DoomsdaysCWSo,
@BrightFlame, here's what I found out about the nematode (Litylenchus crenatae mccannii) that causes #BeechLeafDisease . The best way to treat the trees is with a potassium-based fungicide (that would have the least environmental impact). Here's a couple of helpful links...
Beech Leaf Disease
This article discusses the cause of beech leaf disease (BLD), the lifecycle of this nematode (Litylenchus crenatae ssp. mccannii), the symptoms of BLD, and treatments.
"BLD can be treated in yard trees by injections of thiabendazole (like Arbotect 20-S). According to the label, inject 2-8 fl oz of thiabendazole for every 5 inches of trunk diameter and dilute with 16-32 parts water for one part chemical. For large trees (stems with a DBH of 8 inches or more), stems may be injected with up to 12 fl oz thiabendazole per 5 inches of trunk diameter. Always read and understand the chemical label prior to applying. Other products that show promising results against BLD are potassium phosphite, potassium polyphosphate, and other potassium fertilizers. The recommended application rate is 2 fl. oz. of phosphite products mixed with 14 oz. of water for every inch of diameter and applied at the base of the infected tree. Trees that have been damaged for multiple years may not be saved as the damage is too much for the trees to overcome. Long term research is still underway."
https://extension.psu.edu/beech-leaf-disease
Potassium phosphonate: use, advantages and environmental decomposition in agricultural crops
"Advantages of potassium phosphonate
Potassium phosphonate offers several advantages over conventional fungicides:
Lower environmental impact: It breaks down rapidly to phosphoric acid, which is less persistent in the environment compared to other fungicides such as fosetyl-Al. This minimizes residue accumulation and reduces environmental impact (Hofgaard et al., 2010; Graham & Feichtenberger, 2015).
SAR Induction: Provides broader and longer lasting protection by activating natural plant defenses, reducing the need for frequent applications and additional fungicides.
Safety and efficiency: Compared to many chemical fungicides, potassium phosphonate has low toxicity to the environment and humans. It leaves no toxic residues on crops, which makes it safe for human consumption and decreases environmental impact."
#SolarPunkSunday #TreeHealth #Fungicides #SaferFungicides #BeechTrees
