Hi Michelle,

Thank you so much for reaching out to the UNH Extension Infoline regarding your beech trees.

We have unfortunately received several inquiries regarding beech tree issues throughout the state. As we have shared with other clients, a disease--Beech Leaf Disease (BLD)--is a serious and emerging threat to beech trees. This disease, first identified in Ohio in 2012, is caused by the nematode, Litylenchus crenatae, and leads to dark, banded interveinal leaf striping, leaf curling, and a thickened leaf texture. BLD can significantly impact the health of beech trees, causing severe defoliation and tree mortality over time.

For additional information about this disease, please check the following references:

Potential Impacts of Beech Leaf Disease
Beech Leaf Disease Fact Sheet
What to Know about Beech Leaf Disease (June 2024)

To address the beech leaf issue, we recommend sending a sample into the plant diagnostic lab at UNH Extension for a positive diagnosis. The link below provides the homepage, including the address to send the sample. The submission form link provides best practices for submitting the plant sample as well as other resources.

Link to homepage: Plant Diagnostic Lab Homepage

Link to the submission form for a plant diagnostic sample: UNH Plant Diagnostic Lab

To report a suspected case of beech leaf disease, please use the NHBugs reporting form.

To assess the overall health of your beech trees and/or possible removal, we also recommend reaching out to a NH certified arborist: NHAA List of Certified Arborists. An arborist can come to your property to assess the health of your trees and determine whether removal is needed.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your trees!

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