A Review of Propagation and Restoration Techniques for American Beech and Their Current and Future Application in Mitigation of Beech Bark Disease

The American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) has been impacted by the bark disease (BBD) complex throughout northeastern United States for over 100 years, but present in Great Lakes region only around 20 requiring acknowledgement of evolving context surrounding F. grandifolia. This threatens to remove a foundational tree species which is especially important ecologically wildlife habitat and mast, as climax successional species. We review advances propagation techniques with goal addressing their use rehabilitative restoration forests affected BBD. Natural regeneration artificial methods are addressed, along how they may be applied mitigation. Silvicultural interventions discussed that necessary protect release resistant seedlings promote persistence. An existing framework used explore decision making restoration. Nucleated seed orchards trees currently most effective practical method introduction BBD-resistant into northern hardwood forests.