Officials: Oak-Killing Disease Worse In Indiana Than Thought

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana officials say the problem with an invasive, tree-killing disease called sudden oak death is worse than initially suspected.

The state Department of Natural Resources said last week the fungal pathogen was detected in rhododendrons at about 30 stores. The Indianapolis Star reports Wednesday the number has since tripled, and affected material was sent to more than 70 Walmart stores and 18 Rural King stores in Indiana.

The DNR has destroyed approximately 1,500 infested rhododendron so far and pulled another 1,500 from stores. It also ordered the stores to stop selling rhododendron until further notice.

Megan Abraham, director of the DNR's Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, says the plants were delivered to several other states, but she didn't specify which ones. Abraham says Indiana has the most locations with infested plants.

Sudden oak death travels in more than 100 species of host plant material. It causes some browning of the leaves in the host but does not kill it. 

The fungal pathogen has killed large tracts of oaks on the West Coast, but it has not been established in the Midwest, to date. The DNR has said that it's the first time in about 10 years that sudden oak death has been detected in Indiana.

The DNR says those who have purchased rhododendrons in the last four weeks from Walmart or Rural King should destroy them, or call 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (663-9684) or the local county extension office at 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636) for instructions.