UMass Extension Landscape Message #11
May 13, 2005

Quick Info Menu ------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL DATA REGIONAL NOTES - Cape Cod - Southeast - East - Central - Pioneer Valley - Berkshire PHENOLOGY WOODY ORNAMENTALS - Insects - Diseases - Lab Report TURFGRASS - Insects - Diseases - Weeds INFO RESOURCES DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES Use this menu to instantly jump to any portion of the message!

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

The following growing degree day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for the one-week period from May 5 through May 11, 2005 . Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on May 11, 2005. Accumulated GDDs represent the heating units above the 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments since the beginning of the current growing season. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.

The average growing-degree-day accumulation across the state for the one week period was 36, averaging approximately 5 GDDs per day.

REGIONAL NOTES

Cape Cod Region (Barnstable) - General conditions: Stormy weather over the weekend caused trees to fall and branches to break. Temperatures never got out of the forties and the wind-driven rain made it feel more like March than May. Plant development is progressing slowly. Tulips and early perennials give color to the landscape. Orioles have arrived and are picking winter moth caterpillars out of apple buds. Pests/Problems. Winter moth is the main pest active at this time, with tiny inch worms spinning down on threads of silk. Some leaves are emerging from buds with many holes while other leaves are webbed together. Tents of eastern tent caterpillar are quite visible now and they are expanding. Reports of forest tent caterpillar have come in from Sandwich. Lily leaf beetles are active and laying eggs on the undersurface of lily foliage. Treatment for black turpentine beetle should be wrapping up. The gelatinous orange galls of cedar-apple rust are visible on eastern red cedar. Termites are flying.

Southeast Region (Hanson) - General Conditions: Continued cool weather and rain prolong spring bloom. Gardeners may not like this weather but the plants are loving it. Forsythia and PJM rhododendron continue to look good. Saucer magnolias are coming to an end but it has been a good run. Hanson received about 1.9 inches of rain, maybe more. It was so windy the rain was going sideways! Early crabapples are in full bloom. Some dogwoods are in full bloom depending on location. Trees and shrubs in full bloom include Sassafras, Pieris japonica, Pieris floribunda (mountain pieris), 'Brouwer's Beauty' Pieris, Kerria. Many perennials--Arabis, Arisaema, Corydalis lutea, Dicentra eximia, Dicentra spectabilis, Epimedium, Helleborus foetidus, Lunaria, Pulmonaria, Polemonium, Phlox divaricata, Phlox subulata, Primula, Omphalodes, Tiarella, Trillium, Vinca minor, tulips, daffodils and violets--are in full bloom. Norway maple, Magnolia stellata (star magnolia), Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' (Leonard Messel magnolia), Helleborus x hybridus, Corydalis solida, are past bloom. Viburnum 'Mohawk' is beginning bloom. Pests/Problems: Winter moth caterpillars are feeding on a wide range of plant material. Lily leaf beetle, hemlock woolly adelgid, gypsy moth caterpillar, larch casebearer, carpenter bees and bumble bees, mosquitoes, ticks, forest tent caterpillars and eastern tent caterpillars are all active. Tents of eastern tent caterpillar are visible and expanding; they can be easily removed and destroyed at dusk when the caterpillars retreat to the tent.

East Region (Boston) - General Conditions: Overall pleasant. Pests/Problems: Some damage from winter moth caterpillar feeding has become evident on emerging tree leaves.

Central Region (Boylston) - General Conditions: Cool weather has been supplanted by warm, pushing the bloom ahead again and bringing on the black flies. Pests/Problems: Lily leaf beetles are active.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions:Lawns, new growth on trees and shrubs and perennial gardens look lush and green. Flowering plants have retained their blossoms well during the rain and winds of the weekend, so the landscape is a palette of color. Pests/Problems: There was a report of uniform browning of the newest growth on trees in a local nursery and concern about leaf spot disease. Since the morning temperatures of May 2 through May 5 were in the upper 20° F range, that is a more likely cause of the damage. However, with the ongoing wet weather, fungal and bacterial diseases are bound to infect the tender flowers and foliage of susceptible plants. But, in most cases, the browning and leaf spots will not show up until later this spring or summer. Now is the time to protect high value plants with fungicides. It will be a good measure of the degree of the plant's resistance to these diseases if it is left untreated. For example, last season there were several instances of dogwood anthracnose leaf spots on resistant Kousa dogwood leaves. Last spring was much like this one with extended wet periods that were optimal for dogwood anthracnose spores to infect young leaves. Speaking of dogs... ticks are active.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: Soils are quite dry after a dry week, with sun and wind. However, plant growth is good with an abundance of spring bloom. A hard freeze (25° F in GB) on May 5, blasted the blossoms of 'P.J.M.' rhododendrons and early blooming magnolias. Pests/Problems. Black flies, deer ticks, eastern tent caterpillar and carpenter bees are prominent. Other than those pests, no other problems have been observed.

PHENOLOGY

The phenological indicators are a visual tool for correlating plant development with pest development. The following are the indicator plants and the stages of bloom observed for this period:

CAPE COD REGION - Roberta Clark, Horticulturist for Barnstable County, Barnstable.

SOUTHEAST REGION - Deborah Swanson, Horticulturist for UMass Extension in Plymouth County, Hanson

EAST REGION - James R. Allen, Horticulturist and Greenhouse Manager for UMass Biology Department, Boston

CENTRAL REGION - Joann Vieira, Superintendent of Horticulture, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston.

WESTERN REGION - Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, Urban Forestry Diagnostic Lab, UMass, Amherst.

BERKSHIRE REGION - Ronald Kujawski, Nursery Specialist, UMass Extension Agroecology Program, Great Barrington.

WOODY ORNAMENTALS

INSECTS

Lepidopteran caterpillars:

Gypsy Moth - The caterpillars have all now emerged from the eggs. Now that the caterpillars are finally settled and feeding, it's time to apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (B. t. k.) or a product containing spinosad or apply a tebuzenozide (e.g. Confirm™) which is an IGR (Insect Growth Regulator), or one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides.

Winter Moth - Most coastal towns as well as some inland towns in MA are now experiencing large numbers of this introduced pest. Much damage is expected. Common hosts include the following: oaks, maples, fruit trees, blueberry plants and many other deciduous hosts. The larvae are now free-feeders on the foliage and exposed to sprays. Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki or a spinosad product (e.g., Conserve SC™) or a tebufenozide product (e.g., Confirm™) or one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides should be very effective if applied now. Note: A new fact sheet entitled 'Identifying and Managing the Life Stages of Winter Moth' (Operophtera brumata)' shows a gallery of winter moth photo images and is now available on this web site.

Forest Tent Caterpillar - Also on the rise as a serious defoliator in MA, this caterpillar mostly prefers oaks but can be a pest on maples, crabapples and other deciduous hosts. They have begun to appear in large numbers in portions of Southeastern MA now. Treat the same way as winter moth.

Eastern Tent Caterpillar - Common to Malus and Prunus species, this native defoliator was present in high numbers last year across much of the Northeast. Where we typically only see one web, we are noticing a dozen or more in one tree this year. Treat with B.t.k. or a spinosad product or a tebufenozide product or with one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides.. Single webs can be physically removed by hand on cooler nights when all of the larvae are within it. Larvae are now becoming quite large and voracious feeders. .

Fall Cankerworm - This native pest is still in high numbers, especially in towns north of Boston. It can be found primarily on oaks but it has a rather wide deciduous host range. Eggs hatched around 50 GDD (soon after bud break) so this pest is now active in some areas of MA. Treat with a B.t.k. product or spinosad or tebufenozide.

Fruitworms - This complex of caterpillars will become active between 50 and 100 GDD. They initially look like winter moth but most have 5 pairs of prolegs and not two. They are free-feeders and have been increasing in numbers over the past 2-3 years. Oaks, maples and many other deciduous hosts are attacked. Treat the same way as the other Lepidoptera.

Larch Casebearer caterpillars continue to be active. Right now they appear like little cigar-shaped pieces of needles on the trunks and branches. They have migrated to the buds where they are feeding on the foliage as it is emerging. Now that feeding has begun, treat with Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki(B. t. k.) or a spinosad product or a tebufenozide product or with one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides.

European Pine Sawfly - When found in small numbers, remove by hand. When found in large numbers, treat with an insecticidal soap or spray with a product containing spinosad. This Hymenopteran caterpillar is now very active in the state and the larvae are about 1/2" long and are dark green with a black head capsule. B. t., of course, will not work on this pest. Treat with a spinosad product or with one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides.

Beetles:

Viburnum Leaf Beetle - Inspect all viburnum plants (those that are established in the landscape and nursery, as well as those that are newly arriving) for the presence of this unwanted pest. The indicator of its presence at this time of the year will be bare twigs that have a 'sandpaper' texture, which is a sign of the over-wintering eggs. Visit the Cornell web site, http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/index.html , for current information on this pest. Report any new findings in MA to Robert Childs, rchilds@psis.umass.edu, 413-545-1053.

Lily Leaf Beetle - The bright red adults have been seen for the past two weeks in warmer parts of the state. They are foraging for food and eventually a mate. This is a pest of all true lilies (not daylilies), fritillaria, Solomons-seal and others. It is a devastating pest to true lilies. Eggs won't appear until mid/late May, which are laid in irregular lines on leaf undersides. Neem-based products, when applied every 10-14 days, can be effective against the larvae when they begin to appear. Other than that, certain pyrethroid insecticides may be necessary.

Piercing-Sucking Pests:

Boxwood Psyllid - Begin monitoring the new foliage of boxwoods for the presence of this insect. The eggs over-wintered in the tender shoots and now the nymphs are feeding on the expanding foliage. This activity does not cause yellow stippling but it does cause the new foliage to become permanently cupped. This is truly just an aesthetic pest but can be of importance for nursery or specimen plants. Treat with a registered pyrethroid insecticide when found in damaging numbers.

Spider Mites - Inspect the needles and stems of conifers now for the over-wintering eggs of such pests as spruce spider mite. One of the growth regulator products that affects developing mite eggs may be useful. Continue to monitor on a weekly basis for any building populations.

Hemlock Eriophyid Mite - This tiny "peg-shaped" mite is just visible to the naked eye. When found in large numbers, they cause the foliage of hemlocks to turn an unhealthy olive green color. Treat when found in sufficient numbers. Inspect the upper needle surfaces, in particular, for this pest. It will remain active until approximately early June.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) - This pest experienced a phenomenal reduction in population numbers during the winter of 2003/2004. However, by being milder, this past winter did not have the regulating effect on HWA as did the previous one. New eggs are now noticeable. In certain areas, HWA is showing strong signs of rebounding from the winter mortality of two years ago. Monitor for increasing numbers and treat with a horticultural oil spray (when plant phenology allows) and/or whenever the correct weather conditions prevail. Systemic imidacloprid products can also be of benefit.

Mealybugs - Begin to inspect the inner branches for taxus mealybug. Treat when found.

Balsam Twig Aphid - Stem mothers have been active for weeks; now the offspring are beginning to appear and are capable or creating injury to newly expanding foliage. Inspect host plants (mostly balsam and Fraser firs) and treat before they produce copious amounts of offspring. This pest causes new needles to be twisted and they will also be stuck together with large amounts of sticky honeydew.

Honeylocust Plantbug - Now that the buds of honeylocust are opening, monitor for the presence of this pest by shaking branches over a piece of paper and inspecting with a hand lens. These nymphs are very small right now and are pale green in color. When found in sufficient numbers, treat with an insecticidal soap spray or with one of the registered chemical insecticides.

Scale Insects:

Armored Scales - A group of scale insects characterized by a hard, convex covering over their bodies, such as pine needle scale, euonymus scale, juniper scale and white prunicola scale can be monitored now. Treat with a horticultural oil spray when plant phenology and correct weather conditions prevail.

Soft Scales - Tuliptree scale and azalea bark scale can be monitored now. Look for sooty mold on the host plants. In the case of tuliptree scale (found on tuliptree and magnolia), one can also find the large, dark brown coverings on the stems. Azalea bark scale will appear white and cottony and will mostly be found in branch axils along the main trunk. Treat with a horticultural oil spray or systemic imidacloprid. These can be difficult to manage and may require future monitoring and treatments.

Gall Formers:

Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid - Nymphs are active at the base of buds and will soon stimulate the new shoots to become galls. Treat before gall formation occurs. In some areas, gall formation may have already begun.

Leaf Miners:

Birch Leaf Miner (BLM) - The adults have been active and laying eggs in newly expanding foliage. Yellow sticky cards should have been used to monitor for the adult emergence and treatments made at that time with a knockdown-type spray, such as a pyrethroid, to prevent egg-laying within the foliage. Adult BLM appear when the newly emerging foliage of the host plant is about the size of a dime.

Inkberry Leafminer - Inspect foliage of inkberry now for brown patches. These are most likely the mines of this pest. Mines do not show up until some time in the winter, so any late-season monitoring last fall would not have detected their presence. Use yellow sticky cards to monitor for the emergence of the adults in mid-late May and treat at that time, if necessary.

Other Insects:

Carpenter Bees - These large bumblebee-like bees are very active now. They can be seen visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. They are not a problem for plants nor are they very aggressive. They "nest" in the wooden eaves, sills and trim boards of buildings. The telltale sign of their presence is a "dime-sized" hole in the edge of a board. Tunnels within these boards can be a foot long or more. Holes go into the wood a short distance and then turn at a 90-degree angle and follow the grain of the wood. Repeated infestation can ruin wood.

Reported by Robert Childs, Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst

DISEASES

Leaf Spot and Shoot Blight - The rainfall has given plants a good watering; but with leaves developing they are vulnerable to leaf spot and shoot blight infections, especially when accompanied by temperatures of 50-70 degrees F. This is the time to apply protective fungicides to nursery and specimen woody landscape plants that are known to be susceptible to these types of diseases.

Bacterial blight caused by Pseudomonas syringae blackens flowers, new leaves and shoots on lilacs, and stone fruits, as well as frost-damaged Japanese, Norway, and red maples. The host range is actually wider, but these are the most common hosts in our area. In severe cases shoots are girdled and killed and flower clusters become limp and brown. Infection begins during mild (60-70° F), rainy periods. The bacteria typically enter tender plant leaves and flowers through natural openings (stomata, lenticels, nectarathodes, etc.) and frost wounds. As leaves mature, they are less susceptible and leaf infections late in the season are rare. Remove infected shoots during dry periods at least 8-12 inches below the edge of the lesion or where the infected branch attaches to another branch. Disinfect pruning tools with 10% bleach or 70% ethyl alcohol between cuts. Chemical control is not usually necessary, as the blight does not usually kill plants. However, when appearance is important, this is the time to initiate chemical controls to protect flowers and new growth on nursery and specimen plants from infection. Many copper-containing fungicides are labeled to control this disease. One or two follow up sprays at 10-14 day intervals are needed if wet weather continues this spring. If this is a persistent problem on lilac consider replacing susceptible ones (Chinese [Syringa x chinensis], Japanese [Syringareticulata], Persian [Syringa x persica] and white-flowered common lilac) with some of the many cultivars of resistant varieties that are available.

Dogwood anthracnose fruiting structures are apparent on trees where there are buds that did not open and twigs and branches that died back. Water shortage, heat stress, compacted soils and winter damage weaken trees and increase the severity of the disease. Dogwoods receiving good cultural care are better able to limit the extent of dogwood anthracnose damage. Water during dry periods and maintain 2-4 inches of composted bark mulch over as much of the root area as possible. Prune off and dispose of diseased twigs and branches to reduce anthracnose inoculum that is in the tree and is readily splashed to nearby leaves and shoots. Four fungicide applications are usually needed to control dogwood anthracnose on susceptible trees during wet seasons. Begin now (as buds break open), when bracts have fallen, and four weeks later as well as in late summer if there is wet weather after flower buds form. If this is a persistent problem consider planting one of the many resistant cultivars of C. florida and C. kousa now commercially available.

Rhabdocline Needle Cast - The fruiting bodies of Rhabdocline needle cast are visible on infected Douglasfir needles. Symptoms of Rhabdocline infection appear as elongated, red-brown spots and bands on infected needles. Spots often coalesce and most of the needle turns color except for the base, which often remains green. Infection tends to occur on the bottom of the tree first; but with wet springs during the last several, more of the tree is affected. Infected needles drop prematurely from winter into the summer. Spores are released from fruiting structures during cool, wet episodes from now to early summer and infect new needles as they develop. Avoid overhead irrigation of Douglasfir at this time of the year. Provide adequate spacing and limit weed growth around young trees. If this spring continues to be wet, apply fungicides such as chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide, mancozeb, or chlorothalonil plus fenarimol on susceptible, high-value trees. Maintain protection during the vulnerable period when the needles are first emerging from buds until they expand to full size.

Sphaeropsis (Diplodia) Shoot Blight - This disease can cause significant damage to weakened red, pitch, Japanese black and, especially, Austrian pine in our area. If wet weather continues, new shoots developing on these trees are vulnerable to infection. Consider applying fungicides such as propiconazole, copper salts of fatty acids, thiophanate methyl and mancozeb to susceptible trees as soon as buds swell significantly. Sprays should be reapplied at labeled intervals until the new growth is fully expanded, if wet conditions persist. A significant amount of inoculum is produced on the outer scales of second-year cones, as well as infected shoots and needles. Pruning affected shoots can be done when foliage is dry to improve appearance, but this will make little difference in reducing inoculum for new infections unless these cones are removed, too. If replacement of severely affected pines is an option, plant trees resistant to Sphaeropsis as well as plants better adapted to grow on the site.

Cedar-Apple Rust . The galls on eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and Rocky Mountain juniper (J. scopulorum) continue to erupt with the orange, gelatinous telial horns (fruiting structures) throughout Massachusetts. The orange, gelatinous horns release spores that infect wet apple and crab apple leaves at this time of the year during cool, rainy periods.

Black Knot Canker - At this time do not remove fruiting structures from plum and cherry trees once the 'black knots' erupt through the bark. Pruning once the black fruiting structures have erupted helps spread inoculum that causes new infections in the spring. Apply registered fungicides to specimen trees from the time when the buds break open through the end of active shoot elongation to protect vulnerable green shoots from infection. Later in the summer as well as during the winter and early spring, look for swollen branches (~ twice the normal diameter). When conditions are dry, prune not only to remove infected branches but also to improve the branch structure within the tree crown. Prune knots or swollen branches at least 3-4 inches below visible swelling. Remove the debris from the site and destroy it because the black knot fungus can produce spores on pruned branches. Removal of knots from Prunus species in nearby sites improves management of black knot on the 'principal' trees.

Ramorum Blight, also known as Sudden Oak Death (SOD) - Since 1995, oaks and tanoaks have been dying in the coastal counties of California. Since then, other types of plants have been found to be infected or associated with this disease, referred to as Sudden Oak Death, ramorum leaf blight or ramorum dieback, or by regulation as Phytophthora ramorum. SOD was first seen in 1995 in Mill Valley (Marin County) on tanoak. Since that time, the disease has been confirmed on various native hosts in fourteen coastal California counties (Marin, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Napa, San Mateo, Monterey, Santa Clara, Mendocino, Solano, Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Lake and San Francisco), and in Curry County, Oregon. Molecular tests detected evidence of P. ramorum on a single tree in Nassau County, NY but the organism could not be isolated. The only detections in a New England state were at three Connecticut nurseries that received plants from an Oregon nursery. Research being conducted by the Agriculture Research Service, US Forest Service, universities and others is under way to better identify hosts, methods of detection and effective treatments. Currently, 64 plants are regulated, two of which at the genus level (Camellia and Rhododendron). There are no chemical treatments currently available to eliminate the disease in nursery stock.

Status of Phytophthora ramorum Monitoring Surveys . USDA APHIS received $9.5 million in emergency funds to help support P. ramorum activities in 2005. The majority of the funding will be used to support the national nursery survey in all 50 states, as well as the required regulatory inspections in California, Oregon and Washington. It will also be used to fund educational outreach efforts and short-term methods development research in direct support of program activities.

California Department of Food and Agriculture reported 35 P. ramorum positive California nursery detections to APHIS so far in 2005. Twenty-one of the confirmations were found outside of the 14-county quarantined area, while 14 were found within it. Positive detections throughout California, by activity, are as follows: nursery stock cleanliness inspections or compliance agreement inspections B 21; and trace forward or trace back investigations B 14.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has inspected more than 1,400 (of about 2000) nurseries as part of the Federal order compliance survey process; 3 sites are P. ramorum-positive. Oregon also reported 4 trace-forward positives in residential settings. The residential finds originated at a nursery found positive in 2004. Delimitation surveys confirmed the disease has apparently not spread to other plants already in the landscapes. Infected plants were removed and incinerated.

The 2005 National Nursery Survey is underway. Ten states have reported on their progress. As of May 5, 2005, 221 sites have been surveyed and 1744 samples have been collected; none have been confirmed as positive for P. ramorum.

UMass Extension’s Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Diagnostic Lab Report. The following are some of the interesting disease/abiotic disorder samples received at the diagnostic lab in Amherst during the period May 2 through May 6, 2005:

• Douglas fir - 10-year-old tree losing many brown-green needles to the extent that it looks dead at a distance, however buds are opening and new growth is evident on all affected branches; severe Rhabdocline needle cast.
• Douglas fir - several 7-year-old trees with brown lesions on last year's needles but the older needles look fine; more typical Rhabdocline needle cast.
• Chamaecyparis - well-established tree with browning of 3/4 ths of the inside foliage of many lower branches, though now the tips of some are turning brown; Cercospora blight/gray blight (Pestalotiopsis).
• Juniper - ~ 20 year old planting with progressively more shoot and branch blight during the last 2-3 years; Phomopsis and Kabatina blight/secondary Lophodermium.
• Austrian pine - yellow-brown needles on 15-20 year old tree growing on seaside site; Ploioderma needle cast.
• Mountain laurel, rhododendron and holly - a number of plants growing on southeast side of building in mulched beds with fairly uniform browned leaf margins or entire shoot tips; winter dehydration (exposure to sun and wind).

Reported by Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, based in the Urban Forestry Diagnostic Lab at UMass, Amherst, Mass

LANDSCAPE WEEDS

Garlic mustard is beginning to flower and should be controlled now before seed is produced. Garlic mustard is a biennial; therefore, control now will also control seedlings and small first year plants. A non-selective translocation or contract herbicide can be used.

Perennial weeds have emerged in ornamental beds and should be treated now.

TURFGRASS

Diseases: No report: Visit the Landscape Message Archive for previous messages.

Insects: No report: Visit the Landscape Message Archive for previous messages.

Weeds:

Crabgrass - Forsythia is nearly done flowering and preemergence crabgrass herbicide applications should be coming to an end.

Broadleaf Weeds - Dandelion, violets and ground ivy are still flowering. Do not treat broadleaves now. Wait until these species finish flowering before treating them with a broadleaf herbicide.

Bluetts are still in flower. This 'flowering weed' indicates low soil pH. Check these areas for low pH and apply lime as needed. Wild garlic is noticeable now. Ignore it and it will go away or treat with a broadleaf turf herbicide. Control is increased if weed is stepped-on or rolled before application. Granular formulation should not be used.

Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension in the Plant, Insect and Soil Sciences Department, Amherst.

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES

Two UMass Extension Web Sites are specially designed to provide Green Industry professionals with resources, upcoming educational programs and events, and other relevant information. The Internet address for the Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program is http://www.umassgreeninfo.org. The Turf Program address is http://www.umassturf.org .

New England Guide to Weed Control in Turfgrass - The updated 2005 New England Guide to Weed Control in Turfgrass is now available. It contains extensive information about currently registered turf herbicide products, including specifics on application, timing and environmentally responsible use. The guide is available as a free, downloadable PDF file in the Online Publications section of http://www.umassturf.org

UMass Extension’s Turf Management Guide and IPM Facts: For more information about the pests mentioned in this message, you will need to refer to the following publications: the Professional Guide for IPM in Turf for Massachusetts, 2003-2004 edition and Turf IPM Facts . Call (413) 545-2717 to order these publications from the UMASS Extension Bookstore.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

UMass Laboratory Diagnoses for Turf and Landscape Problems: Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. The UMass Extension Urban Forestry Diagnostic Laboratory is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries, and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, landscape and turf weed identification and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound, and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Send specimens and payment made payable to the University of Massachusetts to Urban Forestry Diagnostic Lab, 160 Holdsworth Way, Holdsworth Natural Resources Center, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003. The fee for a woody plant disease analysis is $50.00. All insect, weed, and turfgrass identification samples are $25.00 each. For complete information and instructions on how to send specimens, visit the Urban Forestry Diagnostic Lab page.

Turfgrass disease samples should be directed to the UMass Turf Disease Diagnostic Lab . This service is available ONLY to green industry professionals such as landscapers, lawn care companies, and golf course managers. For more info specifically on turf disease diagnostics, visit the Disease Diagnostics page at www.umassturf.org .

NEXT UPDATE: The next issue will be available in Friday, May 20, 2005.

This message is produced by the UMASS Extension, Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program. The copy is prepared by Anna Greene from data and reports provided by the staff and faculty of the UMass Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program and the UMASS Extension Turfgrass Program as well as cooperating horticulturists and Green Industry professionals. The text is adapted for access via the internet by Jason Lanier and made available to subscribers via electronic transmittal by Ellen Weeks.

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