ASH TREES
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SI R,—I notice in this part of the country most of the ash trees have a poor unhealthy look—their leaves being small and withered looking and seeming to shiver in the breeze, thus giving to this stately tree a dejected look. It is not only old trees, and those partially strangled by ivy, but even the young and robust trees all look alike. What is the cause ? The ash was very late in coming into leaf in the spring, and has never throughout the summer presented a healthy appearance like the oak, beech, elm, sycamore, &c., which are all in rich foliage as usual.
May the ash have suffered from the cold winds which per- sisted right on to July, and the spell of very hot weather which followed—or is there some other reason ? Some disease such as attacked the elm a year or two ago ? It would be interesting to know what has so affected these beautiful tree*, This year one remarks, too, the scarcity of butterflies ; not the Common or Garden Mite, which appears in great numbers, but the Red -Admiral; Peacock, and Tortoiseshell. It is a delight to watch on a calm sunny day these richly coloured butterflies hovering over the flowers i)f purple Buddleia; Michaelmas daisy, &c., but this year, so far, only very feiv are to be seen, and those only OccasionatlY,L--I ant Sir; &e.;
Previous page
