Dear Forpath colleagues,

I am sharing this message and image because I’ve never seen anything like this before on beech leaves or any other tree leaves. My first thought is virus-induced puckering, but I am not a virologist.

I’m not sure what the conditions were—like whether chemical drift played a role—but I’m sharing this in case anyone has thoughts.

Thanks,

Enrico

Pierluigi (Enrico) Bonello, Professor
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Fulbright U.S. Scholar (2023)

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Plant Pathology
201 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210
614-688-5401 Office / 614-292-4455 Fax
bonello.2@osu.edu / Website
Zoom: https://go.osu.edu/enricozoom

Specialty Chief Editor: Frontiers in Forests and Global Change – Pests, Pathogens and Invasions

FYI, I am currently on Faculty Professional Leave (sabbatical) until the end of June 2026.

From: Thomas.Macy@dnr.ohio.gov <Thomas.Macy@dnr.ohio.gov>
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026 at 9:45 PM
To: Boggs, Joe <boggs.47@osu.edu>; David.McCann@Agri.ohio.gov <David.McCann@Agri.ohio.gov>; Colette.Gabriel@agri.ohio.gov <Colette.Gabriel@agri.ohio.gov>; Bonello, Enrico <bonello.2@osu.edu>; Rotondo, Francesca <rotondo.11@osu.edu>; Martin, Danielle - FS, WV <Danielle.k.martin@usda.gov>; Yoo, Rosa <ryoo@pa.gov>; Carrington, Kristen <kcarrington@wvda.us>; Patrick Simons <patrick.simons1@maryland.gov>; Tim Tomon <timothy.tomon@usda.gov>; Koch, Jennifer - FS, OH <jennifer.koch@usda.gov>; Mason, Mary -FS <mary.mason@usda.gov>; Carey, David - FS, OH <david.carey@usda.gov>
Cc: Bethany.Tull@dnr.ohio.gov <Bethany.Tull@dnr.ohio.gov>; Godfrey, Lauren <Lauren.Godfrey@dnr.ohio.gov>; Heydt, Mikayla <Mikayla.Heydt@dnr.ohio.gov>
Subject: Interesting Beech Leaf Pattern

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Hello all,

I, and several others that I’ve heard from, have observed an interesting leaf symptom/pattern on American beech this spring, in several different places in Ohio – see photo attached and screenshot below. At the location I saw this, it was only on a few branches, so not super widespread, and the health of the trees seemed fine/normal. Beech leaf disease was present at the site, but it was very sparse/light overall (recently infested site). I haven’t had any luck running down what might cause this interesting leaf pattern. If you have any ideas, or have seen this as well, please share! Feel free to send this along to any others that might have thoughts. Thanks,

Tom

Tom Macy

Forest Health Program Manager

Tom.Macy@dnr.ohio.gov

Office: (614) 265-6705 | Cell: (740) 575-1370

Division of Forestry

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. H-1

Columbus, OH 43229

forestry.ohiodnr.gov

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