Landscape Message - Landscape Nursey and Urban Forestry

The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for a one-week period, June 1, 2006 through June 7, 2006. Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on June 7, 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: Wet weather seemed to be the pattern for the past week. The Cape received an inch and a quarter of precipitation by Monday and an additional three inches between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Additional rainfall is in the forecast. Landscapes are looking lush and green. This is one of the best years for bloom on rhododendron. Early summer perennials are coming into bloom. Pests/Problems: Boxwood psyllid is quite evident on boxwood. Winter moth caterpillar has finished, forest tent caterpillar is migrating from defoliated areas and is being reported massing on the sides of houses; gypsy moth caterpillars are still pretty small and will be active for a few more weeks. Fall cankerworm caterpillar is being reported from Brewster, Dennis, Harwich, and Sandwich. Nymph deer ticks are active. Carpenter ants, polistes wasps, mosquitoes, Asiatic garden beetles, and June bugs are active. With all the wet weather, we are observing various leaf spots, blights, and anthracnose problems. Red thread is active on turf.

Southeast Region (Hanson) - General Conditions: Hanson received six inches of rain, most of it over the past 24 hours, and it is still raining and windy, as this report is being written. Black locust, tuliptree, Chionanthus virginicus, climbing hydrangea, Vinca, rhododendrons, Corydalis lutea, bleeding heart, Brunnera macrophylla, Pholx divaricata, Phlox stolonifera, sweet woodruff, columbine, viburnums, Rutgers hybid dogwoods, Rosa rugosa, bearded iris, Siberian iris, Doronicum sp., Geranium sp., and Dicentra eximia are in full bloom. Landscape roses and herbaceous peonies are coming into bloom. Lilac 'Miss Kim', wild cherry, royal azalea, Styrax obassia, wisteria, goldenchaintree, lily-of-the-valley, and Soloman's seal are ending bloom. Pests/Problems: Winter moth caterpillars are just about done feeding for the season and have pupated. Eastern tent caterpillars are seeking sheltered sites for pupating, and the Plymouth County Extension office has received numerous calls complaining about these caterpillars. It has been a banner year for eastern tent caterpillars. Some forest tent caterpillars are seeking sheltered pupation sites while others are smaller and still actively feeding. Ropes and Saddles staff report seeing vast numbers of forest tent caterpillars dying of natural causes. Gypsy moths are still small, some 3rd instar and others, 4th instar. If this cool, wet weather continues, we might see some gypsy moth mortality due to the fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga. Asiatic garden beetle are actively feeding at night on a wide range of plant material. Euonymous sawflies, azalea sawfly, hemlock woolly adelgid, lily leaf beetles, wasps and hornets, carpenter bees, mosquitoes, mayflies, and ticks are all active. Roseslug sawflies are active on roses causing the lace-like skeletonizing of the foliage. Sod webworm adults are active on turf. Termites are swarming outdoors. The high humidity and rainy weather have led to an increase in many foliar leaf spots. Sycamore anthracnose has been observed on sycamores. Anthracnose on lily-of-the valley was confirmed by the UMass Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

. Powdery mildew on dogwood, leaf spots on crabapple, as well as several calls on what appears to be Monilinia fructicola or brown rot on weeping cherry.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions: It was a wet, cool week with several steady soaking rains. Soil moisture is good, and lawns continue to thrive. Iris is blooming well, but many have small spots on their leaves from iris leaf spot (Heterosporium). Pests/Problems: Mosquitoes and black flies continue to become more numerous while the forest tent and eastern tent caterpillar numbers appear to be diminishing. Leaf spots, shoot blights, and needle cast diseases continue to be quite evident in the landscape, although trees and shrubs generally look vigorous and healthy.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: Cool, wet conditions continue. While these conditions have been ideal for many diseases, they also have given us one of the most beautiful springs in recent memory with flowering trees and shrubs remaining in bloom for a longer than normal period of time. There is also an almost tropical lushness to landscapes. The rain and cool temperatures have also meant rapid growth of lawns and increased frequency of mowing. While mowing grass when wet is not generally recommended because it facilitates spread of turfgrass diseases, it is better to mow wet grass than allow it to get too tall. Pests/Problems: Insect pests observed this week include eastern tent caterpillar (still active), European pine sawfly (feeding on new needles now), pine spittlebug (more abundant than usual), various cankerworms, rose slug, mosquitoes, deer ticks, and mound ants. Diseases observed were shoot blights on Prunus x cistena and Viburnum sargentii.

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.

Hymenopteran Caterpillars (Sawflies):

European pine sawfly This voracious caterpillar is now quite large, and injury is very apparent. Treat with a spinosad product or with one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides. This pest is almost finished feeding for this year. If not treated at this late stage, however, it can still cause large amounts of defoliation within days.
Azalea sawfly - The larval stage 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.
Rose Slug Sawfly is active. This is another sawfly caterpillar that is only active for a short while but capable of creating much unwanted injury. These rather small, pale green caterpillars feed on the upper leaf surface (mostly) by scraping away the leaf surface (skeletonizing). Such areas first appear as a 'window-paning' effect but later turn brown as tissue dies. Treat with a spinosad product when found.
Birch sawfly caterpillars are active mid June into September. They can be easily observed lined up along the leaf margins. They will feed down to the midrib of the foliage. When disturbed, they will writhe in a defensive posture. 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 - 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:

Viburnum Leaf Beetle - Inspect all viburnum plants (those that are established in the landscape and nursery, as well as those which are newly arriving) for the presence of this unwanted pest. The indicators of its presence at this time of the year will be bare twigs that have a 'sandpaper' texture, a sign of the over-wintering eggs. Larvae are active now. Visit the Cornell University web site at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/index.html for current information on this pest.
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.
Asiatic garden beetle adults are becoming active. These are night feeders and are most active between the hours of 9 PM and midnight. They are attracted to a wide range of host plants from the landscape to the garden. Their feeding can cause much defoliation. Inspect plants at night with a light and treat, if necessary.

Piercing-Sucking Insects and Mites:

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.
Spider Mites - Inspect the needles and stems of conifers now for the presence of spruce spider mite. One of the growth regulator miticide products may be useful in managing this pest. Continue to monitor on a weekly basis for any building populations. Horticultural oil sprays (at the summer rate) can also be effective.
Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (dormant from mid-July to October) - The next generation of eggs is about to appear. Monitor for increasing numbers, and treat with horticultural oil when plant phenology allows and/or whenever the correct weather conditions prevail. Systemic imidacloprid products can also be of benefit.
Taxus Mealybug - Begin to inspect the inner branches for taxus mealybug. Treat when found. In most areas of Massachusetts they are quite active now.
Honeylocust plantbug - Monitor for the presence of this pest by shaking branches over a piece of paper and inspecting the paper for nymphs with a hand lens. These nymphs are very small right now and are pale green in color. When found in excessive numbers, treat with an insecticidal soap spray or with one of the registered chemical insecticides. In warmer areas, honeylocust foliage has expanded enough to no longer warrant concern over this pest.
Andromeda lacebug - The eggs of this pest have overwintered embedded in the host plant tissue. Now is the time to 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.

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.
Soft Scales - Tuliptree scale, azalea bark scale, and European fruit lecanium scale can be monitored now. Look for the tell-tale sign of sooty mold on the host plants. In the case of tuliptree scale, look for the large, dark brown coverings on the twigs and branches of tuliptree and magnolia. Treat with a horticultural oil spray or systemic imidacloprid. These can be difficult to manage and may require future monitoring and treatments. Azalea bark scale is found mainly on azalea. Other hosts include rhododendron, andromeda, and hawthorn. It resembles mealybugs but without the waxy strands. Inspect the intersections of branches with the main stems for the cottony, white females with egg sacs. Wait for the crawlers to emerge (soon), and treat with a horticultural oil spray at the summer rate or a spinosad product or with a cyfluthrin product. These can be difficult to manage and may require future monitoring and treatments. European fruit lecanium scale has many hosts. Inspect for the large, dark brown female scale coverings from last year that will appear lined up on the stems. This is another soft scale that is problematic to control. Wait for the crawlers to emerge (late June into early July), and treat with a horticultural oil spray at the summer rate or a spinosad product or with a cyfluthrin product.

Leaf Miners:

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.
Arborvitae Leafminer - The adults will emerge within 2-3 weeks in much of the state. This leafminer (a moth as an adult) is not attracted to yellow sticky cards. Inspect foliage for browned tips and exit holes. Gently shake branches to dislodge the tiny, off-white moths. Treat with a pyrethroid insecticide or a spinosad product to kill the newly hatching caterpillars. Eggs are laid on the foliage, and the larvae must chew their way into the leaf, which usually occurs on the leaf underside.

Wood Borers:

Dogwood Borer - The adult moth will become active very soon. Pheromone traps are available for this pest. Keep flowering dogwood trees free of wounds 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.

Other Insects:

Birch Catkin Bug - This bug will become active soon. This pest overwinters as an adult. Upon emerging in the spring, it mates and lays eggs in newly forming catkins. Nymphs feed on the developing seeds. This pest does not harm plants; it consumes seeds. However, they often occur in large numbers and accidentally find their way onto people and into homes where they become a nuisance. When catkins fall to the ground, they will contain the developing bugs. Mowing over these catkins crushes the insect within and releases their foul smelling odor. When found exposed on the host plant in large numbers, treat with a registered pyrethroid insecticide, if necessary.
Squirrels can be problematic at this time of year. They are notorious for clipping off foliage that holds seeds. In some cases, dozens to hundreds of shoots can be found lying on the ground beneath a tree. Maples, ash, spruce, and other seed-bearing trees are susceptible. There are no legal controls nor are they usually necessary.

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.

Botrytis blight is noticeable as a gray moldy blight of flowers, leaves, and shoots in herbaceous perennial gardens as well as on some young woody plants with dense foliage. Cool temperatures and shaded conditions enhance the damage by this fungus. To manage Botrytis blight, remove dead plant material that the fungus uses as a beachhead for the development of more inoculum. Irrigate before mid-afternoon so foliage dries before nightfall. Consider fungicide applications to protect succulent growth on high value plants from becoming infected. Repeat applications at labeled intervals until warm, drier weather prevails, and Botrytis blight is less able to infect plants.

Hawthorn (Entomosporium) leaf spot is visible as minute red-purple spots on leaves of susceptible hawthorn. Now that the fungus is established, it regularly produces spores; and with recurring wet periods, the disease spreads via these secondary infection cycles. A long-term management strategy to consider is replacement of susceptible hawthorns with resistant trees. Otherwise, apply preventative fungicides as buds open or when the first rains begin after the leaves start to develop in the spring; repeat these at labeled intervals several times until early summer. There is little benefit from chemical controls of this disease when begun this late in the season.

Horsechestnut (Guignardia) leaf blotch is visible 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. Fungicide intervention at this time for this season is of little benefit. Keep in mind that horsechestnut infected year after year continue to grow vigorously in spite of Guignardia leaf blotch.

Powdery mildew fungi are now barely evident as a dusty, gray to white spots on horsechestnut, dogwood, sycamore, phlox, and rose leaves. 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 woody 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 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 causing curling or cupping as well as some loss of leaves on susceptible crab apple. 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 crabapple 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. 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.

Sycamore, maple, oak, and ash anthracnose are evident now as dark-green to dark-brown curling leaves and shootson sycamore, 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 affect 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

Cut or mow Japanese knotweed (Japanese bamboo) to the ground now as the part one of a two part control strategy. Part two is an application of glyphosate at the time of flowering. Cutting or mowing now will make herbicide application much easier. Repeat cutting and mowing without herbicide will control knotweed, but you must be very diligent, and it may take several years.

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 seed shatter.

There are many reports of tree seedlings, including maple and ash, in mulched areas. Clip seedlings at mulch surface.

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

TURFGRASS

Diseases:

With the arrival of warmer weather, as well as the dry conditions of early spring, the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab has begun to see patch diseases caused by root-infecting ectotrophic fungi. All these diseases are active in the cool, wet weather of spring and fall; symptoms often appear in the warmer weather of late spring and summer or whenever water stress occurs.

Summer patch, caused by Magnaporthe poae, is a serious disease of bluegrass that generally appears after the soil temperature reaches 70° F and after heavy rains or irrigation. Management of summer patch consists of light, frequent applications of slow release forms of nitrogen, maintaining a soil pH between 5.5-6.0, and annual applications of manganese sulfate. Aerifying, improving drainage, reducing compaction will reduce disease severity as will raising the mowing height during the summer stress period. Syringing can help nurse the turf through a disease outbreak. Azoxystrobin, propiconazole, and thiophanate-methyl fungicides manage summer patch best. Repeat applications may be needed.

M. Bess Dicklow, Extension Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, Amherst.

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 monitoring for crabgrass and other annual grass weeds and evaluate the effectiveness of preemergence applications. Treatment with fenoxaprop or quinclorac can begin now.

Monitor for yellow nutsedge. Control attempts with halosulfuron (Manage™) have a high success rate if done early.

Continue to apply broadleaf herbicides. 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 continue to fade. 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 16, 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 #15 June 9, 2006

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

UMass Extension Landscape Message #15
June 9, 2006