Brief Description: We will discuss the rapidly developing knowledge of beech leaf disease, caused by the nematode Litylenchus crenatae mccannii. What has been tried to manage the issue? What options may help, and what has been tried that doesn’t help? Learn more about management research and ongoing work to answer questions surrounding this challenging disease.
Presenter: Matthew Borden, DPM, Plant Pathologist with Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories
Bio: Based in Charlotte, NC, at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, Matt conducts plant disease and disorder research on a variety of landscape trees and shrubs to support arboriculture and urban landscape sustainability. He primarily focuses on broadleaf evergreen shrubs and several groups of hardwood tree diseases in the Eastern United States. A top research priority is beech leaf disease, a critical risk to forest and landscape beech trees for which Bartlett scientists have worked to develop novel management tools. Other interests include boxwood culture and disease management, tea crops, bacterial leaf scorch, and abiotic stress reduction.
Prior to joining Bartlett Tree Experts, Matt earned a Doctorate of Plant Medicine at the University of Florida, a program designed to provide multidisciplinary training in pest management, horticulture, and soil and nutrient sciences. He also completed a master’s program studying ecological services and sustainable pest management strategies with the Urban Landscape Lab at the UF Entomology and Nematology Department, a world leader in entomological sciences. His undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech and subsequent work in beekeeping, botanical garden collections, and in tree fruit production at the Alson H. Smith Jr. AREC gave him a deep interest in integrated pest management adaptation to a variety of situations and plant health care concerns.
ISA CEUs: 1.0 Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, Climber Specialist, BCMA Science
Tree Talk Tuesday Webinars are live; recordings are not available after the webinar.