News
Sudden Oak Death
On March 10th, 2004, the California Department of Food and Agriculture announced that the fungus that causes Sudden Oak Death (SOD), Phytophthora ramorum, was found at a nursery in Los Angeles County. Agricultural officials and the nursery owner responded rapidly to make sure that no infected plants were transported off the site after the infection was discovered. Sudden Oak Death has killed thousands of oak and tanoak trees in 12 counties in Northern Coastal California. At this time, it is considered unlikely that SOD will have a significant impact on oak woodlands in Southern California, due to our drier climatic conditions. University of California has taken a lead role in monitoring and developing responses to Sudden Oak Death. For more information on Sudden Oak Death, see the California Oak Mortality Task Force at http://nature.berkeley.edu/comtf/
For the latest news on Sudden Oak Death in Los Angeles County, go the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner's Office at http://acwm.co.la.ca.us/