May have to change my user name...

[Umbellularia]

Sudden Oak Death!

I may have to change my user name - almost all my Umbellularia Californica are dying! Looking on my property and the immediate neighbors', I stopped counting at about 30 infected California Bay Laurels. I don't have an exact tally of everyone's tree populations, so the full count is even higher.

The smaller trees are losing their leaves bottom up, trunk to tips. The bigger trees are developing random brown leaves all over, and then losing the leaves, especially on the side with sun exposure. Trees in shaded areas are lagging a bit.

I have lots of little saplings, but can't tell how their doing. Maybe they're fine? Maybe they're also infected.

I have exactly one vigorously healthy specimen: A poorly located tree I've cut to a stump. Twice.

I talked to the California Department of Forestry. They know this is happening. The wet winter caused the infection to bloom. Now that it is drying out, trees are showing symptoms.

If my neighborhood is an indicator, then coastal California tree services will soon be really busy. Prices will likely be much higher than the usual!

I'm mentally preparing myself for a summer of chainsawing. I have 14 stems sizable enough to require at least a modicum of thought before cutting. The tallest is 120'.

BTW, despite the above, I'm whooping, hollering, and rejoicing: The neighbor's property line trees that are causing moss on my roof will be gone soon!

 

[Mustang71]

So is this good or bad I can't tell? Nor do I know what kind of tree you're talking about but it's sounds like a bad disease.

 

[Umbellularia]

So is this good or bad I can't tell?

Very bad! Right up there with Dutch Elm disease and the Emerald Ash borer. The primary victim is Oak.

My personal situation is that the neighbor's d*** trees will no longer be "on" my house.

Nor do I know what kind of tree you're talking about but it's sounds like a bad disease.

California Bay Laurel - a relative to the "bay leaves" you'll find in the herb aisle in a grocery store. In a pinch they could substitute in a recipe, but all the trees around here have mold spots on the their leaves. It is a hardwood that has leaves year round. It grows fast, rots from the center, and falls over at 40 to 60 years old.

 

[Mustang71]

It grows fast, rots from the center, and falls over at 40 to 60 years old.

Sounds like the maple trees around here but that's because of the ants. They look healthy then are on the ground and hollow.