UMass
Extension Landscape Message #18
July 3, 2009
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The
LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is an educational newsletter intended
to guide landscape, nursery and urban forestry professionals
in identifying pests in the landscape, monitoring their
development, planning management strategies and creating
site-specific records for future management reference.
UMass
Extension has updated this issue to provide timely pest
management information and the latest regional news and
environmental data throughout Massachusetts. Through the months of July, August, and September this newsletter will be published bi-weekly. The next update will be available
on or about July 17, 2009.
Missed
a previous message? Visit the Landscape
Message Archive.
Interested
in additional turf-oriented content? UMass
Extension Turf Program Management Updates  |
SCOUTING
INFORMATION BY REGION
REGIONAL
NOTES
-
Cape
Cod Region (Barnstable) – General
Conditions: No report available.
Southeast
Region (Hanson) – No report available.
East
Region (Boston) – General Conditions: No scouting information available. See Environmental Conditions and Phenology below.
Metro
West (Waltham) – General Conditions: The weather has continued to be cool and rainy. Pests/Problems: Susceptible species of crabapple are showing signs of foliar diseases and are beginning to defoliate. Some American elms are starting to “flag” from Dutch elm disease.
Metro
West (Hopkinton) – General Conditions: Conditions continue to be humid and soils wet. We’ve gotten several hours of sun per day, which is an improvement over last week. Late afternoon and evening showers seem to be the rule. Lindens and Japanese stewartia are beautiful in the Hopkinton area this year; and Azalea viscosum, Hosta, and roses perfume the garden air. Pests/Problems: The mosquito population has increased dramatically over the past week. Powdery mildew is showing up on susceptible plants. Slugs continue to be a serious problem.
Central
Region (Boylston) – General
Conditions: Still soggy here in central Massachusetts. The last week has been dominated by fog, mist, showers, and thunderstorms. Soils are saturated, and water is standing in low lying and poorly drained areas. Heat-loving annuals and tender perennials planted in early June have shown little advancement, and some have begun to rot and/or decline. Pests/Problems: Fungal diseases abound. Cedar-apple rust and apple scab are obvious on apples and crabapples―even some of the normally resistant cultivars. Colorado potato beetles are active and feeding on members of the potato/tomato family. Aphids are still active on new growth of apple trees. Lily leaf beetles, ticks, and slugs are plentiful.
Pioneer
Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions: The rainfall and mild temperatures again last week maintained soil moisture levels. Daylilies, black-eyed Susan, and hostas are coming into their own in gardens; lawns remain lush and green; and trees and shrubs are thriving in Valley landscapes. Pests/Problems: Lily leaf beetle is feeding on leaves of Asiatic and Oriental lilies. In addition, ticks and plenty of mosquitoes trouble gardeners as they go about their tasks. An interesting assortment of mushrooms is visible in many lawns.
Berkshire
Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: “Cloudy with showers” has been the unending forecast over the past two weeks, and that trend looks to continue through the coming week. Soil moisture level continues to be high. With so much soil moisture, low areas and poorly draining sites are holding water for long periods of time. The potential for root-rot diseases at these locations is high. Pests/Problems: Imported willow leaf beetle, Asiatic garden beetle, ticks, slugs, snails, mosquitoes, and aphids continue to be problems. Powdery mildew and twig diebacks are the prominent diseases observed of late.
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA -
The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for a one-week period, June 24, 2009 through June 30, 2009. Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on June 30, 2009. Accumulated GDDs represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments from the beginning of the current calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.
| Region/Location |
2009 GROWING DEGREE DAYS
|
Soil
Temp
(°F
at 4" depth) |
Precipitation
(1-Week
Gain) |
1-Week
Gain |
Total
accumulation for 2009 |
| Cape Cod |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
| Southeast |
103 |
767 |
72° |
0.52” |
| East |
119 |
834 |
* |
0.94” |
Metro West
(Waltham)
|
118 |
824 |
70° |
1.10” |
Metro West
(Hopkinton) |
121 |
909 |
72° |
2.25” |
| Central |
115 |
760 |
58° |
1.17” |
| Pioneer Valley |
129 |
842 |
70° |
0.43” |
| Berkshires |
145 |
914 |
69° |
1.10” |
AVERAGE |
121 |
836 |
69° |
1.07” |
n/a = information not available
|
PHENOLOGY
Phenological indicators are a visual tool for correlating plant development with pest development. The following are indicator plants and the stages of bloom observed for this period:
Indicator Plants - Stages of Flowering (begin,
b/full, full, f/end, end) |
PLANT NAME (Botanic/Common) |
CAPE |
SOUTH
EAST |
EAST |
METRO
W. |
CENT. |
P.V. |
BERK. |
Waltham |
Hopkinton |
|
 |
Koelreuteria paniculata (Goldenrain Tree) |
* |
* |
begin |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Oxydendron arboreum (Sourwood) |
* |
* |
begin |
* |
* |
* |
begin |
* |
Lythrum salicaria (Loosestrife) |
* |
* |
* |
* |
begin |
begin |
* |
* |
Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea) |
* |
* |
begin |
* |
begin |
begin |
full |
* |
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea) |
* |
* |
begin |
* |
begin |
full |
full |
* |
Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac) |
* |
* |
begin |
b/full |
begin |
* |
full |
begin |
Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia) |
* |
* |
full |
* |
full |
full |
full |
begin |
Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry) |
* |
* |
full |
full |
full |
full |
full |
full |
Cotinus coggygria (Common Smokebush) |
* |
* |
full |
* |
full |
full |
full |
f/end |
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire) |
* |
* |
f/end |
* |
* |
full |
* |
full |
Tilia cordata (Littleleaf Linden) |
* |
* |
f/end |
b/full |
full |
full |
f/end |
* |
Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood) |
* |
* |
end |
f/end |
f/end |
full |
f/end |
full |
Ligustrum spp. (Privet) |
* |
* |
end |
full |
begin |
* |
f/end |
full |
Catalpa speciosa (Northern Catalpa) |
* |
* |
end |
f/end |
f/end |
end |
f/end |
full |
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain-laurel) |
* |
* |
end |
end |
end |
full |
end |
full |
Syringa reticulata (Japanese Tree Lilac) |
* |
* |
end |
f/end |
end |
end |
* |
f/end |
Philadelphus spp.(Mockorange) |
* |
* |
end |
* |
end |
end |
* |
f/end |
* = no
activity to report/information not available |
CAPE
COD REGION - Roberta Clark, Horticulturist for Barnstable County,
Barnstable.
SOUTHEAST REGION - Deborah Swanson, Horticulturist for UMass Extension
in Plymouth County, Hanson.
EAST REGION - Julie Coop, Manager of Plant Health, Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, Jamaica Plain.
METRO WEST REGION – James Martin, Consulting
Arborist, reporting from the UMass Extension Center, Waltham.
METRO WEST REGION – Mark Sawyer, Horticulturist,
Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton.
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.
WOODY
ORNAMENTALS
INSECTS
-
Euonymus caterpillar - the crisp white moths with black spots have begun to emerge. Another generation of caterpillars will be produced soon. However, they will remain small for the remainder of this growing season and cause virtually no damage. They will overwinter and be capable of defoliating plants next spring.
Imported Pine Sawfly caterpillars will be appearing soon and may be found on the same plants that acted as previous hosts for the European Pine sawfly.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) remains active but will enter into summer dormancy within the next 2-3 weeks. It will remain on the twigs as an immature but will not be feeding or developing. Activity will resume in October, and this pest will then be active throughout the winter. HWA can still be managed with oil sprays at the summer rate if the weather conditions are conducive for its application without harming plants. Systemic (soil or trunk) applications of imidacloprid can be applied starting in mid August, as long as sufficient water is available for several weeks after application to allow for plant-uptake of the product.
Viburnum Leaf Beetle adult beetles will appear within the next 1-2 weeks and will remain active until the first frost. This pest has made tremendous inroads into Massachusetts within the past two years; and in some regions, defoliation of viburnum is severe. For more details and preferred viburnum host species, visit: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb Spinosad products work well for the larvae.
Lily Leaf Beetle - the second generation adults are starting to appear in warmer regions. Lily leaf beetle has now been reported as being prevalent in Berkshire County (MA).
Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) was found in Worcester, MA last August. The Regulated Area is now at 64 square miles. Approximately 22,000 trees have been removed and rendered into wood chips since January 2009. It is estimated that this population may have been in Worcester for at least 15 years. Survey work has renewed within the Regulated Area, and it is already known that many more trees are infested. Everyone must be on the lookout for this pest and should report any potential finds immediately if eradication efforts are to be successful. Also, take great care when moving firewood to avoid transporting this very serious killer of forest and landscape hardwood trees.
White-spotted Pine Sawyer beetle (WSPS) beetle adults remain very active. This longhorned beetle is native and not considered to be a pest as it attacks only already weak and dying pine trees. However, it strongly resembles the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB). The WSPS does not have a shiny jet-black color with crisp white spots as does the ALB. The WSPS also has one obvious and very distinctive white spot directly behind the head between where the wing covers (elytra) attach to the body. To view comparisons between the two species, see our “How to Recognize ALB” slide presentation: recognize_alb_ppt.pdf 
Bronze Birch Borer adults are active and seeking stressed host trees. Keeping trees healthy is the key to prevention. Some choose not to prune susceptible birches from June into September in order to minimize the amount of plant volatiles in the air that might attract this pest. This insect can only survive in a previously weakened tree. Avoid drought stress for susceptible species.
Asiatic Garden Beetle are becoming more prevalent. These beetles are a rust color and only appear at night to feed. Often they are attracted to lights. This beetle feeds on a variety of garden plants including, basil, peppers, and others as well as attacking landscape plants such as rhododendron. Inspect with a flashlight between 9:30 PM and midnight for their activity. If found in large numbers, treat with an insecticide that contains one of the registered pyrethroids.
Spider Mites are active. Cool-season mite species, such as spruce spider mite will build up in numbers on such hosts as spruce, fir, arborvitae, and others and then go dormant when the hot weather arrives around July. They will then return to feed and multiply by late August and continue into the fall. Inspect the two- and three-year-old growth for their activity. Treat when numbers become large. Warm-season species, such as the two-spotted spider mite, are also active and have a wide range of host plants. Populations of these remain active and thrive during the hottest times of the summer. Inspect weekly for increases in numbers and treat when necessary.
Fiorinia Scale (a.k.a. Elongate Hemlock Scale) has become more prevalent in MA in recent years. Inspect the undersides of hemlock needles for the tiny, yet, often numerous scales. Stressed trees (those affected by compacted soil, drought, hardscape, etc.) tend to succumb sooner to this pest. Fiorinia scale produces crawlers throughout much of the growing season and is, therefore, difficult to manage. Oil sprays may help but usually require follow-up treatments. Systemic dinotefuran (Safari™) has been showing much promise for armored (hard) scales recently. However, it is a restricted use compound in MA.
Lecanium Scales on oaks (often the European Fruit Lecanium Scale) are in the egg stage now, but these eggs will hatch into crawlers very soon. Horticultural oil sprays (summer rate) can be quite effective for the eggs as well as the new crawlers when good coverage is achieved. These scales produce much honeydew, which leads to problems with sooty mold. Look for the dark-brown, gumdrop-shaped remains of the female scale lined up along the stems. Inspect closely with a good hand lens for the presence of numerous pale-pink eggs under each scale.
Dogwood Borer adult moths remain active. Pheromone traps are available to monitor for the emergence of this moth. The primary host is flowering dogwood. Inspect the trunks of trees for oozing sap and wet sawdust at the site of entry. Avoid injuring the bark of dogwoods with mowers and line trimmers; wounds attract this pest and allow for ease of entry into the plant. Plants that become infested this year can be treated with a coarse spray of beneficial nematodes in August.
Lacebugs on shrubs remain very active. Inspect the undersides of certain shrubs such as Japanese pieris/andromeda, rhododendron, evergreen azaleas, cotoneaster, and others for their activity. Plants in sunny growing sites have the potential to be severely injured by these insects over the course of the summer. Soil applied imidacloprid works very well in managing these pests. Horticultural oil sprays and insecticidal soap sprays also work for the immature stages, but the spray must be concentrated to the undersides of the foliage in order to cover the pest at the time of application.
Reported by Robert Childs, Entomologist, Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences Department, UMass Extension, Amherst.
See our disease fact sheets section for many helpful fact sheets on disease problems of trees and shrubs.
Gymnosporangium rust infections are visible as orange-yellow spots on susceptible hawthorn, apple, and crab apple leaves. In addition, there are tiny yellow-white tube-like fruiting structures beginning to extend from the underside of infected leaves. From mid summer to autumn, spores are wind-carried from the broadleaf host’s leaves and, when conditions are wet, they infect green shoots and needles of junipers. Pea-sized to 2 inches diameter round, brown galls develop on susceptible juniper needles and twigs between 12 and 20 months after infection. The best long-term approach to manage this disease is to grow Gymnosporangium rust resistant hawthorn, apple, and crab apple as well as juniper varieties. In addition to gall formation on junipers, Gymnosporangium rust infections may cause twig and branch dieback. If desired, apply fungicides to protect high value eastern red cedar and other susceptible junipers from mid July through early September.
The yellowing and spotting of leaves is highly visible, but the best time to apply fungicides to protect emerging crabapple leaves from apple scab has passed for this season. It is still helpful to prune densely branched trees to increase air circulation and sunlight penetration that speeds drying of foliage. There are numerous resistant varieties of apple, crabapple, and mountain ash to grow and simplify disease management.
Continue to apply fungicide treatments to manage black spot on high value roses and repeat the applications per label directions into the fall. Provide good air circulation and irrigate early in the day to minimize the period of plant wetness to further suppress the disease. If the problem persists, gradually replace susceptible varieties of roses with those resistant to black spot to reduce buildup of inoculum and the need for fungicide treatment.
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. A simple way to remove mushrooms is to mow the lawn while collecting the clippings or by raking them up. Elimination of excess thatch and aerating the soil to improve water penetration also helps in some cases. In addition, the mushrooms gradually disappear without interventions if the weather becomes drier.
Powdery mildew fungi are visible as a dusty, gray to white spots on a number of host plants including red horsechestnut, dogwood, sycamore, phlox, and rose. 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 by 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.
Status of Phytophthora ramorum in 2009:
Note: There were no updates for 2009 reported by USDA-APHIS-PPQ at this time. See earlier 2009 editions of the Landscape Message for a summary of the 2008 program.
Reported by Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, Amherst.
WEEDS -
No report.
LANDSCAPE
TURF
INSECTS -
Oriental beetles have been flying in the Amherst area for about a week now, although there are still some larvae and pupae in the ground. Japanese beetle adults should start flying within the next week. European chafer adults have been flying in many southern New England locations for over a week, and should start showing up soon in southern New Hampshire if they haven't already done so. Reports from the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, Urban Forestry group indicate that Asiatic garden beetles have been flying for a week or two as well.
For those who are planning to use a neonicotinoid to control white grub populations and have not yet applied those materials, note that most labels of neonicotinoids recommend treating when adults are laying eggs. That period should begin very soon in most of New England. (And, remember that European chafers will start laying eggs a little earlier than oriental beetles and Japanese beetles.)
The neonicotinoids include: chlothianidin (Arena™), imidacloprid (Merit™ and other trade names now), and thiamethoxam (Meridian™). In addition neonicotinoids are available in some combination products. Allectus™ contains Merit™ and Talstar™ while Aloft™ contains Arena™ and a generic form of bifenthrin. These two products have been available for commercial turf managers for at least a couple years. According to Dave Shetlar (my counterpart at Ohio State), there is a new homeowner combination product on the market, Maxide Grub Killer™, which contains Meridian™ and Scimitar™. All of these materials, whether used as a neonicotinoid alone or in a combination with a pyrethroid, should be applied while adults are laying eggs. While it is too early to know what our summer weather will be, you certainly should aim to have those applications finished by early August. The pyrethroid part of a combination product should also provide good protection against chinchbugs as they become active.
Another preventive product for white grubs is chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn™). While the recommendations generally suggest that Acelepryn should be applied by early June for control of subsequent white grub populations, several of my colleagues and I have field data that indicate early summer applications can also be effective. But don't delay much longer if you are going to use Acelepryn™. (Note that Acelepryn™ is not yet registered in New York but is available in all other states except, perhaps, Hawaii.
We have noticed a few webworms flitting about just above the surface of the turf on the few occasions when it has not been raining. Now that the temperatures appear to be warming up and there is a possibility of a respite from the steady rain of the last two weeks, be on the lookout for webworms in lawn and landscape settings. Webworms seldom cause enough damage to warrant treatment in New England, but I received some pretty convincing photos from some turf managers last year. So, take a look now and watch for small caterpillars in the turf about 10 to 14 days from now.
Reported by Pat Vittum, Extension Entomologist, UMass Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, Amherst.
DISEASES -
Most turfgrass diseases are caused by fungal pathogens. Most, if not all fungal pathogens, are favored by the type of weather we have recently experienced - prolonged periods of rain and drizzle, high relative humidity, and persistent cloud cover. Turfgrass managers should be on the outlook for the following diseases:
Red Thread is especially prevalent in nitrogen deficient, slow growing turf. Perennial ryegrass and red fescue are particularly susceptible, although the disease has also been reported on bentgrass and Poa species. Fungicide applications are seldom warranted for Red Thread which can be managed by applications of water soluble nitrogen, soil pH in the range of 6.0-6.5, pruning of trees and shrubs to improve light penetration and air circulation, and the collection of clippings when the disease is active.
Leaf spot and Melting out is primarily a disease of Poa species and leaf spots may coalesce to cause a general blighting and a severe thinning of the turf. Avoid excess applications of fertilizers that over stimulate growth. Grass should be mowed at a height recommended for the cultivar and thatch should be reduced if it has accumulated to more than 0.5 inch. Prune trees and shrubs to promote more rapid drying of turfgrass foliage. If disease is severe, fungicide applications may be warranted. Chlorothalonil (many Trade names), mancozeb (Dithane™, Fore™), strobilurin fungicides (Heritage™, Disarm™, Insignia™, Compass™), thiophanate methyl (Fungo Flo™, T-Storm™), and propiconazole (Banner Maxx™, Lesco Spectator™) are all registered.
Root and crown rot caused by species of Pythium that flourish in cool weather are a concern wherever the soil is saturated and/or standing water occurs. Pythium crown and root rot and root dysfunction cause extensive damage only under wet conditions. Running water can transport this pathogen considerable distances and disease often spreads in water drainage patterns. Pythium diseases are also favored by high nitrogen levels that make plant tissue more susceptible to attack. Water management is critical in disease management. Improve drainage by relieving compaction and reducing excessive thatch accumulations. Avoid over fertilizing or use a slow release nitrogen source. If possible, avoid mowing when the turfgrass is wet. Other management practices that promote vigorous root growth and reduce plant stress will reduce damage from root diseases caused by Pythium. Fungicides registered for Pythium are numerous and include fosetyl-Al (Signature™), mancozeb (Fore™), etridiazole (Koban™), chloroneb (Terraneb SP™), cyazofamid (Segway™), phosphites (Alude™, Magellan™), and propamocarb (Banol™). Mefenoxam (Subdue™) has been used extensively in the past and many pathogen populations are resistant to this material. To prevent the development of fungicide resistance, avoid consecutive applications of any one fungicide. Rotate fungicide applications among active ingredient or mode of action (FRAC group).
Patch diseases such as Take-all and Necrotic Ring Spot may be active in this cool, wet weather. If you have a history of these diseases, a protective fungicide application should be considered. Azoxystrobin (Heritage™) thiophanate methyl (Cleary’s 3336™, FungoFlo™), propiconazole (Banner MAXX™), fenarimol (Rubigan™), iprodione (Chipco 26019™, Anderson’s Fungicide X™), and triadimefon (Accost™, Bayleton™) are among the fungicides registered for Patch diseases. Apply according to label instructions.
For information on assistance in the diagnosis and management of turf-damaging diseases from the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, visit http://www.umass.edu/agland/diagnostics 
Reported by M. Bess Dicklow, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, Amherst.
WEEDS -
The cool and weather of the last few weeks has resulted in slower than normal annual grassy weed growth. Depending on site location and condition of turf, crabgrass generally ranges from the 1 to 5-6 tiller growth stage. A wide range of growth stages will require turf managers to carefully monitor a specific turf site in order to select the best postemergence crabgrass herbicide. Fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra™) is best used on crabgrass up to the two-tiller stage of growth. Quinclorac (Drive™) can be used on a wider range of crabgrass growth stages but is often weak on crabgrass in the 2 to 4-tiller growth stage. Follow label instructions for the addition of surfactants.
As a result of cool weather and adequate moisture, herbicide applications for broadleaf weeds can continue. White clover remains in flower and applications of broadleaf herbicide products that contain dicamba, clopyralid, fluroxypyr and quinclorac are good choices. Clopyralid is not labeled for use on residential turf. Herbicide products that contain triclopyr and/or dicamba are good choices for ground ivy, sheep sorrel and wild violets. Amine formulations of broadleaf herbicides are preferred over ester formulations for areas around ornamental plantings.
Paspalum is rearing it's ugly head. This species is a crabgrass look-alike and a close relative of dallisgrass which is found much farther to our south. Management strategies that are effective for crabgrass, including both cultural practices and herbicides, are not effective on this species. Applications of MSMA are the best choice and applications should not be made when cool-season turfgrasses are experiencing moisture and/or heat stress. Repeat application may be required at 14 to 21 days following initial treatment and some temporary discoloration is likely to occur. If the population is small, digging and reseeding can be used as a non-chemical management strategy.
Yellow nutsedge is becoming apparent. Postemergence applications for yellow nutsedge should be occurring now and should be completed by the second week in July.
Reported by Randy Prostak, Weed Specialist with the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
For
a complete listing of upcoming events, see our Conferences
and Workshops page.
Don't forget to visit the UMass
Extension Online Weed Herbarium!
2008-2009 Professional Management Guide
for Insects, Diseases and Weeds of Trees and Shrubs in New
England - Pesticide label
registration changes every year in all states and you can only
legally apply pesticides according to the current year's label.
This updated 2008-09 guide tells you what is current and legal
for use in all the New England states and is the way for you
to stay current with pesticide information. If you already
have the 2003 version, this is the updated supplement for pesticide
information. Remember, if you're a pesticide applicator, it's
the law! Created by UMass Extension professionals, this manual
offers the latest on virtually all the insects, diseases, and
weeds of woody plants in New England; current and legal listings
of chemical compounds labeled for the management of these pests;
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) considerations for most of
these pests; environmentally friendly alternatives in pest
management such as horticultural oils, soaps, biologicals,
etc.; and Growing Degree Day (GDD) information for most of
the insect pests of woody plants. Click
here to order online from the UMass Extension Bookstore or
contact (413) 545-0895; eweeks@umext.umass.edu for information.
Planting and Maintaining Sustainable
Landscapes: A Guide for Public Officials and the Green Industry -
An updated and reprinted collection of fact sheets, including
Trees and Shrubs for Low Maintenance Landscapes; Recommendations
for Planting and Maintaining Trees and Shrubs; Integrated
Pest Management and Plant Health Care; Streetscape Design
and Planting; Selecting Turfgrasses for Low Maintenance Sites;
Turf Pesticides and the Environment; Children's Protection
Act and School IPM Plans; and Guidelines for Planting within
the 100 Foot Wetland Buffer. Click
here to order online from the UMass Extension Bookstore or
contact (413) 545-0895; eweeks@umext.umass.edu for
information.
DIAGNOSTIC
SERVICES
UMass Laboratory Diagnoses 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 
Soil and Plant Tissue Testing -
The University of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Tissue Testing
Laboratory is located on the campus of The University of Massachusetts
at Amherst. Testing services are available to all. The function
of the Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory is to provide
test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical
use of soils and soil amendments. For complete information, visit
the UMass Soil and Plant tissue Testing Laboratory web site at: http://www.umass.edu/soiltest Alternatively,
call the lab at (413) 545-2311.
NEXT UPDATE: The next issue will be available
on or about July 17, 2009.
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