The funding will be used for beech leaf disease as an emerging disease causing widespread dieback and mortality of american beech across northeastern forests

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Eastern Region awarded $120,340 to the University of Mount Union under the Forest Health Protection program (CFDA 10.680) on July 15, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2029. The project addresses Beech Leaf Disease, an emerging pathogen causing widespread dieback and mortality of American beech trees across Northeastern forests. The primary deliverable is a comprehensive nematode dispersal monitoring study designed to fill critical knowledge gaps in disease transmission mechanisms and pathogen movement across the landscape.

The research will analyze nematode dispersal data in relation to weather variables and host phenology to develop a better understanding of the causal agent's life cycle and spore dispersal patterns. These findings will directly support improved management strategies for Beech Leaf Disease in Ohio and broader Northeastern forest ecosystems. The project aligns with the Forest Health Protection program's mandate to protect forest resources from damaging insects, diseases, and invasive organisms through detection, monitoring, and research initiatives that enhance forest health management capabilities.

The mechanism of spread and transmission of the causal agent of beech leaf disease nematodes move across the landscape is a major GAP in the disease biology. Furthermore, understanding the timing and relationship to weather variables and host phenology are needed to better manage this disease. To achieve this objective, we will develop a study to monitor nematode dispersal. The data will be analyzed in relation to weather data to examine pathogen life cycle and spore dispersal patterns.