[pneumic]

The genteel American Beech is currently threatened by disease. Where I live in New England is covered in beeches, and starting last year I have not seen a single one that doesn’t show symptoms of infection: https://www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/delivering-mission/sustain...

[lithocarpus]

It's really sad. They are some of the most beautiful trees in my subjective opinion - I love the way their roots branch out a bit above the ground.

I went to see the largest / one of the oldest beeches a couple years back and it had died presumably of this disease. I visited another old growth forest in Pennsylvania too and all the old growth beeches there were dead. In fact, in that forest, though it had never been logged the only large old growth trees I could find more than one or two of, were hemlocks. The chestnut, elm, ash, and now beech all having been taken by newly introduced diseases.

[7952]

I wonder if this is an inescapable consequence of globalisation. It just plays out slowly.

[octopoc]

It’s the hidden cost of global trade. Hopefully reducing foreign trade can forestall further extinctions.

[mykowebhn]

Echoing the sentiments and information here. In California, there's Sudden Oak Death which is killing several native oak species. However, the tree which is most impacted by SOD seems to be the Tanoak, which is not a true oak, but which is a beautiful tree and is crucial to several ecosystems. Several species of fungi are associated with Tanoak, for example. Very sad.

[FergusArgyll]

And the American Elm, a beautiful very American-looking tree. Almost completely wiped out

[psd1]

The elm trees are gone from Britain. I grew up without them.

I'm looking for land to buy. I won't see my trees reach maturity, but hopefully I can get them established.

[dyauspitr]

All native North American tree species are dying. Chestnut is gone, Ash will be gone in the next 10 years, Beech is next.