Characterization of Beech Bark Disease on Camels Hump Mountain, Vermont

Beech bark disease (BBD) has been present in Vermont for the past 60 years leading to significant changes in forest composition and damaging the characteristically smooth bark of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) in our forests. My project measured disease severity and other metrics of beech trees on the historic Siccama research plots along the Burrows trail. Comparing my data to survey data over the last 60 years provides insights into how this forest has changed over time. Additionally, I use spatial data analysis to investigate patterns of disease severity to learn more about how BBD remains in an aftermath forest. To investigate possible environmental factors contributing to BBD severity a neighborhood-based forest structure parameter (mingling) and elevation are investigated for correlations with disease severity. This study provides for the first time a characterization of beech bark disease on Camels Hump Mountain and considers if the forest on a steep elevation gradient has changed in the same ways as other research forests.