Reports indicate that a new fungal blight of boxwood has been detected in the Eastern United States. Cylindrocladium buxicola was isolated recently and confirmed by USDA in North Carolina, Maryland and other locations. The disease can have severe effects on boxwood, causing rapid and severe defoliation. It was first detected in the U.K. and had spread through Europe and New Zealand in 1998.

At this point, there is no indication that Cylindrocladium buxicola is in Oregon. All tests to date by ODA inspectors have shown Oregon plant material to be free of the disease.

Oregon State has posted a report from North Carolina State University pathologists that includes details and images of this disease. Virginia Tech has also created a detailed report. Links to the two reports are available below. Both are recommended reading for anyone working with or growing boxwoods:

• Oregon State University report (PDF)
• Virginia Tech report (PDF)

Officials with the Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Division and the Oregon Association of Nurseries said they would continue to track the issue closely.