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Background: In our neighborhood 75% of submitted Bay leaf samples have tested positive for SOD.* The most likely spread of SOD is foliar from infected bay leaves. Pramorum reproduces more readily on California Bay laurel/Umbellularia californica than on any other tree species; the moisture thriving spores are rain splashed and wind driven to other trees. Removal and/or trimming of Bay trees growing near your oaks may decrease the risk of oak infection. Per the USDA Forest Service: “the risk of developing P. ramorum canker in coast live oak appears to be minimal at bay foliage-oak trunk clearances of 10 m (32.8 ft.) or more.” Careful attention to Bay laurel is fundamental to limiting the risk to our oaks. There are many other foliar vectors, including toyon and madrone, but epidemiologically important hosts in California include in order of importance: bay laurel leaves, tanoak twigs and leaves and redwood needles. |
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Mike Perez
Cell 408-593-8715 or
408-294-4058
Tony Sierra
Cell 408-781-2143
1. Remove Bay from within 2.5 m (8.2 ft.) of the trunk of a susceptible oak.
2. Extend Bay foliage-oak trunk clearance to 5 m (16.4 ft.) where possible, especially in the direction(s) from which storm winds blow.
3. Prune low branches to obtain up to 5 m (16.4 ft.) of clearance in the lower canopy even if upper canopy bay branches are present at closer horizontal distances.
4. Eliminate poison oak climbing at canopy level within an oak or in adjacent tree within 2.5 m (8.2 ft.) of the oak trunk.
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