The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has been made aware of an outbreak of beech bark disease in the campground area of MacRae Meadows. Beech bark disease is an aggressive fungal attack that results in tree death. There is no effective treatment at present. Working with the Stewardship Foundation, GMHG has secured the services of a certified arborist to evaluate and remove affected trees as appropriate. Plans are to have the tree removal work complete by the opening of the Games camping. The Games is planning a replanting program of red and sugar maples as they are not affected by the disease.