Condition of green ash, incidence of ash yellows phytoplasmas, and their association in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions of North America

About 50% of 1,057 green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) systematically sample d in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions had substantial dieback (> 10% of crown branches with dieback), and the average growth ring width duri ng the last 20 years was 2.9 mm. The overall condition of the population wa s rated fair. Ash yellows phytoplasmas were identified at 102 of 106 sites throughout six U.S. states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas) and three Canadian provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Mani toba). These phytoplasmas had not previously been known in Alberta, Saskatc hewan, Manitoba, Wyoming, Colorado, or Kansas. Incidence of phytoplasmal de tection ranged from 16% in Wyoming to 71% in South Dakota. Incidence varied in the range 41 to 67% across site types and crown dieback classes. Incide nce was highest in rural plantings, in trees with the most crown dieback, a nd in larger diameter trees. No significant relationships were detected bet ween presence of ash yellows phytoplasmas and radial growth rates of trees.