This publication contains background information and guidance for resource management professionals and landowners to understand and manage sudden oak death in California forests. The publication is divided into three chapters: Chapter 1 discusses the epidemiology of SOD in California and includes information on biology of the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, host-pathogen interactions, disease spread, and environmental conditions that affect disease department. An understanding of these relationships is needed to choose the most appropriate strategies for managing SOD at a given location.