Something is happening to our local beech trees. The leaves begin to appear striped – that’s the first outward sign. But later stages result in heavily shriveled, discolored, deformed leaves, and small, weakly attached buds. Saplings have been known not to survive.
The condition has no known cause and spreads rapidly. But what is it? Is there any way of stopping it? Learn about beech leaf disease and how it is affecting Northeast Ohio woodlands from Constance Hausman, PhD, Cleveland Metroparks plant and restoration ecologist, during a presentation at The West Woods Nature Center on Wednesday, March 7th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Beech leaf disease was first discovered in Lake County in 2012, and has since spread to the Northeast Ohio counties of Geauga, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Portage and Trumbull. The disease has also been reported in other areas of Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania and southwest New York. Dr. Hausman presents in conjunction with the Native Plant Society of Northeast Ohio.
The West Woods Nature Center is located at 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87) in Russell Township and fully wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration is not required to attend this presentation. Please call 440-286-9516 with questions.
For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-286-9516 or visit Geauga Park District online at Geauga Park District, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
