Oak decline: Aerobic bacteria associated with declining Quercus cerris in Central Italy

Declining Turkey oaks (Quercus cerris) in Central Italy were studied. Bacteria were isolated from woody tissues between necrotic areas and healthy tissues beneath the bark, from apparently healthy tissues and from exudates oozing from the trunk in spring. A total of 98 bacterial isolates were collected. The determination of the bacteria was by fatty acid profiling and biochemical tests. Erwinia herbicola was frequently found both in necrotic and healthy tissues. Ice-nucleation active species were present. None of the species isolated was considered responsible for the decline