Chronology

USA PHYTOPHTHORA RAMORUM NURSERY CHRONOLOGY

The following information is a summary of the status of Phytophthora ramorum in United States nurseries. For information on Europe's Phytophthora ramorum nursery infestations, please go to the United Kingdom's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), The Forestry Commission of Great Britain, or the European Union's Europe Agriculture website.

Full chronology pdf: Nursery Chronology
Acronym Glossary.

2/08

California has three P. ramorum-positive nursery confirmations. A Los Angeles County production nursery is found to have one P. ramorum-positive Camellia sinensis and a production/retail nursery in the county has one positive Camellia japonica 'Kramer's Supreme' confirmed. Both nurseries' compliance agreements have been suspended. CNP is under way at both facilities. The third confirmation is at a retail nursery in Humboldt County. Positive soil samples are found as a result of a soil delimitation sampling following a 2007 positive.

1/08

Oregon's Curry County quarantine area is officially expanded to 162 square miles, following the State's amendment to their P. ramorum quarantine. For the first time, nurseries and a lumber mill are located within the quarantine area. ODA is working with affected businesses to set up the compliance agreements and inspection schedules necessary to meet federal interstate shipping requirements.
A Florida nursery is found to have P. ramorum-positive Camellia sasanqua at two of its facilities. Both sites were found positive for the pathogen in 2007. The USDA CNP is under way at both locations.

12/07

A total of 21 positive nursery finds are made in 2007. The states with positive detections are CA(7), OR(2), WA(7), FL(1), GA(3), and MS(1).
Corylopsis spicata (spike witch hazel - Hamamelidaceae) and Physocarpus opulifolius (ninebark - Rosaceae) are added to the list of federally regulated associated host plants. The CFIA found both plants naturally infected in a BC, Canada nursery. Spike witch hazel symptoms were identified as leaf necrosis and ninebark symptoms included leaf necrosis and dieback.
USDA APHIS issues a new protocol for retail nurseries found infested with P. ramorum, "Official Regulatory Protocol for Retail Nurseries Containing Plants Infected with Phytophthora ramorum."

10/07

P. ramorum inoculum was baited from Norton Creek (a small coastal stream in northern Humboldt County in the town of McKinleyville) early in the summer of 2006, with a repeat detection in the spring of 2007. The recovered isolates have been genotyped, revealing that two lineages are present: the Northern American (NA1) and European (EU1). This is the first find in North America of the EU1 lineage in a wildland environment. Efforts are being made to determine the spore source location, including exhaustive streamside surveys. A small retail nursery in downtown McKinleyville has been found to have P. ramorum-positive plants, including three plants confirmed with the EU1 strain, but the nursery is located in a different watershed than the infested stream. No definitive linkages between the nursery and stream have been established.

9/07

Garrya elliptica and Mahonia aquifolium are now regulated by the USDA APHIS for P. ramorum. Nurseries operating under a compliance agreement may continue to ship hosts and associated plants, including the newly listed plants. However, all other nurseries containing these newly listed plants must be properly inspected, sampled, tested, and placed under a Compliance Agreement by September 7, 2007, in order to be able to move regulated plants interstate.

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8/07

The EU implements changes to their P. ramorum regulations. The decision amends the list of plants, wood, and bark susceptible to P. ramorum, increases from one to two the number of official inspections of specific species of susceptible plants in places of production, and extends eradication measures to cover growing media and plant debris as well as sanitizing the surface upon which infected plants have been standing.
CDFA nursery inspectors are now conducting two inspections per year on "medium-risk" plants (Viburnum, Pieris, and Kalmia) and three inspections per year on "high-risk" plants (Camellia and Rhododendron).

7/07

Rhododendrons planted along a residential roadway are found P. ramorum positive in Thurston County, WA. WSDA has implemented the landscape protocol; all rhododendrons along the roadway have been destroyed. The positive plants were provided to the landscaper from an out of state West Coast nursery.
Canada sets aside more than $24 million in P. ramorum compensation funds for wholesale and retail nurseries as well as individuals impacted by pathogen eradication efforts. Compensation ranges from $4 for young plants to $300 for the largest trees. Affected parties can also claim costs incurred in the disposal and treatment of plants and related materials, either via incineration or deep burial.

6/07

Following the April P. ramorum-positive stream baiting sample taken from the Sammamish River in King County, WA, WSU and WSDA collaborated with USDA ARS to genotype 40 isolates sampled from 12 nurseries both within and outside the Sammamish watershed in an attempt to trace the origin of the river isolate. Upon analysis, the Sammamish River isolate has a unique fingerprint that matches an isolate from a landscape supplier located outside of the watershed. While not a conclusive study, the finding does suggest the Sammamish River isolate may have been introduced from nursery stock originating from this wholesaler.
Two California nurseries are identified as P. ramorum-positive. A San Diego County production nursery is found PCR-positive for Pieris japonica 'Amamiana'. This facility is under compliance for P. ramorum and does ship interstate. Trace-forward investigations include nurseries in seven western states and 10 CA counties. An Alameda County production nursery is also found infested with Magnolia grandiflora. The nursery is under compliance for P. ramorum and does not ship interstate.
Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium [Pursh] Nutt. - Berberidaceae Family) is found P. ramorum-positive for the first time at a Canadian nursery. Symptoms are primarily foliar, and include leaf spots and discoloration. This host species is native to the West Coast of the US. APHIS is reviewing the findings and anticipates adding Oregon Grape to the list of P. ramorum-regulated hosts soon.

5/07

APHIS has updated the "Official Regulatory Protocol for Wholesale and Production Nurseries Containing Plants Infected with Phytophthora ramorum." The revised CNP is to be used by any nursery found P. ramorum-positive.
The first US findings of P. ramorum-positive Loropetalum are found at a Sacramento County, CA nursery that has previously been identified with the pathogen. Symptoms, unlike other foliar hosts, can include large and small pin-prick size lesions on the underside of leaves, surrounded by red rings.

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4/07

Four P. ramorum-positive nurseries are identified in CA. Three of the nurseries are retail facilities in quarantined counties. None of the three retailers are under compliance or ship out of the quarantined area. Two of the three sites have been P. ramorum-positive before. The fourth P. ramorum confirmation was made on Loropetalum chinense at a production nursery during an annual compliance agreement inspection. The nursery is under compliance and ships out of state (to NV only). This nursery was also found P. ramorum-positive in 2006 during a compliance agreement inspection.
P. ramorum is found at two Oregon production nurseries. One nursery in Washington County was confirmed to have an infested block of Camellia and an infested block of Rhododendron. The second nursery, located in Clackamas County, had a P. ramorum-positive C. sasanqua 'Yuletide' plant.
Twelve P. ramorum-positive nursery sites in five states have been identified to date in 2007 through federal or state inspections, nursery surveys, and/or other detections. Positive finds by state include: CA(5), FL(1), MS(1), OR(2), and WA(3).

3/07

The European P. ramorum lineage has been reported for the first time in CA. It was recovered from three Humboldt County nursery isolates taken in spring of 2006 and analyzed as part of a genetic study of P. ramorum isolates from CDFA. Current samples have been taken at the nursery; results are pending. Trace-back investigations are underway for the 2006 confirmations.
To date in 2007, WA has had three P. ramorum-positive nursery confirmations. The first two positive nurseries were found in King and Snohomish counties, and were discovered as a result of the new trace-back protocol, which requires trace-back nurseries to supply trace-forward information for a period of 30 days prior and 30 days after the shipments were sent to the positive nursery. The third P. ramorum-positive nursery was in Cowlitz County and was discovered as the result of a Compliance Certification Inspection.
A Hinds County, MS nursery is found to have a P. ramorum-positive Camellia sp. The inspection was a follow-up inspection to eradication efforts performed last year.

2/07

Sixteen silk tassel bush (Garrya elliptica) plants are found P. ramorum-positive for the first time in the UK. This host species is a West Coast US native. APHIS is reviewing the findings and anticipates adding silk tassel bush to the P. ramorum-regulated host list soon.
The new USDA APHIS P. ramorum regulation "Phytophthora ramorum; Quarantine and Regulations" is published February 27, 2007, in the Federal Register. This rule primarily codifies the Federal Order issued in December 2004 that established restrictions on the interstate movement of nursery stock from nurseries in nonquarantined areas in CA, OR, and WA. The rule also incorporates all updates (SPROs) issued since the original APHIS regulation was published in 2002, most of which are updates to the host list.

1/07

A retail nursery in Tallahassee, FL is found P. ramorum-positive. The nursery was also found positive in 2006. The confirmations were made on three cultivars of Camellia japonica. Trace-back surveys failed to identify a source for the infestation.
The UK finds Schima wallichii (Chinese guger tree) to be a new P. ramorum host. The symptomatic foliar samples were taken outdoors from a historic garden near Cornwall in 2006. USDA APHIS is reviewing the findings and anticipates adding Chinese guger tree to either the host or associated host list soon.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnik), Prunus laurocerasus 'Nana' (Dwarf English Laurel), and Osmanthus delavayi (Delavay Osmanthus) nursery stock are found P. ramorum-positive in King County, WA. As Koch's postulates have not been completed, all three species will be added to the "APHIS List of Regulated Hosts and Plants Associated with Phytophthora ramorum" as associated plants, and regulated only as nursery stock.
Two new P. ramorum A2 isolates from the EU lineage are identified in Belgium. The finding was made as a result of a Belgian research project that began in 2006 and screened all stored Belgian isolates of P. ramorum for their mating types. Both new isolates originated from nurseries in northern Belgium from two separate sites and from different hosts (Rhododendron and Viburnum).

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12/06

In 2006, USDA APHIS reported 62 sites in 11 states as having had nursery-related P. ramorum detections. Positive findings by state are: AL(1), CA(28), CT(1), FL(2), GA(1), IN(1), ME(1), MS(1), OR(13), PA(1), and WA(12).

11/06

A CA production nursery in Santa Clara County is confirmed P. ramorum-positive. The positive Vancouveria planipetala (redwood ivy) was collected during an initial compliance agreement inspection. The nursery is not currently under compliance and does not ship or intend to ship out of the quarantined counties.

10/06

The CFIA detects P. ramorum at four retail garden centers (two sites have the same owner) in early September and October. P. ramorum was found at the sites in 2004; all four sites were found free of the pathogen in 2005. All four centers source plants both locally and from the US and were sampled as post eradication sites due to the previous detections. The plants found infected were Rhododendron and Viburnum.
Eradication efforts continue at a wholesale nursery in British Columbia, where P. ramorum was detected in late 2005. As a repeat site, stringent controls have been implemented. Trace-forwards from this nursery site this year have detected two residential/commercial landscape sites with 11 positive Gaultheria shallon plants.

9/06

A Santa Cruz County production nursery is identified as P. ramorum-positive as a result of a positive growing media sample collected from a camellia pot during CNP activities. The pot was located directly under a California bay laurel tree which is rooted in a stream known to be positive for P. ramorum. The samples submitted from the bay tree are pending. This nursery also tested P. ramorum-positive in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Koch's postulates are completed for: Acer pseudoplatanus, Aesculus hippocastanum, Laurus nobilis, and Michelia doltsopa. Consequently, these hosts will be reclassified from the APHIS "Plants Associated with P. ramorum" list to the list of "Proven Hosts Regulated for P. ramorum.
To date, 56 nurseries have been positive for P. ramorum in 2006. The breakdown by state is: CA (26), OR (13), WA (8), AL (1), CT (1), FL (2), GA (1), IN (1), ME (1), MS (1), and PA (1).
Forty-six participating states have reported P. ramorum National Nursery Survey results. To date, 3,513 nurseries have been visited and 95,295 samples collected. Out of the samples collected, 352 have been confirmed P. ramorum-positive.

8/06

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Cinnamomum camphora, Kalmia angustifolia, Nerium oleander, Osmanthus fragrans, Osmanthus heterophyllus, and Quercus acuta are officially added to the APHIS list of regulated "Plants Associated with P. ramorum."
Fagus sylvatica, Kalmia latifolia, Quercus cerris, Salix caprea, and Viburnum spp. are transferred from the APHIS "Plants Associated with P. ramorum" list to the "Proven Hosts Regulated for P. ramorum" list, based on the completion of Koch's postulates.
Eucalyptus haemastoma Sm. (Myrtle family), Cornus kousa x Cornus capitata (Dogwood family), and Castanopsis orthacantha Franchet (Beech family) are added to the UK DEFRA list of Plants Reported as Natural Hosts of P. ramorum. All three hosts were found P. ramorum-positive in the UK. APHIS is researching the findings and anticipates adding these plants to APHIS "Plants Associated with P. ramorum" list soon.
Canada adds five new genera to the CFIA P. ramorum host list: Loropetalum, Distylium, Manglietia, Parakmeria, and Ilex. These additions are the result of positive confirmations from the species: Loropetalum chinese, Distylium myricoides, Manglietia insignis, Parakmeria lotungensis, and Ilex purpurea. APHIS is reviewing the findings and anticipates adding the new hosts to the APHIS "Plants Associated with P. ramorum" list in the near future.
Researchers report findings of P. ramorum infecting Camellia flower buds. This is the first report of camellia flower bud infection in the field with the North American genotype of P. ramorum.
A San Joaquin County, CA production nursery is found to have five P. ramorum-positive Camellia varieties ('Jean May,' 'Bonanza,' 'Showa-no-sakae,' 'Chansonette' and 'Nuccio's Pearl') during a compliance agreement inspection. The facility was also found to be P. ramorum positive in 2004. CNP is underway.

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7/06

An Alabama retail nursery is confirmed positive for P. ramorum. The infected Camellia sp. is found on the nursery cull pile during a P. ramorum National Nursery Survey inspection.
A P. ramorum-positive Viburnum mariesii is found at a small Indiana retail outlet as the result of a trace-forward investigation from a production nursery in Clackamas County, OR.
P. ramorum-positive Pieris sp. 'Mountain Fire' is found at a Georgia retail nursery during a trace-forward investigation from a production nursery in Clackamas County, OR. CNP is under way.
P. ramorum-positive Syringa vulgaris 'Ludwig Spaeth' is identified at a small Maine retail nursery as a result of a trace-forward investigation from a production nursery in Clackamas County, OR.
A MS retail nursery is confirmed to have P. ramorum-positive Camellia sp. during a P. ramorum National Nursery Survey inspection. Trace-back investigations are being conducted. CNP is underway at the facility.
P. ramorum federal order compliance agreements, trace-forward/-back investigations, the USDA APHIS National Nursery Survey, and other investigations are ongoing. To date, 48 sites in 9 states have had P. ramorum detections. Positive findings by state are: AL(1), CA(25), FL(2), GA(1), IN(1), ME(1), MS(1), OR(13), and WA(3).
P. ramorum-positive Camellia japonica 'Kramer's Supreme' is detected at a Napa County production nursery as a result of a Sacramento County nursery trace-forward investigation. The addition of this facility brings California's 2006 total number of confirmed nurseries to 25.

6/06

Osmanthus fragrans (sweet olive) and Osmanthus heterophyllus (false holly), are found P. ramorum-positive in a Humboldt County nursery. APHIS is reviewing the findings and anticipates adding these new species to the APHIS "Plants Associated with P. ramorum" list in the near future.
APHIS confirms Nerium oleander (Oleander) to be a new P. ramorum-associated host when delimitation survey samples from the Humboldt County facility are confirmed positive.
Forty-three states have reported compliance inspection or National Nursery Survey results. Puerto Rico, AK, IA, and MO are not participating in the Survey, and WI is looking for P. ramorum as part of their regular nursery inspection process. To date in 2006; 2,786 nurseries have been visited, with 88,973 samples collected. Out of the samples collected, 327 have been confirmed P. ramorum-positive, totaling 42 positive sites in five states (CA, OR, WA, FL, and MS).
CA has six P. ramorum-positive nursery confirmations. Two of the confirmations are in production facilities and four are retail nurseries. Affected counties include: Sonoma, San Joaquin, Sacramento, and San Mateo. Four of the nurseries have had prior P. ramorum confirmations. These new finds bring the State's 2006 total number of P. ramorum-positive nurseries to 24.
ODA completes its P. ramorum Federal Order certification for 2006. Of the 62,045 samples collected from 1,112 growing areas, P. ramorum was found at 13 nurseries (about 1.0 percent). CNP has been enacted at all 13 sites. A total of 938 host and 1,000 non-host nurseries in OR now qualify for certification under the Federal Order certification program.
ODA completes its statewide survey of Christmas tree plantations. A total of 4,480 samples were collected from 113 plantations; no P. ramorum was found at any of the sites surveyed. This is the fifth consecutive year no P. ramorum has been found in OR Christmas trees.
A P. ramorum survey of OR retail nurseries is now under way. ODA plans to survey and sample approximately 150 retail nurseries that sell P. ramorum-susceptible plants.

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5/06

Six California nurseries are identified as P. ramorum-positive, bringing the State's 2006 total number of positive nurseries to 18. Confirmations are made in Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Tulare, and Santa Clara Counties. Two of the nurseries do ship interstate and two of the nurseries have had P. ramorum detections in previous years. Positive plants include: Viburnum tinus, Camellia sasanqua, Camellia japonica, Rhododendron, Laurus nobilis, and Magnolia grandiflora.
The first detection of P. ramorum on Magnolia grandiflora in a US nursery is made at a Santa Clara County, CA production facility. The nursery does ship interstate, and was also found P. ramorum-positive in 2005.

4/06

Four CA P. ramorum nursery confirmations are made, including: a San Mateo County producer, a Sacramento County producer, and two Alameda County retail nurseries. All four sites identified have positive Camellia, with one facility also having positive Rhododendron and Pieris. Three of the four nurseries have previously been found to have P. ramorum-positive plants. These 4 confirmed facilities bring the State's 2006 total to 12.
As of April 14^th, ODA has identified P. ramorum at 4 sites surveyed as part of the P. ramorum 2006 Federal Order Inspection. Three of the sites are small grower facilities located in Polk, Washington, and Lane Counties. The fourth site is a small retail facility located in Lane County. Positive plants include Camellia japonica, Rhododendron, and Pieris japonica. Two of the small grower nurseries ship a small volume of host plants out-of-state; trace-forward investigations are under way. CNP has been initiated at all sites.

3/06

New Zealand issues a public notice addressing nursery stock importation concerns, including risk mitigation measures and the host list for P. ramorum. With the exception of high-value plants for which the risk of P. ramorum is mitigated, hosts of P. ramorum are only permitted to be imported from countries recognized by New Zealand as Pest-Free Areas, which currently include: Australia, Canada, Israel, and South Africa. The proposed date of adoption and enforcement is May 29, 2006.
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu issue a public notice proposing a draft amendment of the "Quarantine Requirements for the importation of plants or plant products." Among the changes is the designation of P. ramorum as a quarantine pest, whereby: "The importation of living plants (excluding flowers, fruits and seeds) of its hosts will be prohibited. Regions or countries affected include: Belgium, British Channel Islands, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, BC, CA, FL, GA, OR, and WA.
CA confirms three nurseries to be P. ramorum-positive, including: a Sacramento production facility, a retail nursery in Alameda County, and a Solano County production facility. All confirmations made were on Camellia. One facility has previously been found positive. P. ramorum-positive nurseries for CA in 2006 now total eight.
Florida confirms two P. ramorum-positive nurseries. Of the 23 Camellia plants found infected, five species were identified, including japonica, sasanqua, sinesis, hiemalis, and vernalis. Both of the Tallahassee nurseries were also found positive in 2004 surveys, following trace-forward investigations from a Southern California wholesale facility. It has not been determined if the pathogen was re-introduced or if it has persisted at the nurseries in soil and/or water since the initial findings.

2/06

A water sample taken from a seasonal stream in Pierce County, WA is confirmed P. ramorum-positive. Plants from the adjacent nursery tested positive in 2004 and 2005. Agencies are monitoring the water upstream and downstream from the positive site to determine the extent of water contamination. Monitoring for signs of infestation throughout the immediate watershed area outside of the nursery will also be conducted.
APHIS issues a SPRO Letter, adding 13 new plant species to the federal P. ramorum associated host list. The SPRO can be found on the APHIS website under "Revision of Listed and Regulated Articles" dated 2/10/06 at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/pram/regulations.shtml.
Koch's postulates are completed for Frangula purshiana (formerly listed as Rhamnus purshiana), Adiantum aleuticum, and Adiantum jordanii. Consequently, APHIS reclassifies these associated hosts as hosts.
APHIS issues a Trace-Forward Protocol for Nurseries that Received Plant Material Shipped from a Confirmed P. ramorum-Infested Nursery. The new protocol is intended to establish a set of procedures that are used to determine if a nursery that has received plants from a P. ramorum-positive nursery acquired infected nursery stock, thus becoming infested as well.
CDFA identifies four P. ramorum-positive nurseries: a production facility in Contra Costa County, a retail nursery in Alameda County, a retail nursery in Nevada County, and a Napa County retail nursery. Plants found positive for the pathogen included Camellia and Pieris; all four nurseries have previously been identified as having P. ramorum-positive plants.

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1/06

The first 2006 P. ramorum-positive nursery is identified during a CA compliance agreement inspection. The find was made on a Camellia japonica in a Los Angeles County production nursery that only sells plants to local landscapers and does not do any shipping of plant material. This nursery was also found P. ramorum-positive during last year's compliance agreement inspection, and had completed CNP in May 2005.
The Canadian nursery industry implements a P. ramorum Nursery Certification Program. Key program components include annual sampling and testing, training, and independent audits. For more information, go to the CNLA website: http://www.canadanursery.com/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=750&SiteNodeID=102.

11/05

A WSU researcher isolates P. ramorum from California red fir (Abies magnifica) symptomatic shoots at a Christmas tree farm near Los Gatos, CA. Koch's Postulates have not been completed. The findings are being evaluated and considered by APHIS for the potential addition of California red fir to the regulated host list.

10/05

For the fourth year in a row, P. ramorum has not been found in OR Christmas tree plantations. Based on these results, Christmas tree plantations in all OR counties surveyed are officially declared P. ramorum-free for 2005.
Viburnum opulus (=V. trilobum), or American cranberry viburnum, is found to be P. ramorum-positive at a nursery in Clackamas County, Oregon on June 6, 2005. APHIS has reviewed the findings and expects to add American cranberry viburnum to the P. ramorum associated host list soon.
Real-time PCR is validated by USDA APHIS PPQ CPHST for providing diagnostic determinations for the P. ramorum federal emergency program.
The HRI (research division of the ANLA) convenes a national working group to explore the role of nursery management practices in the battle to limit P. ramorum spread. The group will develop RMPs that can be used by nurseries nationwide to establish or improve management plans. Long-term goals include building a working model for response to emerging plant pests.
APHIS confirms the detection of P. ramorum at two nurseries in Washington State. These two additional infested nurseries are located in Snohomish County and King County. Infected species at both nurseries are varieties of Rhododendron.
To date this year, 99 sites in seven states have had nursery-related P. ramorum detections. Positive findings by state are: CA(55), GA(4), LA(2), OR(20), TN(1), SC(1), and WA(16).

9/05

CDFA confirms the detection of P. ramorum on Abies concolor (white fir) at a Christmas tree farm in the quarantined county of Santa Clara. This is the first report of the pathogen on this species of Abies. With Koch's Postulates not complete, APHIS expects to add A. concolor to the official list of associated host plants soon.
APHIS issues an updated SPRO Letter, adding the eight new associated host plants to the list of P. ramorum-regulated plants. The addition of these eight plants brings the list of regulated P. ramorum host and associated hosts to 83. To access the SPRO, go to the APHIS website and refer to the 9/14/05 SPRO at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/pram/downloads/pdf_files/ usdaprlist.pdf.
The USDA issues a strategic plan for P. ramorum titled: "Plant Diseases Caused by Phytophthora ramorum: A National Strategic Plan for USDA." The report addresses the goals for the P. ramorum detection, control, management, research, and restoration programs of the Department.
As of 9/05, England has had 380 P. ramorum retail and nursery confirmations, and Wales has had 26.

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8/05

A Nursery Pest Advisory Task Force (NPATF) is created at the request of California's Secretary of Agriculture, A.G. Kawamura. The Task Force is comprised of representatives from the USDA, CDFA, CDF, UC Davis, county agricultural commissioners, and the nursery industry. The group will address issues related to new and/or emerging nursery pests. Their present focus is working in concert with the California Oak Mortality Task Force in its efforts to address P. ramorum issues.
CDFA has identified 53 P. ramorum-positive CA nurseries in 2005. Ten of the confirmed nurseries ship interstate, with two of the ten shipping only to Nevada outside of California's borders. Eight of the confirmed nurseries have had recurrent infestations.
USDA APHIS issues an updated State Plant Regulatory Official (SPRO) Letter, adding eight new associated host plants and two new host plants to the list of plants regulated for P. ramorum. The addition of these 10 plants brings the list of regulated P. ramorum host and associated hosts to 75. To refer to the SPRO, go to: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/pram/downloads/pdf_files/ usdaprlist.pdf.
Six hosts are moved from the associated host list to the host list, with all having Koch's Postulates complete and having been approved by USDA APHIS. The six newly classified hosts are: Castanea sativa, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus falcata, Quercus ilex, Syringa vulgaris, and Taxus baccata.
The UK officially identifies and reports to USDA APHIS three new P. ramorum-infected plants. Acer laevigatum (Evergreen maple), Michelia doltsopa (Michelia), and Quercus petraea (Sessile oak) were found in outdoor, green areas with natural infection. Koch's Postulates have not been completed, so these plants will join the APHIS associated host list.
Five new P. ramorum hosts are identified in California's quarantined county forests. The newly confirmed P. ramorum-susceptible plants are: Adiantum aleuticum (Maidenhair fern), Fraxinus latifolia (Oregon ash), Osmorhiza chilensis (Sweet Cicely), Torreya californica (California nutmeg), and Vancouveria planipetala (Redwood ivy). Koch's Postulates have not been completed, so these plants will be added to the USDA APHIS associated host list.
A South Carolina wholesale nursery/broker is found to have a P. ramorum-positive Camellia japonica. The nursery is part of a chain of 25 nurseries in five states, all of which deal primarily with the landscape industry. Surveys of the remaining 24 related nurseries are underway.
WSDA identifies eight additional P. ramorum-positive nurseries, bringing the total number of confirmed WA nurseries to 10 in 2005. Eight of the 10 positive WA nurseries in 2005 were found positive for P. ramorum in 2004. Of the eight new confirmations, six were retail nurseries and two were wholesale facilities. Identified hosts included primarily Rhododendron, but also Kalmia, Viburnum, and Pieris.
Oregon confirms six new P. ramorum findings, bringing the state's 2005 confirmation total to 20. Four of the P. ramorum-positive sites were wholesale nurseries and 13 were retail facilities. Three of the P. ramorum-positive nurseries do ship out-of-state; all three ship primarily to the West Coast.
P. ramorum federal order compliance agreements, trace-forward/-back investigations, the USDA APHIS National Nursery Survey, and other investigations are ongoing. To date, 91 sites in seven states have had P. ramorum detections. Positive findings by state are: CA(53), GA(4), LA(2), OR(20), TN(1), SC(1), and WA(10).

7/05

The first P. ramorum-infected Taxus media is reported from the Netherlands, making this the third yew to be identified as susceptible to P. ramorum. With Koch's postulates not completed, this plant is being added to the USDA APHIS list of P. ramorum-regulated associated host plants
ODA identifies five additional nurseries in four counties with P. ramorum-confirmations. Affected plants include: Pieris, Rhododendron, and Magnolia. The Magnolia confirmation is the first to be reported in the US.
WSDA confirms two P. ramorum-positive nurseries during the National Nursery Survey. One facility has infected Rhododendron and the other has infected Viburnum, Rhododendron, and Pieris.
Two additional retail garden center nurseries are found infested with P. ramorum in Georgia. One has infected Rhododendron and Camellia, while the other has infected Camellia sasanqua.

6/05

A retail nursery in Bradley County, Tennessee is confirmed to have P. ramorum-positive Rhododendron elegans "Elegans" and Rhododendron spp. "Boursault" during their P. ramorum National Nursery Survey inspection.
A production nursery in Lincoln County, Oregon is found with P. ramorum-infected Rhododendron sp. The confirmation is made during a compliance agreement renewal.
A Los Angeles County, CA retail nursery is found to have P. ramorum-positive plants that have been shipped directly to customers, not nurseries or garden centers. Shipments went to 32 states nationwide as well as 9 foreign countries. Regulatory officials are informing affected states of the shipments.
Six additional California nurseries are identified as P. ramorum-positive; one had been found positive for the pathogen previously. Five of the nurseries are production facilities and one is a retail site. Of the two nurseries that ship interstate, one only ships stock to Nevada.
To date this year, 62 sites in 5 states have had P. ramorum detections. Positive findings by state are: CA(48), GA(2), LA(2), OR(9), and TN(1).

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5/05

P. ramorum-positive mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and camellia are confirmed at a Gwinnett County, GA, wholesale nursery. The plants are identified as a result of the USDA APHIS National Nursery Survey. The nursery had a previous camellia P. ramorum confirmation in 2004.
A second GA retail nursery is found positive for P. ramorum. The facility was a positive trace-forward in 2004.
Two LA nurseries are found to have P. ramorum-positive camellias during the USDA APHIS National Nursery Survey. One of the nurseries was found to have the pathogen in 2004; the other is an initial find.
CDFA identifies 16 additional CA nurseries with P. ramorum-positive plants; four of the nurseries ship interstate. Two of these confirmations are from previously positive nurseries.
An updated Nursery Guide for Diseases Caused by Phytophthora ramorum on Ornamentals: Diagnosis and Management is available free of charge at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources website.

4/05

APHIS confirms the presence of P. ramorum on an OR jasmine plant sample. As a result, ODA, APHIS, and others are working to determine jasmine's status as a host of P. ramorum.
Monrovia implements a plant replacement program for retail customers whose plants originated from their Azusa facility. Customers replacing plants should NOT bring them to garden centers.
ODA identifies two P. ramorum- positive nurseries while conducting Federal Order compliance surveys. One was a small retail nursery in Washington County with infected Pieris japonica and the other a production and wholesale facility in Clackamas County with infected Rhododendron 'Unique.'
OR reports 4 trace-forward positives in residential settings. The residential finds originated at a nursery found positive in 2004. Delimitation surveys confirmed the disease has apparently not spread to other plants already in the landscapes. Infected plants have been removed and incinerated.
CDFA reports additional P. ramorum-positive plants found at the Sacramento, CA retail nursery found positive in March. Infected plants include rhododendron, camellia, viburnum, and pieris.
CDFA has confirmed 32 P. ramorum-positive California nursery in 2005. Twenty-two of the confirmations have been made outside of the 14-county quarantined area, while ten have been found within it. Of those nurseries found to be infested, seven have previously tested positive for the pathogen.
The first P. ramorum-positive Acer pseudoplatanus (Planetree maple) is confirmed at a P. ramorum woodland garden site in Cornwall, UK. Pending USDA review and approval, it will be added to the US list of P. ramorum-regulated plants.
The UK completes Koch's postulates on: sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), Holm oak (Quercus ilex), and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior). Following USDA review and approval, plants will be moved to the US P. ramorum host list.
The CFIA issues an updated P. ramorum directive 3/1/05, superseding the 9/25/03 order in response to the USDA APHIS 12/21/04 Emergency Order.
USDA APHIS is provided $9.5 million in emergency funds through the USDA CCC to help support P. ramorum regulatory activities in 2005.

3/05

A Sacramento, CA retail nursery is found to have P. ramorum-infested Rhododendron sp. v. Colonel Coen. CDFA has delimited the infestation and destroyed infected lots. Trace-back investigations are underway.
2004 P. ramorum nursery detection statistics are updated to account for an additional bonsai camellia confirmed positive in February 2005. The Pennsylvania sample was confiscated in June 2004. With this new confirmation, the total number of USDA APHIS P. ramorum-positive detections (in or associated with nurseries) for 2004 has been adjusted to 177 positive finds in 22 states, with Pennsylvania having 2 detections.

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2/05

CDFA completes delimitation and perimeter surveys of the Los Angeles County, CA nursery confirmed to have P. ramorum in January. To date, one culture sample from a block of 898 Camellia japonica plants has been confirmed positive by APHIS. Four other samples from the block have tested positive by CDFA. All 898 plants in the infected block have been destroyed. The nursery has resumed shipping non-host plants from outside the destruction block and buffer areas. Host and associated host plants, to the genera level, are still being held and will not be released until all test results are complete. No plants from trace-forward investigations have tested positive to date.

1/05

A previously identified P. ramorum-positive nursery in Los Angeles County, CA, has detected infection on camellia. The symptomatic plant was identified following a series of rainstorms. Leaf samples were taken and cultured on-site. Following the CDFA review and confirmation of the nursery's camellia culture sample, the USDA's Confirmed Nursery Protocol (CNP) was implemented.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) lifts its restriction on P. ramorum host cut flowers (including roses) from non-quarantine California counties as a result of the new USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Federal Emergency Order.
The UK's Department of Environment, Forestry, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has identified six new plants associated with P. ramorum: Griselinia littoralis – Cornaceae (NZ privet); Hamamelis mollis – Hamamelidaceae (Chinese witch-hazel); Magnolia stellata – Magnoliaceae (star magnolia); Magnolia x loebneri – Magnoliaceae (Loebner magnolia); Magnolia x soulangeana – Magnoliaceae (saucer or Japanese magnolia); and Parrotia persica – Hamamelidaceae (Persian Parrotia or irontree). It is anticipated that APHIS will soon be adding these species to their official P. ramorum associated host list. Once included on the US list, these plants will fall under federal P. ramorum regulations.

12/04

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issues an emergency federal order that will take effect on 1/10/05, superseding the 4/22/04 emergency order. The new order regulates the interstate movement of host and non-host plants from nurseries in California, Oregon, and Washington to help prevent the spread of P. ramorum to uninfested areas of the US.
False Solomon's seal (Maianthemum racemosum, formerly Smilacina racemosa), Calluna vulgaris (Scotch heather), and Photinia fraseri (Red tip photinia) are moved from the APHIS associated host list to the host list in the 12/21/04 Federal Order. These changes are made because of the completion of Koch's postulates for each species.
With the new USDA APHIS emergency P. ramorum order taking effect, Canada will rescind regulations implemented as a result of the Monrovia event last March. Following the Monrovia confirmations, Canada quarantined rose plants and cut roses as well as all host genera plants and plant parts from anywhere in CA. Canada's updated regulation will only affect CA's 14 quarantined counties. Additionally, Canada is no longer considering quarantine regulations for WA and OR. With the new federal order in place, Canada will accept any material that is in compliance with US rules.
Currently there are 176 USDA APHIS confirmed positive P. ramorum sites in 22 states from trace-forward, national, and other surveys. The breakdown per state is: AL(3), AR(1), AZ(1), CA(55), CO(1), CT(3), FL(6), GA(16), LA(5), MD(3), NC(9), NJ(1), NM(1), NY(1), OK(1), OR(24), PA(1), SC(4), TN(2), TX(11), VA(2), and WA(25). The newly identified Maryland nursery tested positive after being sampled as part of the Hines Nursery (OR) trace-forward investigation.

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11/04

Omnibus appropriations for federal P. ramorum funding in 2005 is $9.89 million. The Agricultural Appropriations Bill earmarked $1.45 million for the Agricultural Research Service; $94,000 for the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; and $3 million to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The Interior Appropriations Bill earmarked $2 million to USDA Forest Service (FS) Cooperative Lands Forest Health Management and $2.5 million to USDA FS Forest and Range Land Research.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture receives and approves a revised federal label for the use of Agrichem's Agri-Fos® on landscape, golf course, nursery, forestry, and park sites for Phytophthora and Pythium diseases, including Sudden Oak Death. Oregon will allow all uses listed on the approved product label. Note: California currently has a Special Local Needs registration for Agri-Fos® use on oaks and tanoaks to prevent P. ramorum.
P. ramorum is detected at six additional Oregon nurseries while conducting compliance agreement surveys. P. ramorum has now been found at 13 nurseries as a result of the survey. No infected plants were found at Christmas tree plantations. Additionally, trace-forward investigations from a positive nursery in Forest Grove, OR results in pathogen identifications in three Connecticut nurseries.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) inspects more than 100 Christmas tree plantations for P. ramorum on a fee-for-service basis. Additionally, USDA and the Department of Natural Resources complete surveys on 98 Noble fir (Abbess procera) sites. As part of the P. ramorum National Wildland Survey, 93 nursery perimeters and 26 wildland sites have been surveyed. P. ramorum was not found. To date, no Washington conifers have been found to harbor the pathogen.
The federal "Confirmed Residential Protocol for P. ramorum Detections in Landscaped Residential or Commercial Settings" is now posted to the USDA APHIS PPQ website. The protocol describes actions to be taken by regulatory officials when P. ramorum-positive plants are found in home gardens and other landscaped areas.

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10/04

Four additional Oregon nurseries are identified with P. ramorum-positive plants. Three of the nurseries are small and do not routinely ship interstate, while the fourth does do some out-of-state shipping. Three of the nurseries are located in the northern part to the Willamette Valley and the fourth is in southwestern Oregon.
"P. ramorum - a guide for Washington nurseries" is now available. The guide covers host and associated plant species, host symptoms, pathogen biology, disease prevention, cultural management, protection and suppression with fungicides, and detection and eradication.
The USDA APHIS PPQ P. ramorum National Nursery Survey activities are complete in 38 states and Puerto Rico. To date, participating states throughout the US have surveyed 3,095 sites and have collected 50,820 samples. Fifteen survey sites have been confirmed positive.
UK Minister for Plant Health and Forestry Ben Bradshaw announces conditional financial assistance for nurseries suffering hardships related to actions taken to protect the wider UK environment from P. ramorum.

9/04

The Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Division posts a list of 119 nurseries and 287 Christmas tree growers that are participating in Oregon's P. ramorum-free program. To be posted to the list, nurseries and Christmas tree growers must have been inspected, tested, and found P. ramorum-free, and must have signed a compliance agreement with the state.
APHIS PPQ P. ramorum National Nursery Survey activities are complete in AK, AR, AZ, CA, IA, ID, LA, MO, MT, NE, ND, OK, and SD; diagnostic results are pending. To date, participating states have surveyed 2,166 sites and have collected 39,406 samples, with 15 sites being confirmed positive (total positive national survey sites have been adjusted downward due to re-categorization of WA finds).
The US Forest Service P. ramorum Nursery Perimeter Survey is underway. To date, 2,430 samples have been taken from 610 locations. All completed results have been reported as negative for P. ramorum.
USDA APHIS PPQ confirms P. ramorum at two production areas owned by a large wholesale nursery in Washington County, OR, and at a bark supply company in Columbia County, OR.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture begins testing symptomatic and asymptomatic plants coming into the state before unloading shipments in an effort to prevent new P. ramorum introductions on host nursery stock.
Effective September 9, 2004, the National Plant Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Republic of Korea (NPQS), modified its "Tentative phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) Disease." Updates to the regulation include the addition of Nassau County, NY, as well as 22 new plant species. These emergency measures prohibit the importation of any propagative host material, such as nursery stock and cuttings, as well as wood (with bark) and growing media from the prohibited areas.

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8/04

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) lifts its quarantine of Columbia County nurseries and compost production facilities after determining that the pathogen did not spread beyond the initial confirmation location identified in May 2004. However, ODA will continue to inspect and test all Oregon nurseries with hosts as part of its statewide P. ramorum nursery certification program.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) adds Calluna vulgaris – Scotch Heather (Ericaceae), Drimys winteri - Winter's-bark (Winteraceae), Laurus nobilis - Sweet bay laurel (Lauraceae), and Salix caprea - Kilmarnock willow (Salicaceae) to the P. ramorum associated host plant list.
APHIS removes Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry) from the P. ramorum associated host plant list because the Plant Protection and Seed Service of Poland is unable to validate their original association of lingonberry with P. ramorum.
To date, 156 P. ramorum-positive locations in 20 states have been identified via trace-forward, national, and other surveys. This total includes three residential finds (two in GA and one in SC).

7/04

The California Association of Nurserymen (CAN) files a federal suit against Kentucky, charging the state with violating federal law by banning the importation and sale of California's Phytophthora ramorum host and associated plants. The lawsuit is based on a provision in the federal Plant Protection Act that gives the USDA authority over interstate plant movement. A federal district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky signs a consent decree on 7/30 permanently enjoining Kentucky from having P. ramorum regulations that are inconsistent with the federal standard.
The states of AK, AR, AZ, CA, LA, OK, and SD complete their P. ramorum National Nursery Survey sampling.
Mississippi updates its emergency P. ramorum regulations on 7/9/04. The newly expanded regulation prohibits the importation of California, Washington, and Oregon P. ramorum host and associated plants at the genus level.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) national survey for P. ramorum is underway. To date, survey results have identified 7 infected plants, including Viburnum, Arbutus, Rhododendron, and Camellia, at 3 facilities. One of the BC P. ramorum-positive nurseries shipped potentially infected plants to Washington (9 recipients), Oregon (4 recipients), and California (6 recipients); these shipments are being investigated. While both the North American (A2) and European (A1) P. ramorum mating types were found in BC during the national survey, only the North American type was potentially shipped to the US.
British Colombia conducts a recall of P. ramorum host plants sold from retail centers that received trace-forward material from Monrovia Nursery. An estimated 50% of the plants sold were returned from private residences. Of the 1,400 plants recovered and sampled, 9 Camellias were found to be positive. CFIA estimates that an additional 1,500 plants are still unaccounted for in the greater Vancouver area.
Mexico is considering quarantining Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga) and fir (Abies) Christmas trees from areas with Phytophthora ramorum to prevent introduction of the pathogen into Mexico.
The states of DE, FL, KY, LA, MS, and WV request a Special Needs Exemption from the current P. ramorum federal regulations. USDA APHIS denies the requests. Some states plan to appeal the decision.
PPQ P. ramorum National Nursery Survey sampling is complete in AK, AR, AZ, CA, IA, ID, LA, MO, OK, and SD; diagnostic results are pending. To date, participating states have surveyed 1,573 sites and have collected 31,230 samples; 18 sites have been confirmed positive.
The first finding of P. ramorum in Switzerland is found in a Swiss Plateau nursery on a wilting viburnum plant.
There currently are 147 positive P. ramorum confirmations in 21 states.

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6/04

Oregon adopts an emergency 90-day quarantine for Columbia County, OR. The quarantine was adopted following trace-back information from a Maryland nursery that resulted in the positive detection of P. ramorum in a Columbia County nursery, as well as in several nearby landscape plants from the nursery. The new quarantine requires all nurseries in the county to have all plants susceptible to P. ramorum tested and found free from the pathogen before they can be sold either intrastate or interstate. Additionally, the sale or shipment of potting media and compost produced in the county that contains material from susceptible plants is prohibited from sale or shipment unless the production facility is inspected and found to be P. ramorum-free and the material did not originate from areas already generally infested. Commercially produced compost containing susceptible plant material can't be sold to nurseries unless it is sterilized by a method approved by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
Florida alters its quarantine to allow for the importation of non-P. ramorum host nursery stock from CA. Pre-notification and official verification that no P. ramorum host and associated host plants are grown at the shipping nursery are required.
The Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) completed inspections of retail and production nurseries triggered by shipments of potentially infected plants from Monrovia Nursery. Twenty positive plants were recovered from eight retail garden centers, all of which are near Vancouver, British Columbia.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announces the regulation of Camellia spp. (iincluding all species, hybrids, and cultivars) at the genus level.
Clintonia andrewsiana (Andrew's clintonia bead lily), Dryopteris arguta (California wood fern), Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon's seal), and Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew) are added to the P. ramorum associated host list.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) adopts a temporary rule calling for all Oregon growers and dealers of P. ramorum-susceptible plants to be annually inspected, tested, and certified free from the pathogen before host plants are allowed to be sold.