Question
I had noticed an orangy,brown stain creeping up my Ash tree,but forgot about it as it seemed to fade.  However,the bark is now peeling off and underneath looks soft and dead.  It is only on the west side of the tree and is not on my other tree.  Can you help please?

Answer
Margot:
The mere loss of bark and soft tissues beneath may indicate some level of internal decay.  This is often a progressive decline that is irreversable. The canopy of the tree may eventually start to thin out and the tree may become structurally compromised. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet here. Proper fertilization and adequate water to the roots may extend the life of the tree for some time.

Regards
Steve