Cricket's Article Highlights Importance of Local Tree Diseases

Posted

To the Editor,

Thank you for the excellent article regarding new and common tree pests that are attacking our street trees in Manchester ("Battling New and Common Tree Pests and Diseases," Manchester Cricket 8/2/24). 

I would like to point out that, unlike Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) and Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), the Oak Shothole Leafminer is "not usually considered a significant pest of oak, and the damage it causes typically does not have a significant impact on the overall health of the tree," (U. Mass Extension Urban Forestry Program).  BLD and EAB, on the other hand, are rapidly killing our Beech and Ash trees, respectively. 

As pointed out in The Cricket article, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories has been at the forefront of research to study Beech Leaf Disease, caused by a nematode that attacks the leaves.  On a positive note, as recently as March, experimental treatment trials showed that foliar treatment of the fungicide fluopyram, when applied at the right time, kills over 90% of live nematodes. 

A milder option that is promising uses potassium fertilizer to reduce the symptoms of BLD.  If you have a specimen landscape Beech, I encourage you to contact your arborist to understand the options and cost for treating your tree.  The Friends of Manchester Trees (FOMT) has begun treating several of our public Beech trees with a phosphite soil drench, applied twice each year. 

Unfortunately, it is not feasible to treat the ubiquitous Beech trees in our Cape Ann forests.  Without treatment, young Beech trees will usually die within 2 to 5 years, while older, larger trees will succumb to BLD within 6 to 10 years.  Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been around for a longer period and Manchester has already lost many of its large Ash trees.  However, there is a proven treatment that entails insecticide injections into the trunk.   Beginning this summer, FOMT and the Manchester DPW have partnered to treat thirteen public Ash trees from further EAB damage.

Again, I encourage you to contact your arborist if you have an Ash tree on your property.  For more information on BLD and EAB, go to our website HERE.
Jody Morse, President, Friends of Manchester Trees