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Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401. 222. 4700 | www. dem. ri. gov | @RhodeIslandDEM CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Thursday, June 22, 2023 Evan. LaCross@ dem. ri. gov
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Impact",sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5pt;text-indent:-.5pt"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">CONTACT: FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5pt;text-indent:-.5pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100
Thursday, June 22, 2023 <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><a name="_Hlk137630859"></a><a href="mailto:Michael.Healey@dem.ri.gov"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk137630859"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Evan.LaCross@dem.ri.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk137630859"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk137630859"></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><a name="_Hlk10454767"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">BEECH LEAF DISEASE IS WIDESPREAD IN RHODE<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">ISLAND: DEM NO LONGER REQUESTS REPORTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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<v:imagedata src="cid:image002.png@01D9A522.D9485E50" o:title="" />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="499" height="163" style="width:5.1979in;height:1.6979in" src="cid:image008.png@01D9A5B7.2F25E0B0" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"><![endif]><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE,
RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is advising the public that given the current statewide extent of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD), reports to the DEM
</span></span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/forest-environment/forest-health"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Forest
Health</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> and
</span></span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/agriculture/regulatory-services/caps"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Cooperative
Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS)</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> programs are no longer requested. DEM’s
</span></span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Division of Agriculture and Forest
Environment</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> (DAFE) thanks the public for their vigilance in reporting BLD, which
was </span></span><a href="https://www.ri.gov/press/view/38824"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">first detected in southwestern Rhode Island in 2020</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Since then, it has spread rapidly throughout the state and was officially confirmed in all five RI counties in 2022.<br>
<br>
</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Progression of BLD leaf symptoms. Photo credits: Alana Russell (left) and Fern Graves (center and right), DEM Division of Agriculture
and Forestry.</span></i></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">BLD is caused by the foliar nematode
<i>Litylenchus crenatae mccannii</i>, a microscopic worm, and affects primarily American beech (<i>Fagus grandifolia</i>), but also European (<i>F. sylvatica</i>) and Oriental (<i>F. orientalis</i>) beech. All ages and sizes of beech are affected although the
rate of decline can vary based on tree size. Mature beech trees may succumb in six to 10 years without intervention, and saplings in as little as two years. Early BLD symptoms include dark striping on the leaves, parallel to the leaf veins, and are best seen
by looking upward into the backlit canopy. Damage from the nematodes cause the leaves to produce insufficient chlorophyll, which gives leaves their green color. Later in the season, these dark stripes can become discolored yellowed bands. Eventually the affected
foliage withers, dries, and curls. Advanced disease symptoms include premature leaf drop, aborted buds, and branch and tip dieback.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Researchers have been working to investigate disease progression, transmission, and treatment. Currently, there is no defined
treatment for control of BLD in the forested landscape. For landscape trees, encouraging results have been
</span></span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr-core/divisions/division-forestry/related-resource/beech-leaf-disease__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PL9pKsymunr7MAMRpn1l184htiXUHp1vVa6s5YBPAohZqm_SZsiRrNt11eQ_XeNNw2ynJVRBfYKGPFVVwHnPHLz6AzXE8W4NV_l9$"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">demonstrated
by researchers in Ohio</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span> [ohiodnr.gov]</a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> and, preliminarily, in New England using a phosphite fertilizer
treatment to stimulate beech tree defenses. The product is applied two times per year between the months of May and August and can be applied by tree owners. It is also recommended that tree owners irrigate landscape trees with 1” of water either by irrigation
or precipitation, per week over the entire root area, which is approximately twice the diameter of the crown, to reduce stress. More details on these potential treatment methods can be found within
</span></span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/forest-health/current-threats"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM’s
BLD factsheet</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:307.55pt;margin-top:560.1pt;width:358.75pt;height:202pt;z-index:-251655168;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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is still unknown how the BLD-causing nematode is transported to uninfected beech trees. The vector, a living organism that acts as an intermediary host for the disease, has not yet been identified but it is suspected<span style="color:#002147;background:white">
</span><span style="color:black;background:white">that </span>birds are involved with transporting the nematodes. Until the vector is better understood, maintaining tree health and keeping tree stress to a minimum is the best defense. As research develops,
management options may become available that are suited to landscape trees but may also require long-term, repeated treatments. The cost of such treatments may not be possible to deliver to forested environments. DEM will continue to monitor ongoing research
for updates that may help protect the health and resiliency of RI’s rural and urban forests.<br>
<br>
</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">A declining American Beech tree infected with BLD. Photo credit: Heather Faubert, URI Plant Clinic Director.</span></i></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><br>
<br>
Additional information about the disease is available on DAFE’s </span></span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/forest-health/current-threats"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Current
Threats</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">
</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">webpage, and more information on potential treatment methods and research can be found in the University of Rhode Island’s
</span></span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://web.uri.edu/ipm/2023/04/beech-leaf-disease-in-ri-2023-update/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PL9pKsymunr7MAMRpn1l184htiXUHp1vVa6s5YBPAohZqm_SZsiRrNt11eQ_XeNNw2ynJVRBfYKGPFVVwHnPHLz6AzXE8c729QEK$"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">2023 BLD update</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span> [web.uri.edu]</a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
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For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit </span></span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Follow </span></span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PL9pKsymunr7MAMRpn1l184htiXUHp1vVa6s5YBPAohZqm_SZsiRrNt11eQ_XeNNw2ynJVRBfYKGPFVVwHnPHLz6AzXE8ciSXuPU$"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM on Facebook</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"></span> [facebook.com]</a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk10454767"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">,
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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</span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:41.2pt;width:50pt;height:85.5pt;z-index:-251657216;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="67" height="114" style="width:.6979in;height:1.1875in" src="cid:image010.png@01D9A5B7.2F25E0B0" align="left" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79">Evan
LaCross, MPA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79">Programming Services Officer, Social Media Manager
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#004678">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">401-799-0100 (c)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:gray">
</span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">(E); </span>
<a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171"> (W)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2">Follow DEM on
</span></i><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM/?fref=ts__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PL9pKsymunr7MAMRpn1l184htiXUHp1vVa6s5YBPAohZqm_SZsiRrNt11eQ_XeNNw2ynJVRBfYKGPFVVwHnPHLz6AzXE8TB9U0V1$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Facebook</span></i> [facebook.com]</a><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">,<i><span style="color:#0096D2">
</span><span style="color:#00B0F0">on</span> </i></span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/rhodeisland.dem/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PL9pKsymunr7MAMRpn1l184htiXUHp1vVa6s5YBPAohZqm_SZsiRrNt11eQ_XeNNw2ynJVRBfYKGPFVVwHnPHLz6AzXE8SoAeD76$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#002060">Instagram</span></i> [instagram.com]</a><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#002060">,</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">
<span style="color:#00B0F0">and</span> <i><span style="color:#0096D2">on </span></i></span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PL9pKsymunr7MAMRpn1l184htiXUHp1vVa6s5YBPAohZqm_SZsiRrNt11eQ_XeNNw2ynJVRBfYKGPFVVwHnPHLz6AzXE8aJdswxt$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Twitter</span></i> [twitter.com]</a><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2">.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
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