Sudden oak death blitz in Sonoma Valley on April 27

UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County and US Forest Service seek community help|

Sudden Oak Death (SOD) is threatening the survival of tanoak and several oak species in California. Currently SOD is found in the wildlands of 14 coastal California counties, from Monterey to Humboldt.

Researchers have discovered that Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen that causes SOD, spreads most often on infected California bay laurel leaves. Some management options are available (sanitation, chemical preventative treatments, tree removal), but they are effective only if implemented before oaks and tanoaks are infected; hence, timely detection of the disease on bay laurel leaves is key for a successful proactive attempt to slow down the SOD epidemic.

SOD-blitzes inform and educate the community about Sudden Oak Death, get locals involved in detecting the disease, and produce detailed local maps of disease distribution. The map can then be used to identify those areas where the infestation may be mild enough to justify proactive management.

A SOD-blitz will take place in Sonoma this weekend. A group will collect samples at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27. Participants will meet at Sonoma Valley Regional Park at 13630 Sonoma Highway in Glen Ellen.

The community is invited to attend one-hour training sessions, to collect samples independently, then to return samples during daylight hours to a collection box at the training location by Sunday, April 28 at 5 p.m.

This meeting will provide all of the information and supplies needed participate in this citizen scientist project.

For questions, contact Sudden Oak Death Program Coordinator, Kerry Wininger at kwininger@ucanr.edu.

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