Slow Demise of Aesculus hippocastanum

Today's picture is a reflection of whats occurring all over the country, the slow and sad demise of the Conker Tree, Aesculus hippocastanum.

The Trees are being attacked by Fairly new pest, the horse chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella.

This pest came over from the continent and is slowly spreading across the British Isles, the larvae of Cameraria ohridella mine within the horse chestnut leaves eating away all the Chlorophyll (Green bits) which the plant uses to make energy from.

The badly damaged leaves turn brown early in the season and drop well before the normal leaf fall in the Autumn.

Scientists are struggling to find a defence from this pest for the poor Horse Chestnut Tree, the trees are slowly being weakened by this pest, and a good storm will no doubt reduce the current numbers due to the leaf miners attack.

I read recently in a Horticulture Trade Magazine that sales of Horse Chestnut trees are down by 98%, nobody wants to plant a tree that may only have a few years of potential life.

Its quite possible that within the next 10-20 years you will really struggle to find a Horse Chestnut tree.

Enjoy them while you still can.