Some of Cal's most majestic trees are looking sickly. Here's why

"It's an alarming change for the evergreen species, which wouldn't normally drop its leaves en masse. City hall aide Eric Panzer took note of the oaks' haggard look and asked Berkeleyside about it this month, wondering if they are distressed. Thankfully, etymologist Peter Oboyski told us there's no need for tree lovers to worry. The culprit is the California oak moth, a voracious eater that emerges every so often around our region with major outbreaks of caterpillars that strip trees of their verdant canopies."

"Within three months, you're going to see these trees leafing out, Oboyski said. Sure enough, several oaks next to the Crescent Lawn on the west side of the campus, which were devoured by the moth, now appear to be sending out tender new leaves. There's a lot scientists don't know about the moth, Oboyski said, like how often outbreaks like this one occur. The first was recorded on the Stanford University campus in"

Many mature coast live oaks across the UC Berkeley campus lost most of their foliage, leaving bare branches and scattered brown leaves. Trees near Wheeler Hall, the Campanile, the Hearst Mining Circle, Stadium Rim Way, Memorial Stadium, and Crescent Lawn showed extensive defoliation. The cause is periodic outbreaks of the California oak moth; caterpillars feed voraciously and can strip canopies. The moth outbreak is not expected to cause long-term harm to the evergreen oaks. Affected trees are already producing tender new leaves, and widespread leafing is expected within about three months. Frequency of outbreaks is not well understood; earlier records include nearby university campuses.

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