Bug to knock out Spen tradition?
SPEN'S horse chestnut trees are under threat from a deadly disease, gardening experts have warned.
And the disease, which is currently sweeping the country - could spell the end for conkers.
The fruits of horse chestnut trees have been the source of much pleasure for children over the years, but the newly discovered fungus, causing many "bleeding cankers", could make them a rare sight in the future.
Cankers are an area of dying bark, like sores which ooze liquid, and have existed on horse chestnut trees for several decades.
Former BBA gardener Peter Fawcett, of St Peg Lane, Cleckheaton, said: "I first saw this on horse chestnut trees two years ago in Northamptonshire, but this is the first occasion I have see it in this area or in Yorkshire.
"A weeping canker sets in and it seeps down the trunk of the tree until the tree eventually dies.
"The bug burrows into the tree and eats the flesh from the inside. It specifically targets horse chestnut trees.
"The leaves then die, so we get an early autumn fall, as all the leaves drop off the trees."
Mr Fawcett said that if the bug spreads, horse chestnut trees could be wiped out completely.
"It is the equivalent of Dutch Elm disease, which sparked the end for the elm trees," he added.
"I have been told that affected trees must be felled and destroyed as soon as possible.
"It's a shame because they have a beautiful blossom."
Several trees in Gomersal Lane, Spen Lane and Cleckheaton have been hit by the bug.
In Northamptonshire, the epidemic is threatening this year's World Conker Championships.
Head of the Forestry Commission's plant health service Roddie Burgess, said: "We don't yet know the total number of horse chestnut trees in Britain affected by bleeding cankers.
"There is a limit to what can be done to combat diseases of trees."
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
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