What's wrong with my walnut tree?

[useyourimagination]

As I was hanging out my washing this morning I noticed that the leaves on my walnut trees are turning black and on further investigation they are also dry and crumbly. It also seems to be splitting and the moss has crept up the trunk.

The tree has been here for as long as the house, so longer than 20 years, and up to now we've had a fantastic yield of nuts.

I'm going to call a tree surgeon to come and look at it but if, in the meantime, anyone has any ideas...

I'd hate to lose this tree :(

A hideous little ditty for you:

A woman, a spaniel, a walnut tree-
The more you beat them the better they be.

Are you being cruel enough to it?

Could that be frost damage to the leaves? There has been a sharp overnight frost recently, not sure how widespread it was but late sharp frosts can take a lot of new growth by surprise...

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=345

Re the splitting and moss growth, I would call in a professional to look at it too