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Forest Diseases

Authored By: C. Evans, D. J. Moorhead, G. K. Douce

Many diseases occur in southern Appalachian forests. Most forest diseases are native and a natural part of the ecosystem. Diseases can help to keep the forest healthy by removing weak or injured trees. They also can improve wildlife habitat by creating holes in trees and snags. However, some exotic diseases have been devastating to the ecosystem. These diseases are not native to the ecosystem and thus can spread unchecked, killing many trees and threatening the health of Appalachian forests. The biology, symptoms, spread, and management of these important diseases are outlined here.

Chestnut blight
This disease decimated the once abundant native American chestnut (Castanea dentata) populations in the first part of the 1900s.
Dogwood anthracnose
This disease is currently killing the majority of dogwoods (Cornus spp.) that occur at high elevations in the southern Appalachians.
Dutch elm disease
Introduced in the 1930s, this disease has affected mostly urban populations of American elm (Ulmus americana), but American elm is slowly declining in forest stands as well.
Beech bark disease
This disease has been in North America since the 1890s but didnt reach the southern Appalachians until the 1980s. The disease is caused by a combination of a beech scale insect and a fungus.
Oak decline
This is a slow-acting disease complex with interactions between biotic and abiotic factors that combine to stress oaks (Quercus spp.). It has existed in eastern oak forests since the mid 1800s. Oak decline leads to gradual crown dieback and eventual mortality.
Butternut canker
Butternut (Juglans cinerea) populations have continued to decline since this disease was discovered in 1967. An estimated 77% of the trees of this rare species have already been killed by butternut canker.
Sudden oak death
This disease has recently been introduced into ornamental nurseries in the eastern United States on non-oak hosts. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are most at risk but the host list continues to grow. The potential impact of this disease on the southern Appalachians is unknown but it could severely alter the biodiversity by decimating the oak population, one of the most abundant group of trees in the eastern United States.

Subsections found in Forest Diseases

Chestnut Blight
Dogwood Anthracnose : Dogwood anthracnose is a relatively new disease to the southern Appalachians. In the past decade it has killed millions of dogwoods (Cornus florida L.), particularly at high elevations in the Blue Ridge Province.
Dutch Elm Disease
Beech Bark Disease
Oak Decline
Butternut Canker

Encyclopedia ID: p1372

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Chestnut blight	This disease decimated the once abundant native American chestnut (Castanea dentata) populations in the first part of the 1900s.
Dogwood anthracnose	This disease is currently killing the majority of dogwoods (Cornus spp.) that occur at high elevations in the southern Appalachians.
Dutch elm disease	Introduced in the 1930s, this disease has affected mostly urban populations of American elm (Ulmus americana), but American elm is slowly declining in forest stands as well.
Beech bark disease	This disease has been in North America since the 1890s but didnt reach the southern Appalachians until the 1980s. The disease is caused by a combination of a beech scale insect and a fungus.
Oak decline	This is a slow-acting disease complex with interactions between biotic and abiotic factors that combine to stress oaks (Quercus spp.). It has existed in eastern oak forests since the mid 1800s. Oak decline leads to gradual crown dieback and eventual mortality.
Butternut canker	Butternut (Juglans cinerea) populations have continued to decline since this disease was discovered in 1967. An estimated 77% of the trees of this rare species have already been killed by butternut canker.
Sudden oak death	This disease has recently been introduced into ornamental nurseries in the eastern United States on non-oak hosts. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are most at risk but the host list continues to grow. The potential impact of this disease on the southern Appalachians is unknown but it could severely alter the biodiversity by decimating the oak population, one of the most abundant group of trees in the eastern United States.