Some Aspects of the Growth of Beech Trees and the Incidence of Beech Bark Disease on Chalk Soils

Growth characteristics and the incidence of beech bark diseasewere assessed within beech stands, aerial photographs of whichshowed discrete areas of foliar chlorosis. Chlorosis was mainlyconfined to distinct soil zones which contained microscopicallydivided chalk. Compared with the non-chlorotic trees, thosetrees growing in the chalky soil type had smaller mean diameterand had a higher current stocking density. The incidence ofthe early (insect infestation) phase of beech bark disease wasthe same on the two soil types, but the second phase (bark necrosis)was more severe on the chalky soil.