Sudden Oak Death, or SOD, was first observed in California in 1995. In 2000 UC researchers identified the causal agent as Phytophthora ramorum, a pest new to science that had never been identified before. UC provided initial seed money to assist in studying this new disease, and to establish the California Oak Mortality Task Force (COMTF), a multi-agency collaborative team focused on understanding this new pest and educating the public about how to manage infected stands and curtail the spread of this damaging disease.
The COMTF web site that includes a wide range of SOD information, including what plants are confirmed hosts, where the disease is currently found, regulations about the movement of host material, and recommended management practices for limiting damage.
California Oak Mortality Task Force Web Site
Protecting Trees from Sudden Oak Death before Infection
Sudden Oak Death Pest Notes for Home and Landscape
Nursery Guide for Diseases Caused by Phytophthora ramorum on Ornamentals