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Sudden Oak Death

Wilted branch tip on Douglas fir tree infected with SOD pathogen.

Throughout California's coastal counties, tanoaks, coast live oaks and black oaks are dying in large numbers.  University of California researchers have isolated a previously unknown fungal species that causes Sudden Oak Death.  The fungus is a member of the genus Phytophthora.  UC scientists are conducting far-ranging research to determine how the fungus spreads and how it can be stopped.

Press Releases

• New UC Berkeley-led study reconstructs the Sudden Oak Death epidemic, finds pathogen is evolving in the wild (4-16-08)
• UC tries to stop northward movement of sudden oak death (5-03-06)
• UC Berkeley-led study shows that Sudden Oak Death pathogen was introduced (4-21-06)
• Wood rose found to be host of sudden oak dealth pathogen (4-1-04)
• UC Researchers confirm coast redwood and Douglas fir as hosts for Sudden Oak Death pathogen (9-4-02)
• Sudden Oak Death hits two more counties (7-9-02)
• Sudden Oak Death Facts (10-23-01)
• UC's California Agriculture magazine reports that Sudden Oak Death is confirmed in Santa Clara (3-7-01)
• UC researchers announce results that could complicate measures to halt spread of Sudden Oak Death (1-10-01)
• UC scientists offer advice for coping with epidemic killing California oaks (2-15-00)

Background

• Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 5-06)
• Sudden Oak Death Facts (Updated 5-06)

Print Quality Color Photo Images

• Downloadable high-resolution photo images to identify Sudden Oak Death and related pests

Experts

• University of California sources of information on California oak woodlands and Sudden Oak Death 

Links

• Proceedings of the Sudden Oak Death Second Science Symposium: The State of Our Knowledge Jan. 18-21, 2006

• USDA Forest Service pest alert "Sudden Oak Death Caused by a New Species, Phytophthora ramorum" (pdf)

• suddenoakdeath.org (Includes new symptom information and descriptions and photos of all known hosts)