1

Pests and diseases / Re: Sickly weeping willow

« Last post by Fleecewife on May 14, 2024, 11:25:30 pm »

I thought at first deer, but then I saw the pic with the box attached to the trunk.  What's in the box?
The damage looks too high to be deer.  Do you have very tall sheep?  They love stripping bark too. Bears? Horse?
If that is the extent of the damage then it's unlikely to be causing the curled and spotty leaves.  It does look seriously stressed.  It's been wet enough so not too dry and willows don't mind being too wet.
I'm afraid I can't help you at all.
On a second look, the bark damage looks more mechanical than animal.  Has anyone been at it with an axe, chisel or saw? I don't think however that the bark will be a problem - it will heal.  It's the leaves that are more worrying.

2

Pests and diseases / Sickly weeping willow

« Last post by Sudanpan on May 14, 2024, 05:45:22 pm »

Good Afternoon All

We have a weeping willow at the front of our property. We planted it when we moved here in 2008 so it has quite a bit of sentimental value. It has grown really well, from an 8 ft sapling to a well established 20ft plus specimen.

Today we noticed some damaged areas to the bark - no idea what has caused it, it looks like the bark has been peeled off. This then prompted me to look more carefully at the rest of the tree - and it looks, to my inexperienced eye, to be sick. From memory this spring it looked as well as ever when the leaves started to appear and it got fuller over the weeks. But the leaves  seem to be curling with quite a few browned edges/parts of leaf. The ends of the new twigs look like they have been stripped of leaves.
I attach a few photos for further information.

Any clues as to what might be going on and what I can do?


Thank you
Tish

3

Marketplace / Cameroon sheep

« Last post by Tim W on May 14, 2024, 07:56:20 am »

I have a number of Cameroon sheep to sell
16 lambs born Oct/Dec 2023 (mix of rams/ewes/wethers
12 ewes last lambed Oct/Dec 2023
Couple of mature rams

Run in a commercial flock of 800 ewes (not all Cameroons!) ---disease screened for MV, Johnes, BD etc
Wiltshire based
Here's a link to videos https://photos.app.goo.gl/uxWy7ULciS1haGsv8 (if it works)

4

Sheep / Re: Raddle harnesses for small sheep

« Last post by SallyintNorth on May 14, 2024, 12:45:14 am »

Useless, couldn't keep it correctly positioned on him.  He wore the crayon over-the-shoulder most of the time.  Kept telling him it wasn't a fashion accessory but he thought he knew best.  lol. 

Might try it again when he's full grown, but I can definitively state that the "fully adjustable" one I bought does not adjust down to fit a Balwen lamb,

5

Announcements / New diary post: Fairy doors / Birthday Smokey / Peas

« Last post by TAS Bot on May 13, 2024, 10:30:44 am »

A new TAS diary entry has been posted: Fairy doors / Birthday Smokey / Peas

6

Sheep / Re: Raddle harnesses for small sheep

« Last post by Brewster on May 13, 2024, 07:11:46 am »

Hi Sally
Sorry for the late reply. How did you get on with the raddle? I have Balwens and I'm thinking of getting one for the autumn.

7

Wildlife / Re: Swallows '24

« Last post by Possum on May 12, 2024, 12:05:35 pm »

Two started investigating last year's nest last night so I'm hopeful for another brood this year.

8

Introduce yourself / Re: Looking for smallholding and farmhouse to rent but no idea where to start

« Last post by Possum on May 12, 2024, 11:15:01 am »

We found our smallholding through GTH. They cover Somerset and Devon. Ours was freehold not leasehold but if there are any for rent GTH may well be dealing with them. They are very helpful and knowledgeable about  agricultural tenancies so well worth giving them a ring.

9

Sheep / Re: lump in castrated yearlings scrotum

« Last post by messyhoose on May 10, 2024, 10:50:48 am »

yes i am thinking more hernia now and today the whole scrotum is hard not just one side. Hve called the vet who did the procedure last year, waiting reply. Hoping he can just live with it (i had a sheep with a side hernia who wasnt bothered by it). I think its just cos gravity is bearing on it and hes a young playful sheep is more concerning.

10

Sheep / Re: Garlic Mustard Plant safe?

« Last post by Bishybarneybee on May 10, 2024, 08:33:05 am »

Thank you very much for your reply. It's good to know I don't need to worry about it.