Sudden Oak Death Surge

Davis, Calif. -- September 5, 2002 -- Researchers with the University of California at Berkeley and Davis have isolated living cultures of Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death, from branches and needles of coast redwood and Douglas fir saplings that are showing symptoms of infection.

The researchers say they're not sure yet how seriously the disease will impact these species. However, the fact that it has killed tens of thousands of oaks and tanoaks along the state's northern coast has researchers and government officials worried. Redwoods and Douglas fir trees are ecologically and economically vital to the state's timber, nursery, landscape and construction industries.

"It may take years before we can start answering questions about the ecological impacts of the disease on coast redwood and Douglas fir," said David Rizzo, associate professor of plant pathology at UC Davis. The researchers have only been studying the biology of P. ramorum in redwoods and Douglas firs for several months.

For more details, see UC Berkeley's September 5 press release. See also the Web site of the California Oak Mortality Task Force and the Calflora Sudden Oak Death page, which lists plant species susceptible to the disease.

Story from BASF Professional Turf's Growing Trends Lawn Care - www.growingtrendslawncare.com.