Rhodedendrons, Oaks and ramorum

[Andy Collins]

Has anyone else heard of this link being a possible cause of Sudden Oak Death? Its believed that Rhodies are the carrier, much as the bark beetle carries the Dutch Elm Disease. One point I suppose is that rhodies cant fly? But what if they are under planted around oaks? Thoughts please?

[Charlieh]

Rhodedendron is about to be added to schedual 9 of the wildlife and countryside act making it illegal to plant anywhere outside of domestic gardens.....at bloody last

 

sorry it doesnt answer your question but i thought it may be of interest

[Dean Lofthouse]

I've 3.5 acres of oak woodland infested with rhodie, can't get to the base of the trees for the stuff.

 

No problems in there, all trees nice and healthy.

 

Meeting with forestry officer to talk about grants to remove all the rhodie at the end of the month.

 

Trouble is, you can carry out work straight away but grants not payable till 2009

[colin james]

theres some good info an the disease and rhododendrons here,

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/sudden_oak_death.asp

[Rich Rule]

I seemed to recall a news article from the bbc a few years back saying something similar.

 

oh, found it...

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4455692.stm

[Andy Collins]

Thanks for your help on this, I knew about the SOD, but wasnt aware of the connection between the Rhodies and oaks. Its a private garden thats being planted up, with some 40 large rhodies, then camellias and azaleas, as under planting for various varieties of trees, including Q palustris, rubra, Carpinus, Aesculus hip. Briotii and P syvestris. I originally tried to talk the client out of planting the rhodies, due to the factor of changing the soil pH, but it has been an interesting project.

[Paul Barton]

Rhodedendron is about to be added to schedual 9 of the wildlife and countryside act making it illegal to plant anywhere outside of domestic gardens.....at bloody last

 

sorry it doesnt answer your question but i thought it may be of interest

 

I heard that Robinia and Holm Oak are also on that list. Shame, I like them.

[Lee Winger]

I heard that Robinia and Holm Oak are also on that list. Shame, I like them.

 

Robinia are a major pain in the rear over in OZ

[Charlieh]

there is a lot of species on the new list, but other than things like knotweed, himalyan balsam etc the majority are pond species/aquatic

[Paul Barton]

Robinia are a major pain in the rear over in OZ

 

How so?