Beech Leaf Disease – Symptoms and Treatments
The American beech tree (Fagus grandifolia) is native to North America. The American beech is primarily found in the eastern part of the United States and is recognized by its smooth, gray bark, wide-spreading canopy, and stunning bronze-colored leaves in the autumnal months.
This popular tree can grow 50 to 70 feet high, have a canopy spread up to 40 feet wide at maturity, and an overall life span of 300 to 400 years. But the beech tree’s longevity is severely impacted by a disease discovered in recent years known as BLD – beech leaf disease.
How long has beech leaf disease been around?
BLD was first identified in 2012 in a suburb of Ohio. As of 2022, the disease has become increasingly widespread – affecting American beech trees throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Climate change has also contributed to the rapid spread of beech leaf disease as warmer temperatures and drier climates can cause stress to a tree’s ability to ward off attacks from pests and diseases like BLD.
What are the symptoms of beech leaf disease?
- Dark green bands or striping between the veins of the leaves
- Leaves that appear deformed – curled, cupped, shriveled, brown, and possibly smaller than usual
- Reduced leaf and bud production
- Premature leaf drop
- Visible signs from early leaf out until the fall – often noticeable when looking up into the canopy
Beware of BLD Impostors
One of the challenges in identifying beech leaf disease is that several other pests and diseases have similar symptoms to the untrained eye. Because of this challenge, it is recommended you contact your local SavATree branch for proper identification.
