Sudden Oak Death

A client of mine has some cupressus which are showing symptoms similar to those of Phytophthora ramorum ( Sudden Oak Death Syndrome ). Does anyone know where we can obtain the soil test kit for detecting this devestating disease? David.

 

I shouldn't expect that is affecting cupressus. Now if it would infect and kill leylandii instead of our lovely oaks I for one would be delighted....soon I have to cut 300 feet of the damn things.If i had room to get one round the back I would use a JCB rather than my hedge cutters. :(

 

A more likely disease is honey fungus to which Cupressus are particularly susceptible. S****e off the surface bark on roots and look for a white fungus and the black boot lace structures. Cupressus does not seem to have ever been a host for Phytophthora ramorum .

 

Trust me Geoff it is not honeyfungus. There is no sign whatsoever of fungal infection. All the symptoms point to Oak Death. My clients have tried to get advice from DEFRA and the Forestry Commission, but they don`t want to know. As for Leylandii, I agree they are no good to man or beast. When I worked in a garden centre I always tried to talk people out of buying them ( and I was the plant area manager ) and using Western Red Cedar instead. David.

 

It is probably not sudden oak death as it has not been recorded on cupressus. However experimental work has shown that they could be at risk.
It is a notifiable disease. Have a look at this web page.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/newram.pdf
It gives the contact details of the plant health inspectors who you have to tell if you SUSPECT it is on your premises, and I think you seem to fit that criteria.
Best of luck. Tell us what they say. i just hope that you haven't made the news with this one and that it is something not as severe.

 

Sorry Geoff for not getting back before now, have been waiting to confirm conifer species, and I hate to say it, but I was wrong, they are actually Lawsons Cypress, and yes, my clients have notified DEFRA and the Forestry Commission. Several times actually over the past 18 months, and have been told ( without anyone actually coming to see the trees ) that it is unlikely to be Sudden Oak Death. They were told that an " inspector " would be sent but he must have got lost. At the moment my clients are just acting on my opinion, and I really do hope I am wrong, but when it comes down to it these plants are dying and nobody in authority is taking responsibilty for proving, one way or another, what the problem is. I am not dull when it comes to pests and diseases and I am concerned about this problem. David.

 

Can you get some photos and E-mail to them? While it may be unlikely i would share your concern and I would rather have a diagnosis when after all your clients are just doing what the law says they must do.

 

That`s what they intend doing Geoff, the wife is a barrister so she is dealing with it. David.