Abstract

Shigo, A.L. 1972. The beech bark disease today in the northeastern U.S. J. Forestry 70(5): 286-289.

The beech bark disease, as it exists in the northeastern United States, is caused by fungi infecting minute feeding wounds made by scale insects in the bark of beech. The principal fungus is Nectria coccinea var. faginata. The beech bark disease was known in Europe before 1849, and except for a few outbreaks, little damage was caused by it. The beech scale was introduced into Halifax, Nova Scotia, about 1890. But the first recorded outbreak of the disease was not until 1920. Many beech trees are killed and weakened in infected stands, although some trees seem to have a natural resistance to the disease. There was little real concern about the disease in the U.S. until the last few years, when industries learned to use beech profitably. Now there is a need for better understanding of the disease.

• © 1975, International Society of Arboriculture. All rights reserved.