This must be the fourth year in a row I have noticed the leaves on our beloved Horse Chestnut trees turning a russet brown toward the end of June. It is a phenomena moving up from the south and after speaking to a man staying in the caravan paddock hailing from Nottinghamshire last year, I am under the impression this is new. Apparently the midlands and north of the country have not yet suffered this blight.
My worry is that deprived of chlorophyll, these majestic trees will slowly starve. Often used along parks and roads in residential areas for their beautiful flowers and conkers in autumn, I fear many will be cut down by Councils; worried of passers by being coshed with falling branches as these huge creatures decay.
There is one ray of hope; a parasitic wasp which lays its larvae on the miner. My only hope is the wasps’ numbers soon catch up enough to stem the premature russet tide. It would be such a shame to lose a tree which for me hold so many fond childhood memories of playground games (conkers), making ridiculously clunky necklaces (only to be worn by the bull-necked of us) and playing marbles (OK, the conkers are not truly spherical but that is half the fun).
The woodland deer and other wild animals might find it difficult in winter too as I know they like to eat these shiny brown fruits, poisonous to humans but a tasty treat for them.
Here is an official forestry site if you want to know more..http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-68JJRC
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