I am collecting leaves from 400 American Beech across its huge range! I greatly appreciate any help with collections. Anyone with a collection kit in hand is welcome to head straight to the protcol and begin collections. Otherwise if you want more information or help, please see below!
I'm planning my collections, and I'd like to strategize my collections (which you don't have to do, feel free to just get started!). How should I decide where to collect?
First noting all the basics listed in the protocol, with more explanation:
Trees should be of wild provenance / not planted. This is the bedrock of landscape genetics - the sequencing data is associated with its location and climate data. Planted trees are likely not from the area, and do not demonstrate natural selection, which will throw off the results.
Permission to collect. Reach out to Michelle if you'd like assistance finding a place or getting permission to collect.
Green leaves. DNA is degraded in senesced leaves.
If you're looking to go above and beyond, this is for you!: New/unfulfilled Ecoregions
We will be testing for population distribution against North America Level III Ecoregions, and American Beech covers 34 ecoregions. As of the 2025 field season, 25 of the ecoregions are unsampled (let alone we are looking for 12 from each ecoregion!). If you are near an area that crosses into multiple ecoregions, your collections from different regions would be immensely helpful! Please see the Collection Map below for help finding these areas.
How should I decide what stand/tree/leaves to collect from if Beech Leaf Disease has impacted my area?
Beech Leaf Disease is caused by a nematode that live in beech leaves, causing the leaf striping pattern. We are looking to sequence the tree itself, not the nematode, so--given all else from Q#1 is roughly equal--we'd recommend leaves/trees/stands that are not visibly impacted by BLD. However if the question is to sample or not sample, we would like the sample!
Can I collect from treated trees?
Yes. Treatment will not impact the tree's DNA.
How can I make a shipment from Canada?
We have received a kit from Canada via Purolator without issue. If you didn't receive one with your kit, email Michelle for the APHIS Letter of No Permit so you can print it out and include it in your shipment (no permit is needed).
See the handy collection map below! Press the legend icon in the upper left to understand the different 'layers', including:
Prospective sample collection locations [blue diamonds]
Received samples [red dots]
Beech observations from GBIF since 2000 (for a general idea of beech presence, not exact locations) [grey, translucent dots]
Public access areas
Level III Ecoregions (aiming to sample ~10 trees spread out across each ecoregion where beech is present)
Plug in your location using the magnifying glass to see potential collection locations near you (marked or not)!