WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
As some of you may already know, beech leaf disease is making its way through the Catskills, finishing off trees that have already been suffering from beech bark disease. Beech leaf disease attacks both American beech and copper or European beech; This is the one w/ purplish leaves. I saw this beautiful copper beech in Tillson, Ulster County that looked like it was being attacked by beech leaf disease. Currently there is no known definitive treatment yet in New York State. Beech leaf disease can be identified by banding upon the leaves. Also, it seems to impact the tree in the lower canopy before moving throughout the rest of the canopy.
May the Forest Be with You,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association