The New Disease That's Killing An Iconic Tree

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[@justanamerican9024]

In the year 1100AD, if you were to walk the Appalachian Trail, you would be walking through a mostly Beech forest. Through disease and climate change (little Ice age), White Pine and Eastern Hemlock took over and were the dominant trees when Europeans arrived. Where I was a logger and forester, the Beech bark disease destroyed all the mature Beech and in a matter of only one decade, entire forest were gone. It was one of the most devastating events in my career both personally and economically, but environmentally it was nuclear. It will take a century for the forest to return back to a balance the Beech brought to it. But as you pointed out, it will survive through its root system, much like the American Chestnut (a close relative) has as a forest under-canopy brush. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

[@elendil7]

Thank you for sharing this. 😢

[@tnmtnmorning1178]

The demise of the American Chestnut was devastating to the mountain folks of Southern Appalachia as well as to our ecosystem. I wasn’t aware that the root systems survived. I need to look into that! Thanks!

[@justanamerican9024]

tnmtnmorning1178 As a forester, I found large clusters of chestnut brush, some would get to pole size, but alas, the blisters would develop and they would die. I would go back and check on them but I never found any that made it past 8" DBH. We lost the Chestnut trees earlier than the Southeast. It started in NYC in 1898 but reached south later in the 20th century. The Chestnut trees filled in when the European settlers cleared the White Pine and Eastern Hemlock, so there were a lot of Chestnut trees when the blight hit.

[@elendil7]

@@justanamerican9024 Really sad.

[@bdickinson6751]

@@tnmtnmorning1178 Many can still be found here in PA but they don't survive past a certain stage, as previously stated.

[@naturalnashuan]

Thank you for encouraging people to look at the plants around them. Today I googled a native wildflower that I have growing in my yard, Rabbit Tobacco. I learned that it is Endangered here in New Hampshire. I contacted a plant science organization to give away seeds from my plants. I'll keep some for my own habitat and to sow in proper protected habitats.

[@upstny]

Whether we're talking about black swallowwort or zebra mussels, trying to beat back invasives is a lesson in futility. Introducing toxins will only compound the biodegradation.

[@bearwill4737]

Cheap & easy is never the right answer, just look at what we've lost already.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I love that you mention zebra mussels… Because the native mussels didn’t clean up the ridiculous amount of pollution in the Great Lakes like the invasive ones did. You’ve probably never heard about the *LAKE* catching on *FIRE* pre-zebra mussel. Obviously true invasive species are a problem, but most people aren’t willing to look at the big picture.

[@paddlefaster]

We've been experiencing that where I live concerning water chestnuts. They've gotten so out of control on one lake that the only way to mitigate them is with toxins. Harvesters just make it worse and hand-pulling is out of the question because it's acres and Acres of water chestnuts.

[@streamtracker]

No, it is not always futile. There are lots of success stories (www.nps.gov/subjects/invasive/success.htm). I have managed invasives on a five-acre wetland forest by hand pulling. Occasionally, I apply herbicide with a paintbrush to the leaves of persistent individual plants. Native plants have returned and now dominate the plot.

[@streamtracker]

@@TheBarefootedGardener Zebra mussels aren't responsible for cleaning the wastes that caught fire. The fires on the Cuyahoga River were in 1969. The Zebra Mussel didn't arrive in the Great Lakes until 1988. What stopped the source of the sewage and toxic wastes that were responsible for the fires were regulations passed in the early 1970s to regulate toxic/sewage discharge. In the St. Lawrence Riverway, Zebra Mussels have changed the balance of the plankton in such a way that the types of fish that dominate have changed. In addition, their dense beds can prevent the growth of native aquatic vegetation which is a critical habitat for many species. The Zebra Mussel is a true problem. The bigger picture is that they are a threat to native biodiversity.

[@11sesquialtera]

Big fan, Adam. I am a practicing arborist in Newport RI. I also have 65 ac. forest in central Maine….where I prefer to live! I have subscribed to you mushroom talks…have yet to finish them. You are brilliant, engaging, forward-thinking, and practical. Knowing that there are those such as you who are so engaged is a bright ray of sunshine. Thanks for your positive energy in your mission. Rob Currier

[@andrewhorwood1058]

Beech leaf blight is ruining our forests in western Nova Scotia too, as well as ash leaf rust fungus, hemlock woolly adelgid, numerous other new diseases, pests and invasive species. I'm seeing massive changes in our forests in recent decades, mostly for the worse.

[@brotherlittlefoot2216]

Been losing hemlocks for years here in the App Mtns of NC,USA,to the woolly adelgid as well,and firs in the upper elevations are dying due mostly to pollution.

[@williambrandondavis6897]

No, you are the problem. Humans are the most destructive invasive species by several magnitudes. Your house , your roads and your job and your food farms, Your selfish desire to reproduce and consume like a virus and destroy everything you come across is the problem. Take responsibility.

[@SquirrelDarling1]

I’ve noticed the change in the leaves of beech too. Now I know what’s going on with them and it’s sad. Using chemicals to control this worm doesn’t look like the answer. Hopefully the beech themselves will develop a way of controlling the worms without our help.

[@tribalismblindsthembutnoty124]

as has been done since 500mya.

[@debrapaulino918]

Did not help elm. Maybe close and frequent inspections and cutting infected trees out and burning debris. Stop grind too. Maybe this is already being done.

[@suechandler8162]

Yes, new pathogens are everywhere now that travel from afar is so common . Poisoning is obviously not going to help , it might save one tree for a season but it won't do any good on a whole forest. What are the conditions that the nematode likes? If it is shady and moist then a small quick fire through the area might slow it down. It is a matter of observation and trial . There might be a natural predator in the worm's home country , but then will it eat native nematodes too? Such a complex problem. Just cutting out affected undergrowth in the early Spring , piling and burning it might smoke the little blighters out.

[@suechandler8162]

Maybe cutting down the affected undergrowth in early Spring, piling and burning it, smoking out the remaining nematodes higher up.

[@charleshash4919]

Nematodes killing off all of the Beech trees will provide a solution if we don't respond. If Beech trees respond like American Chestnut trees (with human assistance), it will take more than a century for the beech forests in the North East to effectively start to recover.

[@madamecampsalot6384]

The forested area behind my house in CT has great stands of beech. The really large ones (bigger than I can reach 1/2 way around) have toppled in the last 2 years, having bark issues. Now many smaller ones (huggable sized) can be seen with the striping affect on the leaves. It's so sad for me to see them go.

[@AmakEno]

This is a big issue in southern Connecticut. We've seen old beech trees that are rotting and spreading black rot to the smaller beech trees leaves, likely after the nemotodes have run their course and weakened the trees. It's concerning that people may be experimenting with these dangerous pesticides that could kill the local fauna off due to toxicity. Especially if they are used as a soil treatment, then I would worry that the mycorrhizal system that connects all the living tress and fungal bodies will be affected. I've also heard just recently that something is starting to affect local maples as well. We noticed that alot of young trees , Bushes, and grasses on the trainlines were dying off, possibly because of the use of pesticides to kill off invasive species growing on the edges of the trainlines. And that borders a tidal marsh /nature preserve. So it could even be getting into the ocean and the marshes... Very well put that this is all cause and effect of our taking the land we use for granted for the sake of productivity.

[@sherriianiro747]

Pesticides that are sprayed for insects such as mosquitos and lawn pesticide drift kills trees too.

[@bluwtrgypsy]

We have two very huge beautiful copper beech trees in our town park that look very sickly. They have not leafed much this year, very sparse with foliage. So sad. Thank you, Adam.

[@bluwtrgypsy]

Love what you said about all our "wants". Amen

[@lorriewatson7423]

Thank you for covering this! I have a 25 acre wood lot in NWPA, with a lot of beech trees. They are sick, I'm concerned.

[@tribalismblindsthembutnoty124]

Keep an eye out for resistant ones! People will want its seeds

[@retiredusmc9090]

Seeing the same signs in NEOH

[@maxguldin]

Here in Ellsworth, Maine there are many beech trees with the diseased leaves. I have not confirmed the older trees as being affected but will take note of it from here on out. Thank you for the information. As for mushrooms it has been a banner year. Lots of black trumpets, Cow, Hen, hedgehogs, lions mane and chanterelles have been pickled, dried and frozen fresh and there still could be another month or two of foraging to go.

[@mayamachine]

hey I'm your neighbor in Otis Maine, nice to see your comment. my partner and I are about to look into this through soil biology science. if you look up Elaine ingham you can find out how soil biology works. Hope to cross paths, peace

[@skehleben7699]

I actually spend a lot of time in the woods and "communing with the trees". I say that with a wink but truly I'm very serious. Watching the bark rain down from the ash trees, they are almost all gone. There was an ash near where I live that was easily 200 yrs old, it would take 3 adults reaching fingertip to fingertip to surround the tree. Watching it die broke my heart. The woods don't look healthy and I get a dark sinking feeling when I walk through the woods.💀

[@louaymasri7873]

You put into exactly words the same thoughts I've had hiking through the woods for the last 10 years. Very sad. My child will probably never get to see a healthy ash or beech tree, just like ive never gotten to see a butternut or chestnut

[@markjones5561]

@@louaymasri7873 I used to have grand illusions of having a cabin in the woods to be closer to the trees. I now realize that that dream would really be standing vigil over a dying world. Still a wonderful thing, perhaps, but really all i'd be doing is watching over a loved one die and making them as comfortable as I can. Walking in the 'wild world' is now just saying a long goodbye to it. Watching the eden we had just fall away. All of us here might not see the end, but we are witnessing the end begin. In My time in the woods we steward I have seen the ash die, the oak die, the elm die, and now the beech. Once the tulip poplar and the hickories die there be little left. But I'm sure some disease or insect will be imported along with some cr@p we don't need, but really really must have (and cheap too), and dang with all the checks at customs, what's a few trees for having that new widget in my hand for a few weeks until I bore of it.? Sometimes, humanity just seems to be a cancer upon the world. :(

[@AdaptiveApeHybrid]

Yo same lol. I feel deep dread going into some areas with real obvious ecological disruption.

[@tomst9417]

In my area of southeast Wisconsin there are vast stands of dead Ash trees. I am wondering what will happen after the Emerald Ash borer kills off all the Ash trees, will they just die off , or will they adapt and start killing a different species of tree?

[@zachrowell6795]

@@tomst9417My hope is that once all the ashes are killed in a certain area, we can let a certain amount of time pass before replanting ash trees, and hopefully all the ash borers will have died from lack of food and the ashes will eventually grow back!

[@Stolensouls69]

Thanks Adam, I agree with folks wanting everything at their finger tips. And chemicals could be used, but we have so many chemicals in our everyday lives, in our foods, ect. And those you mentioned sound like more problems than they're worth. As always, love your work and can't wait for your next topic. South Central Pennsylvania here. Thanks for all you do...

[@forrestwestberry6868]

Excellent presentation 😁

[@KittyKeypurr]

🫂 never give up. We're listening and we're doing too (well...some are at least 😂). You make a difference in this world and I'm so glad you're here!

[@denniscleveland669]

Back in the day, there was this thing called “quarantine”. It’s one of those things that didn’t survive the “instant gratification” generations.

[@napakapa1046]

Quarantining is a good idea for most material coming from abroad, I don't think the "me" generation has much to do with globalized economics, which enables extremely fast and cheap shipping worldwide.

[@denniscleveland669]

@@napakapa1046 The “ME” generation is continuing to be a “ME” generation, which means that it’s no longer a generational thing. It seems, that most people no longer have any skin in the environmental game, so it’s not a priority. By the time they are aware, it’s already too late. Take moving firewood, for instance. In many states, it’s already a law, to move firewood very far, but I’ve seen loads of firewood travel from “upstate” New York, to downstate. That’s twice to three times the allowable distance. That’s local. Banana Spiders, fire ants and Asian carp are longer distances. All avoidable. Hell, even Covid could have been prevented. But, it’s the “ME” issue again. “I” can’t wait! Oh well.

[@napakapa1046]

@denniscleveland669 I'm not saying any of that is good or desirable, but the market is dictating a lot of people's actions. Yes, some people are just ignorant, but people also follow the path of least resistance, which often doesn't line up with ecological principles

[@r.guerreiro140]

Quarentine is still a common practice when it comes to exchanging living creatures between countries. But some small ones can just travel with us unnoticed, and the flow of people around the world keeps growing every year.

[@annamcleod6932]

Hello Adam! Greetings from Kingston, Ontario. Your viewpoint on this topic is very pragmatic. I love your videos. Your video about Lythrum Salicaria came up on my feed and piqued my curiosity. I truly enjoyed your unbiased information and quickly became a subscriber. As an avid gardener and nature lover, I consider your content inspiring. " He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end" Ecclesiastes 3:11

[@ericwid]

Thanks Adam. I literally live in a border county in Ohio where this is not reached my trees yet. Thanks for the information I am going to research this subject 👍

[@margieapostolos990]

I'm praying it stays away from Michigan!

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Yes, though the map Adam showed has a county in the thumb that has it…

[@Mr3bedid]

I graduated in 2011 with a degree in Wildlife MGT/ Environmental Science and am shocked at how much has changed in just 12 years. So many new diseases / species that came about after my graduation.

[@katiekane5247]

The loss of pollinators in north Georgia this year is over 90%. Wholly native area, no neighborhood chemicals. We're in big trouble 😵‍💫

[@donnaleveron5711]

Thanks to the geoengineering/chemtrailing the atmosphere with detrimental particulates so as to induce "climate change".

[@Jerseyhighlander]

You can thank the chemtrail spraying for a lot of it. Barium and other micronized metals saturating the ground, destroying the mycorrhizal layers, destroying nutrient uptake and making the trees susceptible to every pest around, but especially those that seem to be pouring in from China.

[@pendlera2959]

@@katiekane5247 It's not just about chemicals, it's also about the lack of native plants for the caterpillars to eat.

[@carolthomas770]

We have American Beech in S.Central Ohio forests. Very helpful video. Such a beautiful tree, with no heart, initials carved in!! Thanks for education, Adam.

[@torontocitizen6802]

This is honestly one of the very best channels on KZbin!!

[@roseagle]

Unfortunately, the sugar maples in our forests in NE Pennsylvania are also suffering some sort of blight which affects the leaves. Fall leaves are dingy yellow, covered with brown spots that resemble cigarette burns. The leaves brown prematurely and fall to the ground. Instead of the usual carpet of color, the forest floor is brown. As yet, I have not heard anyone talk about this, or also, the death of so many blue spruce trees, among other tree species. Thanks for the video, and for alerting us to the dangers of the "remedies". Someone stands to gain on the use of those toxins, and isn't going to be the majority.

[@GayNicholson]

I am seeing same thing in maples here in the Finger Lakes of NY.

[@trishalewisatphoenixfarm5495]

My maples - Vermont - are acting just like yours - the ones that get more sun exposure are the worst on my land .... Hoping it was a weather thing that will not repeat so the trees stay strong

[@michelecalder5245]

Anthracnose and maple leaf blister has been a problem up here in CT this year due to the wet conditions we been having all summer. From what I've read the infections will not kill the trees unless they are in bad shape to begin with. It looks bad but it's primarily cosmetic. Hopefully next year will be a drier year and this won't be an issue.. poor trees need a break.

[@roseagle]

Been seeing this for a good five years or more. @michelecalder5245 I hope you are right. And yes, It does appear to be associated with all the rain we've been having.

[@deborahwhit118]

It's spreading among the trees in MI too, most of the trees, bushes and vegetables are infected. Also have a huge problem with Oriental beetles. Thinking something to do with chemtrails.

[@daveinthewildOG]

I appreciate your constant reminders to be observational. And you show how observational you are in collecting your information. I wander some woods nearby me and you've given me a lot more to observe. Also your production value is good, and it gives me inspiration for things I'm working on in the world of KZbin. Your brand is well done.

[@audreytempleton4415]

Thanks Adam.. we'll be on the lookout here in West Virginia.

[@ritamcclelland3110]

Thanks for another great informative video. Trekking 4,163 miles mostly on Moraine in 2023 I really noticed a lot of saplings affected. Not as much so far this year. Looking forwards to running into you sporadically when you are adventuring my way! There is an absolutely astounding black birch and mature sassafras grove on Alexander Ridge worth adventuring to 😉

[@tylernaturalist6437]

Sad, in NY & NJ we get some extensive beech forests with some giant trees. I’d be sad to see the trees perish. The forest behind my house growing up was overwhelmingly made of beech trees, they have such an interesting look to them.

[@wtpollard]

I'm in northern New Jersey. Beech Leaf Disease is widespread in this area already, and in southern New York. The NYNJTC has been following the disease's progression here for a couple of years now. In South Mountain Reservation, near where I live, Beech is probably the most common tree in the forest, but most (80%?) of the beeches you see, hiking through there, show evidence of this disease on some part of the tree. I'm still hopeful it won't be as bad as this video suggests it could be, but Adam definitely knows more about this than I do.

[@AdaptiveApeHybrid]

I am from western NY and have such fond memories of stomping around beech and hickory forests in my youth

[@Maxaldojo]

Good explainer video, Adam. I live in Lake County, Ohio and work as a land steward for a local land trust. Part of my responsibilities involves walking conservation easement properties in eastern Ohio. We began noticing something effecting the beech trees in 2011. Some areas were immediately worse than others, though some of those beech stands have gotten worse and some have somewhat recovered. As you pointed out, root suckers sprout around more mature trees, especially when the larger trees are stressed. I think some of the mortality we are seeing, involves these suckers growing and then succumbing to BLD. This makes the forest look worse than it really is. That being said, it's harder to take/witness following the Emerald Ash Borer blowing through our region over the same time period. Thanks for all you do.

[@peterkilbridge6523]

Make that "...something AFFECTING the beech trees..." You should have gotten this in 5th grade. To "effect" is "to carry out", e.g. "The lieutenant put the captain's orders into effect". As a noun, it is the opposite of "cause": "cause and effect". To "affect" is "to have an affect upon", as in "Man's activities are affecting the beech trees". They used to call elementary schools "grammar schools" because they actually taught grammar, which is something that is good for English speakers to learn. They don't teach grammar now, so they don't call them "grammar schools". There's a lot to be said for truth in advertising. For the Forests, 🌿🙏🌿

[@JerryMraz.]

This is a must subscribe channel, should almost be mandatory. So much value here, thanks for what you do

[@mercury82jg]

I can't keep track of all the invasive things killing trees in Ohio. Asian longhorned beetle, woolly hemlock adelgid, emerald ash borer, sudden oak death, butternut canker, spotted lanternfly, chestnut blight... seems like there is a new one every month

[@uptoolate2793]

You forgot Dutch elm disease...

[@joekoenig9587]

As a resident of Lake County Ohio, (Painesville Twp.) I can say we have seen the results of this affliction more than most other areas. Although the Beech is not a tree with huge numbers here in the county, we have the Holden Arboretum which has seen damage in their population of American Beech trees. I’m not in favor of using your mentioned chemicals to try to limit this problem. The tree may overcome the infection in time, or simply be replaced by the silver maple, which grows in huge numbers in Ohio and other states. I hope the Beech is able to remain somewhat healthy… it is a beautiful specimen! Thanks for the update.

[@edwardworso4485]

I have a 53 acre property in Geauga County on the border with Lake County. We have a row of beech trees that we suspect were planted on the southern edge of the property line as a border marker a couple hundred years ago. They are huge. There is a corner anchor 240+year old maple tree as well on the property corner. We saw the beginning of this beech leaf disease in 2016. Used to be dark back in that corner. Now there is light and the undergrowth is all chaotic, full of multiflora rose, buckthorn and honeysuckle. It's a shame. We are hoping a solution can be found.

[@chrisgilbert9921]

Adams, Thanks for this information. I live in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan which has a significant number of beech trees in our hardwood forests. I was previously unaware of this disease, but will now be able to watch for it during my treks in the woods. Thank you.

[@dianebeier8379]

I'm from the western u.p.of Michigan, and saw the biggest stand of beech trees on a motorcycle ride over your way, 8 years ago, so awesome to see such a stand, hope they are still there!😢😢😊😊

[@brotherlittlefoot2216]

As a Horticulturist and Conservationist,I just discovered your channel and very happy to sub to you.

[@greenman4508]

It’s spreading fast in Maine. I’ve been calling it beech blight from ignorance. Whole forests are sick. Roundworms are evil. Remind me not to eat beechnuts. I’ll be out there with ivermectin trying to find the mouth of a tree. We haven’t had beech trees as big as the one you’re near in my lifetime here. They are all knobby bonsai types.

[@tribalismblindsthembutnoty124]

It was developed for humans suffering from parasites. It is on the WHO list of essential medicines for a country to ensure a stockpile. It stops cell mitosis for a set period. Not a big deal for a macro organism like us, but devastating to viruses and parasites.

[@timcgreen]

I heard an old timer talk about how certain species of mushroom mycelium kill nematodes in soil. May be something to explore.

[@sueyoung2115]

@@timcgreen Paul Stamets is a world known mycologist. He found out that oil spills and radiation can be remediated with mushroom mycelium.

[@f.demascio1857]

Not all roundworms are evil. Some species are vital.

[@greenman4508]

@@f.demascio1857 interesting. The ones I’ve interacted with were terrifying.

[@jonnybritnorth7966]

We last year re-introduced the American Chesnut in a small grove to bring it back as part of our reforest plan. The native American Chesnut was at one point 25% of the hardwood canopy of the USA. It was nearly wiped out by Chinese blight in 1926 onwards and is a rare sight today. We have a lot of beech. i hope this dose not creep south

[@erikjohnson9223]

25% of the canopy in *some regions* of the USA. It never even existed at all in ~75% of the USA. America is not solely Appalachia. Never grew in the Gulf Coastal Plain (except maybe in severe Ice Ages?). Never grew west of the Mississippi River until introduced by man. Etc.

[@charlesbrunett6324]

This is an awesome informative video! I’d love to see more like this on the different types of illnesses that our trees are dealing with!

[@jareds6611]

I have about 200 massive beech trees on the hill. I love how because of the heavy cover, there is almost no undergrowth where they grow. I cant even imagine seeing the landscape without them. Lucky my county is not affected yet but we are the only lone county in pa without the issue so its inevitable.

[@JeremyBertram-nd3wj]

I have beech trees that are huge on my property. So big it takes two grown men to reach around them. They made a bunch of beech nuts this year and seem healthy. I'll keep an eye on them. Thanks for the heads up. If you need Beech nuts, hit me up, I have plenty.

[@sammylacks4937]

This is the first I've heard of this problem. This will be tough to counter because diagnosis of infected trees will be difficult untill later stages. Beech trees are such beautiful and beneficial species. I hope they don't go the route of Chestnut trees. NC has a prob with Fraser fir and Eastern as well as Carolina hemlock. Thanks for sharing. I believe the first step toward eliminating invasives is educating everyone on what they are , their effects towards Indigenous life and how to help eliminate them from getting a foothold as well as proper removal.

[@StevenEverett7]

Very interesting. I live in RI. I've been on the same property of 26 acres for 71years now. In my wandering thru these woodlands I did come across a small grove of Beech. They have been there for as long as I can remember. There are only a couple of larger trees but others keep sprouting up and then dying. I'm afraid that within a short period of time this grove will disappear. 😢 I remember numerous Elms around the house when I was a youth, but they are all gone now. Several small ones keep trying to come back but after a few years they're gone. So sad.

[@Kris-bw7cv]

Haven't seen it yet in Western Massachusetts. Will keep and eye out

[@martheolesh9817]

I wonder if French Marigolds would help. Also, I wonder if Lindera Benzoin, and lots of them under the Beech, would help.

[@Jmjmjmjmjmjmjmjmjmjmjm1]

My favorite tree is hemlock. I’m worried about the whole wooly adelgid situation. My best spots are hemlock forests. Spending time in these places is the only thing that keeps me from losing it on a regular basis. Its probably pointless to worry, though. I’m sure much worse things are on the horizon.

[@coalbear1]

Only took 2 years for hemlock to disappear in my area. I am in the southern range.

[@Jmjmjmjmjmjmjmjmjmjmjm1]

@@coalbear1 yeah. I’ve been watching them die for years now. The big ones are dangerous, now. Widow makers.

[@doublevowels6905]

Fantastic video as always!

[@gillgetter3004]

We have some beautiful and large beeches here in Michigan. I noticed leaves falling early! First the elms, then the ashes, now the beeches tell me it’s not so😢

[@deborahwhit118]

Having trouble with the cherry and maple trees too....some type of blight and canker bacteria on the trunk.

[@Maelang2404]

Thank you for all your insights.

[@chelwesch68]

Thank you Adam.

[@russellbarndt6579]

Oh my I am so grateful for your interest and knowledge to share with those of us who little but "love our land"and your expressing what we do not know, thank you dude.!

[@elendil7]

Thank you so much for all that you teach us 💚. I believe that the long lasting effects and multi-layered damage done by the use of toxic chemicals makes them NOT a wise solution.

[@martinsplichal1581]

Thanks for keeping us informed. Cheers.

[@StoptheLie]

Excellent topic! Thanks for the info.

[@riverbender9898]

Thank you for all the information you provide.

[@electrohustler3621]

Outstanding video series. So much to learn. Thank you!

[@peterguercio9504]

Interesting and informative.. I am going to look for beech trees tomorrow on my walk in the woods. Thanks for making this video.

[@boxcamera1]

Well said, thanks for connecting so many dots in just a few minutes! Good work little brother...

[@jasonz7788]

great lecture! thank you

[@TediumGenius]

I love your channel! Thanks for the report! From the Middletown PA area.

[@terywetherlow7970]

@TediumGenius: Are you seeing any residual problems from that 3 mile island event?

[@TediumGenius]

@terywetherlow7970 Honestly, no. I lived a mile from the facility. I've been outdoors all my childhood, trained as a cyclist before the sport took off here, and listened to all the stories. We were tied to the plant with friends from around the world- engineers from a dozen different countries, and one who even worked with Oppenheimer. My assessment is this: there was radiation in the form of steam that was released, and it was technically a melt down, but it remained contained. There are some that are convinced high rates of cancer existed in one direction or another, but like the Kennedy assassination I'm sure the truth is unachievable- not necessarily conspiratorial- but just that we were not well equipped scientifically to confidently assess the event, and cancer is funny in that rates continue to rise despite having no other nuclear events, in the country in particular. What I did see was a working conservancy. In 20 years in the woods, I never saw what I do now. Red and brown fox, river otters, osprey, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, waterfowl, and the amount of owls we now have. I can only attribute the ban on DDT for this. Ironically, that action arguably caused the greatest number of human deaths from insect transmitted diseases like dengue and malaria in the tropics. (A parallel to what was said in this video- we don't even know what we don't know...) The Susquehanna river installed fish ramps at dams that had prevented migration of native species fish. Though MANY argue they are ineffective, the fact is that fish like Hickory Shad and stepped bass are now showing up in regions north of Middletown and into tributaries as well. Not prolifically, but to me it is an indicator that something has improved. Fishermen are more concerned about the invasion of not-native Snakehead catfish than most anything else for the past five years. When I asked our friend, a brilliant physicist and nuclear engineer, if it were OK to remain where we lived, he said "it is now the safest plant in the world- everyone is watching its operation and the cleanup more closely than at any other facility." I don't fear it, honestly. I DO try to get rations of potassium iodide (I may have the wrong chemicals here,) pills- that slow the uptake of radiation into the thyroid(?) In case of an acute emergency. They are supplied to residents who want them for free on an annual or biannual basis. Leaving here would also mean a high degree of likelihood that there would be another facility to contend with- given where it is almost all of my family is located. So, just one person's opinion, in part, for 35 some years as a resident, outdoorsman, and fisherman in the immediate vicinity.

[@caydancebloom]

Thanks for your encouragement to learn the land. You have been one of the people that encouraged me to get out and learn my land better. I discovered so many things, have made so many tinctures…. And I’m only just befonning

[@theunclejesusshow8260]

Well said. Stay aware

[@stevedbertram]

I live in central Illinois and Beech trees are basically non-existent here. I wonder if I started planting them here if they'd be physically distant enough from existing stands to avoid getting infected.

[@chrisquinty3726]

Thank you. Great information.

[@user-sy3ec5zx9b]

Iam in North Alabama I'll be looking at the beech trees .I recently bought this place and was very excited to see my beech trees..., reminded me of Kentucky 😊 thanks for the information!

[@zkablam4121]

What you said at the end there about us as humans wanting things and how that affects. Deep and true words.

[@markcummings6856]

Great presentation. Thanks for sharing.

[@Goaterd]

Thanks, Adam! Thought-provoking and informative, as always!

[@WaterN2WineCreations]

Hi Adam, I appreciate and share your concern for our natural environment. I think one of our founding fathers had it right ! Benjamin Franklin once said, “ An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We often just shrug off such words of wisdom. When you spoke of what some are trying to combat the disease, these are the words that came to my mind. Most often when we mess things up, we only complicate matters trying to correct our mistakes. What can I do? Well I think the best thing I can do is from this day forward live each day with educated understanding and consideration of my choices and their consequences and the ripple effects of those choices.

[@cherylgawne711]

I’ve been I the woods a couple to few times a day hiking with my rescue pack since I was 11. There are fungi growing I’ve never seen before All of the trees are stressed and struggling All species There are next to no bugs (Gilmour, ON) Also next to no turtles needing to be rescued. Complete lack of wildlife casualties on the road… Rarely see bunnies anymore (only in city) No more birds lining the wires This year in my area the animals didn’t eat the ripened fruits Normally the chippy’s get to all the berries first… they didn’t eat them this year Oh… and in the last month I’ve had more birds hit our windows then all 10 years of house being here Things that make you go hmmmm

[@victorhopper6774]

similiar here in central ohio. noticed the drop off in many insects started about 15 years ago. whatever it is is not getting mosquitos or ants though . bats were common in my barn and are now gone.

[@johnholland723]

So do you have any thoughts on what be causing life to die in your woods?There are plenty of theories to choose from.I believe that is the combination of pollutants that are released continually into our hydrosphere,as Adam points out.The great sadness for me is knowing that a relative few benefit from the destruction,orchestrated murder of our Mother Earth.Yep.I am doing everything within my financial ability to get my bees through winter.There was a comedian who does a routine about the arrogance of humans who think that they can save the planet. It does seem a little silly sometimes the extent of the various recycling efforts becoming mandatory. I mean by comparison to the damage that Monsanto and other poisoners are doing to us All.ya know?

[@MrPortajohn]

I think you're correct in thinking that it may be more damaging to the ecosystem as a whole and that should be a taken into consideration before spreading these chemicals around all willy-nilly, but I don't think you should highlighting those portions from the SDS without getting into what sorts of concentrations would be necessary for the treatment and how it degrades and how long it lingers in the environment. Those sorts of warning are present in tons of SDS papers. There's a line where every substance turns from medication to poison and that line is called dosage. Just saying.. Again, I do whole heartily agree we should take all those considerations, but I wasn't fan of the highlighting of those points from the SDS. It's a bit dishonest in my view.

[@KatySwiere]

Thank you as always for the thoughtful information on the state of our forests!

[@byv4480]

Very well said. Thank you for the information. Great video

[@jeremiahcorbett2944]

Love your message my man. Well said and keep it up.

[@exploreworldbirds]

Your knowledge & terminology is awesome 😊

[@christinekinn6178]

Adam, always appreciate your thorough explanations from an ecological perspective

[@e.lectricity6396]

Interesting. My kids call this tree the "elephant's leg" tree. It is certainly being replaced by sugar maple here in southern Ontario. Cottontail rabbits love nibbling the many sapling tips poking up through deep snow in the winter. They cause the trees to sprout into round little shrubs with their pruning. When the beech nuts are ripe, brown and grey and black squirrels sit in the upper canopies all through the middle part of the lazy summer afternoons, causing a gentle rain of shells to fall all the way down through the branches and leaves to the forest floor, just like music sometimes!

[@anemone104]

Good post, good questions, especially about 'having whatever we want, wherever in the world it comes from'. Over here in the UK we have a long list of plant pathogens that have been brought in with live plants or in roundwood timber imports, the latest being ash dieback disease (Chalara fraxinea/Hymenoscyphus fraxineus).

[@terryrogers-kulick9499]

Adam, What a great informative video including all types many different types of trees and fungi. Best wishes to many more!

[@reccocon3442]

Enjoying and learning from your excellent knowledge. Thank you for that and your stewardship of our eastern forests.

[@Ladythyme]

Thanks for this.

[@thorfinn_uzumaki8718]

Great content as always. Thank you for the interesting information

[@savage22bolt32]

Thank you for reporting facts and not browbeating me with an agenda! PS, I checked out the list of your videos and am now subbed! PPS, My neighbor had a beech taken down and gave me the trunk wood for my stove. Man, that stuff was hard to split!

[@jharbo1]

Hey, Adam, I do not think we need to do anything. You said that the beeches are abundant. Perhaps they are too abundant, and so the more beeches, the more parasites, etc. About the die-off: the strong will survive. We still have elm trees that survived the blight. The life span of a tree is so long, we will not live to see the turn around, and that is sad. When I was in my 20s, the gypsy moths devoured the deciduous trees in the Northeast, so it seemed, and there was a panic, and terrible toxins were unleashed by well meaning humans. Well, what happened was that the trees recovered, and the gypsy moth were naturally reduced. Lots of animals took advantage of the moth populations. Down in Alabama, our pecan trees get nailed in some years by caterpillars...but they bounce back all on their own.

[@shelbydonaldson5862]

Yes it's a natural way of LIFE. I honestly believe the world would be in a better state if we'd simply slow down. Allow for more observation and recording rather than interfering and "fixing." We're on an amazing planet, full of life that pretty much takes care of itself. Trying to heal an issue with a micro lens just may muck things up in the macro level, ya know? We live in a cyclical world of seasons and change. We see new life and also death, times of abundance and times of desolation, always rotating, ever changing... our planet knows what it needs and will adjust accordingly. And when humans interfere, it'll adjust as well. I hope more will start to understand this. There's a beautiful example of the earth tending to itself and the life on it (starting with oak trees dropping acorns) in the book, Braiding Sweetgrass. It's a great read and I'd suggest it to all. And especially to viewers of this channel. 😊

[@theresapelham1918]

Yes I’ve always noticed the beech bark disease and now will be looking for the leaf invader. I live in the northern escarpment of the Catskills in the Black Dome Valley Maplecrest NY Love your work and vids and found you many moons ago You are appreciated!

[@geoffreyvanpelt6147]

Some leaders in the Permaculture Design philosophy say that "The problem is the solution." It may be that there is an insect or some other creature that likes to eat those nematodes. Or companion planting may help.

[@samuelbuckner1088]

Appreciate you making this video

[@kathys7283]

Thank you for your channel. New subscriber. I remember collecting chestnuts 50ish years ago. I so miss those trees.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

😮thanks for this information

[@ianhorsham7751]

Thanks Adam. I also share your concerns about that cure. I sometimes think we are far too arrogant as a species and sometimes nature has the answer already. Sometimes it is hard to swallow but in the end life continues whatever form it takes.

[@tashijoe21]

This was very informative. All your videos are excellent, particularly for me because i live in the same region and though i love the natural world i am woefully uneducated. I think many nature enthusiasts are and videos like this are extreamly important. Ive read many of the comments which have been equally informative. These fast paced and heedless times is undoubtedly part of the ecological distress but the earth is constantly changing. If we treat all life with respect and care this will bring the greatest benefit.

[@Dereplicate]

Beech Leaf Disease was super prominent in my area this year. Seeing heavy dieback as early as late July in sapplings. I wasn't fully aware of the disease, figured the Wooly Aphids had something to do with the dieback I was seeing. Seen more wooly aphids and black sooty mold this year than ever before. First emerald ash borer, then all the mature Pawpaw near us has been cleared/died off and now its just weak root suckers that wont bear fruit, beech bark and leaf disease are both evident in my favorite woods spot as well. I wish more people would focus on tackling these issues over trying to get us to Mars..

[@jeff6899]

As usual---from Start to Finish---Adam has provided a well-produced, honest, insightul, informative & entertaining video on an important topic that can impact our environment. I rarely pass up a chance to both watch & like his video's

[@moria841]

Great vid as always Adam. I wonder if nematophagous fungi could play a role in controling beech leaf disease!

[@tribalismblindsthembutnoty124]

I have a barn full of mice. I get a cat. I have a barn full of cats. I still have some mice. My chicken feed doesn't get eaten by as many mice, but my chickens are now in danger. Life is not a tree, its a fabric. If you pull on one thread the others move in response. Maybe its more like a soup. I move the carrot with my spoon and a potato comes in to fill the void. The only thing that MUST remain constant is the existence of the broth (sunlight, water, co2, nitrogen, ammonia to create energy).

[@victorhopper6774]

@@tribalismblindsthembutnoty124 eat some cats

[@tribalismblindsthembutnoty124]

@@victorhopper6774 I hear cat is very sweet meat. Better than chicken, but more expensive to grow.

[@victorhopper6774]

@@tribalismblindsthembutnoty124 free range cat is easy, just tie up a female in heat😁

[@thegiantswordworkout]

I really appreciate you! 💪

[@matthewh117]

Thanks Adam, great video. Love my trees!

[@takashimono]

Hey Dr. H! I heard you saying that you are on the show to report on things that are happening to the land on which you live and not to predict the causes of the diseases nor talk about the negative effects of the treatments. But I truly feel that in the future (if you're not doing it now) you will become more of an activist about the dangers of 'treatments' to diseases. You may not be able to voice your opinion at this time on this show, but your show may evolve in that direction. I hope it does. We've poisoned our world enough and it has to stop! Thanks for your fantastic video, Dr. H! I always learn from you.

[@LearnYourLand]

Appreciate your support!

[@mikenelson6939]

Nectria (late stage bbd) tends to effect larger beech trees whereas saplings are effected more by bld

[@pennyleonard3496]

TY for the VIDEO 😊 PEACE

[@rexwells4552]

I was recently in north western Michigan and noticed a lot of white oak trees that were dying in one area.Just curious what was going on with them. I thoroughly enjoy the videos you post.

[@momnboyz78]

I'm fron Northeast PA, same with the oak trees here also. Sad to see. Do you ever wonder what they're spraying our skies with?? Somethings not right that's for sure.

[@Vunderbread]

Thanks for making a video on this. More attention = higher chance for a viable solution.

[@Brocephus1776]

Adam nailed it. Wanting everything without expecting repercussions

[@zworm2]

I read about this recently a grieved. Beech is one of my favorite trees in the forest. Beautiful grey bark and hold its leaves, golden brown, when most others have fallen Perhaps a more ecologically friendly potion can be found to help? Ivermectin perhaps? Applied directly into the trees circulatory system? Such an effective anthelminthic with lingering effect.