Rothbury Tree of the Month: Ash
Saturday, 1 March 2025
It is time to celebrate, and mourn, our iconic Ash trees.
We are in the Celtic month of the Ash: February 18th to March 17th.
Identifying Ash trees is not difficult - I think they are one of the most straightforward trees to recognise.
Native to Britain, Ash can grow to over 45 metres in height. Ash grows throughout Europe. Many European ancient myths hold that the humankind originated from this mighty tree. You can learn more about myths and folkore of Ash in this video:
Ash Trees in Rothbury
In Rothbury we are fortunate to still have one remaining 'Craa Tree' (a Veteran Ash, the Crow Tree) at Beggars Rigg.
This wonderful specimen is healthy, and should still have a long life ahead of it. This is one of the trees on the Rothbury Tree Trail. You can hear her tell her story, using the voice of Hazel Mason. The tree's deceased companion Craa trees, tell their story as ghost trees, with the authentic Northumbrian voice of James Tait.
I recommend that you enjoy a seat by the Craa Tree and listen to her tell you her story. Or if you prefer to read, rather than listen, take a look at What the Craa Trees Saw.
Official inspection by NCC Tree Officer. Accompanied by Nick Johnson, of Northumbria Veteran Trees, and Rich Hurst.
Weeping Ash in Rothbury
Unfortunately we have lost four stunningly beautiful, and iconic, Weeping Ash Trees in Rothbury. Two were in the Armstrong section of the Haw Hill Graveyard.
The other two were very much loved - they lived in the grounds of Armstrong Cottages. They too have told us what they saw, in their long lifetimes. You can listen to them tell their tales. Billy and Patsy Murray were the voice of the two, on the Rothbury Tree Trail.
You can also read all what happened to them. They no longer weep, but we do.
Ash Dieback
This tragic disease has caused the four Weeping Ash trees to be felled, and countless more Ash throughout the area, indeed, throughout the country.
.
The tell tale discolouration on the Armstrong Cottages two Ash is evident in this photograph. Besides the colour, the leaves stop appearing, and no keys developed on these two during the last two years of their lives. Limbs receive no nutrients, grow brittle, and will fall off.
A magnificent Ash tree on the Whitton View estate was found to have Ash Dieback. I reported it to NCC and Northumberland Estates, and they sent Ian Longstaff to deal with it. Thankfully, Ian reacted to the most recent advice - keep as much of the tree as is safe to do so, as they might regenerate healthily, and what remains is beneficial to wildlife. See photos and read about this tree. There is also information about Ash Dieback in this link.
Alistair and Janet Hardie shared these images of a beautiful Ash, suffering from Ash Dieback.
Epitaph for the Ash
In Search of Recovery and Renewal
This is a remarkable book, reflecting on not only the dying of our native ash trees, but also the author, Lisa Samson's, thoughts about her own brain tumour diagnosis.
It is a thoughtful, uplifting, and fascinating read. This is a fabulous review of the book.
Let us praise the Ash wherever we find her, and if we find diseased trees, let us treat them as respectfully and thoughtfully as possible.