These young Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) leaves opening are like hands reaching out – I felt this was a particularly sympathetic image in these times of social isolation, regular hand washing and lack of human touch.
And although we have much to concern us, let us remember that our native trees are also suffering from some serious pathogens that are killing them. Pseudomonas syringae pathovar aesculi arrived in the UK from a Himalayan import in the 1970s. This bacteria is responsible for Bleeding Canker of Horse Chestnut trees and interestingly the Pseudomonas family of bacteria are common to both the plant and animal kingdom. We have yet to experience a cross-species mutation from the plant world!
On a positive note, this Horse Chestnut looked in the best of health. Wishing you all the same – stay home, stay safe!
For as long as I'm well, am posting a pic a day to enhance these Covid-19 times of isolation and lockdown
PoetryPix 
They do look like they’re reaching out!
I sure am glad this Horse Chestnut is healthy and bacteria free! 🙂
they are reaching out for life!
Ah, yes… 🙂
I remember seeing the horror that the leaf-mining moth Cameraria ohridella, whose larvae feed on horse chestnut leaves was inflicting back in 2016. Something else that came in from Europe. We really aren’t very careful about bringing back things from abroad unlike Australia who are very strict.
yes plants are as susceptible as humans to diseas and it is at the level of trade imports that these things should be closely restricted
They look like small hands asking to be held. Or making an offering. 🙂
We’ve lost so many trees here in the U.S. to pathogens and invasive insects. I often wonder what the landscape is going to look like in a few hundred years.
I like your view of the leaves!
Let us hope the trees find a way to fight back or they will not be permitted to mingle in forest and woodland!