Dying Elder Trees

[Katkatkat]

I'm not sure if anyone here will be able to help me. I was wondering if anyone knew of anything that would kill off Elder? The trees were really health in the early summer with masses of flower heads and it was looking like we would get a really good crop of berries. When I went past a few days ago the trees had been stripped almost bare, only a few leaves were left on them and a couple of very small heads of berries. One tree was unaffected but it was further away from the rest (and down a steep nettle/bramble bank so I can't collect the fruit).

Any suggestions as to what might have caused this and if they will recover next year?

[airconednightmare]

are they on an exposed site? we have had some gales over the past few days, this can strip a tree of leaves and fruit.

i have seriously well established apple trees which have taken a fair bit of damage, and a mate lost nearly all the leaves off a immature cherry tree.

[Katkatkat]

Unfortunately I spotted the problem before the gales and even the ones tucked in amongst the sheltered hedgerow have the same problem.