Beech Leaf Disease & Management Options*

Quick Facts

  1. Beech leaf disease (BLD) is a new disease to the United States; scientists have been working quickly to understand its pathogenesis and test treatment options to mitigate or control damage.
  2. BLD affects beech (Fagus spp.) tree species and has not been shown to infect any other genera.  This disease poses no direct harm to humans.
  3. BLD causes rapid decline and mortality of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and European beech (F. sylvatica); mortality can occur between 2 to 10 years depending on size.  BLD has also been reported to impact Oriental beech (F. orientalis) and Chinese beech (F. engleriana).
  4. BLD is caused by an invasive nematode Litylenchus crenatae subsp. mccannii (Lcm; Figure 1).  A nematode is a microscopic roundworm that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
  5. BLD is recognized best by opaque banding of diseased leaf tissue (Figure 2).
  6. Infection occurs in the leaf buds.  Lcm does not infect woody tissue.
  7. Primary damage to leaf tissue occurs in the bud stage.
  8. Highly infected and damaged leaves become thickened, distorted, prematurely shed, and branch dieback ensues.  Decline and mortality follow.
  9. Thiabendazole, the active ingredient in Arbotect 20-S, is currently the most effective treatment option.  Proper application is key to high efficacy and beech health; refer to the Arboricultural Treatment section.
  10. When treatment is not an option, mitigation steps are key to reducing negative environmental impacts from beech losses.

 

*Our neighbor Doris Wait sent us information from Rutgers University that is excerpted above.  The full Bulletin can be found at: njaes.rutgers.edu/E376/

 

Some local businesses that can provide information &/or treatment are: Arborist Enterprises, Tomlinson-Bomberger, Bartlett and others.