Pam Bennett, Barb Bloetscher, Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, Dave Dyke, Dave Goerig, Tim Malinich, Jane Martin, Amy Stone, and Curtis Young
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June 22, 2006
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This is the twelfth 2006 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL).
BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension
agents, specialists and other contributors in Ohio.
BYGL is also made available on the Internet from the Ohio State University
Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) in Virtual Perspective website
(http://bygl.osu.edu). Additional fact sheet information on any of
these articles may be found through the OSU fact sheet database (http://plantfacts.osu.edu).
BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by major support
from the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA), with additional
funding from the Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture
(ISA) to the OSU Extension Nursery Landscape, and Turf Team (ENLTT).
Participants in the June 20, 2006 conference included: Barb Bloetscher (Entomology/C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); Joe Boggs (Hamilton/Piketon); Jim Chatfield (OSU Extension Center at Wooster/ Hort and Crop Science); Monte Clayton (Consultations); Dennis Lewandowski (Plant Pathology); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Becky McCann (ABE Center); Amy Stone (Lucas); Nancy Taylor (CWEPPDC); Joe Rimelspach (Plant Pathology); Curtis Young (Allen) and Randy Zondag (Lake). .
Additional factsheet information on any of these articles may be found
through the OSU Factsheet Database (http://plantfacts.ohio-state.edu/)
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WEATHER WATCH
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This week's weather summary includes data from June 1-June 21, 2006. Here is the weather summary for 5 OARDC weather stations across the buckeye state. Please note that the weather station in Columbus has been damaged by lighting and does not have updated information.
| Weather Station |
Region of Ohio |
Ave. High Temp F | Ave. Low Temp F | Ave. Temp F | Normal Ave. Temp F | Total Precip " | Normal Precip " | | Perry |
NE |
73.9 |
55.0 |
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N/A |
1.82" |
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| Hoytville |
NW |
79.2 |
56.1 |
67.4 |
68.6 |
2.26"
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2.44" |
| Columbus |
Central |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| Miami |
SW |
81.4 |
60.9 |
70.9 |
69.3 |
5.27" |
2.22" |
| Jackson |
South |
79.1 |
53.3 |
66.6 |
69.2 |
1.60" |
2.60" |
For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, check out: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm
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HORT SHORTS
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GDD (GROWING DEGREE DAYS)
GDD is a measure of the daily maximum and minimum temperature and directly relates to growth and development of plants and insects. The GDD of any zip code location in Ohio is estimated using the GDD of ten OARDC weather stations and is available on the web at the site below.
The range of GDD accumulations in Ohio from north to south is 794 to 1,146. Following is a report of GDD for several locations around Ohio as of June 21, 2006: Painesville, 794; Cleveland, 835; Toledo, 934; Youngstown, 861; Lima, 902; Wooster, 905; Coshocton, 744; Columbus, 901; Springfield, 908; Dayton, 1,011; Cincinnati, 1,125; Ironton, 1,104; Portsmouth, 1,110; and Piketon, 1,146.
To put these GDD accumulations into perspective, the following is an abbreviated listing of plant and insect species with their respective phenological event and average GDD accumulations at which these events occur. Due to variations in weather, temperature, humidity, etc., these events may occur a few days earlier or later than predicted by the average GDD. By looking at a city, town, or village near you from the above list, or visiting the below web site, you can see what could be taking place in the landscape around you.
Rhododendron borer, adult emergence, 815; northern catalpa, full bloom, 816; mountain laurel, full bloom, 822; dogwood borer, adult emergence, 830; oakleaf hydrangea, first bloom, 835; cottony maple scale, egg hatch, 851; panicle hydrangea, first bloom, 856; fall webworm, egg hatch (first generation), 867; mimosa webworm, egg hatch (first generation), 874; fuzzy deutzia, full bloom, 884; winged euonymus scale, egg hatch, 892; spruce budscale, egg hatch, 894; winterberry holly, full bloom, 897; panicled goldenraintree, first bloom, 924; June bride littleleaf linden, first bloom, 953; azalea bark scale, egg hatch, 957; Japanese beetle, adult emergence, 970; rosebay rhododendron, first bloom, 1010; June bride littleleaf linden, full bloom, 1115; and bottlebrush buckeye, first bloom, 1158.
 
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JAPANESE KNOTWEED
Dave Goerig reported identifying two specimens of Japanese knotweed that came into the Mahoning County Extension office this past week. The property owners had the same requests, "What is this crazy plant and how can I keep it from taking over my property?" Dave explained to the landowners their land was playing host to the fast-growing, aggressive, rhizomatous perennial called Polygonun cuspidatum or Fallopia japonica which ever name you prefer. The one landowner said he had another name for it but the name was not appropriate for this publication.
Japanese knotweed escaped cultivation and has risen to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Invasive plant list. A bamboo-like stem rises out of the roots in dense clumps to heights of 7' as it grows. It can produce viable seed but primarily spreads by rhizomes. Despite the hollow stems resembling bamboo (Bambusa sp.) the broad, egg-shaped leaves are not grass-like and are alternately arranged on the shoot. It produces a white panicle of flowers in the leaf axils in late summer. Control of this aggressive perennial takes patience and perseverance using a combination of mechanical and chemical methods over a few seasons. It is recommended a 0.5% non-ionic surfactant be used with the herbicide spray material in order to penetrate the leaf cuticle.
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PLANTS OF THE WEEK
*PERENNIAL OF THE WEEK: RUSSELL HYBRID LUPINE (Lupinus). Lupinus 'Russell Hybrid' is as much at home in a formal garden as it is in a naturalized setting. The flowers are showy, arranged in tall spikes that stand above the dark green palmately compound foliage. Lupines will bloom the 2nd year if planting from seed in the spring of the same season. This plant can reach heights of 3-4' if grown in moist well drained areas with shade from the hot afternoon sun. It can be used as a border planting or as an accent specimen plant. 'Galaxy Mix' is a dwarf lupine of the Russell Hybrid. Both the dwarf and the standard are available in every flower color imaginable.
*WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK: ANNABELLE HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'). This small, highly popular, native shrub (4-6') is showing its stuff in many landscapes throughout Ohio now, as spectacular globose masses of white flowers (up to a foot across in some cases) are brightening garden borders. As the mass of flower heads grow and develop, some support might keep the plant tidy. Plant this hydrangea in partial shade or in sun if irrigation is provided during the heat of the summer.
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BUG BYTES
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FALL WEBWORM?
Joe Boggs reported observing small nests of first generation fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea) in southwest Ohio. The moth has two generations per year; however, nests of the first generation are seldom as numerous or as large in size as those produced by the second generation. The nests of the second generation caterpillars usually reach their maximum size in the fall, thus the common name.
Fall webworms only feed on leaves that are enveloped by their silk nest. As caterpillars grow in size, they expand their nest by casting silk over more leaves to accommodate their expanding appetites. Although the webworms will feed on almost any shade, ornamental, and fruit tree, except conifers, the first generation seldom produces appreciable defoliation. However, it is recommended that the current nests be destroyed since first generation moths tend to lay eggs on or near the nests from which they developed. This egg laying behavior is one reason second generation nests are larger in size and much more obvious.
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SCARLET OAK SAWFLY
Joe also noted that he observed scarlet oak sawfly (Caliroa quercuscoccineae) larvae feeding on black oak late last week in southwest Ohio. Despite its common name, the sawfly may be found on pin, black, red, and white oaks as well as its namesake. The larvae skeletonize leaves by feeding gregariously side-by-side on the lower leaf surface leaving behind the veins and upper leaf epidermis.
Scarlet oak sawfly larvae are 1/4"-1/2" long. Their semi-transparent bodies are flattened towards the front and tapered towards the back. The flattened area is trimmed in yellow with the gut contents visible through the cuticle making it appear as if a green line is running down the middle of its back. The tapered area is grayish-black to black. The larvae glisten in the sun and appear slug-like. This is due to their interesting habit of covering themselves with their own excrement which helps them stick to leaves and presumably dissuades predators. Their slimy appearance gives rise to another common name: oak slug sawfly.
Joe stressed that the population he found was very small. However, any population of this sawfly should be monitored. In 1997 and 1998, areas of southeast Ohio saw substantial defoliation from this sawfly. There are 2-3 generations per season. The sawfly spends the winter as late instar larvae inside cocoons in the leaf litter. Development is completed in the spring. Once the black, fly-like females are mated, they use their saw-like ovipositors to insert eggs in rows along major leaf veins.
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BEWARE OF HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID
An alert arborist in NE Ohio discovered an infestation of hemlock wooly adelgid on several newly established hemlocks in a landscape. Fortunately, due to the company's quick action, ODA was contacted. The infested trees will soon be removed, before the pest moves to other hemlocks in the neighborhood.
Remember that these invasive relatives of aphids can kill large blocks of hemlocks in woods if left unrestrained. If you find a white, wooly substance on hemlocks, please call your local County extension educator or the CWEPPDC for information and help identifying the pest.
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CHIGGERS BITE!
With summer temperatures and more activity outdoors, people are feeling the wrath of chigger larvae. While only the larvae affect mammals, birds, reptiles and other vertebrates, the mites are generally revered as a nuisance to be avoided.
The mites are almost microscopic, ranging from 0.15-0.6 mm when engorged. Naturally, these tiny red mites can easily be overlooked until 6-8 hours later, when the itching starts. Welts appear where the mites settle at the base of a root hair and begin sucking tissue from the skin. They neither suck blood or burrow their heads, but rather hang onto the skin follicle with their chelicerae and suck juices from the skin. As they feed, their saliva liquefies the tissue, allowing them to ingest the resulting slurry. These welts become extremely irritating but usually only last about 3 days, when the chigger drops off to pupate. Although scratching often dislodges the six-legged mite, it may lead to a secondary infection which is more irritating and difficult to cure than the original problem.
Since the larvae usually hatch in vegetation of transition zones, such as along the edge of a woods, or stream, or berry patches, the best way to avoid their scourge is to stay away from these areas, or wear long pants and check the legs and shirt sleeves soon after leaving the vicinity.
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WINDSHIELD WIPE
BYGLers ran into a few other arthropods this week including:
Amy Stone reported receiving a call about a MILLIPEDE stampede at a Toledo condominium complex. These worm-like arthropods occasionally beat-feet in large groups in response to drought or flooding. Fortunately, such mass migrations are short-lived and those that wander into homes will dry-out and die quickly becoming easy fodder for vacuum cleaners. Millipedes range in color from tan to brownish-black. When disturbed, they curl their bodies into a spiraling watch-spring configuration. Their armored segments each possess two pairs, and their hidden legs cause the millipedes to appear to float as they undulate over the ground.
Millipedes feed on decaying organic matter, so the most effective long-term management option is to reduce the proximity of organic matter (e.g. mulch) near foundations. A minimal 8-12" mulch-free zone near homes is recommended. Also, irrigation should be closely managed to avoid providing a continual wet-zone near the home.
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DISEASE DIGEST
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POWDERY MILDEW DISEASES
There is a tremendous range of POWDERY MILDEW DISEASES of both herbaceous and woody ornamental plants, though all are on angiosperms and none on gymnosperms, such as conifers. For example, in the most excellent reference book "Diseases of Trees and Shrubs" by Wayne A. Sinclair and Howard H. Lyon (Cornell University Press, 2nd edition) they estimate that there are over 500 powdery mildew fungal species in 13 different genera, affecting over 7000 plant species worldwide. Most of these powdery mildew fungal species have limited host ranges, occurring only on one plant species, genus or plant family, but a few have broader host ranges. In the past week BYGLers noted numerous calls and observations of powdery mildew diseases on beebalm (including extensive fungal colonies on stems), serviceberry, magnolias in southern Ohio (resulting in foliar reddening) and even Callery pear (in Chicago have not noted it commonly on pears in Ohio).
Signs and symptoms range from the familiar powdery fungal growth of the fungus that is noted on plant tissue sometimes within 4-6 days of infection by microscopic-sized fungal spores, to distorted shoots and leaves (e.g. on London plane), leaf yellowing, and leaf reddening and desiccation (e.g. on dogwood). Reduced photosynthesis and reduced growth and crop yields also occur with severe infections. Virtually all powdery mildew fungi thrive in humid conditions, though this sometimes may mean warm, dry days and cool humid nights.
Control involves improving air movement, to the extent possible, with judicious pruning, plant siting and use of powdery-mildew resistant varieties when available. Also recognize that in many cases the disease causes little harm to plant health, and fungicides may be used when necessary. Common powdery mildew fungicides include: triforine (e.g. Funginex), thiophanate-methyl (e.g. Cleary's 3336), and propiconazole (e.g. Banner). Read and follow the fungicide label carefully when applying to a particular plant.
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THE MOIST CHAMBER
Other diseases noted this past week include the usual suspects: leaf discoloration and defoliation from APPLE SCAB is increasing on susceptible crabapple cultivars, flagging of upper branches due to DUTCH ELM DISEASE is common on American elm,.ROSE BLACK SPOT is marring some roses just as the season of flowering is most spectacular, GUIGNARDIA LEAF SPOT on horsechestnuts and their hybrids with buckeyes, CEDAR HAWTHORN RUST and CEDAR APPLE RUST is showing up as bright orange blotches on hawthorn leaves, CEDAR QUINCE RUST is starting to show up on hawthorn fruits, and MAYAPPLE RUST in woodlands has moved from the bright orange rust stage to the rusty red spore stage on leaf undersides.
Other diseases noted by Nancy Taylor in the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) and from Dennis Lewandowski's viral diagnostic testing include:
WHITE SMUT ON GAILLARDIA with white 1/4"-1/2" spots on leaves caused by the Entyloma fungus. Also on gaillardia: TOMATO SPOTTED WILT VIRUS. Dennis also identified IMPATIENS NECRTOIC SPOT VIRUS ON REIGER BEGONIA. Nancy reported a sample of Seiridium canker on falsecypress (Chamaecyparis). Finally, in a woodland area, Jim Chatfield noted numerous samples of JEWELWEED RUST at Brown's Bog in Wayne County.
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TURF TIPS
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ASCOCHYTA LEAF BLIGHT
Samples from blighted lawns with large or irregular areas of brown grass have been arriving in the clinic. Many of these are the result of Ascochyta leaf blight caused by Ascochyta spp. The classic symptoms of this disorder are individual leaves dieing back from the tip and entire leaves becoming bleached, a tan or brown color. At times there may be tan/brown bands on the leaves and the decline of the turfgrass may occur quickly. Small black flecks may be seen on the dead leaves with a hand lens, these are the fruiting bodies of the fungus. Secondary saprophytic fungus may develop on the dead tissue and be confused with the pathogen. This can occur on all grasses, but Kentucky bluegrass lawns seem to be especially susceptible.
This disease was triggered by the extremes in temperatures experienced in May. Much of the state experienced a 10-14 day period of cool conditions in mid to late May followed by soaring hot temperatures on the Memorial Day weekend. Turfgrass that was mowed or used for sports activities while under moisture stress was often damaged and quickly showed browning. Even though the turfgrass may look severely damaged the main injury is confined to the leaf blades. The crowns of the plant, the growth point for turfgrass, are usually intact and healthy. Check the affected areas by brushing the brown grass with your hand. This will break off the dead material. Then look at the base of the plants to see that new green shoots are developing.
Recovery should occur with milder weather conditions. It is recommended to follow proper mowing, irrigation, and fertilization procedures to encourage new leaf growth. Fungicide applications are seldom needed. Growth of normal leaves to fill in damaged areas may take several weeks, depending on weather conditions. Remember that cool season grasses recover and grow best under cool, moist, sunny and moderate conditions.
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THE SHORT AND LONG OF MOWING HEIGHT
Mowing height is one of the primary cultural practices that can improve and maintain the health of grasses in a lawn. It is also the one cultural practice that consumes the most time in maintaining a lawn because of the frequency with which it must occur throughout the growing season. Because of its repetitiveness, some have been tempted to cut grasses very short (<1") in an attempt to reduce the number of times the lawn needs to be mown. Unfortunately, the only thing this may cut is the health and longevity of the lawn.
Most lawns are a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall and fine fescues. These grasses should be mown to a height of 2 1/2" to 3" above the soil line. Grass cut to this height shades the soil which helps keep weeds from germinating and establishing within the lawn. This shading also helps keep the soil temperature cooler. Mowing the grass shorter may make it more susceptible to injury from drought and disease. Shorter grass has a smaller, shallower root system. Thus, during dry spells, with a restricted root system, the grass may not have access to enough soil water to sustain growth and function. As a rule of thumb, remove no more than 1/3 of the total plant height in one mowing.
It is also important to regularly sharpen the mower blade(s). Dull and/or damaged mower blades will shred the tips of the grass blades rather than cutting them. The shredded tips of the grass blades will take on a brown to light tan color giving an impression that the grass has been frosted or diseased. Mower blades can be sharpened with a grinding wheel and/or a file, but be careful not to over grind or file one side of the blade. This can throw off the balance of the blade resulting in extra wear and tear on the mower engine. To determine if the mower blade is out of balance, put a nail in the wall and hang the blade from the hole in the center of the blade. If the blade rotates such that one end pulls downward, file more off the blade on the heavy end.
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RED THREAD LINGERS
Red thread is still active in some lawns. Turfgrass recovery has been slow due to poor growing conditions for cool season grasses so damage from red thread may still be present.
To help speed recovery, consider the following. First, review soil conditions. Check soil moisture levels and provide irrigation if the site is dry. Take a soil test to determine phosphorous levels and if additions are recommended. If there is a deficiency in soil phosphorous, red thread can be much more of a problem. An application of starter fertilizer may be helpful.
Finally if a fungicide application is applied these are some of the best products available: azoxystrobin (Heritage), pyraclostrobin (Insignia), flutolanil (ProStar), trifloxystrobin (Compass), iprodione (Chipco 26GT), polyoxin D zinc salt ( Endorse), triademefon (Bayleton), and propiconazole (Banner).
A disease that may follow red thread on some lawns, especially Kentucky bluegrass, is dollar spot. Dollar spot also is common on slow growing turfgrass. Overall symptoms are similar but the two diseases can easily be distinguished from one another by different leaf symptoms. Look for the tan bands with dark edges across the leaf for dollar spot. Look for coral-pink mycelia growing out of blades and stems that points towards red thread. Of course, the two diseases may be present together, so be a through diagnostician.
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ANNUAL BLUEGRASS BLOOM
This is the time of year that monocots naturally put forth panicles of flowers that eventually develop into seed heads. If parts of your lawn or the lawns you manage are beginning to turn an apple green color, and are producing hundreds of whitish-green seed heads at any mowing height, you may be experiencing an annual bluegrass (Poa annua) bloom.
Annual bluegrass is a low growing annual grass that grows vigorously in cool, moist, shaded locations. Annual bluegrass is a common weed in turf in Ohio. It can be identified by looking at the foliage. The leaves are light green and folded in the bud. They lack auricles and have membranous ligules that are somewhat blunt pointed. The collar on annual bluegrass is smooth and hairless. Annual bluegrass will tolerate close mowing. If these characteristics describe a type of grass you are seeing in your yard, chances are you're growing P. annua and your preemergence herbicide program has been ineffective or non existent.
A healthy, dense stand of desirable turf will usually crowd out this annual, monocot lawn invader. Since nature abhors a vacuum, and P. annua is a prolific seeder, it will establish itself on any exposed soil surface quickly in the spring. In hot, dry locations as summer intensifies, this grass plant will fade out and leave unsightly dead patches just after it produces viable seed for next year. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to this dilemma once it has sprouted, and this noticeable deviation in color will probably get worse before it gets better. The best way to prevent this kind of embarrassment among your peers in the future would be to consider an effective preemergence herbicide program next spring. OSU Extension Bulletin L-187, "Management of Turfgrass Pests" is an excellent publication that is updated annually. This bulletin contains product and application timing recommendations that help to keep your turf area, and your professional image looking at its best.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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CHECK IRRIGATION SYSTEMS!
Randy Zondag reminded BYGLers that with the onset of summer, growers should be checking their irrigation systems for proper function. As we move into summer, there is no time of the year when the need is greater for a properly functioning irrigation system to maintain consistent plant growth and vigor. This is true whether the system is used for nursery crops, landscaping, or turfgrass.
Here is a short irrigation checklist:
1. Run and assess the system! This is particularly important if the system is automated to irrigate early in the morning before daylight. Don't wait until plants wilt or scorch to signal there is an irrigation problem.
2. Check to see that heads are functioning properly (e.g. pop-up heads), and check for worn, cracked, or clogged heads and/or emitters, as well as broken or kinked lines.
3. Use rain gauges, or plastic cups, to assess delivery rates and distribution of water. Don't rely on the "eyeball" method; water delivery rates can be deceptive. Place the measuring cups randomly throughout irrigated areas. Make sure the distribution is even and the delivery rates meet plant requirements.
4. For overhead irrigation systems, check the height of the heads to make sure they are indeed "overhead." A system designed for potted annuals will function poorly for trees.
5. Check line pressure to make sure it is within the desired range. It follows that pressure gauges and pressure reduction devices should also be checked. Just because the needle moves does not mean the gauge is working!
6. Finally, assign the responsibility for checking irrigation systems to a minimal number of people. It's amazing how often individuals in a group will think someone else is dealing with a problem.
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SALSA
Our latest Secrest Academy of Landscape Science and Arts (SALSA) program was held this past Monday, June 19. Highlights included great presentations of wildlife pests by SALSA participants (A MEOWS-TRAP was one great addition), educational tours of Gary Anderson's perennial gardens and Don Bean's Ohio herbaceous native plant gardens, and extended diagnostic and pruning walks.
We learned that black jetbead (Rhododtypos scandens) is an unusual member of the Rosaceae family in that it has opposite leaf arrangement. We toured the large mature Taxus collection at Secrest Arboretum and noted the decline of some of these older specimens that we believe was due to the unusually wet seasons of 2003-2004 followed by an unusually dry early to mid-season 2005. We were in awe of the vigorous poison ivy vines growing 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 feet high up in a baldcypress tree. Everyone in the class definitively identified the difference between frogeye leaf spot (distinct spots of tan rimmed in purple) and apple scab (olive-green to dark gray irregular blotchy lesions) on crabapple leaves. From the old Shade Tree Evaluation Plot we saw up close how some of the older selections of Callery pear had certain genetic flaws relative to specific diseases (leaf spots on 'Rancho' and fireblight on 'Simpson's' #4), that probably limit their landscape use and how commonly used taxa vary greatly in their genetics: 'Bradford' is bashed for its branch structure relative to 'Aristocrat' but does fare much better relative to lower susceptibility to fireblight.
Remember, our next SALSA session is Monday, July 17 with the next full round of three full day SALSAs coming up (August 21, September 18, and October 16). Contact Joe Cochran at cochran.58@osu.edu for details.
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CHICAGO "NEXT STEP" TOUR
OSU Extension's Next STEP (Street Tree Evaluation Program) team had a brief study tour to Chicago last week as we develop our program for evaluating street trees for Ohio communities in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources urban forestry program. Below is just the tip of the iceberg of what we learned in Chicago: learn more about Next STEP and our trip to Chicago in various Extension schools throughout the year.
First, is that they have great street tree programs in their Bureau of Forestry and GreenStreets programs - Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago truly have put a sustained priority on "greening the city" there. We had wonderful hosts in Jeff Brink, Lubka Benak, and Robert Sproule. If you visit, check out the "green roof" atop City Hall, 20,000 plants and innovative engineering reducing energy costs for cooling and heating and much more (www.cityofChicago.org/environment), and check out one of the world's largest rooftop gardens in Chicago's magnificent Millennium Park. Incidentally, Erik Draper and Jim Chatfield were thrilled that the tree rising highest above the streets of Chicago was not a mighty oak, but rather a - prairie crabapple. It was only about 10' tall, but since it was atop City Hall in the rooftop garden it was well over 150' above the streets, so...
Second, when we asked Chicago arborists and Peter Bristol and others at the Chicago Botanic Garden what they think will be the number one replacement for ashes if the emerald ash borer becomes widespread there - the consensus was - hybrid elms. Obviously, ongoing evaluation studies at Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanic Garden and Secrest Arboretum in Ohio and throughout Midwest cities will be critical to screen for diseases and insects but various elm taxa certainly seem destined as a big part of the mix. Other tough "tree pit" urban warriors the Chicago arborists praised from their experience for tough Chicago sites included Kentucky coffeetree, ginkgo, honeylocust, 'Chicago Blue' black locust, and amazing to us, but emphasized several times - Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra). As you might imagine, we joyously broke out into choruses of "Carmen Ohio."
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
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ASH UTILIZATION WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED IN JULY
Wondering what can you do with your ash? This workshop is geared towards the urban audience. As EAB moves through the state, there will be an enormous amount of ash material to be disposed of. Instead of chipping it all, there is a resource that can be utilized. Come find out what your options are. A brochure and registration materials for the program scheduled for Friday, July 7th in Findlay, and on Friday, July 21st in Delaware can be requested by contacting Amy Stone at 419-578-6783, or by email at stonea@ag.osu.edu . Registration materials are also available online at: http://abe.osu.edu/COMMERCIAL/Info/index.html
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EAB BUS TOUR: JUNE 28
Many have requested an opportunity to see EAB at work. This is the time to learn more about this damaging insect pest before it is discovered in your own backyard. If you have any doubts about the economic, safety, and political impacts of EAB, then you will not want to miss this chance to see the damage first-hand and hear from local officials about their experiences. There is an all day program on June 28 (tour am/program pm) scheduled for those from NW Ohio, and an afternoon tour for those outside of NW Ohio.
The Honorable Sandra Cicerelli, Mayor of Westland, Michigan will be the guest speaker for the lunch. Mayor Cicerelli's experiences dealing with EAB in her city was featured in "The Green Menace," a PBS special. She will be sharing her insights with the group. We are also pleased to have several good-news stories about community forestry efforts in NW Ohio The program was planned with mayors, administrators, safety/service directors, and tree commission members in mind, but is open to professional arborists, park managers, and others interested in learning more about EAB. It will be a trip to remember and well worth your time.
International Society of Arboriculture CEU's and Society of American Foresters CFE's are available for this event. If you have any questions regarding this educational event, call Stephanie Miller or Marianne Prue with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry at 419-424-5004. Registration materials for either tour can also be downloaded on-line at: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry/urban/meetings.htm.
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BYGLOSOPHY
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In the spirit of the first full day of the summer season: "Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." - Russel Baker
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