Sudden Oak Death has reached parts of the South East including the New Forest from America.
It is being investigated by the forestry commision and the Department for Food and Rural Affairs to determine the scale of the outbreak and destroy the diseased plants.
Its correct name is phytophthora ramorum and it poses little threat to our native oaks, although it is thought that beech and ash are susecptable. In america it has killed significant numbers of tan oaks and native american oaks.
In the New Forest a number of rhododendrons beside the famous Rhinefield Ornamental Drive near Brokenhurst have been found to be infected.
Symtoms include leaf tip dieback, lesions, and wilted stems on the infected shrubs, and oozing lesions on infected tree trunks.
People visiting areas known to be infected are advised to stay on footpaths, keep dogs on leads, disinfect footwear, and not to bring any plant material, dead or alive back home for fear of spreading the disease.
