Residual tree response to tanoak decline in California

TL;DRAbstract

Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) frequently grows in association with tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) along the central and northern California coast. High rates of tanoak mortality beginning in the mid 1990’s have been attributed to Phytophthora ramorum, a water mold believed to be non-native. Of the many species that host P. ramorum, tanoak is one of the most susceptible and thousands of tanoak trees have died in the past ten years. In a two species forest, the implications of losing one species may be severe, especially when one species is a mast producer such as tanoak. These trees provide numerous ecological benefits, many of which have yet to be quantified. Tanoak has long been classified as a weed by the timber industry because of its ability to colonize and re-sprout following disturbance. For this reason, tanoak is frequently the target of vegetation control treatments using herbicides to reduce competition with the commercially valuable redwood trees. Tanoak does have co

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