Sudden oak death is a highly lethal fungal disease of oak trees. The fungus that causes the disease, Phytophthora ramorum , is related to the fungus that caused the Irish potato famine.
Sudden Oak Death (SOD) has killed tens of thousands of black oak, coast live oak and tan oak trees in Northern California and southern Oregon since it appeared in 1995. In 2002, California scientists discovered coast redwoods and Douglas fir are also susceptible, as are at least 14 other plant species including azaleas, rhododendrons, maples, beeches and buckeyes.
To date, the disease has not been found in the United States outside of California and Oregon, but federal and state officials as well as the forest and nursery industries are concerned the disease may spread beyond infested areas. SOD
spores can spread through the air, but they are more likely to spread in the United States through movement of infected plants and plant products.
As with any plant disease, containment and early detection are vital. To ensure that any SOD infestations in Minnesota are found before they can spread widely, Minnesota implemented a SOD survey program in 2002. The SOD survey project was a cooperative effort involving the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the University of Minnesota, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
In 2002, the survey program collected 160 samples at 26 locations deemed to be at high risk for SOD infestation due to the source of the nursery stock and the plants' susceptibility to the disease In 2003, 304 samples were collected from 24 sites. Fortunately, no evidence of SOD was found in either survey. Survey activities will continue in 2004.
Sudden Oak Death (SOD) has killed tens of thousands of black oak, coast live oak and tan oak trees in Northern California and southern Oregon since it appeared in 1995. In 2002, California scientists discovered coast redwoods and Douglas fir are also susceptible, as are at least 14 other plant species including azaleas, rhododendrons, maples, beeches and buckeyes.
To date, the disease has not been found in the United States outside of California and Oregon, but federal and state officials as well as the forest and nursery industries are concerned the disease may spread beyond infested areas. SOD
spores can spread through the air, but they are more likely to spread in the United States through movement of infected plants and plant products.
As with any plant disease, containment and early detection are vital. To ensure that any SOD infestations in Minnesota are found before they can spread widely, Minnesota implemented a SOD survey program in 2002. The SOD survey project was a cooperative effort involving the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the University of Minnesota, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
In 2002, the survey program collected 160 samples at 26 locations deemed to be at high risk for SOD infestation due to the source of the nursery stock and the plants' susceptibility to the disease In 2003, 304 samples were collected from 24 sites. Fortunately, no evidence of SOD was found in either survey. Survey activities will continue in 2004.
