Moharimet 4th grade students have made an important discovery on the school campus that will affect us all.
For the past four years, our students have been contributing to scientific research by monitoring and tracking the timing of budburst and the rate of leaf growth on five tree species in the Moharimet forest.
Starting in early March, students were assigned a tree and made observations 2-3 times weekly, documenting the date of budburst and then measuring leaf growth in millimeters until full size is reached.
The data collected is shared with the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program, a program supported by the United States GLOBE Coordination Office at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Leitzel Center.
The UNH GLOBE program supports research and citizen science by offering outreach opportunities to schools and supporting collaborative worldwide research.
While collecting data on Monday, May 12, students who have been tracking data on beech trees noticed that certain leaves were shriveling and turning black. One of the groups also observed a tree displaying bubbles on its bark with no emerging leaves.
Curious to learn more about this condition, Moharimet Math and Science Specialist Ellen Ervin contacted Oyster River alum Nick Lanzer, a community member and forester who has kindly consulted with the school in the past about trees.
After learning about the prevalence of beech leaf disease and beech bark disease, Ms. Ervin invited Mr. Lanzer to Moharimet to share his knowledge with students.
On May 16, Mr. Lanzer visited Marybeth Joosten’s 4th grade class for an informal question and answer session with students. During the session, Mr. Lanzer explained how serious these diseases are for the future of beech trees in New Hampshire and their significant impact on our forests, on New England’s colorful foliage season, and on biodiversity.
Students were able to examine data collected on the affected trees from the 2023-2024 growing season and confirmed that this is the first year that many of the leaves were showing signs of the disease.
The beech trees at Moharimet that have been displaying signs of both beech leaf disease and beech bark disease are in their second year, and a few seem to be on their third, which is when things get dire for the affected trees.
Thanks to the work of our Moharimet students, scientists have access to valuable local data to track the spread of beech diseases in New Hampshire.
There is no known cure for beech leaf disease and beech bark disease.
Community members Nick Lanzer, forester at Moreno Forestry Associates, and Assistant U.S. GLOBE Country Coordinator Haley Wicklein visited Moharimet to support the program.