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Beech leaf disease is a newly discovered lethal disease of beech trees believed to be caused by the nematode Litylenchus crenatae mccannii. The symptoms of the disease appear as a dark green, interveinal banding pattern on the lower canopy foliage, eventually spreading throughout the tree. The symptoms appear to progress through the buds and no new leaves are produced. This eventually results in the death of the tree. The disease has the potential to drastically alter the Eastern deciduous forests of the United States on its own and through potential compounding disease effects.

The disease affects the native American beech as well as the commonly planted European beech. 

Beech leaf disease can kill beech trees of all ages in 2 to 7 years, though younger trees appear to die more quickly.

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Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of this disease are seen in the leaves and include:

• Striping, curling, and/or leathery texture. These symptoms may be visible from leaf out in May until leaves fall off in October and are most easily noticed by looking up into the forest canopy. In early infestations, only a few leaves may be affected. Eventually, affected leaves wither, dry, and yellow.

• Reduced leaf and bud production may also occur.

• Leaf loss has been recorded only in heavily affected trees, but would be noticeable in summer months. A single tree can contain both heavily infected and unaffected branches.