The Beech Bark Disease Today in the Northeastern U.S.

Abstract

Abstract The beech bark disease, caused by fungi (principally Nectria coccinea var. faginata ) infecting minute feeding wounds made by scale insects (principally Cryptococcus fagi ) in the bark of beech ( Fagus grandifolia ), is well established in the eastern United States and is spreading. 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.