Picture yourself sitting at a stream bank. You see clear, shining water bubbling down, insects buzzing around the water, and delicate green plants growing at the waters edge. Towering above you are longstanding oak woodlands, providing a reprieving patch of shade in the blistering summer heat. Without these oak woodlands, this stream would probably not be in this pristine condition.

Leaves and other organic material that fall from branches, also known as thatch, contribute to the richness of the soil beneath, allowing for healthy undergrowth. The number and density of the flora that inhabit riparian areas create a sub climate, allowing for cooler summers and warmer winters in the stream community. They also provide hiding places for the animals and a stabilizing system of roots that prevents soil erosion. These are only a handful of the benefits that oak woodlands provide for stream communities.

In San Diego County, there are five major river systems; Santa Margarita River, San Luis Rey River, San Dieguito River, San Diego River, and Sweetwater River. At varying frequency and locations, all of these rivers have oaks along their banks. Oaks may also be found along the many smaller creeks that support the watershed and riparian stream communities. The San Diego River alone has over 20 smaller creeks. These creeks are home to many animal and plant species, including the endangered Arroyo Toad, Southwestern Pond Turtle, and Bell’s Vireo. These species, along with non-endangered native species are in danger of being driven out by invasive pests.  

Goldspotted oak borer (GSOB) Agrilus auroguttatus is an invasive pest contributing to the on-going oak tree mortality occurring on federal, state, private, and local Native American lands in San Diego County. Without native oak tree and native shrub cover bigger issues ensue, including harm to animals, increased risk of flood and fire, and a degradation in water quality. The loss of oak trees can directly impact a whole community of insects, fish, small mammals, and even the existence of a healthy stream.

There are federal and state environmental protection laws in place that help reduce or control the impacts of invasive species. Many counties, communities and land conservancy groups have adopted ordinances and programs to protect our environment and our watersheds from harm.

For additional information on this topic visit: http://ucanr.org/u.cfm?ids=2622, http://www.sdcwa.org/habitat-conservation, and http://ucanr.org/sites/oak_range/ 

Most of us have fires to warm our homes or ourselves as we socialize around a campfire with little regard for the origin of the wood we are using. However, as invasive pests and diseases are on the rise it is more important than ever to be cautious about the firewood we purchase.

Pests and diseases such as the Goldspotted Oak Borer, Emerald Ash Borer, and Sudden Oak Death can travel on firewood long distances, endangering previously unexposed areas, and potentially causing catastrophic die offs of trees and plants with little or no natural resistance to the intruder. As pests and diseases are often not easily identified on firewood, it is best to assume all wood is a potential risk. Choosing to buy and burn local wood is an easy solution, assuring you aren’t part of the problem. By keeping wood within its area of origin, you can be sure you are keeping any pests and pathogens already present in the area local as well.

The health of your forests, campgrounds, and your own backyards depends on you.  For more information, go to the Don’t Move Firewood website at http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/.

Photo Source: Lorin Lima, UC Cooperative Extension - San Diego

If you live in or own property in Southern California, or maybe you just love nature and oak trees, you might know a bit about an invasive pest called goldspotted oak borer (Agrilus auroguttatus).  The goldspotted oak borer (GSOB) is native to Mexico, Guatemala and southern Arizona, and was first identified in California in 2004.  However, it wasn’t until 2008 that researchers determined that extensive oak mortality in rural east San Diego County was being caused by GSOB.  Subsequent dendrochronolgy studies (looking at tree rings on dead oak stumps) have revealed that the earliest GSOB attacks actually occurred starting in the year 2000. An adult GSOB is a dark green, bullet-shaped beetle usually around 10 mm long with three gold spots on each of its wings.  However, the adult form does not pose a threat as much as GSOB larvae, which bore into the bark of the oak and create large galleries where they feed on the tree causing major damage to the oak’s cambium. The cambium is a tree tissue that is vital to oak growth.

The loss of oak forests in Southern California can have tremendous environmental, cultural and economic impacts. This issue is very significant to local native American tribes that have oaks as a centerpiece of their culture. Other negative impacts include loss of biodiversity; habitat loss; increased fire risk due to the rising numbers of dead oaks in wildfire-prone areas; and loss of aesthetic value for those who camp, hike, and own properties with oak trees. Researchers who aim to combat the effects of GSOB using integrated pest management and oak restoration methods are contributing to a rising oak woodlands movement.  If you want to be part of the movement, stay tuned and keep an eye out for damage these little guys are causing.

Want to volunteer?  Have you seen GSOB on your property? See the GSOB website to learn more.

Photo Source: Tom Coleman, USDA Forest Service and Kim Camili, CAL FIRE

We are launching this page to raise awareness about the goldspotted oak borer and it’s threat to oak trees and you. Check out www.GSOB.org You’ll find news, information, resources and tools to help you and your community deal with the GSOB threat. GSOB information is also being featured at the San Diego County Fair as part of the Forest Area Safety Taskforce (FAST) education display. If you’re there, stop by and visit us in the O’Brien building just off the Avenue of Palms and the Landscape and Garden area.

Photo Source: Lorin Lima, UC Cooperative Extension - San Diego