 Since its discovery in
the mid 1990s, the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death (SOD) has been
the focus of an intensive research effort designed to understand its
biology and to develop management strategies that prevent or reduce the
spread of this disease.
Described as Phytophthora ramorum in 2000, this emerging and
probably exotic pathogen causes a lethal canker disease in several oak (Quercus)
species and tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus). The disease has
reached epidemic levels in many coastal forests of California and
southwestern Oregon. In addition to causing mortality in oak and tanoak
species, P. ramorum causes non-lethal leaf and twig infections on over
25 plant species, and these taxa are thought to play important roles in
the spread and persistence of the disease (especially bay laurel,
Umbellularia californica).
Sudden Oak Death Research Projects:
Learn what you can do to prevent the spread of Sudden Oak Death.
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