I saw a spot on CNN or the like on an epidemic in Californias Oaks. Seemed some sort of canker like symtoms.

Any news on the cause?

Reply to post by jps, on June 17, 2000 at 15:22:48:

Unfortunately I missed the details in the media news about this.
However, the magazine Western Arborist (vol.26 number 1 Spring 2000) has an article by Tedmund Swieci in which he reviews the problem of dieback and moortality in Tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) in Marin Co, CA.
It is a long and complex article, so I can't summarize it here. But he addresses the issue of stress, fungal agents, and the need for further research.

Reply to post by Mark Goodwin, on June 17, 2000 at 15:22:48:

I attended a seminar last month and this was one of the topics. Dr. Pavel Svhira of UCCE of Marin county was the speaker on this subject. He seems to think their may be several beetles involved in this, i.e. western oak bark beetle, oak ambrosia beetle. There is a pamphlet put out that may be of some assistance.

U.C. Cooperative Extension 415-499-4204
Marin County Ag Commission 415-499-6700
http://cemarin.ucdavis.edu