Uh oh

Beech trees now a cause for concern
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/news/feb04/0220beechdisease.htm
Evidently some may be resistant-
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry/health/beechbark.htm

There are a few beech trees here that are in the 100 yr old category. Probably planted by nostalgic planters who moved from the north and east of here in the 1830s, i.e. they are on old plantation properties. I was thinking about planting some on my place. Guess I'd better reconsider.

gloria, I don't see many Beech trees in our area - I wonder if our heat and humidity exacerbates the beech bark disease. I'm going to give my county agent a call who really knows the plant history of our area, for my own curiosity. There may be a difference between the American and European beeches, but I don't really know.

It's been around in North America since 1932, and hasn't exterminated American Beech in that period . . . I'd rate it one of the 'lesser' diseases, causes some problems but not a wipe-out like chestnut blight or dutch elm disease. Perhaps more like oak wilt (NOT sudden oak death!) in seriousness.

European Beech suffers from it too, and is often killed when the trees are weakened by drought stress, or are planted on sites that are too dry for it. This can be a fairly big problem locally, but overall, BBD hasn't had a severe effect on the species.

Resin

Perhaps it's our dry climate. We routinely have a several month drought. It was particulary bad last year, because it started so early.

I little off topic, but does anyone know if the float test works for beech seeds? I received my seeds in the mail today and none of them floated when I put them in water.

I always refer to this website to find the native range, http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/fagus/grandifolia.htm Even though the map shows them native in my area, I don't think I have ever seen one anywhere around here.

Escambia. I found out awhile back that the float test for all species does not work. Depending on the species, some woody seeds will float and some will sink. When I asked, I aslo found out that some seeds absorb water faster than others. Some seed need to soak just for a few hours in warm water and some for days. I found out I was throwing good viable seed out from just going by that water test.

Now I give them all a good soak and put them all in damp peat to await germination. Now I get good germination of seeds. Was told that the soaking removes some inhibiting coat on the seeds, forget what it called, some strange name and that the seed has to have water to activate germination process.

It works for beech, very effectively. Empty beech seeds are very lightweight, and float easily.

Resin

Escambia. .. If those seeds you got today were from me they are the Elm you wanted.

I am suprised you don't have any Beech. There is all kinds of Fagus american up here. Some very old trees too. I gathered sevral hundred fresh seed off a huge old tree with a really nice form. Could be wrong, but I usually always try to gather seed from the biggest and oldest trees I can find.

I figure if they have lived this long then they probably have alot of disease resistant qualities. I look at the bark to make sure it doesn't have holes or trackes in it. I look at leaves to see if there is any spot s on them or bug chews, before I gather seed.

These are some beech seed that I ordered from a seed company. I did receive those elm seeds from you yesterday, many thanks for those.