EN
The potential impact of acidic fluorine type of pollutants on the dynamics of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stem bark and crown disease was investigated between 2004 (2007) and 2014 in three mature beech stands in Central Europe. The localities were 1.5 km, 7 km and 18 km from the pollution source: an aluminium plant. A decrease of necrotic disease with the increasing distance from the pollution source was revealed. Necrotization was highest nearest to the pollution source. The significance of the impact of necrotic disease was confirmed for the 2nd and 3rd tree classes. Necrotization was quantified using the indices of stem necrotization (ISN), crown necrotization (ICN) and necrotization of whole tree (IWTN). Over the period 2004 (2007)–2014, the values of ISN, ICN and IWTN decreased at all three localities. Significant positive relationships were found between the necrotization of the crown and stem of the same tree at all localities (Spearman’s correlation analyses R = 0.764; 0.597 and 0.755, P = 0.001; 0.01 and 0.001). Accordingly, the trees suffered from the necrotic damage at all parts in relation to their current health state.