This chapter outlines the history and past management of trees within the wood pasture systems of South East England. Changes over time are discussed, and the challenges that the trees now face are outlined along with some potential solutions. Wood pasture was a common and traditional form of management in South East England although the conservation significance of it has only recently been realised. The types of wood pasture included wooded commons, Forests and parks, all of which have quite precise historical meanings. Many trees in wood pastures were managed as pollards, probably mainly for fuel wood, but some were open-grown. The number of trees has declined, and the area of wood pasture has diminished due to development pressure and agricultural intensification. Despite this, the area remains important in a European context for the number of old trees. In addition, lack of traditional management is a threat to tree and wood pasture survival. Restoration of grazing using traditional livestock is an important first step. New skills are required to work on trees that have been left many years out of a regular pollarding cycle, and new uses for the products will be important to help these trees become relevant again.
Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is a fungal disease which affects ash throughout Sweden. Monitoring to study of the impact of ash dieback on veteran trees was undertaken in southwest Sweden in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2020. The study found that 94.5% of the ash trees observed were affected by ash dieback disease in 2020 compared with 62% in 2009. 70 of the studied ash trees have died (21%) since the monitoring began. In 2009 there was no relationship between girth and ash dieback, but in 2020 the correlation between girth and the impact of ash dieback was statistically significant. In 2020, also for the first time during monitoring, the ash trees in the shade were significantly more affected by ash dieback, compared with trees standing in the open. This difference was not detected in 2013 or 2015. The effect of ash dieback on pollarded trees has varied between the years studied, but in 2020 there is no longer any significant difference between the pollarded and the non-pollarded ash trees. There was however a significant difference in the mortality rates between the groups of trees, with ash trees pollarded in more recent times having the highest mortality. Therefore, the recommendation in relation to veteran trees with ash dieback is that all pruning on veteran ash trees should be avoided. Pollarding should only be done on ash pollards that are in a regular cutting cycle and are not showing any symptoms of ash dieback. If possible, clear around old ash trees if they are in shaded conditions. Given that there are relatively few studies on the impact of ash dieback on veteran ash trees, the results of this study should also be relevant outside of Sweden and for the management of ash trees in non-woodland situations. Key words: Ash dieback, pollards, veteran trees, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, ash
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