UMass Extension Landscape Message #16
June 19, 2008

Feel that the message below is not the latest one? Try pressing the 'refresh' or 'reload' button in your web browser.

Quick Info Menu ------------------------------- SCOUTING INFORMATION REGIONAL NOTES - Cape Cod - Southeast - East - Metro West Waltham - Metro West Hopkinton - Central - Pioneer Valley - Berkshire ENVIRONMENTAL DATA PHENOLOGY WOODY ORNAMENTALS - Insects - Diseases - Weeds LANDSCAPE TURF INFO RESOURCES DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES Use this menu to instantly jump to any portion of the message!

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. During the months of May and June this newsletter will be updated weekly. The next update will be available on June 26, 2008. 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: A sunny mild week was followed by a good soaking rain over the weekend, with cloudy weather and occasional thunderstorms keeping the soil moist. Pleasant June weather is the norm.  Kousa dogwoods look particularly good in the landscape. Pests/Problems:  Cicadas are flying about in many areas, with a loud chorus persisting from dawn to sundown.  Pieris lacebugs nymphs are active.  Nantucket pine tip moth caterpillars should be active.  European giant hornets have been reported.  Anthracnose on hardwood continues to be the most common disease problem.  Rosemary with powdery mildew came into the office.  Asiatic garden beetles and June beetles are active.  Boxwood psyllid and eastern spruce gall adelgid adults have been observed.  Japanese knotweed is growing by leaps and bounds.  Slime mold has appeared on bark mulch.

Southeast Region (Hanson) – General Conditions: Hanson received 1.4 inches of needed rain.  Beautiful weather has been the norm this past week with just enough rain from thunderstorms to keep the soil moist. Rosa rugosa, Spirea, Beautybush, Weigela, landscape roses, Japanese tree lilac, tuliptree, Kalmia, Viburnum dentatum, clematis, Corydalis lutea, Dicentra eximia, peonies, Campanula, Geranium sp., foxgloves, Alchemilla, Dianthus, Doronicum sp., Baptisia sp., columbine, Tiarella, Salvia, Lamium, Persicaria polymorpha, Aruncus, Nepeta, Thalictrum, Dictamnus, and Stella d'Oro and other early daylilies are in full bloom.  Baptisia sp., Rhododendrons, climbing hydrangea and Styrax japonica are ending bloom.  The native smoke tree (Cotinus obovatus) and the European Smokebush (Cotinus coggyria) are providing the landscape with their colorful “smoke.”  The smokebush and smoketree produce small greenish flowers in June, and the subsequent “smoke” is the result of “plume-like hairs which form on the sterile flowers.”  Remind clients that if they wish to prune overgrown spring-flowering shrubs to do it soon as the buds for next year's flowers will be soon (if not already) forming.  Pests/Problems:  Asiatic garden beetles are feeding at night on many different types of plants.  Pieris or andromeda lacebug, aphids, cutworms, earwigs, cottony camellia scale on holly and Taxus, carpenter bees, dog and deer ticks, pine spittlebug and other spittlebugs, hemlock woolly adelgid, lily leaf beetles, slugs, snails, and ladybugs (and their colorful larvae) are all active.  Frequent tick checks are recommended for everyone active out-of-doors.  Colorado potato beetle was reported feeding on Nicotiana (flowering tobacco).  Sod webworm adult moths are active on turf.  Mosquitoes and ticks are numerous.  Monitor flowering dogwoods for dogwood anthracnose.  Sycamore anthracnose has been observed on sycamores.  Apple scab is evident on susceptible apple and crabapple foliage.  Azalea leaf gall (Exobasidium vaccinii) is showing up on deciduous azaleas. The invasive plant, bittersweet, is everywhere!  There are many dead trees (many oaks) noticeable as we drive through Plymouth County. Some of these dead trees are overhanging roads, buildings and utility lines and present a possible hazardous situation.  Plymouth County Extension does not spray for mosquitoes.  The number for Plymouth County to call residents is 781-585-5450.

East Region (Boston) – General Conditions: Generally fair weather, although it was extremely hot early last week with temperatures nearing the 100 degree F mark.  Pests/Problems:  Adult scarabs noted in evening flight--perhaps Asiatic garden beetles.

Metro West (Waltham) – General Conditions: The Kousa dogwoods are in outstanding display.  I don’t remember seeing them look better.  Pests/Problems:  Early signs of flagging have been observed on some of the American elms.

Metro West (Hopkinton) – General Conditions: Summer-like conditions prevail.  Pests/Problems: Spider mites are active on thuja as are woolly aphids on pine, picea, abies and aphids on amelanchier. 

Central Region (Boylston) – General Conditions: No conditions report available. See Environmental Data and Phenology below.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions: There were moderating temperatures during the past week along with scattered areas with downpours on several days.  Gardens, turf, and woody ornamentals generally continue to look lush and green.  Soil moisture is adequate.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: Soil moisture is high, and plant growth and development continues at normal pace for this time of year.  A couple of fierce thunderstorms hit much of the Berkshires over the past week, toppling some trees and leaving behind many broken branches on trees and shrubs.  Hail accompanied these storms and caused much damage to plants in certain locales.  In the towns of Richmond and West Stockbridge in particular, herbaceous perennials and foliage on trees and shrubs were shredded by large hail stones which completely covered the ground, almost like a winter scene.  Pests/Problems:  Rose slug (on roses), aphids (on roses and other plants), spider mites (on hemlock and spruce) are most visible of plant pests.  Carpenter bees, wasps and hornets, and mosquitoes continue to be nuisances.  Deer tick populations remain high.  

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA -

The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for a one-week period, June 11, 2008 through June 17, 2008.  Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on June 17, 2008.  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.

PHENOLOGY -

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

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
Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac)	*	full	*	begin	*	*	*	begin
Tilia cordata (Littleleaf Linden)	*	*	full	begin	*	*	*	*
Ligustrum spp. (Privet)	begin	full	f/end	*	begin	*	begin	begin
Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry)	begin	*	*	full	*	begin	full	begin
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)	begin	*	*	*	full	begin	*	begin
Cotinus coggygria (Common Smokebush)	begin	full	begin	full	begin	b/full	full	*
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea)	begin	*	begin	*	begin	*	*	*
Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood)	begin	end	begin	*	*	full	*	full
Philadelphus spp. (Mock Orange)	b/full	full	b/full	full	full	end	*	full
Syringa reticulata (Japanese Tree Lilac)	b/full	full	full	full	full	b/full	*	full
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)	b/full	full	full	f/end	full	full	full	full
Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood)	full	full	full	full	full	full	full	full
Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)	full	full	full	end	full	full	f/end	full
Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree)	full	f/end	full	f/end	end	end	end	end
Catalpa speciosa (Northern Catalpa)	*	*	f/end	f/end	*	*	b/full	*
* = 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 - James R. Allen, Horticulturist and Greenhouse Manager for UMass Biology Department, Boston.

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 -

Lepidopteran Caterpillars:

• Gypsy Moth - No reports of large numbers of this pest in MA have been received, yet.  It is assumed that numbers are low and that this pest will be of little concern this year.  This caterpillar is now about one inch in length.
  
  
• Forest Tent Caterpillar - This caterpillar has now pupated.  There is only one generation per year.
  
  
• Fall Cankerworm - No reports of noticeable outbreaks in MA have been received for this year.
  
  
• Winter Moth - Feeding has ended, and this caterpillar is now in the soil as a pupa.
  
  
• 
  
  
• Fall Webworm − Several snow-white adult moths have been found attracted to porch lights in recent nights in western MA.  Mostly, they go unnoticed.  Larvae will not appear until July, and their large silken webs on the terminals of branches will not be seen until late July into August. 
  

Hymenoptera Sawfly (Caterpillar) Larvae:

• Dogwood Sawflies − When we encounter this pest in MA on gray dogwood as well as redoisier dogwood, it is one of the dogwood sawfly species known as Macremphytus tarsatus.  The larvae of this particular species start to appear approximately mid July, and their activity can extend into the autumn months.  As the larva age, they begin producing a white wax over their bodies.  This, along with their tendency to sit on the foliage in a curled body shape, gives them the appearance of a bird dropping.  It is suspected that this is a defensive posture that they have evolved to avoid predation; no known parasites or predators have been detected for this species.  One report from Plymouth County was received early last week about sawfly caterpillars on dogwood.  It is too early in the season for it to be M. tarsatus.  However, there is another “Dogwood Sawfly” (M. varianus) that appears to be little known, but it does occur earlier in the growing season than M. tarsatus, and it can share the same host plants.  It is suspected that this is what was found.  Both species consume all but the main veins of the host foliage.  If necessary, treat either species with a product that contains spinosad.  Very young larvae can be treated with an insecticidal soap spray. 
  
  
• European Pine Sawfly − This sawfly caterpillar is nearing the end of its feeding on such host plants as mugo and scots pines.  Now that they are quite large they are capable of creating much feeding injury in a short amount of time.  For these larger larvae, consider using a product that contains spinosad or one of the pyrethroid insecticides.  This pest usually does not kill its host, but it can greatly impact the aesthetic value of the plant.  Small populations on individual branches can be pruned away and destroyed.
  
  
• Imported Pine Sawfly.  This sawfly is more commonly found in the eastern parts of MA than it is in the central and western parts.  It will become active by late June or early July.  It shares many of the same host plants as the European pine sawfly, including mugo pine.  Monitor for the yellow blocky egg patches within needles.  Remove and destroy needles with eggs.  Once the larvae emerge, treat with an insecticidal soap or a product that contains spinosad.
  
  
• Birch Sawfly − The caterpillars of this pest will be observed soon wrapped around the margins of foliage of birches as they consume all but the main veins of the leaves.  Although not abundantly common in the state, it does appear somewhere here every year and is capable of causing serious defoliation if not treated.  Spinosad products or one of the registered pyrethroids work well.  Also, insecticidal soap works well when the larvae are still quite small.     
  

Beetles:

• Asiatic Garden Beetle has been active for a couple of weeks, but its numbers now are becoming noticeable.  This small, robust and oval-shaped scarab beetle is only active at night.  It feeds on a wide variety of deciduous landscape plants as well as many different garden plants.  Monitor at night with a flashlight between the hours of 9 PM and midnight.  This pest can cause much ragged foliage to favored plants.
  
  
• Lily Leaf Beetle - Larvae have been active for several weeks and are now quite large.  As they feed by skeletonizing the foliage, they begin to cover their bodies with their own excrement.  Entire plants can be consumed to the soil if this pest is not treated.  Some adult beetles are still actively mating and laying eggs.  NEEM works well for the larvae, once they appear, but needs to be reapplied every 10-14 days.  Spinosad products also work very well for the larvae.  Adult lily leaf beetle is best controlled with a pyrethroid insecticide.
  
  
• Viburnum Leaf Beetle is well established in western MA.  Ken Gooch (MA DCR) reports finds throughout Berkshire County.  The first find in Franklin County (Conway, MA) was recorded just a last week.  Also, we received a possible find in Bristol County.  We are waiting for the adults to appear to confirm its presence there; right now it is damaged plant material.  Inspect all viburnum plants brought into the region from areas that already have this pest.  The larvae have dropped to the soil and are undergoing pupation right now.  Adult beetles will emerge within the next 2–3 weeks.  Spinosad products work well for the larvae but not the adults, which require something like a pyrethroid insecticide. Report any new finds in MA to: Bob Childs rchilds@psis.umass.edu or 413-545-1053.  Treat the same as for lily leaf beetle. For current information about this pest, visit the Cornell web site at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb
  
  
• Imported Willow Leaf Beetle remains active.  The adult beetle is rather small, rounded, and metallic green/blue in color.  The adult beetles will chew holes into the foliage, but it is the small black-colored larvae that create most of the injury.  Larvae will line up together on the foliage and scrape the upper layers.  This action causes the still-intact leaf to eventually die and turn brown.  This pest has multiple generations per year, and its damage can become severe by August when virtually all of the foliage on a willow will appear bronze in color, as if fire-swept.  All willows are susceptible.  Treating the adult beetle requires a pyrethroid insecticide while a product that contains spinosad works well for the larvae. 

Piercing-Sucking Pests:

• The Red-Banded Leafhopper (a.k.a. Sharpshooter Leafhopper) will be arriving in MA any day now from more southern states.  This pale green leafhopper with two chevron-shaped stripes on its back is attracted to rhododendrons that continue to produce new foliage through July and August.  The egg-laying in the new leaf tissue causes the leaves to become stunted and distorted.  It is purely an aesthetic pest, but it can be an important pest, especially in the nursery.  Visually monitor for this insect by gently shaking foliage to dislodge the leafhoppers, which will fly up and then land again nearby.  When found in large numbers this pest should be treated.
  
  
• Maple Leafhopper −This is another leafhopper that migrates into the state every year and is mostly attracted to maples in the landscape and nursery.  Their piercing sucking feeding can create such extensive injury that foliage will appear to have been damaged by bleach; very chlorotic yet finely stippled foliage.  Monitor visually by shaking branches.  Treat if found in large numbers.
  
  
• Lacebugs remain very active.  These serious pests always feed from the underside of the foliage, but they create the fine, yellow stippling feeding injury on the upper surface of the leaves.  Look at the bottom leaf surface of such affected leaves for the telltale signs of the brown fecal spots and the lacebugs themselves.  Inspect common host plants for this pest for last year’s damage.  Common hosts are:  Japanese andromeda, evergreen azaleas, rhododendron, cotoneaster, and hawthorn.  Systemic imidacloprid appears to be quite effective for managing this pest.  Also, horticultural oil sprays or Insecticidal Soap sprays that are targeted to the foliage underside is also effective for the small nymphs.  Susceptible plants growing in sunny areas will experience more damage given that heat greatly encourages lacebug populations. 
  
  
• Miscellaneous Aphid species are appearing now and building in numbers.  Monitor for honeydew and sooty mold.  Treat if necessary.  Systemic imidacloprid, or insecticidal soap sprays, or Horticultural oil sprays are all effective treatments.  Maples, catalpa, tuliptree, lindens, and many others are common hosts.
  
  
• Taxus Mealybug is active.  Move the foliage of taxus back and inspect the inner branches and smaller stems for white, cottony masses.  This insect produces honeydew, which leads to the  unsightly buildup of sooty molds.  Also, large populations can cause stunting and chlorosis of the foliage.  Treat with a systemic imidacloprid product, or spray the inner branches and stems with either a horticultural oil spray or one of the registered pyrethroid insecticides.
  
  
• Spider Mites - Inspect spruce, hemlock, fir, and others for the signs of last year’s feeding damage by these tiny but very prolific and potentially damaging pests.  Inspect very closely for the now-active mites, which will require a good hand lens or microscope.  If found, treat with an oil spray or with one of the new mite growth regulators.  Monitor for the actual mites by shaking a branch over a white piece of paper and then inspecting with a hand lens for the mobile mites.
  
  
• Hemlock Woolly Adelgid - This pest is on the rebound in MA after several years of being in low numbers due to the exceptionally cold winter of 2005.  However, it reproduces quickly and not much else naturally controls its number here.  Inspect for the new cottony egg masses that have been appearing for the past couple of weeks.  A horticultural oil spray, at the summer rate, (be careful of tender new foliage now emerging), systemic imidacloprid or systemic dinotefuran (Safari™), are all effective against this very serious pest. NOTE: Safari™ is a State Restricted Use pesticide in Massachusetts.  (See Elongate Hemlock Scale, which appears next.)
  
  
• Elongate Hemlock Scale (aka Fiorinia Scale) − Inspect hemlocks closely for this pest.  If the plant appears weakened or sickly and has hemlock woolly adelgid, which is very obvious, take the extra time to closely inspect the undersides of the needles for this scale.  Fiorinia scale is very small, brown and mostly oval in shape.  Many of these may be present per needle (on the underside only).  In some case, it will be the primary reason that a hemlock looks to be in ill-health.  Imidicloprid, which works pretty well systemically for hemlock woolly adelgid does not have much of an impact on this scale.  Horticultural oil sprays, which also work well on hemlcok woolly adelgid tends to provide minimal control for this scale.  Safari™ (dinotefuran), a relatively new neonicotinoid, does show good promise for fiorinia scale and works well when utilized as a systemic.  However, in Massachusetts, it has a “State Restricted Use” labeling due to groundwater concerns.  Fiorinia scale is difficult to control.  Unlike most armored scales in the Northeast, it produces crawlers throughout much of the growing season.  If found, treat it aggressively.  Fiorinia scale is a very serious pest of hemlock and can occur on conifers other than hemlock.
  
  
• Cryptomeria Scale was found on Cape Cod last fall as well as in Rhode Island (not far from the MA border.  This was the first time that this scale has been found in MA.  Two finds were on Christmas trees—both firs—in the nursery (plantation).  This scale attacks various conifers and has the potential to be a serious pest.  Inspect needles for yellowing (stippling) and the presence of the scale on the needle undersides.  Treat with a horticultural oil if found.  
  
  
• Cottony Camellia Scale (aka Cottony Taxus Scale) remains active.  Inspect the foliage of taxus and certain hollies for white, oval and waxy scale coverings.  If found, inspect foliage further for the tiny yellow nymphs which have overwintered on the twigs and have now migrated to the foliage.  This pest has been actively feeding already this spring.  If this pest was active last year, then look for the buildup of sooty molds as well.  Larger population numbers can contribute to poor plant growth and unsightly sooty mold.  Systemic imidacloprid or dintotefuran (Safari™) should be effective.  Oil sprays also are effective but be careful with their use on hollies, which may be sensitive to oils. 
  

Leaf Miners:

• Arborvitae Leafminer − There are two species of what is commonly called “Arborvitae Leafminer” in Massachusetts.  The more common species remains within the foliage as a larva until early to mid June whereupon it pupates (within the foliage) and the tiny off-white moths then appear around mid to late June.  The adult moths are not attracted to yellow sticky cards, so to monitor for their presence, gently shake foliage to dislodge the moths.  Treat with a pyrethroid insecticide when the adults are found to prevent reinfestation.  The other species, which is more common in coastal areas of MA, emerges early in the season and spins a small silken cocoon that slightly resembles a fuzzy grain of rice.  In large numbers, there may be countless numbers of these cocoons visible on the foliage.  Again, wait for the adults to emerge and treat the same as the other species.  Eggs of both species are deposited on the foliage and not within the foliage.  A well-timed horticultural oil spray may be effective for managing these eggs, but timing is essential.  Most eggs (both species) will be on the undersides of the foliage.
  
  
• Native Holly Leafminer − This pest of American holly has been in the foliage as a larva since last June.  It creates a serpentine (winding) mine initially.  It then settles in one part of the leaf and makes a large blotch mine.  Several mines may be present per leaf when it occurs in large numbers.  Pupation will begin soon, and the adult flies start to emerge around mid June.  Monitor for the adult flies with yellow sticky cards and treat with a pyrethroid insecticide when present to prevent reinfestation.
  

Cool Stuff:

• Periodical Cicada − Peak emergence has passed.  Thousands upon thousands of cicadas have emerged and are now mating and laying eggs within the stems of deciduous trees, especially oaks.  Smaller trees may need to be netted.

Miscellaneous Stuff:

• White-Spotted Pine Sawyer (WSPS) is now active as an adult.  This adult beetle is commonly confused with Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALHB), which has never been found in MA.  WSPS is native and is only attracted to very weak or freshly dead pines.  It is not considered to be a pest.

A Few Comparisons/Differences Between ALHB and WSPS:

• ALHB has a very shiny black body, like that of patent leather; the pine sawyer is more of a dark mottled grey.
• ALHB has crisp white spots; pine sawyer has more diffuse white spots.
• ALHB has a blue-ish cast to the color of its tarsi (feet); pine sawyer does not.
• Both have antennal segments that alternate between white and black.

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

WEEDS -

Scout for annual weeds in ornamental beds.  Treat these weeds before they get too large.  Spot spraying with a non-selective herbicide is usually a better strategy than hand-weeding because it does not break the mulch barrier.

Scout for weeds that may be creeping into beds from adjacent turf areas.  Use a non-selective herbicide to edge the bed.

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

New growth expansion of poison ivy continues.  It’s still a little early to treat; wait until the end of June.

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

LANDSCAPE TURF

WEEDS -

Continue to monitor for the germination of crabgrass, especially in thin turfs.  Early postemergence applications for crabgrass can begin as needed.  Products containing quniclorac or fenoxaprop should be used.

Those sites that are on a split-application program should receive their second application.  If you see a large number of crabgrass plants now, consider replacing your second preemergence split with a postemergence application.

Broadleaf weed herbicide applications should be in full swing.  Target weeds such as dandelion, plantain, and white clover.

Winter annual weeds are beginning to die as a result of warm weather.  There’s no need to treat now.

Postemergence herbicide combinations that contain triclopyr should be used for wild violets and ground ivy.  Spring and early summer treatments will usually not provided complete control with one application.  Retreat at first sign of regrowth or accept partial control and treat in September.

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

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/plsoils/soiltest Alternatively, call the lab at (413) 545-2311.

NEXT UPDATE: The next issue will be available on June 26, 2008.

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.

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.

Comments or suggestions in regard to the Landscape Message? Please e-mail the webmaster.

Missed a previous message? Visit the Landscape Message Archive.