What to look for: Experts warn of disease spreading through South Shore beech trees

Katherine Canniff, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read
A beech tree at Morton Park in Plymouth shows advanced beech leaf disease with loss of leaves and branch dieback.
A beech tree at Morton Park in Plymouth shows advanced beech leaf disease with loss of leaves and branch dieback.

The beech tree, with its gray bark and striking red foliage, is a staple of  the state's landscape.

American beech trees are native to the eastern U.S. and grow in most  states. Colonists brought European beech trees to this country. .Some European beech trees in the state were planted more than 100 years ago, according to Daniel Cohen, certified arborist and assistant district manager of Hartney Greymont tree and lawn care service.

But a disease, known as "beech leaf" is spreading through these picturesque trees, and local arborists want  people to know the warning signs.

"It's becoming fairly widespread through Massachusetts," Cohen said. "The more we actually look for this disease, we're finding it on beech trees."

Beach leaf disease affects and kills both native and ornamental beech tree species.
Beach leaf disease affects and kills both native and ornamental beech tree species.

People should look for prominent, dark striping on leaves. As the disease worsens, leaves will start to curl up and branches and twigs will start to die, Cohen said.

"Once a beech tree starts to decline, a number of other insects (and) disease issues show up and it basically becomes a community event where they all contribute to the decline of these trees," Cohen said.

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Trees suffering from beech leaf disease have been identified in Boston and Concord, Cohen said.

An outbreak of the disease, which can spread rapidly, threatened a large population of beech trees in Plymouth in 2020.

Beech leaf disease was discovered in Lake County, Ohio in 2012. Scientists do not know how the disease spreads, Cohen said.

The dark bands on these beech leaves are an indication of beech leaf disease.
The dark bands on these beech leaves are an indication of beech leaf disease.

Cohen said  people can take preventative measures to keep their trees healthy, especially during a period of drought  which can leave trees susceptible to disease.

Cohen recommends giving trees small amounts of water over an extended period of time. Mulch  around the base of a tree can help hold moisture in the soil.

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If someone discovers a sick tree, Cohen said that they should call a tree company with a certified arborist on staff.

Preventative measures are key to limiting the impact of diseases like beech leaf, because once a tree is infected, it can be difficult to limit the spread of the disease and there is no cure, Cohen said.

For more information on beech leaf disease, visit davey.com.

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To reach Katherine Canniff, email kcanniff@patriotledger.com

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Beech leaf disease threatens picturesque trees, catch warning signs