Washington Dept. of Natural Resources 2003 FH Highlights

Washington Department of Natural Resources

posted by:
USDA Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Region
Forest Health Protection

Washington Forest Health Issues in 2003

Washington Forests General Forest Conditions	Insects Fir Engraver Pine Bark Beetles Citrus Long-horned Beetle Western Spruce Budworm Douglas-fir Beetle Spruce Beetle Douglas-fir Tussock Moth Western Hemlock Looper Gypsy Moth Other Defoliators
Aerial Survey Overview Survey Results
Animal and Abiotic Drought Fire Bear Damage
Diseases Sudden Oak Death Swiss Needle Cast White Pine Blister Rust

Sudden Oak Death (SOD)

This newly discovered non-native disease caused by the fungus like organism Phytophthora ramorum was recently discovered in California and southern Oregon.

SOD has a large and growing host list including several oak species. While our only native oak species, Oregon white oak, is considered immune, local hosts include:

rhododendron
big leaf maple
vine maple
Douglas-fir
evergreen huckleberry
Pacific madrone
manzanita

branch tip affected by SOD

In the spring of 2003, SOD was discovered in a nursery in Des Moines, Washington on plants imported from an infected nursery in Oregon. All infected plant material in the Des Moines nursery was destroyed. So far, there is no evidence that this disease has spread to or become established in the natural environment of Washington.

In spring 2003, DNR conducted a survey of 33 nursery perimeters and five general forest sites in western Washington. Samples of symptomatic leaves were analyzed at the Washington State Department of Agriculture's plant pathology laboratory, but no Phytophthora ramorum was detected.

Additional Information

WADNR Forest Health Home

Washington Department of Natural Resources

PNW Region Forest Health Protection