white stuff on beech

[armchairarborist]

i was told what it is, forgot what they said immediately:blushing: apart from the bit when i asked if the tree will be affected and was told it could be fatal. think my short-term memory is shot..

[Amelanchier]

Beech Bark Scale - Cryptococcus fagisuga

 

Not fatal. Whole bunch of little critters sucking sap outta through the periderm. Can lead to secondary infection by Nectria coccinea var. faginata and Nectria galligena which can lead to a disease known as Beech Bark Disease - which is more serious and can lead to tree death and greater susceptibility to wind related stem failure (a condition known as 'Beech Snap').

[armchairarborist]

that sounds familiar now Tony, the tree is fairly covered in it, right out to the tips of the branches.

[Amelanchier]

Messes with the bark huh - looks so much worse that it is.

[tommer9]

Excellent answer Tony. Thanks, i didnt know that either.

[armchairarborist]

any chance of it spreading to nearby very nice huge beech trees? im there again monday and get some pics of layout etc..

[Amelanchier]

Yep don't see why it couldn't. Resistance varies considerably between individuals though. Sometime to the extent that only one half of a grafted beech is affected with a sudden and abrupt end to the infestation at the graft line.

 

If the owners really hate looking at it, it is possible to scrub the affected parts with a mild detergent to kill/inhibit the infestation. Not really practical above the main stem but it would add a new dimension to the term 'crown clean'...

[skyhuck]

Great info Tony!!!