetiporus sulphureus, Ganoderma adspersum, Daedalea quercina and the European Red Listed species Grifola frondosa. The root-killing fungus Collybia fusipes was also found. As several consultants, in addition to Roy, were present, the visit provided a chance to discuss whether the recent failure could have been prevented. The scope for saving the remaining portion of the tree by remedial work was another lively topic. It seemed fairly clear that regular inspection could have shown the need for preventive work. There was evidence of long-standing detectable cracks at ‘weak’ forks and it also seemed possible that the cable inserted by Roy so many years ago may have been showing signs of wear before the recent major failure. When the failure occurred, it probably started at one of the inherently weak forks, which had been weakened further due to extensive decay by L. sulphureus (which would also have apparent from regular inspection). Also the stem base and buttress zone had clearly become so extensively decayed that they could not provide enough support to help arrest the splitting from above. As far as remedial work is concerned, quite severe shortening of the remaining portion would be needed to stabilise it. The use of ground anchorage was also suggested as a possible way of lessening the need for severe cutting but this would be of doubtful value owing to the lean of the remaining portion and the lack of intact buttresses on the tension side. Although cutting has to be the main option, this tree unfortunately has considerable lengths of almost branchless stem. Thus, it lacks the numerous small branches and epicormic shoots that are typical of oaks that are genetically well suited to grow anew after severe cutting. Although, for this reason, there is some doubt about the long-term survival of the tree, it is no longer a hazard for users of the nearby road and is therefore well worth some remedial work with minimal risk to people or property in case of further collapse. There is even some chance that parts of the broken portion could survive, as it still has some connections with the roots. The Mawley Oak is approximately 5 miles west of Bewdley on the A4117 Cleobury Mortimer Road. Although on private land, it can be seen from the adjacent junction with the B4202 next to the Mawley Garage. |