What is it?
Phytopthora ramorum (fi-TOFF-thora ram-OR-um) is a fungus that causes a disease commonly referred to as sudden oak death (SOD). Since a North American strain was found in the coastal forests of several counties in California and a European strain has been discovered in European nurseries, federal and state regulations have been put in place to control the potential spread of the fungus. SOD is easier to say, but P. ramorum is a more accurate name. For example, Oregon’s most common variety of oak, the white oak, is not affected by the disease.

Should you be worried that plants you are buying are infected with P. ramorum?
Don’t worry! You can be confident that Oregon nurseries and garden centers are serious about selling only healthy and well-cared-for plants.

If it can spread, what’s being done about it?
The Oregon nursery industry is taking aggressive action to make sure that P. ramorum doesn’t become a problem here. A new state inspection program will certify that Oregon nurseries are free of the disease, so only healthy, high-quality plants are sold. Plant material from uncertified sources will be segregated, held and tested to ensure plants do not carry the disease. If a plant is found to have P. ramorum, it and adjacent plants are quickly destroyed. These steps will keep Oregon plants healthy and safe from P. ramorum.

How do I know if my plants are infected?
Ask yourself these questions:

1. Have you brought any plants in from other states or countries?

2. Have you ordered plants from a catalog or company in another state?

3. If yes, do any of these plants or the plants around them have unusual brown leaf spots or tip dieback?

Plants known to be susceptible to the P. ramorum fungus primarily include woody ornamentals such as camellias, rhododendrons, viburnums, pieris and evergreen huckleberry. Most plants are not impacted by the disease and it does not harm animals or humans. If you are concerned about a plant’s health, take a leaf sample to your local garden center for evaluation. Pictures and descriptions of the fungus and its hosts also can be seen at the Diagnostic Guide link at: www.suddenoakdeath.org.

How can I help prevent the spread of P. ramorum?
Oregon's oaks, tanoaks, huckleberries, rhododendrons and other plant species can best be protected by preventing further introductions of the disease to Oregon. By following these tips, you can help prevent the spread of P. ramorum:

Do not transport oak firewood or other potentially infected plant materials from diseased areas in California to Oregon.

Do not import potentially infected plant materials from Europe.

Do not mail order plant materials from unreliable sources.

If you visit diseased areas, wash your vehicle and shoes before traveling to disease-free areas. This includes mountain bikes ridden in areas with the disease.

If you think you see a host plant with suspicious disease symptoms, report it to the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture or the Oregon Dept. of Forestry immediately.
 

Copyright 2004