Boxwood Blight in Turkey: Impact on Natural Boxwood Populations and Management Challenges

Abstract

There are approximately 1000 ha of natural populations of Buxus sempervirens, a small evergreen tree widely used in ornamental landscaping, in Turkey. These populations usually occur as an understorey in forests. Since the outbreak of boxwood blight epidemics in the Eastern Black Sea region in 2011 approximately 90% of the trees in the affected areas have died. In this paper we discuss the possibilities to save boxwood in Turkey.