Sugarberry dieback and mortality

Michael Ulyshen; Michelle Cram; Scott Horn; Caterina Villari; Emilee Poole

Sugarberry dieback and mortality

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Michael Ulyshen, Michelle Cram, Scott Horn, Caterina Villari, Emilee Poole

Year:

2019

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, State and Private Forestry, 1720 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 3

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Abstract

Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) is a common native tree up to 80 ft tall that is found throughout much of the South, ranging from southeastern Virginia to South Florida and west to central Texas. High rates of sugarberry mortality were first reported in Columbia, South Carolina in 2009. The issue has since expanded westward beyond the Savannah River and eastward to the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia (Fig. 1). Although mortality is most conspicuous in urban and residential areas, large numbers of sugarberry are dying in forested areas as well. This is by far the most severe and widespread episode of Celtis mortality known from the United States and the cause remains unknown.

Citation

Ulyshen, Michael; Cram, Michelle; Horn, Scott; Villari, Caterina; Poole, Emilee. 2019. Sugarberry dieback and mortality. USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, State and Private Forestry, 1720 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30309R8-PR-02-19.