TREE TIPS

Beech leaf disease

TREE & SHRUB CARE FROM BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS

Root Invigoration by Tom Smiley, PhD

by Andrew L. Loyd, PhD, Plant Pathologist
One of the most effective ways to damaging roots. Once the area is
Beech leaf disease (BLD) is an treat soil compaction and tree decline tilled, organic amendments including
emerging disease caused by a is with Bartlett’s Root InvigorationTM biochar and fertilizer will be applied
nematode, or microscopic worm. All program. This revolutionary program and then incorporated into the soil.
cultivars of American and European was developed by the Bartlett Tree Next, mulch is applied over the root-
beech are susceptible. BLD was first Research Laboratories. invigorated soil. Mulch reduces summer
observed near Cleveland, Ohio, soil temperature, reduces water
The treatment program begins with
in 2012. Since its initial detection, evaporation, and provides a future
an evaluation of the tree and its site. If
the disease has been observed in source of organic matter. All that is left
the tree is considered to be capable of
to do is to water the area each day for
responding to treatment, soil samples
the next week or so to activate the full
are collected to ascertain the exact
potential of the treatment.
needs of the tree. A Bartlett Arborist
Representative will determine the size Bartlett’s Root Invigoration is one of
of the treatment area and which soil the unique services provided by Bartlett
amendments are needed. Tree Experts. Contact your Bartlett
Arborist Representative to find out if
When the crew arrives, they will
your trees are suitable candidates for
remove any turf that remains in the
the Root Invigoration process.
treatment area. Soil will be tilled using
high pressure air with a tool called
Looking up into the canopy of a beech tree, dark an AirSpadeTM. The beauty of this
stripes on leaves are visible symptoms of BLD. tool is that it tills the soil without
14 additional states from Virginia
to Maine, and in Ontario, Canada.
BLD is caused by a foliar-feeding
nematode, Litylenchus crenatae
mccannii, a subspecies of a recently
described nematode infecting
Japanese beech in Japan, where it
causes a mild disease. In the United
States, however, beech infected with
this nematode have been observed
dying as early as six years from the
onset of symptoms.
Symptoms
Early symptoms of BLD include
distinct striping between the leaf
veins and darkening and/or chlorosis
of the infested area. Symptoms
typically progress from the bottom
of the canopy upward; however,
they can also be observed randomly
scattered throughout the canopy.

Continued on page 2
Beech leaf disease
(continued from page 1)

Symptoms can be confused with

leaf galls caused by erineum
mites or damage caused by
specific aphids. From the top
of the leaves, the discoloration
between veins often appears
cupped or puckered.
After successive years of
infestation, leaves become
deformed and have a thickened, Leaves with abnormal coloration and
almost leathery texture. By growth between the veins caused by BLD.
this stage the photosynthetic The beech tree at right is showing the
effects of several years of the disease.
function is reduced, and trees
cannot produce the carbohydrates needed for overwintering
and vigorous growth. This stresses the tree and predisposes it
to other secondary stresses. Severe nematode damage within
buds contributes to the tree aborting leaf buds; twig dieback
can follow. Recently, experimental data have demonstrated
effective treatments with a product applied to beech trees in
late summer during the nematode dispersal period. Contact
your local Bartlett Arborist Representative today to have
your beech trees examined and tested for this disease.

Spring is here!
Contact us to schedule
a complimentary
property inspection. Late stage, severely damaged terminal leaves
contrasted with older, unaffected leaves.

NATURAL WONDER
Cauliflory
We expect to see flowers and fruit on a tree’s new growth and leafy
The fruit or flowers of some
shoots. However, there are some trees that grow flowers and fruit trees grow directly on the
directly on their trunks or main branches. This trait is called branches or trunk; this trait
is called caulifory.
cauliflory, and the plants are described
as cauliflorous.
Cauliflorous plants are found primarily
in tropical regions. There is one such
plant, however, with which North
Americans are familiar, the redbud tree.
In case you wondered, the vegetable
cauliflower is not cauliflorous!
FUN WITH TREES
Put up a birdhouse this spring
Many bird species will use a birdhouse. Bluebirds, purple martins, house
wrens, chickadees, tree swallows and house sparrows are some common
ones. Visit nestwatch.org to find out which birds nest in your region and
habitat (nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/right-bird-right-house/).
To attract specific birds, select a house that meets their particular needs.
Requirements include using a proper house design with the right size
entrance hole and hanging the house at the right height to attract the birds
you want. It is also important to pick an appropriate location that is hard
for predators to reach.

TREE FOCUS
Flowering cherries (Prunus spp.)
History
Flowering cherries are members of the genus
Prunus, which also includes peaches, plums,
apricots, and almonds. The profusion of flowers
in spring makes them extremely popular
ornamental trees; more than 200 species exist,
most of which are frost hardy.
Culture
◾ Require full sun and well-drained soil
◾ Easily damaged if planted too deeply or if mulch is
allowed to remain against the lower trunk
◾ Respond well to fertilization, which helps keep the trees
growing vigorously and able to resist pest problems
Concerns
◾ Bacterial canker, crown gall, and Cytospora canker,
particularly in trees weakened by transplanting and
environmental stress
◾ Root rot caused by Phytophthora, Armillaria or other
fungi is a problem in poorly drained, heavy soils
◾ Several species of scale insects
◾ Many species of defoliating caterpillars
◾ Blossom wilt, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and sooty
molds, which reduce leaf photosynthetic area and
disfigure the tree
Bartlett Management Practices
◾ Treatments from mid-April to late May are the key to
successful insect and disease management; at least three,
ideally four, applications are needed
◾ Till with an AirspadeTM to alleviate soil compaction and
control honey fungus/Phytophthora; combine with soil
amendments as appropriate
 Compliments of Your
Arborist Representative

SAFETY ABOVE
Work Zones for your safety and ours ALL ELSE by Alex Morrow, Regional Safety Manager

At Bartlett Tree Experts we carry cones, signs, and various

other traffic or pedestrian control devices on our trucks.
Upon arriving at a jobsite to perform work, crew members
designate an area where they will park the truck and
equipment, and then create a Work Zone. Designing this
area so that it won’t distract, confuse, or hamper the daily
life of the client or public is not always an easy task, but it
is important to being good stewards to the neighborhoods
in which we live and work. Bartlett Work Zones need to
be respected for our safety and for yours, given that they
serve to communicate and separate hazards and work being
performed from the general public.
and ask about entering the Work Zone. Communication with
Although only Bartlett Tree Expert employees should enter the Crew Leader will alert all crew members to stop work
the Work Zone, occasionally, for various reasons, a third when it is safe to do so and to clear all hazards from the
party does need to gain access while we are working. Should area. At that point the third party will be allowed to enter
this occur, please get the attention of a crew member first the Work Zone.

Published by THE F. A. BARTLETT TREE EXPERT COMPANY

877-227-8538 in U.S. and Canada • www.bartlett.com
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