rhododendron dangers

[deereman64]

I am thinking of planting some rhododendron in my woods along the paths. I know they are vunerable to deer but I'm having some real success with sprays to keep the deer away. I was listening to a podcast yesterday though and I was wondering if you have heard this affecting trees in the states. I have attached the segment of the podcast.I think you will have to unzip first. The segmant was lifted from the BBC newspodcast

 

[hobie]

Interesting. I've never heard of this. I also would have thought they were not something the deer would eat. I suspect we just haven't had enough deer for that to be a problem. We have recently lost a good sized oak, and my brother says we'll have to take down the family's favorite oak because of disease. Sounds like it may be the same one. I love the shrubs, and have some that grew on their own, and several I planted. Hate to think they may be a host for this disease. Thanks for posting this. Brian