Management of beech stands infected by Cryptococcus fagisuga in West Germany

Abstract

Beech trees in an experimental plot in the Odenwald (southwest Germany), with different intensities of attack by Cryptococcus fagisuga Lind. since at least 1970, were observed from 1972 until 1982 in order to ascertain the role of scale insects in beech bark disease and to facilitate decisions for the management of infested stands. At the beginning of the research 13% of the dominant trees were infested by C. fagisuga. Until 1979 the attack decreased continuously, only in the dry years 1975 and 1976 did the number of trees with moderate attack increase. Since 1980 new infestations on previously uninfested trees have been observed. Eighteen per cent of the trees, which had been moderately or heavily attacked in 1972, died during the following years. The recovered trees exhibited pathological bark induced by the sucking activity of the scale insects. According to these results, practising foresters are recommended not to do a sanitation felling, if locally not more than 6% of the beech trees reach the attack class moderate or heavy.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings, I.U.F.R.O. Beech Bark Disease Working Party Conference

Citation

Bogenschutz, Hermann. 1983. Management of beech stands infected by Cryptococcus fagisuga in West Germany. In: Proceedings, I.U.F.R.O. Beech Bark Disease Working Party Conference; 1982 September 26-October 8; Hamden, CT. Sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-37. [Washington, DC]: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 115-119.