Michigan beech bark disease monitoring and impact analysis system
Petrillo HA, Witter JA, Thompson EM. 2004. Michigan beech bark disease monitoring and impact analysis system. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor
Beech (Fagus grandifolia) bark disease (BBD) is caused by an interaction of the exotic sap-feeding beech scale (Cryptococcus fagi) and at least three species of Nectria fungi. Beech bark disease was reported in nine counties in Michigan in 2000 and 2001. The Michigan Beech Bark Disease Monitoring and Impact Analysis System (BBDMIAS) was created to obtain baseline data that will determine the impacts that the disease has on beech trees and northern hardwood forests. A total of 202 monitoring plots containing beech have been established in Michigan. Overall, Michigan's northern hardwood stands without beech scale and BBD were found to be in good condition in terms of productivity, mortality, and individual crown measures. Trees with scale had less photosynthetic material available based on average foliage transparency and crown dieback levels. Average mortality levels for beech were higher in infested stands and high scale plots had reduced tree vigor. BBD also reduced the radial growth of beech trees. BBD appears to be more advanced and/or having greater effects in the Lower Peninsula compared to the Upper Peninsula.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Petrillo, Holly; Witter, John; Thompson, Erin
- Date of Issue
- 2004
- Publisher
- University of Michigan
- Units
- PIRO
- Keywords
- American beech (Fagus grandifolia), beech bark disease, beech scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga), Canopy, forest fungi, Forest Structure, Mortality, Nectria, northern hardwoods