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!

Note: TreeSnap survey and collection protocol in process of being updated (as of March 19, 2026).

Contact Michelle at michelle.neitzey AT uconn.edu

FAQ

Collection questions

1. What are you doing with these samples?

   • Jargon version: We will sequence range-wide samples to facilitate genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history analyses. I will utilize these genotypes, and climate and geographic metrics to identify signatures of local adaptation and estimates of genetic offset.

   • In other words, I'll be comparing the DNA of trees across the range to learn how genetic variation is distributed across the landscape, and which genes are linked to climate adaptation.

2. 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 37 ecoregions. As of the 2025 field season, 26 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.

3. 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 beech leaf disease (or beech bark disease). However if the question is to sample or not sample, we would like the sample!

4. Can I collect from treated trees?

   • Yes. Treatment will not impact the tree's DNA.

5. 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).

Helpful resources below:

Ecoregion collection plan by the numbers (Google Sheet)

Map of ecoregions, beech observations, and current collections (ArcGIS online web map)