Landscape Message - Landscape Nursey and Urban Forestry

The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for a one-week period, June 8, 2006 through June 14, 2006. Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on June 14, 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: Last week’s storm dropped another 3 inches of rain after the last message was written. We received another 1.5 inches on Friday and Saturday. Finally, the weather pattern broke on Sunday, and it has been blue skies since. Many late spring/early summer ornamentals are in bloom, and lawns are quite green. Pests/Problems: Eastern tent caterpillars are searching for pupation sites. Forest tents are almost done as well. Gypsy moth is beginning to feed on evergreens in areas where the deciduous trees have been defoliated, and many areas of the Cape look like winter. Asiatic garden beetles are foraging on herbaceous material. Earwigs are doing damage to young plants. Spittle bug is heavy on perennials, and pine spittle bug is heavy on white pines. Boxwood psyllid has damaged new growth of boxwood. Fresh pitch tubes can be seen on pines infested with black turpentine beetle. Lily leaf beetle adults and larvae are feeding on Asiatic and Oriental lilies. Many leaf spot, blight, and anthracnose diseases are infecting susceptible ornamental trees. Red thread and dollar spot are active on turf.

Southeast Region (Hanson) - General Conditions: Hanson received 2.5 inches of rain. Many oaks throughout Plymouth County show signs of defoliation by the winter moth and forest tent caterpillars. The trees along Route 3 in South Plymouth are bare of foliage. Tuliptree, viburnums, beautybush, Kousa dogwood, climbing hydrangea, Physocarpus, Rosa rugosa, Corydalis lutea, Dicentra eximia, peonies, Campanula, Baptisia sp., columbine, Geranium sp., foxgloves, Dianthus, Doronicum sp., Dictamnus, Siberian iris, and early daylilies are in full bloom. Spirea and Styrax japonica are starting to bloom. Rutgers hybrid dogwoods, Miss Kim lilac, Chionanthus virginicus, Pulmonaria, and Vinca minor are past bloom. Pests/Problems: The Plymouth County Extension office continues to receive phone calls regarding forest tent, eastern tent, and gypsy moth caterpillars. Forest tent and eastern tent are seeking sheltered pupation sites and are almost done feeding for this year. Gypsy moth caterpillars are numerous and feeding on a wide range of material including spruce, hemlock, and white pine. Adult moths of the larch casebearer, pieris or andromeda lacebug, arborvitae leafminer adults (small silver-colored moths), aphids, cottony camellia scale on holly and Taxus, whitefly on Japanese holly, fruitworms, carpenter bees, lily leaf beetle (eggs, larvae, adults), mosquitoes, ticks, Asiatic garden beetles, columbine leaf miner, and ladybugs are all active. Mustard sallow or the pale mustard sallow caterpillars are feeding on witch hazel 'Arnold Promise.' Sod webworm adult moths are active on turf. Deer are browsing on hosta and other plants. Foliage and flower blights are present on a wide range of plant material, including kousa dogwood. Anthracnose is present on a number on plants including flowering dogwoods. The following are showing up, as well: powdery mildew on dogwood; leaf spots on crabapple; and brown rot on cherry, plum, and peach. Sycamore anthracnose is prevalent. Mosquitoes, ticks, wasps, and hornets are numerous. Plymouth County Extension does not spray for mosquitoes. The number to call for Plymouth County residents is: 781-585-5450.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions: Temperatures were cool enough and there was sufficient rainfall to maintain lush, green lawns while bleeding heart, iris, poppy, delphinium, and rose bloom in gardens. Pests/Problems: Mosquitoes and black flies continue to be numerous along with the forest tent and eastern tent caterpillars. Trees and shrubs have leaf spot, shoot blight, and needle cast diseases, and vigorous plants are beginning to push out new growth.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: Soil moisture levels are high but, with a warming trend beginning, watch for rapidly drying soils. Pests/Problems: Eastern tent caterpillars are on the move, seeking locations for pupation. Active insects include boxwood psyllid, European pine sawfly, pine spittlebug, hemlock woolly adelgid, carpenter bees, mosquitoes, rose slug sawflies, honeylocust plantbug, and ticks. Rust and scab are prominent on susceptible crabapple cultivars. Honeylocust plantbug is 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 weather for the past week has accelerated insect activity and development.

Hymenopteran Caterpillars (Sawflies):

European pine sawfly - This voracious caterpillar is now quite large, and injury is very apparent. Treat with a spinosad product or one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides. This pest is almost finished feeding for this year but is still capable of causing large amounts of defoliation within days if not treated.
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. This pest may be finished feeding in all regions of the state except for the coolest areas, such as Cape Cod.
Birch sawfly caterpillars are active. 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.
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.

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 overwintering eggs. Larvae are active now, and foliage is starting to display holes from feeding. Visit the Cornell University web site at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/index.html for current information on this pest.
Lily leaf beetle - The bright red adults are now mating, and the females have been laying eggs. Eggs are hatching, and tiny larvae are feeding. Inspect foliage for notching (adult feeding) and for ‘window-paning’ effects that are initially caused by the larvae feeding from the leaf undersides. The eggs are laid in irregular lines, about one inch long, on the leaf undersides. Initially, the eggs are tan in color but soon darken and turn a deep red prior to hatching. This is a pest of all true lilies (not daylilies), fritillaria, Solomon’s-seal and others. It is a devastating pest to true lilies. 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.
European chafer adult beetles are becoming active. These are night feeders and are often attracted to outdoor lighting. Adult beetles will congregate on trees and shrubs for mating; in the process they may cause heavy feeding injury to foliage. The appearance of ragged notches on the foliage margins could be from this pest. Inspect plants at night with a light, and treat with a pyrethroid insecticide if necessary.
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.
Rose chafer adult beetles are active. These tan-colored and slender scarab beetles have a wide deciduous host range. They can cause defoliation to rose as well as other hosts including Zelkova, peony, and ornamental shrubs.
Black Vine Weevil - Begin to monitor foliage of taxus and rhododendron in the landscape and nursery for notched foliage, especially on the lower part of host plants. The adult weevils will become active soon and begin to feed on foliage. Inspection now provides a baseline for new injury. This insect does not fly and must walk up the host plant each night to feed. Place loosely folded burlap strips on the ground around plants. Adult weevils will use the burlap as a hiding place during daylight hours. Inspect the burlap traps during the day; collect and destroy beetles. If found in large numbers, treat with a product that contains lambda-cyhalothrin.

Piercing-Sucking Insects and Mites:

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. 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) - This pest is now into its second generation for this year. 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.
Mealybugs - Begin to inspect the undersides of inner branches for taxus mealybug. Treat when found. In most areas of Massachusetts they are quite active now.
Honeylocust plantbug - At this time, honeylocust foliage is mostly expanded, and this pest is no longer of great concern.
Andromeda lacebug is active. The eggs of this pest overwintered embedded in the host plant tissue. Inspect leaf undersides of Japanese andromeda for the activity of this pest. Treat the plant systemically with soil applied 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. Pine needle scale has a new batch of crawlers that are settling now to feed.
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 - This pest now has well-established mines within the foliage, and treatments now are most likely not feasible.
Arborvitae Leafminer - 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 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 have been active by 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.
Carpenter ant reproductives are very active right now throughout the state. The future queens of new colonies are 3/4 to 1 inch in length, black in color, have two pairs of membranous wings (with the front pair being larger than the hind pair) and elbowed antennae. They will look very wasp-like, but the elbowed antennae and the spike (pedicel) between the thorax and abdomen makes them ants, not wasps. They will be seeking moist wood where they can establish a new colony.

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.

Mushrooms in lawns often develop from thatch, buried logs, dead roots, stumps, or even construction debris. They have many different sizes, colors, shapes, and habits of growth and develop fruiting structures or mushrooms in lawns after prolonged wet weather. The fungi that produce these mushrooms are beneficial because they decompose organic matter in the soil, making nutrients available to other plants. These mushrooms usually are harmless to grasses, but some people consider them unsightly or want to get rid of them because young children play in the area. Neither spray applications nor drenches of fungicides are effective in controlling these mushrooms. Remove mushrooms growing from buried wood or roots by picking them as they appear or by digging out the wood. Elimination of excess thatch and aerating the soil to improve water penetration also helps in some cases. In addition, the mushrooms left alone disappear when the weather becomes dry.

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. There is little benefit from chemical controls of this disease when begun this late in the season. 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.

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 mnid that horsechestnut infected year after year continue to grow vigorously in spite of Guignardia leaf blotch.

Powdery mildew fungi are evident as dusty, gray to white spots on a number of plants including 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. Later this summer spherical, black fruiting structures are visible with a hand lens on the underside of leaves in the dusty, gray mycelial masses. 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 pale green to brown, 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 causing curling and discoloration 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. If the weather continues to be wet, apply fungicides to reduce the incidence of apple scab as the season develops on high value trees. In addition, prune to increase sunlight penetration and air circulation to promote rapid drying of wet foliage. This fall collect and destroy fallen leaves near the tree to reduce primary inoculum available for initial infections next spring. If apple scab is a chronic problem, consider planting resistant varieties of crabapple if replacement is an option.

Dogwood anthracnose has been widespread this spring. High value trees benefit from four fungicide applications to control dogwood anthracnose during wet seasons. It is too late to protect trees from foliar infections for this season. Typically begin, as buds break open; reapply when bracts have fallen and, again, four weeks later. An 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

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

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. However, 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 or glufosinate since hand weeding will often result in mulch disturbance. Small seedlings can be covered with mulch.

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

TURFGRASS

Diseases:

The dismal weather of the last few weeks–abnormally cool and wet–has provided ideal conditions for two, cool weather diseases of turfgrass: red thread and pink snow mold. The brief warm-up over Memorial Day weekend also caused some activity of necrotic ring spot, a ‘patch’ disease.

Red thread caused by Laetisaria fuciformis is especially prevalent during the spring and autumn on slow-growing, nitrogen deficient turf. It may cause severe damage to bentgrass, fescue, rye, and Kentucky bluegrass. The fungus survives unfavorable periods as threads of mycelium on infected leaves or in the thatch and can survive both high and low temperatures for as long as two years. Disease development is favored by prolonged periods of moisture saturated air, especially light rains, drizzle, and fog. The mycelia in the threads germinate and/or sporulate in a film of moisture on the leaves and are spread by water, people, equipment, animals, and wind. The pathogen is capable of growth at temperatures ranging from -32º F to 90º F. It causes disease when grass is growing slowly due to temperature stress, low fertility, or drought. Maintain adequate and balanced fertility, based on soil test results. Applications of nitrogen are particularly helpful, but avoid excessive rates. Water should be applied deeply and infrequently, avoiding frequent late day sprinkling which encourages longer periods of leaf wetness. Improve light penetration and air movement by pruning of trees and shrubs. Fungicides registered for red thread include azoxystrobin (Heritage™), cyproconazole (Sentinel™ 40 WG), chlorothalonil (Daconil™, Manicure™), and thiophanate-methyl (Cleary’s 3336™).

Pink snow mold is caused by Microdochium nivale. Pink snow mold does not require snow cover and occurs anytime the weather is cool and wet. The pathogen survives unfavorable periods in infected plants or plant debris, and it attacks almost all grass species. The disease will become inactive when the turf canopy dries and the weather becomes warm and sunny. Pink snow mold is most severe in heavily thatched turf, areas of poor drainage, and when turf is growing slowly. It is favored by high nitrogen fertility and suppressed by high levels of potassium and low soil pH. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization in the fall, and continue to mow the grass into late autumn to prevent a tall grass canopy. Avoid excessive thatch, compaction, and the formation of large snowdrifts. Promote rapid drying and warming of affected areas in the spring by improving drainage and snow removal. Promote new growth by light fertilization and/or reseeding. Fungicides are useful as a preventive measure when applied in late autumn just before snow fall, but are usually less effective when applied as a curative in the spring. Fungicides registered for Microdochium snow mold include azoxystrobin (Heritage™), chlorothalonil (Daconil™), iprodione (Chipco 26 GT™), pyraclostrobin (Insignia™), and thiophanate methyl (Fungo Flo™).

Necrotic ring spot is caused by Ophiosphaerella korrae, an ectotrophic root infecting fungus which causes a patch disease primarily on Poa species. The pathogen is active in cool, wet weather of the spring and fall though symptom expression of wilt and straw colored patches may also occur in the summer stress period. Infection centers that develop in the fall may persist through winter and into early spring. Recovery is slow. Patches often have a frog-eye appearance. Management of necrotic ring spot includes cultural measures such as light, daily irrigation, and the use of slow release nitrogen fertilizers in the summer stress period. Biological management options include LawnRestore™ or TurfRestore* which contain both beneficial microorganisms and food to stimulate the natural microflora. Aerifying, improving drainage, and reducing compaction aid in disease control. Thiophanate methyl fungicide (Cleary’s 3336™, FungoFlo™) can be applied curatively, being sure to thoroughly irrigate turf first as these fungicides only move upwards. Banner MAXX™, Rubigan™, and Chipco 26019™ work best when applied preventively.

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 can be seen in turf areas. Actively monitor for crabgrass and other annual grassy weeds, and evaluate the effectiveness of preemergence applications. Treatment with fenoxaprop or quinclorac can begin now. If your management program includes split applications of preemergence herbicides, these applications 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 for the control broadleaf weeds in turf. Broadleaf applications should be completed by the end of June or very early July. If clover is your dominant weed, wait until the end of June. Winter annual weeds in turf continue to fade. There is no need to treat winter annual 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. For complete information, including curriculum and registration information, visit our Green School page.

July 19, 2006 - Nursery & 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 23, 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 #16 June 16, 2006

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UMass Extension Landscape Message #16
June 16, 2006