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Plants Killed by Sudden Oak Death

The Phytophthera ramorum fungus affects a wide variety of plants.  For most plants, the disease is limited to leaf and stem damage, but it can be fatal in some members of the oak family (Fagaceae).  The most susceptible species in California is tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflora).  The native trees that are killed by Sudden Oak Death are:

These oak trees are members of the Black Oak group.

By contrast, the members of the White Oak group are not affected by Sudden Oak Death.  Trees in the White Oak group include Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) and Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana).



Plants that Spread Sudden Oak Death

There is a long list of plants that are infected by Sudden Oak Death.  On most of these species, however, the fungus is not capable of creating spores and spreading to new plants.  While many plants can be infected and even damaged, only a few species are capable of passing the disease along.  For example an oak that is infected and dying of Sudden Oak Death cannot pass the disease to other trees.

Even though few plants are capable of spreading Sudden Oak Death, it is illegal to sell or move any nursery stock that is infected with Phytophthera ramorum.  For this reason, all nurseries, including the North Coast Native Nursery, are inspected on a monthly basis.  Our nursery has consistently been free of this disease.

Two plants that are known to spread Sudden Oak Death are California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) and Rhododendron.