Climate, diseases driving death of several tree species in multiple California regions

UC Berkeley forest pathology expert Matteo Garbelotto leads groundbreaking research revealing that latent fungal pathogens activated by drought stress are driving widespread dieback of 10 California tree species across six regions, not climate alone. His team's five-year study proves these often-native microbes rival invasive pests in threat level, urging water management for urban trees, climate-adapted native plantings, and range shifts for species like manzanitas and blue oaks. Read the full story here.