1000 year old Zelkova in danger?

John Vander

I went to take some pics of this 1000 year old Zelkova, when I saw that most of the leaves are covered in dark brown spots. Could it be Anthracnose? If so, how does one take action to help such an ancient tree?

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Bowani Siam

Wow what a beauty!!!!!

Could be Chinese Elm Anthracnose.

Anthracnose Management Guidelines--UC IPM

Cleaning up fallen affected leaves, and improving air circulation and overall vigour are helpful, but a tree that size would be difficult to control using a fungicide. (correct me if I'm wrong, arborists!)

Probably just have to hope the tree can recover enough each season to put on a good flush of new growth.

John Vander

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, this tree is a beaut! Standing next to it and appreciating the size of that trunk is something.

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George Valentine

Wow, that's what I call a tree...!!!
Sorry that I don't have the knowledge to help you with the tree leaf problems, as I'm sure, someone here will be on this case, shortly but, what made me start this post in the first place is the fact that, these majestic and very resilient trees are capable of survive for all these hundreds of years, some thousands of years, given to all of us an inside of what this planet once looked like in the tree department.

The thoughts that come to mind in relation to protection/preservation issues, is one that has been bugging me for some years and that is, some of these trees when found and identified, are already in their decaying stages, some have been for hundreds of years already as nothing lasts forever so, what would be/is the best procedure to take in regards to some of these particular trees, let them continue to rot until they fall down like powder, useless to everyone or, conduct all the possible studies on them and have them removed for the wood that is still usable and use that special wood to make special things...???

I know that this issue is full of controversy and I'm very divided in between seen them rot away to dust (nature's own cycle) or lost in a fire or learn as much as we can for them and then, salvage what is salvageable so that others, many years from now, can still have something solid/touchable that they can appreciate, other than a bag of saw dust (if they're lucky) and a bunch of pictures...???

Cheers
George

Bowani Siam

Actually, I tend to agree with letting nature take its course when the tree in question is in obvious decline. True, they do not last forever. I have done a lot of propagation for trees that have sentimental value that need to be removed due to decline, people love having 'next generation' plants. hehehe

However in the absence of major dieback, canker, decay etc, and if the most serious problem is a fungal leaf spot that a plant of any age can get, I am all for giving the tree a hand - especially one of such significance!

George Valentine

Yes, I am with you on that one, and I may have given the perception that my salvaging thoughts where directed to this tree, well yes and no, if the tree is still doing well but needs a little help from an insect infestation or any a possible deficiency of nutrients or something that man can help with, absolutely all care should be taken to allow the tree to live healthy for as long as possible, however, it will came a time where the tree life has reached its limit and regardless of any man intervention, nothing will make a difference.

In these cases, trees tend to decompose themselves, in relative short periods of time compare with the time they were alive and that is the point where I believe, removing the specimens from the elements and process the wood with specialized stabilizers to preserve the wood from decomposition, something that nature would do in no time if left to the elements.

I have been in situations where the tree(s) in question have died or have to go for whatever reason and they mean everything to someone, in a very, very deep way. I do have the capability to fully understand and appreciate what they are going through and I will step in and arrange or re-arrange that I'm the one to make the removal and if absolutely not possible due to legal issues, contracts already approved or due to insurance/liability issues and others, I will take any steps necessary to make sure the tree main wood areas (trunk and large limbs) are not chipped or dumped, instead I will be there to pick them up and that them away, why...!

Well, is no wood that I can't use but in these specific cases, being someone that can make anything out of wood, I will make a promise to the tree owners or guardians that I will make something out, from the wood of that special tree and give it back as a gift so that they can always have something that they can admire, touch, smell from their special tree.

Most times these people stress out when they find out that their special tree has to go, and in their minds, they have to suffer with the terrible shock of seeing it being cut and made in to chips, there, just in front of their eyes, and then the only thing left that indicated that the tree once lived there, is also quickly eaten away by the tree stump/root grinder, leaving no traces that a tree was there, this my friends can be a terrifying shock to those concern, they seem to feel some hope and warm heart feeling when someone tell them that, they will have something made from that tree that they are to keep for life...!

I like to surprise them with what I have in mind to do, in most cases large fruit bowls, plates, platters, vases, large pic frames, pens, boxes, urns and or anything I believe they would appreciate. This gives me a great since of piece, particularly if I was the one to cut the tree, making many of my tree cutting, a lot more than just dropping a tree, believe me...!

Now, not only the tree owners get wooden turned or crafted items, in some way but, the whole story is written (plenty of pics) in some wood-work forums I frequent and the wood that I salvaged is then shared with anyone anywhere in the world, not forgetting that, I always make a few items from that wood for my own private use and/or enjoyment...!

Funny how all of a certain, a tree that was non existent or of any interest to most people, certainly become of interest for those that have some use for that type of wood, getting with it, the full story associated with that wood, something that many people in the Industry do appreciate immensely...!

There are 62 local species at the moment on my timbers list, some many people didn't even knew that they existed, much less in they own town, as the furthest I go is 25km away for some particular tree species that are more abundant or only available at those locations. I am certain that the area will provided many more new tree species, as my search continues, I am calculating about another 60 species that I am yet to get...!

Cheers
George

John Vander

Even though this tree is under the care of the local town government, no one seemed to take any notice of it's present condition. I think I'll be paying a visit to the local authorities to point out the situation. Also, there is no Arborist for miles in this place!
Nyodine, making furniture from old trees sounds like a very good idea. Yeah, better use the wood before it goes to waste! I had to remove a big cherry tree in front of our school that was in an advanced stage of decay. If it was taken down earlier, it could have been used for a fine piece of furniture. A piece of cherry wood furniture ( table or set of chairs) in Japan can cost you well over a 1000 US dollars. No joke.

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Brent Ferris

You might want to be careful about that. There are a lot of places that once they realize the tree could be a danger, arrange to cut it down. Hopefully your authorities are more sensible than that.

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John Vander

Good point. This tree is like a monument in this small town, also it is located next to a shrine. I think the Japanese would rather want to save it than cut it down, but you never know. Even though the Japanese worship nature, they do very often cut down huge trees that are still healthy and in good shape. It's all about business. Some of these trees (like a giant cypress without defects in the trunk) can be sold for about 100,000 US Dollars. (No joke.)

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