Sudden oak death was first identified in 1993 in Germany and The Netherlands on ornamental rhododendrons and in June 2000 from dying oaks trees in CA, USA. This is a forest disease caused by the fungal pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. P. ramorum causes 2 types of diseases, bark cankers that may kill the host and foliar blights that may serve as a reservoir for the pathogen. At present there are 38 species known to be susceptible to this pathogen, 22 of these are recognized as regulated hosts by the USDA APHIS. This fungal disease has not been found in VT.

Additional Resources:

• SOD Emergency Federal Order Restricting movement of nursery stock from CA, OR and WA
• National Agricultural Pest Information System
• Invasive Species of Concern
• North Central Pest Management Center
• US Forest Service
• USDA APHIS
• University of California
• California Oak Task Force
• Purdue pest alert
• State of California
• State of Oregon
• State of Washington