Follow up: On June 20, ODF Forest Pathologist Gabi Ritokova visited the site and confirmed the tree was free of Phytophthora ramorum, the causal agent of sudden oak death. Instead, she reports, "Briefly, there was no evidence of SOD; the bark was clean, without cankers. The leaves exhibited stress from drought and secondary foliage pathogens. The tree was under a lot of stress. Woodborers came in as secondary agents and are contributing to the mortality of the tree." Thanks so much for using the hotline to report suspect invasive tree pests and diseases!

Wyatt Williams
July 10, 2023, 10:42 a.m.