Origin

Sudden Oak Death is caused by a highly contagious fungus-like plant pathogen (water mold) named Phytophthora ramorum. It was first identified in Europe in 1993 as the causal agent of a disease appearing on the leaves and branches of ornamental rhododendrons, but not affecting European oaks. The same disease was identified in 1995 as the pathogen causing mortality in oaks in California. There are approximately 60 known Phytophthora that are closely related to Phytophthora ramorum (1). For the purposes of this Technical Note, SOD will be used synonymously with infection by Phytophthora ramorum.

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Last Modified: 11/20/2007