Mass Mortality of Beech (Fagus sylvatica) in South-West Hungary

• Main Authors: MOLNÁR, M, LAKATOS, Ferenc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2009-01-01
• Series: Acta Silvatica & Lignaria Hungarica
• Subjects: Fagus sylvatica; Agrilus viridis; Taphrorychus bicolor; Biscogniauxia nummularia
• Online Access: http://aslh.nyme.hu/fileadmin/dokumentumok/fmk/acta_silvatica/cikkek/Vol05-2009/06_lakatos_molnar_p.pdf

The mass mortality of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Hungary, which started in 2003 andwent on through 2004, is the result of a typical damage chain. Mortality appeared first of all in beechforests close or outside of its native distribution area. The most significant reason was the droughtperiod from 2000 to 2004, which weakened the trees, and favoured the development of different pestsand pathogens. Characteristic symptoms were frequent at stand margins and in stands thinned forregeneration. The direct causes of the mortality were insects, the green jewel beetle (Agrilus viridis)and the beech bark beetle (Taphrorychus bicolor) as well as the fungus species Biscogniauxianummularia. With the improvement of weather conditions a continuous recovery of the stands hasbeen observed since 2005.