Abstract
Beech bark disease (BBD) affects American beech throughout much of its range in North America. Initial studies in the Northeast led to the hypothesis that the disease is caused by the interaction between the beech scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga) and fungi in the genus Neonectria. It is often stated that the scale insect is a necessary precursor to fungal infection, although some reports offer conflicting evidence. I quantitatively investigated population densities of each agent and their relationship. American beech trees were injected with Imicide to study the effects of reduced scale population on lesion formation, but the insecticide proved ineffective on beech scale. Scale density and host tree dbh showed no significant relationship.
Increased scale did not result in increased lesion area. Scale density and lesion area were not significantly related. I conclude that N. faginata infects stressed trees independent of scale infestation in aftermath forests of Central New York.