Expert Advice & Resources
Beech Leaf Disease Endemic in Pennsylvania
Monday, June 17, 2024
Posted by: Gregg Robertson
Source: https://www.plna.com/
HARRSIBURG – In a meeting with key plant disease officials at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, PLNA board member Christopher Uhland and government relations advocate Gregg Robertson learned that beech leaf disease (BLD), affecting both American and European beech species, is widespread in Pennsylvania and there is little that can be done to stop its spread. The disease in endemic in Pennsylvania forests, causing concern within the Bureau of Forestry at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Since the disease's discovery in 2012, BLD has been detected in 13 states, including Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Cause of BLD
The disease is caused or spread by a leaf nematode. Although the exact way that the disease spreads is not known, some suspect it is wind-borne. Once a tree is infected, other opportunistic diseases appear. Beech trees typically die within five years of infection.
Spread is Alarming
“The rate of spread and new detections is very concerning,” said Danielle Martin, an Eastern Region Forest pathologist for the U. S. Forest Service in West Virginia. “The advancement of symptoms within tree stands is extremely high. In only a few years, infections will progress from mild symptoms to mortality of the understory. Although research is ongoing, we believe (the nematode) is a nonnative species.”
Managing Beech Leaf Disease
While there's no known cure for beech leaf disease (BLD), there are some steps that can help manage the disease and slow its spread:
- Apply PolyPhosphite 30
During the growing season (May–August), dilute 2 ounces of PolyPhosphite 30 in 14 ounces of water for every inch of the tree's diameter at breast height (DBH). Then apply the solution to the root zone of the tree by drenching the soil or injecting it with equipment.
- Use fungicides
Many phosphite products are sold as fungicides, such as Agri-FOS, Fosphite, Reliant, Fungi-Phite, and Prophyt. In March 2024, Holden Forests & Gardens announced that experimental trials found that applying the fungicide fluopyram as a foliar treatment can kill over 90% of live nematodes.
- Remove infected trees and leaves
Remove and destroy infected trees and leaves to prevent the nematode from spreading.
- Avoid moving beech tree material
Don't move beech tree material, such as branches, twigs, leaves, seedlings, and nursery stock, from affected areas. You should also follow firewood regulations that limit movement to no more than 50 miles and avoid moving firewood from areas where BLD symptoms are present.
