Beech leaf disease

Beech leaf disease is a newly discovered lethal disease of beech trees believed to be caused by the nematode Litylenchus crenatae mccannii.

[1] The symptoms of the disease appear as a dark green, interveinal banding pattern on the lower canopy foliage, eventually spreading throughout the tree.

The estimated economic and environmental cost of the loss of the beech in Ohio alone is $225 million.

[2][3] The disease is caused by a type of nematode that feeds inside the leaves.

[4] The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service believes that insects, birds, as well as human movement are all possible modes of transport for the nematodes.