Sudden Oak Death
SOD Blitz Results Meeting 2020 - virtual
The SOD Blitz Results Meeting took place Thursday 11/12 from 6-8pm
Watch recording of event: click here
Join this statewide online meeting to hear the results of the 2020 Sudden Oak Death citizen science survey, the "SOD Blitz." Dr. Matteo Garbelotto (UC Berkeley Forest Pathology and Mycology Laboratory) will give us a detailed update on the status of infestations, on both a local and statewide level, and tell you how to check the status of trees you sampled. Lessons learned during this year's adapted blitz due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as plans for next year, will be discussed. New treatment and diagnostic options will also be presented.
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The 2020 SOD Blitzes took place virtually and through independent sampling May 2-5, and were very successful! Thanks to everyone who put this year on track to be even more successful than last year! Stay tuned for information on how to join us for another virtual blitz program in spring 2021.
Learn how the 2020 SOD Blitz was adapted for COVID-19 at www.sodblitz.org
How our SOD Blitz worked:
- Complete trainings on your own time online (covers COVID-19 safety & blitz instructions)
- Receive packets to collect leaves individually (mailed to you OR pick up at UCCE Sonoma office)
- Attend a Zoom Q&A meeting (optional)
- Mail in your samples for free laboratory testing (postmarked by May 5)
Thanks to our partners at Sonoma State University's Center for Environmental Inquiry. Learn about these joint events here:
- http://cei.sonoma.edu/sod-blitz-galbreath-2020
- http://cei.sonoma.edu/sod-blitz-osborn-2020 *Este es un evento bilingue (Ingles y Español)
Virtual Oak Health Workshop recordings available
This past April, we hosted a series of talks on the challenges faced by California’s native oak trees and oak woodlands. Prerecorded talks were accessed online, then participants attended a live moderated Q&A session on Zoom that is now also available for viewing. Topics include:
- Conservation of Oregon white oak and CA black oak woodlands
- Sudden oak death and other Phytophthora problems in oaks and tanoak
- Wildfire in tanoak, CA black oak, blue oak, & interior live oak woodlands
- A new, non-native beetle threat to valley oaks
This workshop is for oak enthusiasts, landowners, natural resource managers, and foresters. For more information about the content of the workshop visit https://cei.sonoma.edu/oak-health-workshop
Learn more and access videos at:
http://ucanr.edu/OakHealth
For more information contact Kerry Wininger, UC Cooperative Extension, 707-888-5616, kwininger@ucanr.edu, or Chris Lee, Cal Fire, 707-726-1254, christopher.lee@fire.ca.gov
SOD Hike with California Native Plant Society -- POSTPONED
Due to COVID-19, this event has been postponed. Check back for a rescheduled date, or email kwininger@ucanr.edu to be notified.


See what we offered Fall 2019: SOD Info &Training Events
CLICK HERE FOR FULL INFO: Fall 2019 SOD events flier
SOD Blitz Results Meeting
Tuesday, November 12, 6-8pm, UCCE Sonoma Office, 133 Aviation Blvd #109, Santa Rosa
REGISTER: ucanr.edu/2019SODBlitzResultsMeeting
SOD Training Workshops -- ISA CEUs applied for!
1) Monday, November 18, 10am-3pm, UCCE Sonoma Office, 133 Aviation Blvd #109, Santa Rosa
REGISTER: ucanr.edu/SODTrainingWorkshopSantaRosa
2) Tuesday, November 19, 10am-3pm, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens,18220 CA-1, Fort Bragg
REGISTER: ucanr.edu/SODTrainingWorkshopFortBragg
Questions or need to cancel? Contact Kerry at kwininger@ucanr.edu
Thanks for making the 2019 SOD Blitz a success!
*Check back in Spring for 2021 SOD Blitz dates & locations*
Past information about spring 2019 Blitzes:
Test your trees for free!
Monitor disease spread in a rainy year, be on the lookout for new dangerous strains, and test oaks for SOD with OakSTeP
Things are not "as usual." Come learn to:
New this year:
- Leaves will be tested for the new and aggressive EU1 pathogen strain. Already in Oregon
forests, we need to look for it in California to have a chance of eliminating it if found.
- Introducing the OakSTeP program that will provide an easy and affordable way for licensed arborists, tree care specialists, preserve mangers and qualified government workers to test oaks for SOD. Join the OakSTep program for FREE if you register in person during a SOD blitz ($200 value), and get priority for sample processing.
- Thinking of doing something to control SOD, or have done so already? We'll have a questionnaire and important information and tips at the trainings.
- El Fairfield Osborn Preserve blitz es un evento bilingue (Inglés y Español)
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KRCB News Story -- Gathering Leaves: Sudden Oak Death Research
In collaboration with the University of California and The Center for Environmental Inquiry at Sonoma State University, citizen scientists in Sonoma County are collecting bay laurel leaves to assist in controlling the pathogen responsible for Sudden Oak Death.
Gathering Leaves (for show)
Published by KRCB North Bay Public Media. Also available at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ8_YByYWU4&feature=share
SOD in the News
Experts Warn of Surge in Sudden Oak Death Infections in North Bay, CBS News Bay Area, November 2019
KRSO radio's "Garden Talk," November 2019
KRSO radio's "Garden Talk," April 2019
Wet winter in Sonoma county may have helped spread virulent oak disease, Press Democrat, April 2019
Dry winter curtails fatal disease in oak trees, Press Democrat, Oct 2018
Sudden oak death rampant in Sonoma County after two wet winters, raising longterm fire risks, Press Democrat, Nov 2017
Sudden oak death in Sonoma County explodes, thanks to winter rains, Press Democrat, Oct 2016
Like tens of millions of matchsticks, California's dead trees stand ready to burn, New York Times, Aug 2016
This disease has killed a million trees in California, and scientists say it’s basically unstoppable, Washington Post, May 2016
North Coast rains a boost for sudden oak death, Press Democrat, May 2016
Drought slows spread of sudden oak death in Sonoma County, Press Democrat, Sep 2015
New effort to track Sudden Oak Death in Sonoma County, Press Democrat, Apr 2014
2017 SOD BLITZ RESULTS
Over 2,200 trees were sampled in Sonoma County. See Results here.
Surveyed Trees | Symptomatic Oak Nearby | Sampled Trees | SOD Positive Sampled Trees % | Estimated True Infection Rate | Symptomatic Surveyed Trees % | |
Sonoma-West | 1086 | 10.1 | 89 | 69.7 | 21.1 | 30.3 |
Sonoma-North | 187 | 7.7 | 68 | 27.9 | 3.9 | 13.9 |
Sonoma-East | 1018 | 9.9 | 131 | 64.1 | 32.9 | 51.3 |