Beech Leaf Disease | What is Ailing this Tree? Part 2

The American Beech Tree is a shade tolerant tree with alternate simple leaves. Beech tree trunks are a smooth gray that resembles an elephant leg and their canopy emerges downward. Beech tree buds are elongated and is primarily where the Beach Leaf nematode resides.
Caused by a foliar nematode, Beech Leaf Disease or Litylenchus crenatae of the subspecies mccannii is an emerging concern in the US. It was first discovered in 2012 in northeastern Ohio. It enters Beech buds midsummer, feeds, and stays there over winter.
Although it is an emerging threat, it has not been found in Washington State. Much is unknown about the spread of nematodes.
Community members can help with early detection by looking for:
- curling beech leaves
- banding between veins on the leaves
If you ID nematode signs, head over to the WA Invasive Species Control to find out how to report a sighting: invasivespecies.wa.gov/
Check out our channel for more tree disease videos as well as videos on tree care.
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