172 FOKESTRY WORK 



Scale Insect. 



Cryptococcus Fagi (the Felted Beech Scale). — The wing- 

 less females attach themselves to the bark, cover them- 

 selves with a white felt-like substance, and hve beneath 

 this, feeding upon juices extracted from the bark, which 

 on badly attacked trees dries and cracks, the tree dying 

 in consequence. This insect is about the most destruc- 

 tive enemy of the Beech. Affected parts should be brushed 

 with paraffin emulsion. 



Fungi. 



Phytophihora Omnivora (Beech Seedling Fungus). — This 

 disease attacks young seedhngs, sometimes before they 

 appear above ground, The stalks and young leaves 

 become covered with brown patches, and soon wither or 

 rot away. The ground that has been occupied by Beech 

 seedlings attacked by this fungus should not be used for 

 hardwoods again for several years. 



Nectria Ditissima (the "Canker" Fungus). — This 

 disease not only attacks Beech, but also Ash, Oak, 

 Sycamore, or, in fact, almost every broad-leaved tree, 

 but Beech and Ash principally. It usually follows in- 

 juries to the bark caused by scale insects, hail, frost, or 

 sunburn. It is easily distinguished by the rough curled- 

 up edges of the bark round the canker spot, caused by the 

 tree trying to heal the wound. In the late summer, white 

 patches a])pear on the bark round the wound, and on 

 these in the spring appear minute dark red globes. All 

 wounded parts should be cut away, and the cut surface 

 coated with tar. The white stage of the fungus can be 



