Citizen scientists needed!

A new, more virulent strain of Sudden Oak Death is spreading through The Hills

Residents with bay trees on their property are invited to participate in the annual UC Berkeley Forest Mycology Department's study of the spread of Sudden Oak Death in the region. We will be sampling leaves from our bay trees. Bay trees harbor the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death.

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Infection rates are on the rise, likely due to the rainy 2023-24 winter season, with one-third of sampled trees in the area showing signs of the pathogen. That is one of the findings of the latest Oak Tree Mortality Survey by the UC Berkeley Forest Mycology Lab.

 

Burlingame Hills began participating in the annual statewide survey in 2011, shortly after many of our oldest oaks began succumbing to the disease.

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For 2025, the survey will be held 5/30-6/2. Participants will pick up a packet of materials from a box in the driveway at 120 Tiptoe Lane, remove a few leaves from each of their bay trees, and then return the packet (with the picked bay leaves) to the same driveway.

The leaves will be analyzed by the Forest Mycology lab and results will be available in the fall. Results from the 2024 study are here:

https://nature.berkeley.edu/matteolab/?page_id=7878

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To register for the study and secure your study packet, write to Steve at steve@burlingamehills.org.

 

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Proven treatment for Sudden Oak Death

Homeowners with oaks are urged to contact an arborist in the fall to arrange proven treatment

 

Past treatment program arborists: Burlingame Hills Improvement Association has worked with two arborists as part of its Oak Tree Treatment Program: Mayne Tree Expert, (650) 593-4400, and Kutches Tree Service, (415) 584-6878.

 

However, most professional arborists should know the latest treatments for Sudden Oak Death.

 

It is important to have your oaks treated before the rainy season, which, according to the Forest Mycology Lab, officially starts about December 10 each year.

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