Beech Bark Disease (BBD), a complex of a sap-feeding scale insect (Cryptococcus fagi Baer) and one of at least three known Bionectria fungus species, was first identified in Michigan in 2000. Our objectives are to identify the distribution of Bionectria sp. and assess potential impacts on stand productivity, species composition and wildlife habitat. We assess scale density, tree vigor, radial growth, understory regeneration, course woody debris and wildlife snag density in permanent, fixed radius plots. Comparisons are made among stands with varying beech density and abundance of beech scale or BBD. Of the 15 stands measured to date, nine contain greater than 50% American Beech (Fagisuga grandifolia) regeneration. Bionectria sp. has been positively identified in all five sites with heavy scale infestation.
Species 1: Homoptera Coccidae Cryptococcus fagi (beech scale)
Keywords: American Beech, Bionectria
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