Beech Bark Disease

Since this disease complex affects only American beech, there is a direct relationship between the amount of beech in a stand and the intensity of the disease. Houston (1997) reports that “stand age and density, tree size, and species composition affect disease severity, especially in forests affected for the first time”. The disease is expected to spread throughout the range of the host.

Beech Bark Disease

Silvicultural, chemical, and genetic strategies are available to manage this disease. Owners who depend on extensive (low-intensity) management are expected to suffer significantly more quality (and value) loss than those who manage more intensively. Favoring genetic resistance is more effective in intensively managed forest stands.

Progeny from breeding programs designed to increase resistance have not been tested in field outplantings. They appear to hold promise, however, because some disease-free trees are known in most areas devastated by the disease.

Damage to the South’s beech resource has only just begun. Explosive buildups of scale population have not yet occurred in many places where the scales are known to be present. We anticipate significant additional mortality and deformation from this disease before prevention strategies are developed for use in forests.

For an in-depth review of Beech Bark Disease, please click here.