Sudden Oak Death (SOD) is a new, but widespread disease, affecting 18pt portions of europe, the eastern United States and central California.  The effects of Sudden Oak Death were first noted in California in the mid-1990’s, and the fungus Phytophthera ramorum was first identified in 2001.

For more background information, please refer to:
         Plants Affected by Sudden Oak Death (SOD)

Services by Pacific OpenSpace, Inc.

Remove Plants that Spread the Disease

Pacific OpenSpace provides a variety of services that can reduce the spread of Sudden Oak Death.  The first is to remove plants that may spread the disease to your oaks.  The most common plant to remove is California Bay (Umbellularia californica).  Rhododendron is the other plant that is know to spread the disease, but it is not common, and we are unlikely to find it on your property.  We keep current with the latest research on Sudden Oak Death.  If other plants are identified as significant disease vectors, we will control them as well.

Site Management

Spores in wet soil can splash up onto branches during the winter.  One theory is that these spores can infect the plant.  This idea has not yet been proven or disproven.  It is prudent, however, to trim up oak branches that are close to the ground, so that Phytophthera spores cannot splash up onto the foliage.

It is also worthwhile to open up the stand to improve air circulation.  It is possible that allowing better air movement will reduce the period of time that surfaces are wet, during which Phytophthera spores could infect the plant.

Links

California Oak Mortality Task Force
US Department of Agriculture