Presentations and workshops are available on a variety of topics related to Sudden Oak Death. Presentations can be downloaded for viewing or contact Marianne Elliott (melliott2@wsu.edu) to arrange a presentation or workshop for your group.

Presentations

SOD Symptom ID and Nursery Management A presentation for nursery professionals on recognizing symptoms of P. ramorum on nursery crops and best management practices to minimize the impact of P. ramorum on a nursery.

Life Cycle of P. ramorum as it Relates to Soil and Water Learn how P. ramorum survives and spreads in soil and water environments. Best management practices for nurseries are also discussed.

Sudden Oak Death and Other Phytophthora Diseases of Rhododendron Rhododendron is the most important host of P. ramorum in Washington nurseries. Learn how to recognize symptoms of P. ramorum and other Phytophthora diseases of Rhododendron. Some results of a study screening a large number of Rhododendron species and cultivars are also presented.

Sudden Oak Death and other Phytophthora diseases in Washington ecosystems Sudden Oak Death is devastating California forests, but what about in Washington? For those interested in the potential effects of P. ramorum on WA forests, native plants, and implications to trade in forest products. Other Phytophthora species and their role in forest ecosystems will be discussed.

Sudden Oak Death, Madrone Canker, and Systemic Acquired Resistance A not so random grouping of subjects that will interest tree care professionals and others.

“What’s killing my tree?” A presentation from the Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference, Sept 22-24 2011, Ocean Shores, WA. Includes information about tree diseases with special sections on SOD and madrone blight. PDF, ~10 MB.

Workshops

First Detector Workshops

Sudden Oak Death First Detector workshops are available for interested groups and industry professionals. The purpose of these workshops is to train participants as first detectors, in the event that P. ramorum is introduced to Washington’s landscape. Master Gardener volunteers and horticultural and natural resource professionals are encouraged to attend a training session.

Managing Phytophthora diseases in the nursery Phytophthora diseases are very costly to nurseries, and a positive P. ramorum find can have huge economic consequences. At this hands-on workshop methods for reducing damage by Phytophthora diseases in the nursery will be demonstrated.

For information, please contact:

Marianne Elliott
Puyallup Research and Extension Center
2606 W. Pioneer
Puyallup, WA 98371-4998
253-445-4596
melliott2@wsu.edu

The American Public Gardens Association (APGA) is working with the National Plant Diagnostic Network to develop a Sentinel Plant Network, under a grant funded by USDA-APHIS under the 2008 Farm Bill.

APGA recently launched a SPN web page that provides an overview of the program, and its mission, the benefits of participation and information on how member gardens can get involved.

APGA has been working closely with NPDN to develop two “train-the-trainer” modules for public gardens. The first module addresses the impact of plant pests and pathogens and the importance of early detectors as well as providing an overview of the SPN, its primary partners, and the role of participating gardens. The second module, which is focused on the “best practices” of pest /pathogen scouting and reporting and outlines the proper methods of sample collection and submission, will provide valuable instruction to public garden professionals and volunteers. Gardens participating in SPN will be encouraged to use this module in classes offered to the general public, thereby giving them the necessary training to be effective citizen scientists contributing to the early detection of potential threats. Preliminary versions of these modules are expected prior to APGA’s conference in June and will undergo beta testing over the summer before being integrated into the SPN regional professional development workshops this fall and winter.

APGA is also developing a freestanding website marketed towards kids and educators and will work with a curriculum specialist to develop a teacher / parent guide to these resources.