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; Joe Verstandig, Living Collections Manager of the Newport Tree Conservancy; and Terry Sullivan, Executive Director of Aquidneck Island Land Trust.
Jeff Curtis, the Director of Gardens and Landscapes, and Jim Donahue, Landscape Curator will represent the Preservation Society. 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 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, including Ontario and Canada, affecting beech throughout New England and 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 in 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, who leads the Bartlett research team, commented, “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 sometimes frustrating, researching BLD has been very rewarding.”
Dr. Borden added, “We have not stopped there. We are constantly improving our methods and thinking long-term about solutions to balance efficacy with environmental stewardship.”
