Investigating the Economic Impact of Emerging Vascular Streak Dieback Threat to Redbuds in the US Nursery Industry

The nursery industry is a major economic driver in the United States, with an estimated worth of $4.5 billion. However, nursery production is often threatened by novel or existing pest and disease issues, and the economic impact of these threats can be devastating. The redbud production industry in the United States is currently facing production challenge due to vascular streak dieback (VSD), a novel threat that was recently reported in several states where nursery production is a major component of the state economy. Although the exact cause of VSD remains unknown, it results in considerable losses to nursery growers by reducing plant quality and marketability and increasing labor costs for necessary management practices. A multistate survey was conducted in 2023 to gather data from stakeholders within the redbud industry to assess the economic impact of VSD on redbud production and management practices. Forty-eight responses were collected from seven states: Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia. Most growers were involved in container production, followed by ball and burlapped, bareroot, and liner production. Over the past 5 years, 77% of surveyed growers reported VSD symptoms in redbud plants, with 2022 having the highest incidence at 30%. Symptoms were most frequently observed in summer (37%), followed by spring, fall, and winter. VSD was identified as the primary cause of redbud losses, affecting about 70% of production, surpassing winter damage, root rot, and other factors. On average, growers reported around $375,000 worth VSD losses of ∼25% in container plants. Key factors influencing future redbud production trends include growers having over 30 years of nursery experience, nursery size, the presence of VSD symptoms in landscape plants, the extent of container production, and the economic impact of VSD.