Landscape Message - Landscape Nursey and Urban Forestry

The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for a one-week period, May 25, 2006 through May 31, 2006. Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on May 31, 2006. Accumulated GDDs represent the heating units above a 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.

REGIONAL NOTES

Cape Cod Region (Barnstable) - General Conditions: A week’s worth of great weather is welcome at this time of year. Memorial Day weekend was rain-free, an unusual occurrence for Cape Cod. With no measurable rain for the past week, sandy soils are getting dry. Rhododendrons and azaleas look particularly good this year. Pests/Problems. Significant pockets of defoliation are being reported in most towns on the Cape. Winter moth caterpillar is almost done for the season but forest tent and, in scattered locations, gypsy moth are in very high numbers. A three-inch caliper Bradford pear in Marstons Mills had so many small forest tents on it that the bark appeared fuzzy. European hornet is stripping bark from lilacs and other plants. Asiatic garden beetles are emerging to feed at night on herbaceous plant material. Red thread is very prevalent in lawns at this time. A shoot blight of some type has defoliated Prunus species.Deer tick nymphs are now active. Given that this is the stage most implicated in transmitting Lyme disease, frequent, thorough tick checks are a must for landscapers.

Southeast Region (Hanson) - General Conditions: Sunny, warm weather has been the norm this past week. Hanson received 0.1 inches of rain. Styrax obassia, wisteria, goldenchaintree, Vinca, Rhododendrons, Corydalis lutea, anemones, royal azalea, bleeding heart, Brunnera macrophylla, Epimedium, Phlox subulata, Pholx divaricata, Phlox stolonifera, sweet woodruff, columbine, viburnums, Rutgers hybid dogwoods, Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie', tree peonies, bearded iris, Siberian iris, Doronicum sp., Geranium sp., Dicentra eximia , lily-of-the-valley, and Solomon's seal are in full bloom. Fothergilla, flowering dogwood, Helleborus foetidus, and Euphorbia polychroma are past bloom. Great year for rhododendrons! Pests/Problems. Gypsy moth, eastern tent, forest tent, and winter moth caterpillars are all active as well as hemlock woolly adelgid, lily leaf beetles, wasps and hornets, carpenter bees, mosquitoes, mayflies, and ticks. Termites are swarming outdoors. Buttercups, ground ivy, chickweed, and veronica are in full bloom.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions: Warm, summer weather arrived last weekend, along with a brief summer shower on Tuesday evening! At the same time iris burst into bloom, while lawns remain green, and conifers from pine to eastern hemlock profusely push out new candles. Pests/Problems. Sycamore and white oak are dramatically blighted and defoliating with their respective anthracnoses. Mosquitoes and black flies as well as forest tent and eastern tent caterpillars are plentiful.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: Very warm weather has accelerated plant growth. Showers of late supplied needed moisture to soil as the ground surface had become dry. Pests/Problems. Tent caterpillars continue in abundance but are near completion of their larval phase. Warm temperatures, rain, and high humidity have resulted in large hatch of mosquitoes. Boxwood psyllid, cankerworms on crabapples and assorted deciduous trees, pine spittlebug, and European pine sawfly larvae remain active.

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.

PIONEER VALLEY - Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass, Amherst.

BERKSHIRES - Ron Kujawski, Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.

The warmer and sunnier weather is now strongly driving the development and activity of many caterpillar species that have been somewhat delayed by the mostly cool wet weather earlier in May. A number of the species, such as winter moth, forest tent caterpillar, gypsy moth and fall cankerworm experienced staggered egg-hatching, and in some areas there is a sharp difference in the sizes of caterpillars within a species. However, they are all now feeding voraciously, and defoliation should appear rapidly.

Hymenopteran Caterpillars (Sawflies):

European pine sawfly caterpillars become voracious feeders as they grow and are capable of consuming large amounts of foliage daily. Monitor for their presence now, and treat the very young caterpillars with an insecticidal soap or a product that contains spinosad or use one of the registered chemical insecticides. Mugo pine is one of the more common hosts for this pest.
Azalea sawfly is now active on deciduous azaleas, such as Exbury and Mollis varieties. This pale green caterpillar is virtually the same color as the foliage of its host and feeds along the leaf margins, making it very hard to see despite it being in plain sight. Monitor for foliage that has nothing remaining but the main vein of the leaf. Look very closely for this cryptic caterpillar. They are capable of defoliating individual plants within a few weeks. Treat with a spinosad product or with one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides. Younger larvae can be treated with an insecticidal soap spray.
Maple petiole borer damage is about to become apparent. This petiole-mining sawfly causes an area of the leaf petiole to become shrunken and blackened. Then, during winds or rainy periods, usually around this time of the year, the affected leaves will drop to the ground. Hundreds of leaves may be lost from one tree. Raking and destroying the fallen leaves does no good in terms of controlling this insect; the larvae stay within the piece of the petiole that is still attached to the tree. Within weeks, these petioles (with the caterpillar) will drop unnoticed to the ground. Although appearing to be serious, it is not a problem for the tree. It happens once per year and only a tiny fraction of foliage is lost. There are no controls nor are any deemed necessary. Sugar maple is the primary host.

Beetles:

Lily leaf beetle is active. Inspect for the bright red adult beetles which are foraging and feeding. Also, inspect the undersides of foliage for short (about one inch long) irregular shaped, tan-colored lines that are actually a row of eggs. Once found, they can be removed and destroyed. Just before these eggs hatch, they will turn orange and then a deep red color. Nymphs, which won’t appear for several more weeks, can be treated with a product that contains spinosad.

Piercing-Sucking Insects and Mites:

Spruce spider mite is active. Damage in the form of fine yellow stippling that contributes to an overall appearance of chlorosis has now become obvious from last fall’s feeding. Monitor for these two-toned (tan color) mites with a hand lens, and treat if numbers appear to be high. Oil sprays (at the summer rate) work well on all life stages, but take caution with tender new foliage that is now emerging from the buds. In such cases, it may be prudent to wait until it has fully expanded to apply oil. Some of the newer mite growth regulator products can be quite effective on the egg stage (ovicidal) and immatures of many spider mite species (Tetranychidae) while not being harmful to predatory mite species. Adult spider mites are often not killed by exposure to these products, but exposed female mites may produce inviable eggs.
Hemlock eriophyid mite is active. These tiny, peg-shaped and pale yellow mites are just visible to the naked eye and can be seen feeding actively on the needle surface. Large populations will lead to much chlorosis and plant stress. Manage when found in large numbers.
Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) crawlers, once settled, begin to feed and are not mobile again until the next generation. Oil sprays (summer rate) work very well, but care should be taken to avoid applying oils when tender new foliage is appearing. Systemically applied imidacloprid is also effective, but translocation can take anywhere from weeks to months to get to where this pest is feeding.
Honeylocust plantbug is active. The overwintering eggs have been imbedded in the tender shoots, and they hatched at bud break. The tiny, pale green nymphs are now feeding with their piercing-sucking mouths on expanding foliage. When this pest occurs in large numbers and the weather becomes cool for an extended period of time (many days to more than a week), the injury can become great to tiny foliage to the point where it never fully expands. During certain years, honeylocust can be defoliated by this piercing-sucking pest. Monitor by shaking branches over a sheet of paper and inspecting for the nymphs. When numbers are high, it may be prudent to treat.
Boxwood psyllid - This pest is near the end of its activity for this year in much of the state. Even if it is found to be active in certain areas, the injury has already occurred in the form of cupped foliage. Treat with a registered pyrethroid insecticide when found in damaging numbers. Cupped foliage may stay on the plant for 2-3 years.
Mealybugs - Begin to inspect the inner branches for taxus mealybug. Treat when found.
Andromeda lacebug will be active soon. The eggs of this pest have over-wintered embedded in the host plant tissue. Inspect leaf undersides of Japanese andromeda for the activity of this pest. Treat the plant with a soil applied systemic treatment of imidacloprid or spray the leaf undersides with an insecticidal soap. Pyrethroid insecticides are also labeled for this pest.

Leaf Miners:

Native holly leafminer mines are very obvious right now on American Holly, but there is nothing to be done for management. Place out yellow sticky cards to monitor for the next generation of adult flies, and treat at that time with a knockdown type spray, such as a pyrethroid.
Birch leafminer - Yellow sticky cards should now be placed out in susceptible birches where leaf expansion has begun. Adult sawflies should appear around the time that the leaves are half-emerged from the buds. Treat when the adults appear. ellow sticky cards should now be placed out in susceptible birches where leaf expansion has begun. Adult sawflies should appear around the time that the leaves are half-emerged from the buds. Treat when the adults appear.

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 (summer rate) when plant phenology and correct weather conditions prevail. Pine needle scale has a new batch of crawlers that are settling now to feed.
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.

Wood Borers:

Dogwood Borer - The adult moth will become active very soon. Pheromone traps are available for this pest. Keep flowering dogwood free of wound from mowers and line trimmers, which encourage invasion by this insect. Treat infested trees in August with a trunk/branch spray of entomopathogenic (beneficial) nematodes.
Bronze Birch Borer - This wood boring beetle requires a previously weakened tree for successful colonization. Keep birches healthy by watering during drought, mulching and avoiding soil compaction. Some advise that birches not be pruned from June into September to avoid releasing plant volatiles that may attack female beetles. However, healthy trees should be able to withstand pruning at this time and still naturally defend itself against this pest.

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

DISEASES

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.

Horsechestnut (Guignardia) leaf blotch is just beginning to become evident, as scattered, irregular-shaped orange-brown blotches on infected leaves. They are primarily affecting lower, inside leaves. However, as the summer progresses the impact of the disease may be more noticeable, but chemical intervention at this time for this season is of little benefit. Keep in mid that horsechestnut infected year after year continue to grow vigorously in spite of Guignardia leaf blotch.

Powdery mildew fungi are now barely visible as a dusty, gray to white spots on horsechestnut leaves. Additional host plants include dogwood, sycamore, phlox, and rose are not showing signs of powdery mildew yet in the Amherst area. Once established on plants, powdery mildews grow superficially on both upper and lower leaf surfaces as well as green shoots and flower buds. They are obligate parasites and derive sustenance only from living host plants. They do this using minute, tube-like structures (haustoria) that penetrate the epidermal cells and draw out material they need to survive. Later this summer spherical, black fruiting structures are visible with a hand lens on the underside of leaves in the dusty, gray mycelia. Generally, the damage caused by powdery mildew is of minor consequence to healthy plants and does not warrant chemical control if unsightliness is not a critical concern. If considering chemical control, there are a number of unconventional applied materials labeled to protect susceptible plants. They include summer horticultural oil, commercial baking soda preparations (sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate), anti-transpirants, as well as a number of conventional fungicides. Chemical spray programs are most effective when begun just as symptoms of powdery mildew begin to show. Once powdery mildew is extensive on the plant, there is little benefit from chemical control that season. Applications need to coat both surfaces of all susceptible plant parts to prevent infection. Spray on a regular schedule, and repeat more often during warm, humid weather.

Oak leaf blister is showing up on red, white, and pin oak leaves as faint, yellow-green, puckered spots. This is a not a serious fungal disease problem in our area. Yet, if a severe outbreak is occurring on high value trees, note that for future reference. Next spring, start chemical control activities just as buds open and repeat at labeled intervals if wet weather persists.

Apple scab is minimally visible on susceptible crab apple leaves. The heavy, prolonged rainy periods appear to have suppressed early scab infections. Many leaves are curling or cupping where lesions developed before the leaves were mature, and the dead leaf tissue constricted leaf expansion. Within weeks after infection, the olive green fruiting bodies produce new spores. New infections can occur essentially the entire growing season during wet and mild conditions. Now is a favorable time to maintain scab_susceptible crabapples in the landscape in which infection has just begun with fungicides. These fungicides act primarily to prevent new infections, especially those infections that would develop on newly emerging leaves. Apply systemic fungicides soon to reduce the incidence of apple scab as the season goes on, before the extent of infection is too severe, and maintain protection at labeled intervals. Alternate every second or third systemic fungicide spray with a broad-spectrum fungicide to reduce problems with the development of fungicide resistance by the apple scab fungus. Prune to increase sunlight penetration and air circulation to promote rapid drying of wet foliage. If apple scab is a chronic problem, consider planting resistant varieties of crab apple if replacement is an option. This fall remove and destroy fallen leaves near the tree to reduce primary inoculum available for initial infections next spring.

Rhabdocline needle cast fruiting structures 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 remains green. Infection tends to occur on the bottom of the tree first. Infected needles drop prematurely from now into the summer. Spores released from these fruiting bodies during cool, wet weather infect new needles that will soon start developing. Avoid overhead watering of Douglasfir at this time of the year. Provide adequate spacing, and manage tall weed growth around young trees. Fungicide applications protect susceptible, high-value trees during wet springs. Maintain protection during the vulnerable period when the needles are first emerging from buds until they expand to full size.

Sphaeropsis (Diplodia) shoot blight on pine can cause significant damage to stressed 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 to protect susceptible trees as soon as buds swell significantly. Reapply sprays at labeled intervals until the new growth fully expands, if wet conditions persist. The Sphaeropsis fungus produces significant amount of inoculum on the outer scales of second-year cones, as well as infected shoots and needles. Prune affected shoots when plants are dry to improve appearance, but this will make little difference in reducing inoculum for new infections without cone removal, too. If replacement of severely affected pines is an option, plant trees resistant to Sphaeropsis shoot blight as well as better adapted to grow on the site.

Gymnosporangium rust fruiting structures are visible on eastern red cedar (really a juniper) and Rocky mountain juniper, as well as the occasional Chinese, common, creeping and savin juniper hosts. Specifically, cedar-apple rust galls are visible on eastern red cedar (really a juniper) as eruptions of orange, gelatinous masses protruding from pea- to golf ball-sized galls. These fruiting structures release spores that infect apple and crab apple leaves at this time of the year during cool, rainy periods. Likewise, fruiting structures of hawthorn rust and quince rust are on many of these junipers, but the fruiting structures are less conspicuous. Hawthorn rust develops pea-size or smaller galls while the quince rust fruiting structures emerge as red-orange “cracks” in the bark of infected branches. Leaves, green shoots, and fruit of serviceberry, hawthorn, mountain ash, quince, flowering quince, and pear, as well as apple and crabapple are susceptible broadleaf alternate hosts.

Sycamore, maple, oak, and ash anthracnose are evident now as dark-green to dark-brown curling leaves and shootssycamore, maple, and oak, while ash anthracnose appears as young green leaves with very tiny brown spots falling from the trees. Anthracnose is widespread on early leaves and shoots this year due to the abundance of inoculum on overwintering twigs and fallen leaves, as well as the consistently wet weather. These diseases cause some premature leaf loss, but that is not going to seriously an otherwise healthy tree. In the fall fine prune infected twigs if practical, as well as collect and dispose of fallen leaves. Promote drying of foliage by pruning and spacing plants to increase the penetration of sunlight and air circulation in and around plants.

Phomopsis tip blight - The current wet conditions, along with the development of immature scale-leaves/needles are favorable for infection of juniper by Phomopsis tip blight. Juniper shoots that are tan-gray with pinhead sized, black fruiting bodies are producing spores at this time. New growth that becomes infected this spring with Phomopsis tip blight will turn green-yellow, then brown and die within a few weeks of infection. Management begins with the removal and disposal of infected shoot tips when they are dry to reduce inoculum. Cut an inch or so below the boundary between dead and healthy tissue. Now is the time to initiate fungicide control of juniper tip blight to improve plant appearance. Grow junipers in an open, sunny location to promote drying of foliage, that are adapted to the site and that have resistant to tip blight.

Dogwood anthracnose fruiting structures are apparent on trees where there are buds that did not open as well as twigs and branches that died back. Water shortage, heat stress, compacted soil, and winter damage weakens trees and increases 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 in the tree. High value trees benefit from four fungicide applications to control dogwood anthracnose during wet seasons. Begin, as buds break open; reapply when bracts have fallen, and again four weeks later. A fourth application in late summer protects flower buds if there is wet weather after they form. If this is a persistent problem, consider planting one of the many resistant cultivars of C. florida and C. kousa now commercially available.

Ramorum Blight, also known as Sudden Oak Death (SOD) - Since the early 1990's, oaks and tanoaks were 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. The first positive identification of the disease was in 1995 on tanoak in Mill Valley (Marin County), California. Since that time, surveys confirmed Phytophthora ramorum on various native hosts and nursery plants in several locations in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. When nursery surveys find infected plants, prompt quarantine and/or eradication activities ensue. Research conducted by the Agriculture Research Service, US Forest Service, universities, and others is under way to better identify hosts, improve methods of detection, and develop effective treatments. USDA APHIS currently regulates 84 plants, two of which are at the genus level (Camellia and Rhododendron). There are no chemical treatments currently available to eliminate Phytophthora ramorum from infected plants.

Status of Phytophthora ramorum Monitoring Surveys. The 2006 National Nursery Survey is underway. The monitoring survey generally visits nurseries in areas with a high incidence of the problem and collects samples from host plants exhibiting leaf spot, blight, and canker symptoms associated with Phytophthora ramorum infections.

Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, based in the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab at UMass, Amherst.

WEEDS

Monitor landscape beds for annual weeds that may be germinating in areas where mulch is thin. Larger weeds should be treated with glyphosate since hand-weeding will often result in mulch disturbance. Small seedlings can be covered with mulch.

Many winter annuals are now going to seed. Remove before the seeds shatter.

Continue to inspect areas of landscape where new trees or shrubs, especially those that were field grown, have been planted in the last year. Look for perennial weeds that may be growing from the root ball. Canada thistle, mugwort, quackgrass, bindweed and horsenettle are some of the possible culprits. Treat will a non-selective systemic herbicide (ex. glyphosate). Contact herbicides (Sycthe™, Reward™) will not provide adequate control.

Mature garlic mustard plants can be cut at their base.

Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.

TURFGRASS

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

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

Weeds

Germinating crabgrass has been observed in areas of thin turf and non-turf areas.

Begin to actively monitoring for crabgrass and other annual grass weeds and evaluate the effectiveness of preemergence applications.

Dandelion, violets and ground ivy are done flowering, and postemergence herbicide applications can begin now. If clover is your dominant weed, wait awhile. It is still early for effective white clover control. Cool and cloudy weather may slow postemergence herbicide actively.

Winter annual weeds in turf areas have taken a major hit with the last few days of very warm weather. No need to treat these weeds. Encourage turf growth to fill the voids.

Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.

UPCOMING EVENTS

For a complete listing of upcoming events, see our Conferences and Workshops page.

2006 UMass Green School to Start October 31 in Milford, MA
Green School is a comprehensive certificate training program for Green Industry professionals taught by UMass Extension Educators and Faculty. This course is designed for landscape, turf, and other horticultural practitioners wishing to gain an understanding of horticulture fundamentals and strategies and their relation to environmental quality. Green School attendees learn about sustainable approaches to turf and landscape management in managed environments. Green School's curriculum is based on research and information emphasizing environmental stewardship and integrated pest management (IPM). Participants develop an understanding of how proper management practices impact natural resources such as soil and water. Participants learn to make environmentally appropriate decisions related to turf and plant selection, plant maintenance, pest and nutrient management.

The 2006 schedule and application form will be posted on www.umassgreenfino.org in June.

Scouting for Pests and Problems of Turf and Woody Ornamentals, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
June 15, 2006 - Bridgewater, MA
Learn how to put IPM practices to work efficiently. Join us in a walk through the landscape for demonstrations of IPM tools and techniques, as well as a close look at some of the most common cultural problems and troublesome insect, mite, and disease problems. Workshop held rain or shine. Two Pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 36, 37, and Applicators License available.ISA, MCA, MCH, and MCLP credit requested. See our Conferences & Workshops page for registration information.

July 19, 2006 - Nursey & Landscape Summer Meeting & Trade Show - The day will offer horticulture education workshops presented by well known researchers and educators, a trade show and hands-on insect, disease, and weed laboratory. At press time, plans were underway to feature an actual outdoor set-up of garden center displays showing examples of today’s most successful marketing and plant branding strategies. Plans to organize class reunions for Stockbridge School of Agriculture and UMass alumni the day before and have University Admission officials on hand to answer questions about student applications are also in discussion.

This special event will also showcase Dr. Michael A Dirr, respected author, lecturer and retired Professor of Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Georgia, Athens as keynote speaker. Dr. Dirr will give a presentation on Breeding, Evaluating, Introducing and Marketing New Woody Plants. Professor Dirr has had a long and varied career since he received his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1972. Before moving to Georgia he held appointments at the University of Massachusetts, the University of Illinois, Urbana, and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.

You will want to mark your calendars now. For more information, go to http://www.mnla.com , http://www.umassgreeninfo.org, or contact UMass Extension’s Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program at (413) 545-0895, eweeks@umext.umass.edu. Time: 9 AM to 3:00 p.m. Location: UMass Amherst Student Union and Metawampe Park.

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES

2006 UMass Extension Green Directory: Now Available! The 2006 UMass Extension Green Directory is a comprehensive guide to educational resources for Massachusetts Agriculture industry professionals. This 25 page guide is used as a reference document all year long! To receive a copy, send mailing address: email greeninfo@umext.umass.edu; fax requests to 413-577-1620. The complete directory is also available online in PDF format. Visit http://www.umass.edu/agland and click 'The Green Directory' link in the right hand menu.

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 .

Don't forget to visit the UMass Extension Online Weed Herbarium!

The freshly revised 2006-2007 Professional Guide for IPM in Turf for Massachusetts features the latest techniques critical to environmentally sensitive, integrated management of lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses. The guide, intended for use by professionals, presents research-based material regarding turfgrass selection and water conservation, as well as current approaches for managing disease, insect, weed, and nematode problems. Municipal and school officials charged with establishing IPM programs in their communities and gardeners and homeowners serious about sensibly caring for their properties will find unique and critical information in the guide as well.

The 2006-2007 Professional Guide can be used effectively in a wide range of management schemes: from organic, to low-maintenance, to high-intensity care of high-use turf. Alternative and cultural pest control options are highlighted, and pesticide selection advice is based on least environmental impact. While certain portions of the guide are specific to Massachusetts, much of the information is applicable throughout New England. Initially developed in 1991, this revision for 2006-2007 marks the 8th edition of this popular publication.

To obtain a copy, order online from the Outreach Bookstore (http://umassoutreachbookstore.com); or call the UMass Outreach Bookstore. The phone number is (413) 545-2717. In either case, payment may be made by credit card. Alternatively, you may visit the UMass Outreach Bookstore during normal business hours; Monday through Thursday from 9AM-3PM, closed Friday. The bookstore is located in Draper Hall on the UMass campus.

UMass Extension’s Turf Management Guide and IPM Facts: For more information about the turf pests mentioned in this message, you will need to refer to the following publications: the freshly revised Professional Guide for IPM in Turf for Massachusetts, 2006-2007 edition and Turf IPM Facts . Call (413) 545-2717 to order these publications from the UMASS Outreach 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 Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, 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 (payable to the University of Massachusetts) to UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, Holdsworth Natural Resources Center, 160 Holdsworth Way, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003. The fee for a woody plant disease analysis is $50; the fee for turf disease analysis or nematode assay is $75. All insect, weed and turfgrass identification samples are $25 each. For more detailed submission instructions see http://www.umass.edu/agland/diagnostics

NEXT UPDATE: The next issue will be available on Friday, June 9, 2006.

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 Turf 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.

DISCLAIMER. This message is intended for commercial use. UMass Extension assumes no liability for recommendations. It is the responsibility of the applicator to verify the registration status of any pesticide BEFORE applying it. Different states have different regulations as well. The use of trade names (*) does not imply endorsement. Similarly, there may be other products you prefer to use.

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UMass Extension Landscape Message #14 June 2, 2006

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

UMass Extension Landscape Message #14
June 2, 2006