Learn to fight Beech Leaf Disease
Over the years Ohio trees have had a continuing list of problems. Oak wilt is currently affecting oak trees. Before that, there was the Emerald Ash Bore for ash trees and earlier there was Dutch Elm Disease.
And now there is another disease this one affecting beech trees and is called Beech Leaf Disease (BLD).
BLD is a significant, frequently fatal disease of beech trees. Younger beech trees succumb to it within two to five years while mature and otherwise healthy beech trees may survive six to 10 years. A few may survive longer.
BLD was first discovered in Lake County in 2012. It is now in 25 Ohio counties including Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The disease has also moved to other states in the northeast from Michigan to Maine.
The disease is found in landscape and forest beech trees. Beech tree varieties known to be affected are the American beech, European beech and Oriental beech.
BLD is a disease of the leaves, or a foliar disease. Although the exact cause of BLD hasn’t been identified, it is strongly suspected that a nematode is involved.
Nematodes are a type of microscopic roundworm. Evidence indicates that nematodes enter the leaf buds of beech trees where they feed on developing leaves. This feeding damages the development of the leaves.
The damaged leaves limit the trees’ ability to photosynthesize, which causes the tree to go into decline and die. It is not known exactly how this disease is spread but speculation includes birds, insects, wind and splashing rainwater.
The telltale sign of BLD is dark banding between the veins of beech leaves, which is especially noticeable when looking up into the tree so that the leaves are backlit by the sun. Infected beech leaves can also be misshapen with curling or crinkling, and later they can become thicker and leathery. Some leaves may show signs of chlorosis, which is yellowing of the leaf.
For landscape beech trees there are some proposed treatment options for BLD.
An article from Holden Forest and Gardens (see the go OSU link below) speaks to two options –chemical treatment and fertilization.
The only thing that can be scientifically recommended at this time is fertilization, which may not be the complete answer. Research continues to find treatments for BLD.
There is no feasible large-scale treatment for BLD for forest beeches.
Beeches are one of the most common trees in Ohio forests. Forest beech trees play an important role in forest ecosystems. They are sources of food (beech nuts) and habitat for wildlife.
You can help protect forest beech trees by taking precautions to reduce the spread of BLD. Brush off your boots when leaving an area with beech trees. Wash clothes, like hats and shirts that brush against low-hanging beech leaves. Don’t move materials like firewood or leaf litter from one area with beech trees to another.
Not every problem seen on beech leaves means it has BLD. There are look-alike, nonserious leaf conditions that may be the cause of the problem. Some of these look-alike conditions are powdery mildew, Anthracnose and Aphid infestations.
If you find symptoms on a beech leaf you think might be BLD bring a sample of it to the Mahoning County Extension Office or contact an Ohio Department of Natural Resources service forester or urban forester.
The contact number for the Mahoning Extension Office is 330-533-5538.
For more information, go to https://go.osu.edu/beechleafupdate
Sprague is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.