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The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has continued to follow up on all trace forward lists
from USDA, APHIS, and has released all holds on suspect material received from out-of-state sources by Maryland nurseries.
However, in 2009, the USDA, APHIS notified the MDA that a nursery in Oregan, found to have P. ramorum infected plants in their annual
compliance agreement inspection, had shipped plants directly to 28 recipients in Maryland. MDA notified each of the
households that received these plants and provided them with a test kit. Of the 22 suspect samples received by the MDA, only one, a witch hazel
from a Montgomery County residence, has tested positive for P. ramorum. USDA protocols
were followed, and the affected P. ramorum plant was removed and follow up measures conducted.
This summer MDA has received plant samples on the P. ramorum host or associated host list from home owners,
landscapers, and plant dealers - all have tested negative for P. ramorum. MDA is asking Maryland
residents who may have planted Camellia, Viburnum, Rhododendron, lilac, or other plants on the list of hosts
and associated hosts to contact the Maryland Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center, 1.800.342.2507 or http://www.hgic.umd.edu/
for more information on how to participate in a homeowner survey for P. ramorum in Maryland. Additionally,
anyone with a plant listed on the P. ramorum host or associated plant list that is showing unusual symptoms
should contact the Home and Garden hotline for more information and assistance. The results of these efforts
will be posted on this site as they become available.
To contain P. ramorum on the West Coast, a USDA, APHIS Emergency Federal Order is in effect
restricting the movement of nursery stock from California, Oregon, and Washington nurseries. However,
we strongly recommend that Maryland nurseries, landscapers, and plant dealers isolate all known host plant
materials originating in these states from other shipments in order to reduce the risk of spread to other plant
material and to expedite any regulatory action that may be necessary if the source nursery is later determined
to be infected with P. ramorum.
Nurseries, plant dealers, and landscapers that are not contacted or visited by MDA are not restricted from
selling host plants from the regulated areas. Please be aware that additional establishments may be contacted
or visited as more information becomes available. If nurseries or plant dealers are concerned and would like to
have your plants sampled, please contact MDA at 410-841-5920. Our nursery inspectors will visit your property as quickly as possible.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture continues to participate in national surveys in nurseries and
in the environment to gather information on the potential for distribution of P. ramorum in Maryland.
Help us keep our forests and nursery industries strong and free of this devastating plant pathogen.
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