What is Phytophthora kernoviae?
Phytophthora kernoviae is a recently-discovered, exotic, fungus-like pathogen which causes damage to trees and shrubs. It was first found in the south-west of Great Britain in 2003 during official surveillance activities for Phytophthora ramorum causing similar damage to beech trees and rhododendrons. P. kernoviae is taxonomically a distant cousin of P. ramorum and appears to behave in a similar fashion in GB, sporulating on rhododendrons and causing bleeding stem cankers on susceptible trees. However, there is some evidence that it may be more aggressive on rhododendron under GB conditions than P. ramorum. It is mainly found in woodlands, parks and managed gardens in the south-west of England and south Wales but has recently also been found on heathland in Cornwall. It has also been found at one managed garden and one nursery in the north-west of England, as well as two nurseries in the south-west. In January 2008 it was found for the first time in Scotland at an established garden si
