Trees, Going, Going, Gone!
Sudden Oak Death is the name given to a complex of biological and environmental factors involved in the death of oak trees. Scientists have discovered a new species of fungus that they now believe is causing this disease which also affects rhododendrons and huckleberry plants.

Symptoms include seeping of dark liquid from the bark followed by a rapid change in the color of the entire crown of the tree from green to brown. Beetles and other fungi often attack before the trees die.

This action was taken with the support of the California Department of Food and Agriculture that is also working on the problem. Implementing regulations are being developed and will likely follow in the weeks ahead at both the state and federal levels to clarify any required actions.

"Great uncertainty continues to cloud this disease. Until we better understand how the disease spreads and how it might be controlled, the emphasis of the state’s program will be focused on increasing public awareness of the voluntary actions that everyone should take to help stop the spread of this infection," stated CDF Director Tuttle. Based on the existing science, CDF and the California Oak Mortality Task Force recommend thefollowing actions to avoid spreading the disease from infested counties into uninfected areas:

  • Do not collect and transport plant material from black oak, coast live oak, Shreve’s oak, tanoak, California huckleberry and rhododendrons.
  • Do not transport soil or firewood.
  • Avoid driving or parking vehicles in areas where they may become contaminated with soil or mud.
  • Avoid areas of damp soil or mud when hiking, biking, or horseback riding in areas that have the disease.
  • Before returning to an area that is free of the disease, do the best you can to remove or wash-off accumulations of soil and mud from shoes, mountain bikes, pet’s feet, vehicles, etc.

More information can be obtained from the California Oak Mortality Task Force web page at www.suddenoakdeath.org.

The Task Force brings together public agencies, non-profit organizations and private interests to address the issue of elevated levels of oak mortality. The Task Force is implementing a comprehensive and unified approach for research, management, education and public policy to combat sudden oak death.

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