Good afternoon to Hudson Valley Horticulture newsletter subscribers.  

Keep an eye out for Beech Leaf Disease, a disease first noticed in 2019 across Westchester County.  This disease is associated with the foliar nematode, Litylenchus crenatae mccannii, and can kill mature ornamental and native beech species in as little as 6-10 years. 

Symptoms include striping, curling and a leathery texture within leaf veins and progress to withering and dry yellow leaves.  The symptoms are visible at leaf out and persist until the leaves fall at the end of the season. 

There is no current control or management for beech leaf diseases. 

Beech Leaf Disease – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

If notice beech leaf disease can be reported to the DEC:

  1. Take photos of symptoms, as well as the tree’s leaves, bark, and the entire tree if possible. Photos of leaves held up to the light, or taken through the canopy, make it easier to identify BLD symptoms.
  2. Email photos and location information to DEC at foresthealth@dec.ny.gov. Or you may call us via phone at 1-866-640-0652.
    1. If you have an iMapInvasives account, you may report through iMap instead (leaves DEC website) and cite the beech leaf disease nematode (Litylenchus crenatae mccannii).

For details, call, (914) 285-4640 or send an email to hnb23@cornell.edu

Best, Hillary Jufer

Horticulture Program Manager

Cornell Cooperative Extension Westchester County