Re: gardenwriters Digest, Vol 14, Issue 20

**S* H* <s*@saxonholt.com>**

> I know this is a serious issue... A CA invasive expert emailed me to
> say: "more recent information is that other nurseries in the area
> also are turning up positive on first test.  My sense is that SOD is
> probably fairly widespread in nurseries in southern California and
> this problem will get worse."
>

As the expert suspects, the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum probably can be
found not only on much nursery stock but most all evergreen plants in
Northern California.  I know it has been found on Toyon, Madrone, and
Manzanita and Arctostaphyllos.  As an airborn fungus, the only reason it has
not turned up more places is that it hasn't been tested.

It is going to appear more and more as more nurseries test.  The only reason
it was found in Southern California is because a nursery in Washington State
traced its infected plants back to Monrovia.

So that everyone in all parts of the country do not panic, remember it
exists on many plants as host without apparent harm.  Though it is still
such a new problem we must be cautious on all fronts. Different species
Phytophthora fungus are wide spread and well known in the agriculture world
as the cause of many diseases from the Irish potato famine to root rot.

While the name "Sudden Oak Death" has an obvious if unfortunate title, I
might suggest that journalist in our field be careful in using the term in
regards to other plants.  The fungus, Phytophthora ramorum appears on lots
of plants, Sudden Oak Death only manifests on certain Oaks.  It is silly to
suggest we don't use the term in our reporting on other plants but we
needn't suggest the appearance of the pathogen on other plants will kill
them.

Hoping to keep things stirrd up....

Saxon Holt

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