Eradication of Phytophthora ramorum from Oregon forests: status after 6 years

Abstract

Sudden oak death (SOD), caused by Phytophthora ramorum, was first discovered in Oregon forests in July 2001. Since then an interagency team has been working with landowners to eradicate the pathogen by cutting and burning all infected and nearby host plants. During the first two years of the eradication effort, all host vegetation within 15 to 30 m of infected plants was destroyed. In recent years this distance has been increased to at least 100 m, reflecting recent research findings on spread of the pathogen. On private land, all tan oaks (Lithocarpus densiflorus) are injected with herbicide prior to cutting in order to prevent stump-sprouting following cutting and burning. On most sites, follow-up treatments are necessary to destroy residual host material and stump sprouts that may harbor the pathogen. Following burning most sites are planted with non-host or conifer seedlings.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium

Citation

Kanaskie, Alan; Goheen, Ellen; Osterbauer, Nancy; McWilliams, Mike; Hansen, Everett; Sutton, Wendy. 2008. Eradication of Phytophthora ramorum from Oregon forests: status after 6 years. In: Frankel, Susan J.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M., tech. coords. 2008. Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-214. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. pp. 15-17