From world tree to extinction?
The ash is characterized by its’ leaves and dark buds. Sometimes it is called the King Tree, since it is “the last to arrive and first to leave”. Additionally, the ash is well known for its’ wood properties. Due to its' strength and flexibility, the material is commonly used for e.g. hockey sticks and tool handles.
Below, two images from Gullaskruvs säteri in Orrefors, Sweden, are shown. The photograph to the left was taken by Hedda Ekman in 1908. The picture to the right shows the same ash in 2020. This is a good illustration of how old the ashes can grow if they have the right conditions. (Thank you Jan and Ingela Bretz for the photograph).
Learn more about the ash by visiting the sites below.
Hultberg,
T., Sandström, J., Felton, A., Öhman, K., Rönnberg, J., Witzell., J., Cleary,
M. 2020. Ash dieback risks an extinction cascade. Biological
Conservation 244: 1-9.
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