Leaf nutrition and photosynthetic performance of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) in stands with contrasting health conditions

Leaf nutrition and photosynthetic performance of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) were compared between two sugar maple stands in northwestern Vermont with contrasting health conditions as indicated by annual basal area growth, degree of crown dieback, and foliar appearance. Observations made during the diurnal cycle of both stands showed no apparent leaf water stress. In both stands, leaves had similar concentrations of major non-structural carbohydrates (starch and sucrose). Over two consecutive growing seasons (1991 and 1992), we consistently observed lower leaf Ca and Mg concentrations in the declining stand than in the healthy stand. Compared with the healthy stand, lower leaf chlorophyll concentrations and apparent leaf chlorosis were observed in the declining stand, and some trees had very low foliar Ca and Mg concentrations (0.31 +/- 0.03% and 0.09 +/- 0.01%, respectively). Trees in the declining stand had lower light-saturated net photosynthetic rates on a dry mass basis at both ambient CO(2) (P(n,amb)) and saturating CO(2) (P(n,sat)) than trees in the healthy stand. There were significant linear correlations between P(n,amb) and leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and between P(n,sat) per unit leaf area and LMA. There were also linear correlations between both P(n,amb) and P(n,sat) and leaf N when expressed on an area basis in both stands, indicating that variation in LMA may have been largely responsible for the observed photosynthesis-nitrogen relationship. The values of P(n,amb) and P(n,sat) were not significantly correlated with leaf N on a mass basis but were weakly correlated with leaf Ca and Mg on a mass basis. We conclude that low leaf Ca or Mg concentrations may limit leaf CO(2) assimilation and tree carbohydrate status in the declining stand.     

Root standing crop and chemistry after six years of soil warming in a temperate forest

Examining the responses of root standing crop (biomass and necromass) and chemistry to soil warming is crucial for understanding root dynamics and functioning in the face of global climate change. We assessed the standing crop, total nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) compounds in tree roots and soil net N mineralization over the growing season after 6 years of experimental soil warming in a temperate deciduous forest in 2008. Roots were sorted into four different categories: live and dead fine roots (≤1mm in diameter) and live and dead coarse roots (1-4 mm in diameter). Total root standing crop (live plus dead) in the top 10 cm of soil in the warmed area was 42.5% (378.4 vs. 658.5 g m(-2)) lower than in the control area, while live root standing crop in the warmed area was 62% lower than in the control area. Soil net N mineralization over the growing season increased by 79.4% in the warmed relative to the control area. Soil warming did not significantly change the concentrations of C and C compounds (sugar, starch, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin) in the four root categories. However, total N concentration in the live fine roots in the warmed area was 10.5% (13.7 vs. 12.4 mg g(-1)) higher and C:N ratio was 8.6% (38.5 vs. 42.1) lower than in the control area. The increase in N concentration in the live fine roots could be attributed to the increase in soil N availability due to soil warming. Net N mineralization was negatively correlated with both live and dead fine roots in the mineral soil that is home to the majority of roots, suggesting that soil warming increases N mineralization, decreases fine root biomass and thus decreases C allocation belowground.     

Involvement of Phytophthora species in white oak (Quercus alba) decline in southern Ohio

This study was initiated to investigate the possible role of Phytophthora species in white oak decline (Quercus alba) in southern Ohio at Scioto Trail State Forest. Surveys demonstrated the presence of four species of Phytophthora including one novel species. By far, the most common species was P. cinnamomi; P. citricola and P. cambivora were isolated infrequently. In few instances, P. cinnamomi was isolated from fine roots and necroses on larger roots. No special pattern of incidence was found, but P. cinnamomi was more commonly isolated from greater Integrated Moisture Index values suggesting moist lower bottomlands favour this Phytophthora species. When tree crown condition was examined relative to the presence of Phytophthora, no significant association was found. However, roots of declining P. cinnamomi‐infested trees had 2.5 times less fine roots than non‐infested and healthy trees, which was significantly different. The population densities of P. cinnamomi from declining trees were significantly greater than from healthy trees, suggesting increased pathogen activity that has the potential to cause dieback and decline and possibly the cause of a reduced fine root amount found on declining trees.     

Spatial heterogeneity of fine root biomass of Pinus massoniana forests in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

Environmental heterogeneity is a constant presence in the natural world that significantly affects plant behavior at a variety of levels of complexity. In order to estimate the spatial pattern of fine root biomass in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, the spatial heterogeneity of fine root biomass in the upper layer of soils (0-10 cm) in three Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) stands in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China, was studied in 30 m × 30 m plots with geostatistical analysis. The results indicate that 1) both the live and dead fine root biomass of stand 2 were less than those of other stands, 2) the spatial variation of fine roots in the three stands was caused together by structural and random factors with moderate spatial dependence and 3) the magnitude of spatial heterogeneity of live fine roots ranked as: stand 3 > stand 1 > stand 2, while that of dead fine roots was similar in the three stands. These findings suggested that the range of spatial autocorrelation for fine root biomass varied considerably in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, while soil properties, such as soil bulk density, organic matter and total nitrogen, may exhibit great effect on the spatial distribution of fine roots. Finally, we express our hope to be able to carry out further research on the quantitative relationship between the spatial heterogeneous patterns of plant and soil properties.     

New insights into the survival strategy of the invasive soilborne pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi in different natural ecosystems in Western Australia

Despite its importance as one of the most notorious, globally distributed, multihost plant pathogens, knowledge on the survival strategy of Phytophthora cinnamomi in seasonally dry climates is limited. Soil and fine roots were collected from the rhizosphere of severely declining or recently dead specimens of 13 woody species at 11 dieback sites and two dieback spots and from healthy specimens of five woody species at four dieback‐free sites in native forests, woodlands and heathlands of the south‐west of Western Australia (WA). Phytophthora cinnamomi was recovered from 80.4, 78.1 and 100% of tested soil, fine root and soil–debris slurry samples at the 11 dieback sites, in some cases even after 18‐month storage under air‐dry conditions, but not from the small dieback spots and the healthy sites. Direct isolations from soil–debris slurry showed that P. cinnamomi colonies exclusively originated from fine roots and root fragments not from free propagules in the soil. Microscopic investigation of P. cinnamomi‐infected fine and small woody roots and root fragments demonstrated in 68.8, 81.3 and 93.8% of samples from nine woody species the presence of thick‐walled oospores, stromata‐like hyphal aggregations and intracellular hyphae encased by lignitubers, respectively, while thin‐walled putative chlamydospores were found in only 21.2% of samples from five woody species. These findings were confirmed by microscopic examination of fine roots from artificially inoculated young trees of 10 woody species. It is suggested that (i) the main function of chlamydospores is the survival in moderately dry conditions between consecutive rain events and (ii) selfed oospores, hyphal aggregations, and encased hyphae and vesicles in infected root tissue of both host and non‐host species are the major long‐term survival propagules of P. cinnamomi during the extremely dry summer conditions in WA.     

Zusammenhänge zwischen Kronenschäden und dem Stärkegehalt der Wurzeln bei Fagus sylvatica L.

Correlation between root starch content and crown damage of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). During a research project on forest decline in European beech stands the starch content of woody roots apparently of healthy and trees with dieback symptoms were examined by a histochemical method developed by Wargo . A comparison of affected and apparently healthy trees indicated no correlation between starch content of coarse roots and damage class derived from crown symptoms. However, results of these preliminary studies on distribution of starch in the root system of European beech confirmed the data reported in the literature.     

Stand age and fine root biomass, distribution and morphology in a Norway spruce chronosequence in southeast Norway

We assessed the influence of stand age on fine root biomass and morphology of trees and understory vegetation in 10-, 30-, 60- and 120-year-old Norway spruce stands growing in sandy soil in southeast Norway. Fine root (< 1, 1-2 and 2-5 mm in diameter) biomass of trees and understory vegetation (< 2 mm in diameter) was sampled by soil coring to a depth of 60 cm. Fine root morphological characteristics, such as specific root length (SRL), root length density (RLD), root surface area (RSA), root tip number and branching frequency (per unit root length or mass), were determined based on digitized root data. Fine root biomass and morphological characteristics related to biomass (RLD and RSA) followed the same tendency with chronosequence and were significantly higher in the 30-year-old stand and lower in the 10-year-old stand than in the other stands. Among stands, mean fine root (< 2 mm) biomass ranged from 49 to 398 g m(-2), SLR from 13.4 to 19.8 m g(-1), RLD from 980 to 11,650 m m(-3) and RSA from 2.4 to 35.4 m(2) m(-3). Most fine root biomass of trees was concentrated in the upper 20 cm of the mineral soil and in the humus layer (0-5 cm) in all stands. Understory fine roots accounted for 67 and 25% of total fine root biomass in the 10- and 120-year-old stands, respectively. Stand age had no affect on root tip number or branching frequency, but both parameters changed with soil depth, with increasing number of root tips and decreasing branching frequency with increasing soil depth for root fractions < 2 mm in diameter. Specific (mass based) root tip number and branching density were highest for the finest roots (< 1 mm) in the humus layer. Season (spring or fall) had no effect on tree fine root biomass, but there was a small and significant increase in understory fine root biomass in fall relative to spring. All morphological characteristics showed strong seasonal variation, especially the finest root fraction, with consistently and significantly higher values in spring than in fall. We conclude that fine root biomass, especially in the finest fraction (< 1 mm in diameter), is strongly dependent on stand age. Among stands, carbon concentration in fine root biomass was highest in the 30-year-old stand, and appeared to be associated with the high tree and canopy density during the early stage of stand development. Values of RLD and RSA, morphological features indicative of stand nutrient-uptake efficiency, were higher in the 30-year-old stand than in the other stands.     

Fine root biomass,distribution, and production in young pine-hardwood stands

Patterns of fine root biomass, production, and distribution were estimated for pure stands and mixtures of three-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) with red maple (Acer rubrum L.) or black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on the Virginia Piedmont to determine the role of fine roots in interference between pine and hardwood tree species. Estimates were based on amounts of live and dead fine roots separated from monthly core samples during the third growing season after planting. Live and dead fine root biomass and production varied by species, but mixtures of loblolly pine and black locust generally had greater fine root biomass and fine root production than pure stands or loblolly pine-red maple mixtures. Hardwood species had greater live fine root biomass per tree in mixtures with pine compared to pure stands. Greater live fine root biomass in pine-locust stands may be attributed to differential utilization of the soil volume by fine roots of these species. For all stands, approximately 50% of live five root biomass was located in the upper 10 cm of soil.     

Fine root condition relates to visible crown damage in Norway spruce in acidified soils

Allochthonous Norway spruce stands in the Kysucké Beskydy Mts. (north‐western Slovakia) have been exposed to substantial acid deposition in the recent past and grow in acidified soil conditions with mean pH of about 4.0 in the topsoil. We selected 90 spruce trees representing 30 triplets of different crown status: healthy, stressed and declining to assess the relationship between crown and fine root status. Sequential coring and in‐growth bags were applied to each triplet to investigate fine root mass and growth in the soil depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm. Fine root quantity (biomass and necromass), turnover (production over standing stock), morphological features (specific root length, root tip density) and chemical properties (Ca:Al molar ratio) were compared among the abovementioned health status categories. Living fine root biomass decreased with increasing stress, while the ratio of dead to living biomass increased. Annual fine root production decreased and specific root length increased in stressed trees when compared to healthy or declining trees, a situation which may be related to the position of trees in the canopy (healthy and declining – dominant, stressed – co‐dominant). The Ca:Al ratio decreased with increasing crown damage, indicating a decreased ability to filter out aluminium. In conclusion, fine root status appears to be linked to visible crown damage and can be used as a tree health indicator.     

长白山阔叶红松林群落的细根现存量及养分内循环

细根(直径≤2mm)是植物吸收水分和养分的重要器官,细根通过呼吸作用和周转过程向土壤输送有机质(Jackson et al.,1997;王政权等,2008)。细根生物量虽然仅占植物体总生物量的5%左右,但由于细根生长和周转迅速,其生长量可占森林初级生产力的50%～75%(Nadelhoffer et al.,1992),每     

Rapid living crown reduction caused by Gremmeniella abietina affects foliar nutrient concentrations of Scots pine

The foliar chemistry of diseased and healthy trees was studied one growing season after severe reduction in living crown caused by Gremmeniella abietina in four young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands. Sample trees were chosen pairwise on the basis of the living crown length: a diseased tree with about 50% live crown reduction and a healthy tree in each pair. Fifteen elements were determined in the youngest healthy needles on the lateral top shoots of each sample tree. Diseased trees had higher foliar boron, manganese and sodium concentrations and lower magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium, nitrogen and sulphur concentrations compared to the healthy trees. Foliar calcium, aluminium, phosphorus, carbon and hydrogen concentrations did not differ between the diseased and healthy trees, except for P and A1 in two of the stands when the stands were analysed separately. Significant correlations between the needle element concentrations and crown ratio (length of the living crown/tree height) were found especially for B (increasing B with decreasing crown ratio) and for Mg, Fe and Zn (decreasing concentrations with decreasing crown ratio). The effect of G. abietina-induced living crown reduction on tree nutrient status and the role of these mineral nutrients in the susceptibility are discussed.     

Fine root biomass in relation to site and stand characteristics in Norway spruce and Scots pine stands

Variations in fine root biomass of trees and understory in 16 stands throughout Finland were examined and relationships to site and stand characteristics determined. Norway spruce fine root biomass varied between 184 and 370 g m(-2), and that of Scots pine ranged between 149 and 386 g m(-2). In northern Finland, understory roots and rhizomes (< 2 mm diameter) accounted for up to 50% of the stand total fine root biomass. Therefore, the fine root biomass of trees plus understory was larger in northern Finland in stands of both tree species, resulting in a negative relationship between fine root biomass and the temperature sum and a positive relationship between fine root biomass and the carbon:nitrogen ratio of the soil organic layer. The foliage:fine root ratio varied between 2.1 and 6.4 for Norway spruce and between 0.8 and 2.2 for Scots pine. The ratio decreased for both Norway spruce and Scots pine from south to north, as well as from fertile to more infertile site types. The foliage:fine root ratio of Norway spruce was related to basal area and stem surface area. The strong positive correlations of these three parameters with fine root nitrogen concentration implies that more fine roots are needed to maintain a certain amount of foliage when nutrient availability is low. No significant relationships were found between stand parameters and fine root biomass at the stand level, but the relationships considerably improved when both fine root biomass and stand parameters were calculated for the mean tree in the stand. When the northern and southern sites were analyzed separately, fine root biomass per tree of both species was significantly correlated with basal area and stem surface area per tree. Basal area, stem surface area and stand density can be estimated accurately and easily. Thus, our results may have value in predicting fine root biomass at the tree and stand level in boreal Norway spruce and Scots pine forests.     

Biomass of fine and small roots in two Japanese black pine stands of different ages

The biomass and the spatial distribution of fine and small roots were studied in two Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) stands growing on a sandy soil. More biomass of fine and small roots was found in the 17-year-old than in the 40-year-old stand. There were 62 g m⁻² of fine roots and 56 g m⁻² of small roots in the older stand, which represented mean values of 608 g for fine and 552 g for small roots per tree, respectively. In the younger stand, a total of 85 g m⁻² of fine roots and 66 g m⁻² of small roots were determined, representing a mean of 238 g for fine and 186 g for small roots per tree, respectively. Fine and small root biomasses decreased linearly with a soil depth of 0–50 cm in the older stand. In the younger stand, the fine and small roots developed only up to a depth of 30 cm. Horizontal distributions (with regard to distance from a tree) of both root groups were homogeneous. A positive correlation in the amount of biomass of fine and small roots per m² relative to tree size was found. Fine and small root biomasses increased consistently from April to July in both stands. The results also indicated earlier growth activity of the fine roots than small roots at the beginning of the growing season. The seasonal increases in fine and small root biomasses were slightly higher in the younger stand than the older stand.     

Why do trees decline or dieback after a strong wind? Water status of Hinoki cypress standing after a typhoon

We examined the water status of Hinoki cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl., trees after a severe typhoon to determine possible causes of the decline and dieback that can occur in what appear, at first, to be healthy trees in typhoon-damaged forest stands. We found that in apparently healthy trees in a storm-damaged stand, the water conducting area of the trunk cross section was greatly reduced compared with that of similarly sized trees in a nearby undamaged stand. Although leaf specific hydraulic resistance (Wl) from soil to leaf and from trunk to leaf was higher in trees from the storm-damaged than the undamaged stand, Wl values from soil to root were similar. Diurnal patterns in the rates of change in trunk diameter differed between trees in the damaged and the undamaged stand. We conclude that increased aboveground hydraulic resistance caused by a reduction in trunk water conducting area could be a major reason for the decline and dieback of apparently healthy trees in typhoon-damaged stands.     

Oak mortality associated with crown dieback and oak borer attack in the Ozark Highlands

Oak decline and related mortality have periodically plagued upland oak–hickory forests, particularly oak species in the red oak group, across the Ozark Highlands of Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma since the late 1970s. Advanced tree age and periodic drought, as well as Armillaria root fungi and oak borer attack are believed to contribute to oak decline and mortality. Declining trees first show foliage wilt and browning, followed by progressive branch dieback in the middle and/or upper crown. Many trees eventually die if severe crown dieback continues. In 2002, more than 4000 living oak trees ≥11 cm dbh in the relatively undisturbed mature oak forests of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) were randomly selected and inventoried for tree species, dbh, crown class, crown width, crown dieback condition (healthy: <5% crown dieback, slight: >5–33%, moderate: 33–66%, and severe: >66%) and number of emergence holes created by oak borers on the lower 2.4 m of the tree bole. The same trees were remeasured in 2006 to determine their status (live or dead). In 2002, about 10% of the red oak trees showed moderate or severe crown dieback; this was twice the percentage observed for white oak species. Over 70% of trees in the red oak group had evidence of oak borer damage compared to 35% of trees in the white oak group. There was significant positive correlation between crown dieback and the number of borer emergence holes (p < 0.01). Logistic regression showed oak mortality was mainly related to crown width and dieback, and failed to detect any significant link with the number of oak borer emergence holes. Declining red oak group trees had higher mortality (3 or 4 times) than white oaks. The odds ratios of mortality of slightly, moderately, and severely declining trees versus healthy trees were, respectively, 2.0, 6.5, and 29.7 for black oak; 1.8, 3.8, and 8.3 for scarlet oak; and 2.6, 6.5 and 7.1 for white oaks.     

Comparative studies on the fine root status of healthy and declining spruce and beech trees in the Bavarian Alps and occurrence of Phytophthora and Pythium species

Investigations on root and crown status of spruce and beech were carried out on selected trees in the ‘Werdenfelser Land’ area (Bavarian Alps, Southern Germany). In addition, the association of fine root pathogens of the genera Phytophthora and Pythium with the trees’ rhizosphere was studied. In a variety of stands representing various site conditions, soil and root samples were taken from 12 spruce (Picea abies) pairs and eight beech (Fagus sylvatica) pairs. Each pair consisted of a healthy and a declining tree as indicated by crown transparency. The root status was characterized using a set of parameters, and correlations between crown and fine root status were observed. In spruce, most parameters decreased significantly with increasing crown transparency, whereas in beech, correlations were less pronounced. The total number of lateral roots per cm small root (diameter 2–5 mm) was significantly lower in both species for declining trees compared to healthy trees. Pythium spp. were isolated from 15 of 24 soil samples taken from under spruce, and from eight of 16 samples from under beech. Phytophthora citricola was found in two beech stands only. Among the isolated species, Pythium anandrum, Pythium inflatum and Pythium acrogynum were identified according to morphological features. After polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, residual Pythium isolates were assigned to four different groups. No crown transparency‐dependent differences in isolation frequency were found. In soil infestation tests, all species tested caused root damage on both young spruce and beech plants, with P. citricola being the most aggressive pathogen. Additionally, Pythium‐infected beeches showed severe leaf chloroses and necroses. Due to their low isolation frequency, Phytophthora spp. are not considered to play a major role in the decline of spruce and beech in the investigated area. Pythium spp., however, were isolated frequently, showed pathogenicity towards the fine roots of spruce and beech, and are therefore considered to be at least contributing factors in the decline of Bavarian mountain forests.     

Changes in fine root production and longevity in relation to water and nutrient availability in a Norway spruce stand in northern Sweden

Effects of irrigation and liquid fertilization on fine root (< 1 mm) production and longevity, and fine root (< 0.5-2 mm) biomass were studied in a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stand in northern Sweden. Fine root length production and longevity were measured by the minirhizotron technique at 0-10 cm depth in the following treatments: irrigation (I), liquid fertilization (IL) and control (C). Standing root biomass and root length density (RLD) were studied in the litter-fermented humus (LFH) layer and at depths of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm using soil cores in solid fertilized (F) and C plots. Minirhizotrons were installed in October 1994 and measurements recorded monthly from July to September 1995 and during the growing season in 1996. Soil cores were sampled in 1996. Fine root production increased significantly in IL plots compared with C plots, but the I treatment did not increase root production. Root mortality increased significantly in IL plots compared with C plots. Fine root longevity in IL plots was significantly lower compared with C and I plots. No significant difference was found between longevity of fine roots in I and C plots. Compared with C, F treatment increased fine root biomass in the LFH and mineral soil layers, and increased the amount of fine roots in mineral soil layers relative to the LFH layer. Furthermore, F increased RLD and the number of mycorrhizal root tips significantly.     

林分密度对侧柏人工林细根形态的影响

以徐州林场50年生侧柏人工林为研究对象,采用挖掘法获取土壤根系样品,探究林分密度对侧柏人工林不同根序细根形态的影响。结果表明:细根的直径和根长随着根序上升而显著增大,而比根长则随着根序的上升而显著减小。低林分密度(1 679株/hm2)与中林分密度(2 250株/hm2)相比显著减小了表层土壤1、2级细根的平均直径和平均根长,亚表层土壤3级细根的根长,显著增大了亚表层土壤2级细根的平均比根长;高林分密度(3074株/hm2)比中林分密度显著增大了2级根的平均比根长。与高林分密度相比,低林分密度显著减小了表层土壤1、2级细根的平均直径,增大了亚表层土壤5级细根的平均直径。     

Interspecific competition impacts on the morphology and distribution of fine roots in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)

Morphology and vertical distribution patterns of spruce and beech live fine roots (diameter ≤2 mm) were studied using a soil core method in three comparable mature stands in the Solling: (1) pure beech, (2) pure spruce and (3) mixed spruce–beech. This study was aimed at determining the effects of interspecific competition on fine root structure and spatial fine root distribution of both species. A vertical stratification of beech and spruce fine root systems was found in the mixed stand due to a shift in beech fine roots from upper to lower soil layers. Moreover, compared to pure beech, a significantly higher specific root length (SRL, P<0.05) and specific surface area (SSA, P<0.05) were found for beech admixed with spruce (pure beech/mixed beech SRL 16.1–23.4 m g⁻¹, SSA 286–367 cm² g⁻¹). Both indicate a flexible ‘foraging’ strategy of beech tending to increase soil exploitation and space sequestration efficiency in soil layers less occupied by competitors. Spruce, in contrast, followed a more conservative strategy keeping the shallow vertical rooting and the root morphology quite constant in both pure and mixed stands (pure spruce/mixed spruce SRL 9.6/7.7 m g⁻¹, P>0.10; SSA 225/212 cm² g⁻¹, P>0.10). Symmetric competition belowground between mixed beech and spruce was observed since live fine roots of both species were under-represented compared to pure stand. However, the higher space sequestration efficiency suggests a higher competitive ability of beech belowground.     

First records of soilborne Phytophthora species in Swedish oak forests

Thirty‐two oak stands in southern Sweden, 27 with predominantly declining trees and five with a higher proportion of healthy trees were investigated regarding the presence of soilborne Phytophthora species. Phytophthora quercina, an oak‐specific fine root pathogen, was isolated from rhizosphere soil samples in 10 of the 27 declining stands. Additionally, P. cactorum and P. cambivora were recovered from one stand each. No Phytophthora species were isolated from the healthy oak stands. The soil conditions at the sites from which Phytophthora spp. were recovered ranged from mesic sediments to moraines, with clayey to silty textures and with soil pH (BaCl₂) between 3.5 and 5.0. The results show that P. quercina is geographically widespread in oak stands in southern Sweden and indicate that this pathogen may be one of the factors involved in oak decline in Northern Europe as has already been shown for western, Central and parts of southern Europe.