Rosecliff Forum Highlights Beech Leaf Disease, Other Threats to Urban Forests
The Preservation Society of Newport County will host a free forum, “Iconic Trees of Newport II,” on May 8 at Rosecliff to address the variety of challenges facing urban forests, including the causes and treatment strategies for beech leaf disease (BLD).
The forum begins at 6 p.m. and registration is necessary. Click https://www.newportmansions.org/events/iconic-trees-of-newport-ii/ to learn more.
Last June’s “Iconic Trees” forum drew a capacity crowd. This presentation is an update organized by a collaboration among Bartlett Tree Experts, the Newport Tree Conservancy, the City of Newport, Salve Regina University, Aquidneck Island Land Trust and The Preservation Society of Newport County.
“We are very proud to be combining forces with so many distinguished groups in this ongoing effort to combat not just beech leaf disease, but also other issues facing Newport’s arboreta,” Preservation Society CEO Trudy Coxe said. “This is a complex challenge and educating the public through forums like this is essential.”
Speakers will include Scott Wheeler, Superintendent of Parks, Grounds & Forestry for the City of Newport; Natasha Harrison, Executive Director of the Newport Tree Conservancy, and Joe Verstandig, Living Collections Manager of the Newport Tree Conservancy; and Terry Sullivan, Executive Director of Aquidneck Island Land Trust. The Preservation Society will be represented by Jeff Curtis, the Director of Gardens and Landscapes, and Jim Donahue, Landscape Curator. Speakers from Bartlett Tree Experts will include Jim Ingram, President, Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Loyd, Ph.D., and Matthew Borden, DPM.
“Newport’s trees are integral to our quality of life, our economy and an essential tool to mitigate the impacts of climate change on local flooding and extreme heat,” Wheeler said. “We have made progress replanting our public lands, but we are losing ground in our neighborhoods and in the battle to protect our trees against new tree pests and diseases. My hope is that this forum will give people ideas on how they can aid ongoing efforts to preserve our trees and to restore Newport’s tree canopy.”
Topics addressed will include the Newport Tree Conservancy’s role in managing Newport’s arboreta; the diversity of Newport’s arboreta with emphasis on beech population, both cultivated and native; the Preservation Society’s efforts to treat beech leaf disease across its properties; the latest methods for treating BLD in cultivated or natural settings; and managing native beech on conservation land. There will be a 30-minute question-and-answer session afterward.“The urban forest is presented with unending challenges, from climate change to a series of disease and insect problems,” Donahue said. “This coalition is coming together to address these issues. The forum on May 8 represents the latest in our ongoing efforts.”
Beech leaf disease, which can be lethal to both American and European beech trees, is caused by a type of nematode (parasitic worm) that feeds inside the leaves of infected trees. It was first discovered in Ohio in 2012. In the years since, it has spread to 15 states and Ontario, Canada, affecting beech throughout New England to as far south as Virginia.“The Newport Tree Conservancy is committed to the health of our urban forest,” Harrison said. “We are fortunate to partner with the City of Newport, Bartlett Tree Experts, the Preservation Society and Aquidneck Island Land Trust, who are dedicated to working together to ensure that the iconic trees in our city continue to flourish. Together we are planting for the future.”
Research scientists at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories continue to break new ground developing treatment strategies beyond characteristic spray treatments for BLD, including an injection option that has proven highly effective and greatly expands the range of treatable trees.“Understanding the significance of beech history, culture, concerns, and management is one of the most important things an arborist can know to be a good steward of the environment,” Ingram said.
Dr. Loyd, leading the Bartlett research team, commented that, “At times in the past eight years while researching beech leaf disease, I’ve felt as if there would be no hope for management. But through painstaking, tedious work we have now been able to find two successful treatment options: a root flare injection suitable for large trees, and a foliar application program designed for smaller trees. Although frustrating at times, researching BLD has been a very rewarding process.”
Dr. Borden added, “We have not stopped there. We are constantly improving our methods and thinking long-term for solutions of how to balance efficacy with environmental stewardship.”
About The Preservation Society
The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island, is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area's historic architecture, landscapes, decorative arts and social history. Its 11 historic properties – seven of them National Historic Landmarks – span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development. For more information, please visit www.NewportMansions.org.
About Bartlett Tree Experts
Founded in 1907, The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been the world’s leading scientific tree and shrub care company for over 118 years. The company operates the largest shade tree lab in the world, The Bartlett Research Laboratories, in Charlotte, NC. With the latest research from its team of 17 PhDs in fields such as soil science, genetics, plant pathology, entomology, and horticulture, the company provides species-specific tree and shrub care plans for its customers to ensure optimum growing conditions and health for beautiful landscapes. From tree inventory and management plans, insect and disease management and soil care, to pruning and removal, Bartlett’s certified arborists provide more than 188 services to clients from 189 operations in 42 U.S. states, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, with a training center in Mexico. Bartlett has the largest professional arboricultural consultancy team and safety advisory team in the industry. The Company’s corporate offices are located in Stamford, CT. To learn more, visit www.bartlett.com.
About Newport Tree Conservancy
The Newport Tree Conservancy is committed to supporting the health and resiliency of trees in Newport, RI. We are connecting our community with their city-wide arboretum and planting the next generation of Newport’s urban forest. Newport Tree Conservancy-Home
About Aquidneck Island Land Trust
At the Aquidneck Island Land Trust, we protect and steward the Island’s lands and waters for the lasting benefit of our community. With increasing development and a changing climate, we must act now — before we lose forever the unprotected farmlands, forests, open spaces, and places to play that make our island so special. https://ailt.org/
About Salve Regina University
Salve Regina University is a Catholic, coeducational institution of higher education founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1947. For more than 75 years, Salve has offered rigorous, innovative academic programming in the liberal arts tradition that prepares students to be global citizens and lifelong learners. More than 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world are enrolled at Salve in 48 undergraduate majors, nine master's degree programs, combined bachelor's/master's programs, and four doctoral programs. Every undergraduate student engages in Salve Compass, a transformational four-year program through which they develop the experience, skills, and wisdom required for a fulfilling career and to make a positive difference in the world. The University is also home to the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, a multi-disciplinary research center focused on the intersection of politics, policy, and ideas. For more information visit salve.edu.
