Is this beech tree disease? - Ask Extension
Yesterday I heard a story on the radio about beech tree disease. I began planning a project with my family that we hoped to extend throughout our com...
Knowledgebase
Is this beech tree disease? #837987
Asked June 28, 2023, 8:20 AM EDT
Yesterday I heard a story on the radio about beech tree disease. I began planning a project with my family that we hoped to extend throughout our community to begin banking baby beech trees from our area where they're not affected yet. I looked up the specifics of the disease last night. This morning, I woke up and saw this. I'm terrified that this is beech tree disease. Is it? What do I do? I have not transported any wood from one place to another in a very long time (decades), and definitely not across state lines. I have bought a few plants from native plant nurseries in the past year. In one instance, the sale was in Virginia. The new plants are planted near these trees.
Prince George's County Maryland
Expert Response
We don't think that this looks like Beech Leaf Disease.
It looks like more common (and minor) problems for beech caused by aphids and/or leaf hoppers. The symptoms are more pale and causes some leaf curling.
At this point in time we don't think that the mite that causes the disease can survive off of beech, so any plants you brought in from elsewhere are not an issue.
Here is our page on Beech Leaf Disease for more information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/beech-leaf-disease
If in doubt or for future reference, you can always consider having an ISA-certified arborist do an evaluation of any tree that you are concerned about. Certified arborists are on staff at most larger tree companies, or you can search for one at the credentialing agency at http://www.treesaregood.org .
Christine
It looks like more common (and minor) problems for beech caused by aphids and/or leaf hoppers. The symptoms are more pale and causes some leaf curling.
At this point in time we don't think that the mite that causes the disease can survive off of beech, so any plants you brought in from elsewhere are not an issue.
Here is our page on Beech Leaf Disease for more information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/beech-leaf-disease
If in doubt or for future reference, you can always consider having an ISA-certified arborist do an evaluation of any tree that you are concerned about. Certified arborists are on staff at most larger tree companies, or you can search for one at the credentialing agency at http://www.treesaregood.org .
Christine
Thank you! This is a huge relief and very helpful.
Given that it isn't beech leaf disease, would there be any use in us beginning to create a beech tree bank throughout the community in case there is a need to replace trees in places where they are being decimated? For reference, I live in Piscataway Park in Accokeek.
All my best,
Kelly
Hello Kelly,
American Beech is common in our natural-area woodlands and is a fairly slow-growing species that is sensitive to root disturbance. Transplanting specimens from a holding area of sorts as needed to replace dying mature trees might not be practical for that reason, especially since the older those trees get, the larger the root ball will need to be (and the corresponding hole size dug in the new planting location, disrupting lots of other landscaping). The older the age of a transplanted tree, the longer its re-establishment period becomes. Plus, we do not yet know what factors would make trees more susceptible or resilient (genetics, site conditions, etc.) to the nematode causing Beach Leaf Disease, so for this reason as well it's probably not practical to try to get a head start on a "nursery" of young Beech trees that might be equally vulnerable. Given that BLD is present to our immediate north (southern PA) and south (NoVA), it's not unexpected for it to eventually appear in Maryland as well.
Miri
American Beech is common in our natural-area woodlands and is a fairly slow-growing species that is sensitive to root disturbance. Transplanting specimens from a holding area of sorts as needed to replace dying mature trees might not be practical for that reason, especially since the older those trees get, the larger the root ball will need to be (and the corresponding hole size dug in the new planting location, disrupting lots of other landscaping). The older the age of a transplanted tree, the longer its re-establishment period becomes. Plus, we do not yet know what factors would make trees more susceptible or resilient (genetics, site conditions, etc.) to the nematode causing Beach Leaf Disease, so for this reason as well it's probably not practical to try to get a head start on a "nursery" of young Beech trees that might be equally vulnerable. Given that BLD is present to our immediate north (southern PA) and south (NoVA), it's not unexpected for it to eventually appear in Maryland as well.
Miri
