Some of the trees at the Trust are old girls, over 100+ years old, and as a result they are worn and knarly. Sadly, Ash Die Back has also taken its toll on one of our prominent trees. I have been watching this particular tree shed large limbs over the past three years, together with bracket fungi, and high winds of over 50 mph recently, plus in an area where there is activities, it was time to coppice.
The extent of the demise of this tree is obvious.
Other trees damaged was a beautiful Cherry, and Scots Pine.
This worm like beetle larvae was found in the rotting hollow, it is Tenebrio molitor is a species of darkling beetle with a length 12 to
18 mm, width 4.5 to 6 mm. Usually dark brown to almost black but light brown specimens are not uncommon.
The larvae are the familiar mealworms that are fed to birds, and no doubt the Great Spotted Woodpecker enjoys them.
Widespread and previously fairly frequent in England, but declining.
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