Some commentators suggest that the trees which have become infected were particularly weak specimens?
Promoters of this point of view have cited heavy metals present in the soil at outbreak locations and have speculated that planted trees, possibly enduring less compatible soil conditions, might be less robust than native specimens in oak woodland. However, we know from laboratory tests that, regardless of site and growth conditions, some trees are intrinsically more susceptible to P. kernoviae and P.ramorum. In the case of P. kernoviae, beech is more susceptible to infection, whilst European beech, Turkey oak and red oak are particularly vulnerable to P. ramorum. In laboratory tests, the pathogen can infect unwounded bark of several tree species. Another key factor is the proximity of trees to infected rhododendrons. Of all the trees which have become diseased, most are only a few metres away from infected rhododendrons and many are actually touching them.
Some commentators suggest that the trees which have become infected were particularly weak specimens?