British Oaks in Danger from American Fungus

Since the mid-1990's, the west coast has been losing oak trees to "sudden oak death," a disease caused by the fungus Phytophthora ramorum. According to the Environment News Service, Britain, which has a history of importing and growing American plant species, has found the fungus on a few viburnum plants, and is trying to avoid a more widespread problem. Their response: a ban on the import of certain trees and woody shrubs originating from America, including some wood products.