Brookline Department of Public Works, Parks and Open Space Share Information on New Disease Impacting Health of Beech Trees

BROOKLINE 一 Department of Public Works Commissioner Erin Chute Gallentine and Director of Parks and Open Space Alexandra Vecchio wish to share information about a new disease impacting the health of beech trees in Brookline and across Massachusetts.

Recently, many communities in Massachusetts have been experiencing an uptick in the spread of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD), which affects the health of beech trees. BLD involves microscopic worms, also known as litylenchus crenatae mccannii, which are suspected of killing native and ornamental species of beech trees by causing damage to the leaves. 

Evidence that emerged in late 2021 and early 2022 indicated that the cause of death of the beech tree at Saint Aiden’s Church was BLD. 

The Town of Brookline’s Tree Warden and Town Arborist, Tom Brady, has been working with tree experts, certified arborists, licensed pesticide specialists, and a UMASS Amherst extension plant pathologist to conduct site visits at suspected areas of concern since Fall 2021. The Town took tissue samples of suspected trees and submitted the samples to the plant pathologist for analysis of possible symptomatic indicators of the disease.

A treatment has been developed that may increase the health and vigor of trees and help them fight off BLD with their own defenses. The process involves treating the main stems of trees twice a year for multiple years.  

The Town has administered a first treatment to trees at Longwood Mall. The second treatment will be issued later this fall. It is unknown at this time if the treatments will offer resistance to BLD.

“We want to be as proactive as possible given the information we have today on BLD in the hopes we can protect and sustain many of our majestic beech trees in Brookline,” said Vecchio. “Our staff is working hard both locally and nationally to track, review, and disseminate the latest information on BLD as the research surrounding this emerging disease evolves.”

There are currently no known symptoms or signs that allow researchers to identify a tree diseased by BLD before it causes severe damage or death to the tree. 

For those looking for more information on BLD, click here. For additional information and questions regarding BLD, please contact Brady at 617-730-2088, or at tbrady@brooklinema.gov. 

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