What's happerned to all the Conker trees?

Question

Has anyone else noticed that all of their leaves are brown and shrivelled? (And yes...I do realise that it is autumn, and trees do that at this time of year, but they've been like that all summer through!)

Conkers seem fine though, so that's all right!

Answer 1

Horsechestnut trees in the South-east are suffering from a fungal infection - some people think it is going to be as bad as Dutch Elm disease was. Add to this the drought we have had and the poor trees are suffering.

The conkers from the affected trees are smaller than from the healthy trees.

Answer 2

It was a dry summer and the horse chestnut needs a lot of water to make conkers. They are said to be smaller and softer this year due to lack of water and the leaves have gone brown because the tree has put the available water into producing its seed (conkers)

Answer 3

I think the Horse Chestnut trees suffered through the long dry spell earlier this year, and they look so ill now because they have concentrated their resources on producing seeds (conkers).

Answer 4

i saw a conker tree to-day the leaves looked ok for this time of year , the conkers on the ground would take you back to your childhood , ah ! lost youth

Answer 5

They are under attack (seriously) from parasites which are eating the leaves and also a virus which is attacking the tree under the bark and causing it to 'bleed'. Apparently this is happening on the same sort of scale that caused decimation of the elm trees.

Answer 6

Not sure, but I heard on the radio that there is a similar disease doing the rounds, much like Dutch Elm disease and is quite prevelent in England and Wales

Answer 7

maybe due to lack of water and very hot weather.

Answer 8

They're fine where I live.