The Preservation Society of Newport County (R.I.) recently enlisted Bartlett Tree Experts — No. 6 on the 2024 LM150 list — to help protect its historic and valued beech trees.
Earlier this summer, research scientists at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories announced their development of two successful treatment options for beech leaf disease: a foliar application for smaller trees and a root flare injection for large trees.
Matthew Borden, Ph.D., a Bartlett plant pathologist on the research team, said the disease has been spreading rapidly.
“Where containment and eradication are no longer feasible, we strive to develop Integrated Pest Management tools and techniques to protect individual trees or groups of susceptible trees,” he said. ”Our research team now feels confident that we can protect many beech trees in places such as landscapes and arboreta where beech are valued as shade trees, historic specimens and represent genetically diverse collections that should be preserved for future work.”
Beech Leaf Disease Treatment in Newport
Newport, R.I., is well-known for its collections of American and European beech trees. In 2023, the Preservation Society of Newport County experienced an increase in tree mortality from beech leaf disease. The Society sought the expertise of Bartlett Tree Experts to help suppress the disease. Bartlett Tree Experts recommended an Integrated Pest Management program to support beech tree health, and Bartlett arborists provided treatments to manage beech leaf disease.
“Having spent over 40 years in New England working with beech culture, I can never imagine not seeing beech trees growing in the forest and landscapes in New England,” said Jim Ingram, president and COO of Bartlett Tree Experts and Rhode Island licensed arborist. ”Beech trees are beneficial to so many other co-existing forest tree and ground cover species. It is also a critical species for wildlife and the integrity of the environment of New England at large. I am very appreciative of the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories and our eight PhDs who developed scientific treatment solutions to protect our beautiful beech trees.”
Further, where needed, they identified and addressed other common beech issues. Some examples included treating phytophthora root rot, beech bark disease, beech bark scale and other secondary pests and pathogens. Finally, the team assisted in implementing soil care and cultural practices, including proper mulching. These practices help beech trees better withstand stress factors and the impact of beech leaf disease.
A year later, the improved health of Newport’s beech trees is noticeable.
“Without the scientific tree care solutions provided by Bartlett Tree Experts in the era of beech leaf disease, it is a very real possibility that Newport’s treasured collections of beech trees would be lost,” Trudy Coxe, CEO and executive director of The Preservation Society of Newport County said.
One notable success story is the magnificent weeping beech near the entrance of Chateau-sur-Mer. Unfortunately, the tree was in bad shape from beech leaf disease. However, it is now showing signs of improved health.
“Many of its leaves were shriveled, distorted and missing tissue between the veins; some buds failed to develop into leaves at all,” Coxe said. “This disease, caused by a microscopic worm called a nematode, can kill a mature beech tree within six years. Today, this tree and many other beeches in the Newport Mansions arboretum are looking much healthier thanks to a treatment applied by Bartlett Tree Experts, one of our Partners in Preservation. Bartlett reports that of our 250 beech trees, 60 percent are in good condition, 31 percent are fair and 9 percent are in poor shape. This is better news than we could have hoped for two years ago when beech leaf disease arrived here.”
