Sudden Oak Death and Its Impact on Virginia’s Ornamental Market

1. Sudden Oak Death and Its Impact on Virginia’s Ornamental Market Brian Booth Jen Bowry Mark Brill Allison Cyrus

2. Research Question • What ramifications will Sudden Oak Death (SOD) have on both Virginia’s wholesale and retail ornamental landscape industry within the next 20 years?

3. Sudden Oak Death • Disease caused by a fungus, Phytophthora ramorum • The fungus can infect over 60 different species of ornamental trees and shrubs, not just oak species • The only preventative measure against the fungus at this time is to destroy any infected plants, sanitize all work tools, and to follow mandated quarantine practices • There is no cure once the plant is infected; depending on the host, symptoms will vary but will always ultimately die

4. Symptoms of SOD • Leaf spots • Needle and tip blight • Shoot-tip dieback • Canker formation • Sticky, dark red oozing from cankers

5. Seriousness of the Fungus • In addition to the wide host range, other fungal characteristics make it a serious threat • It spreads via water, which means windy rainstorms and irrigation water can aid in the spread • The spores have flagella which allow them to swim • While ideal conditions for growth are cool, wet environments, the fungus can also tolerate hot, dry conditions

6. Seriousness of the Fungus This map shows the areas likely to be affected by SOD

7. SOD has been found in: California Washington Georgia Tennessee North Carolina South Carolina Quarantine rules: Should this be included? Need to find a source…

8. Hypotheses • Virginia’s nursery stock supply will decline in both quality and quantity because of federal quarantines for SOD • Overall demand will decrease for the susceptible plants as a result of the supply shift

9. Hypotheses cont. • Producers of these trees and shrubs will suffer financial losses due to the inability to sell their products from quarantines and the mandatory destruction of infected plants • Consumer preference could shift away from susceptible plants

10. Maybe a list of some susceptible plants and possible substitutes??

11. Wholesale Markets Riverbend Nursery, Saunders Brothers Nursery Retail Markets Home Depot, Wal-Mart, local garden centers Homeowners living in forested areas spreading the disease Players In The Game

12. How would the Market be Effected • Wholesale growers would not be able to produce certain oaks and shrubs • Wholesalers and Retailers would lose income from reduced sales • There would be a decreased supply of certain oaks and shrub species • Demand for substitute trees and shrubs would increase

13. S1 S Consumer D S1 S Retailer D S1 S Wholesale D Shock to Wholesale Market With the reduction of supply, the goods will cost more and the quantity received by the consumer will be less

14. Who Loses? • Wholesalers and retailers would lose sales and would have to find alternate sources to compensate for lost income • Consumers would not have as many choices when they want to landscape

15. So…….. Who wins? • Wholesalers could adjust their inventory to give more plant choices to retailers and consumers • Retailers could advertise and market alternative plants to consumers • Consumers would benefit through special sales and alternate choices from retailers

16. Sources