274 ^^ INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSES OF THE DEATH OF 



During the spring and early summer of this year (1900) no 

 signs of the malady showed itself on Chislehurst Common, 

 Hayes Common or Keston Common, but by the end of August 

 diseased trees might easily be detected by a casual observer. 

 They may now be found in great numbers at Chislehurst, St. 

 Paul's Cray, Hayes, Keston, Lewisham, by the canal between 

 Weybridge and Woking, at Walton-on-Thames, and a few in 

 Kew Gardens. Since the end of July last I have failed to find a 

 perfectly healthy district. 



From the appearance of trees in the Forest and elsewhere, 

 it is probable that the disease attacked a few trees last year, but 

 that most destruction has been wrought during the present 

 summer. To all outward appearance the course of the disease is 

 very rapid, for trees apparently healthy were found to be dead, 

 and the smaller branches brittle within a few months. The 

 suddenness of the change was a point mentioned at the meeting 

 of the Club referred to above, and this has been made evident by 

 my periodical visits to the infected areas. 



As an example, it may be mentioned that on attempting to 

 photograph a nearly dead tree on 23rd July last, the green leaves 

 of a sapling close by were prominently brought before our 

 notice by their obtrusion in the picture. On returning to the 

 same spot at a later date, the 22nd of August, this young tree 

 was dead like its neighbour, having succumbed to the same 

 disease. This is an extreme case, but still the course is always 

 a rapid one. 



The three photographs taken by my friend Mr. G. E. Shaw, 

 give the appearance of the trees at different stages of the disease. 

 No. I is a group of birches by the side of Monkham's Lane, 

 Lord's Bushes. The middle tree shows an absence of leaves on 

 the uppermost branches, while the catkins are still there. No. 2 

 is a tree by the roadside near the Old Toll-house, Buckhurst 

 Hill ; there are no leaves or catkins on the upper branches, but 

 just a few on some lower ones, while the lowest branches of all 

 are in full leaf. No. 3 represents a tree on the roadside opposite 

 the entrance to Knighton House. Similar trees may be seen in 

 great numbers in all stages of decay, from those like No. i, to 

 those completely dead. 



