for the science and learning bods

Last post 20-01-2009 11:12 AM by helpandadvice. 4 replies.

• 19/01/2009 11:18 PM

  decide on one Location: northwest Joined on: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 14

  Reply | Contact When I first set up this net connect, three months ago, one of the first links I followed was about canker and chestnut trees.  For 15 years now we have had the chestnut scale rampant in our area.  As the chestnut scale is a living scale insect I presume it pierces, sucks and eliminates.  Now we have cankers in the trees -  cankers generally are a result of reaction to damage or toxins. Would the two be connected in any way? Fifteen years ago, when it first occurred, the schoolkids were flogging them as magic mushrooms, did they do themselves any harm?

• 19/01/2009 11:20 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 5,230	Reply | Contact I suppose if the children are still alive they will be okay, have you tried to eat one? I don't think the RHS directors will answer this one maybe they will pass it on to a scientist at Wisley laboratory digger Sage of the fells

• 20/01/2009 09:29 AM

  In reply to

  Simon Thornton-Wood Location: Wisley Garden Joined on: 12 Jan 2009 Posts: 10

  Reply | Contact I know that the biology of chestnut bleeding canker - a bacterial disease - is not well understood (see the RHS advice page on the subject). The RHS is not currently involved in research related to this particular disease problem, though I understand that Forest Research have an active interest, and we maintain close links to ensure that we are able to pass on the best available information to gardeners about this worrying disease. Together with the leaf miner, this is having a significant impact on a much loved tree. My specialist colleagues may have more to add... Simon Simon Thornton-Wood Director of Science & Learning

• 20/01/2009 11:12 AM

  In reply to

  helpandadvice Location: Joined on: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 51

  Reply | Contact Thanks for looking at our Members’ Advisory Service problem profiles: You are quite right about the chestnut scale insect – follow this link for details: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0602/chestnut_scale.asp There is still uncertainty why these cankers have become more common and apparently aggresive – our pest and disease experts have written this short piece to summarise the current situation: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0806/horsechestnutproblems.asp On the matter of consuming fungi, I think you might be referring to bracket fungi or to the toadstools found at the base of trees, as the cankers are sunken and would be hard to consume:   http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0901/bracket_fungi.asp http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1005/toadstools.asp Naturally, we think it deeply unsafe to consume psychoactive fungi, or indeed any fungi unless you are confident they are edible. I hope this helps. Guy Barter RHS Help and Advice RHS Members' Advisory Service

• 20/01/2009 11:13 AM

  In reply to

  helpandadvice Location: Joined on: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 51

  Reply | Contact Thanks for looking at our Members’ Advisory Service problem profiles: You are quite right about horsechestnut scale insects – follow this link for details: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0602/chestnut_scale.asp The reasons for the increasing severity and aggresiveness of these cankers is unclear – our pest and disease experts have written this short piece: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0806/horsechestnutproblems.asp On consuming cankers,  I think you might be referring to bracket fungi or to the toadstools found at the base of trees, as the cankers are sunken and would be hard to consume:   http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0901/bracket_fungi.asp http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1005/toadstools.asp  Naturally, we think it deeply unsafe to consume psychoactive fungi.  I hope this helps. Guy Barter RHS Help and Advice RHS Members' Advisory Service