Deadly disease killing off trees on the Central Coast

A deadly tree disease is aggressively taking over trees in California. Researchers say the Central Coast probably has the highest record of Sudden Oak Death in the state.

The epidemic has already killed more than a million trees, scientists say it can potentially attack nearly 2 billion more.

Researchers told KION they do not really know where Sudden Oak Death originated. It was first brought to California in the 90’s. The first reports were in Santa Cruz, Monterey and Marin.

Concerned locals trained at the Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel on how to take samples of the tree disease to help provide more information to researchers.

“I have four granddaughters and there needs to be a world for them to live in,” said Carmel resident Steve Travielle. “A planet for them to live on. One that’s a good one.”

It’s estimated that 500 miles of coastline are infested with Sudden Oak Death. Researchers believe the non-native disease came to the U.S. through the nursery trade. Once the disease grabs a hold of the tree, it cuts off its food and water.

“Progressively this oak mortality is taking away our oaks from our neighborhoods and forests,” said California tree disease specialist and U.C. Berkeley professor Matteo Garbelotto.

The contagious disease is spread by wind and rain. Scientists told KION the water helps carry it to other trees.

“In this El Nino year where its wetter, we predict that the pathogen is really going to like it and spread more,” said Kerri Frangioso, ecologist and staff research associate for U.C. Davis.

Unfortunately scientists say the Central Coast is the poster child for Sudden Oak Death because the mortality rate there is so high.

“It has killed more trees in the Big Sur area than anywhere else in the state,” said Garbelotto. “The reason for that high level mortality is that the weather is so conducive.”

Some critics believe California should have been more proactive controlling Sudden Oak Death.

Scientists told KION cutting down every diseased tree is not the solution.

“There’s just trillions and trillions of spores all over the place, you could never really remove all of them,” said Frangioso.

While it cannot be totally eradicated, researchers strongly believe management options can slow the spread.

“I hope more people get involved,” said Travielle. “You only have one planet and once this one is gone they’re not making anymore.”

Researchers will be traveling throughout California to train volunteers. A workshop will be held in Santa Cruz at the end of May.