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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July 13, 2006
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This is the Fifthteenth 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 July 11, 2006 conference included: Pam Bennett (Clark); Joe Boggs (Hamilton/Piketon); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Becky McCann (ABE Center); Joe Rimelspach (Plant Pathology); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Nancy Taylor (C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); 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 July 6 - July 11, 2006. This weather summary includes information from 4 OARDC weather stations across the Buckeye state.
Rain keeps pounding some areas of the state (Richland County received 6" of rain Monday) while other areas, such as the southern portion, have been warm and dry, while still others (Clark County) are getting the right amounts of rain at the right time.
| 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 |
78.0 |
59.1 |
N/A
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N/A |
0.93" |
N/A |
| Hoytville |
NW |
81.7 |
57.9 |
70.3 |
72.5 |
0.53"
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0.72" |
| Oxford |
SW |
83.5 |
61.3 |
72.8 |
74.4 |
0.64" |
0.75"
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| Jackson |
South |
81.3 |
54.6 |
68.4 |
72.9 |
0.25" |
0.93" |
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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PLANTS OF THE WEEK
Read all about perennials and landscape trees and shrubs in the ONLA publications "Perennial Plants for Ohio" and "Landscape Plants for Ohio." The descriptions and photographs of plants were provided for these publications by the OSU ENLT Team along with other industry plant lovers. These full-color publications are available at http://Buckeyegardening.com for $5.00. Click on "garden store" and then "onla plant guides." ONLA members can purchase these in quantities at a reduced price at http://onla.org .
* PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE WEEK. Bee Balm or Oswego Tea (Mondard didyma). This native species is currently in full bloom in central Ohio. It thrives in the sun and moist soil and has flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Flower colors range from deep reds, to purples, to white. The only major drawback to this plant is that it is very susceptible to powdery mildew. Therefore, select cultivars that are resistant to this disease. Plants grow around 24 - 48" tall; there are also cultivars that are short and compact as well as some that grow 5' tall (e.g. 'Jacob Cline').
* WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor). Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Such mighty oaks are not for every Ohio landscape or streetscape, but where the space is available we should not forget the majesty of oaks. A native medium-to-large oak (50 -70') with a wonderfully broad rounded growth habit is swamp white oak. Quercus bicolor thrives in moist, acid soils, but is more tolerant of alkaline sites than the red oak group. Swamp white oaks have attractive, lustrous, oblong green leaves with rounded lobes. The bark is fissured and flaky and is an excellent ornamental asset. And don't forget those acorns. Here is a little ditty from Erasmus Darwin:
"Each pregnant Oak ten thousand acorns forms
Profusely scatter'd by autumnal storms...
....All these, increasing by successive birth,
Could each o'er people, ocean, air and earth."
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START LICHEN IT
Nancy Taylor reported that the clinic had received samples to identify a "new," strange looking, blue-green material growing all over the bark of trees. Of course, Nancy readily identified the "strange material" as lichens. Lichens are found on every continent on the planet. They do have specific growing requirements however, which are undisturbed surfaces, time, clean air and sunlight. Lichens can establish themselves on almost any surface.
These fascinating growths are actually composed of two organisms: a fungus and an organism capable of producing food by photosynthesis, such as green alga. These two organisms are referred to as symbionts, and they join together to produce the "thallus," or vegetative body that we call a lichen. In other words, the thallus growth consists of both algal and fungal components. The green alga provides carbohydrates through photosynthesis, and the fungus protects the alga and provides it with a steady supply of water.
We believe many people think lichens damage plants because it sometimes proliferates on dying tree branches killed by other factors. The proliferation is fueled by increased sunlight penetrating into the lower canopy. Lichens established on stone and trees in the landscape gives the garden a mature look. Discovering lichens growing on your tree is not a bad thing. In fact, it should be celebrated by giving you a peace of mind knowing that the neighborhood is clean enough to support this amazing dual organism.
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WHERE TO GO ON VACATION?
Are you looking for a horticultural vacation get-away destination this summer? Before you leave the driveway, get your hands on the new "Discover Ohio in Bloom" brochure/map produced by the Ohio Department of Development, Division of Travel and Tourism. The brochure highlights more than 50 of Ohio's best and most interesting botanical gardens, conservatories, arboretums, nature preserves, and urban gardens.
The map portion is easy to read as the sites are organized by region and icons are used to indicate the types of attractions. This arrangement makes it easy to plan your trip based on the type of attraction you would like to see, or the area of the state you will be visiting. The brochure can be acquired FREE by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE, or by visiting the following website:
www.DiscoverOhio.com/Garden .
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BUG BYTES
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WHITE PINE WEEVIL A TOP COMPLAINT
Dave Shetlar reported that white pine weevil (Pissodes strobe) is rising to the pinnacle of damage it will produce for this season. Tops of infested conifers have turned reddish-brown making injury by this weevil easy to spot. Larvae have now bored well below the uppermost whorl and have sometimes descended below the second whorl.
In the spring, overwintered females deposit eggs in the terminals of a wide range of conifers including: eastern white, Scotch, jack, red, and pitch pine; Douglas-fir; and all spruces. The resulting white, legless, slightly curved, grub-like larvae tunnel downward just beneath the bark feeding on phloem tissue until pupation. The tops of weevil infested trees become wilted, turn brown, and die. Main leaders are often curved into a "shepherd's crook." Removing the paper-thin bark from infested leaders will reveal reddish-brown frass (insect excrement) and weevil larvae.
It is too late to apply insecticides to kill the developing larvae. However, it is not be too late to reduce populations by removing infested terminals. Wilted terminals should be pruned from trees and the cut ends closely examined to determine if the entire infestation has been removed. Infested material must be destroyed since the weevils will complete their development in cut tops left on the ground. Larval development is typically completed by mid-to-late summer. There is only one generation per year.
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CYPRESS TWIG GALLS
Cincinnati BYGLive! participants observed the galling handiwork of Taxodiomyia cupressiananassa, a tiny midge fly with a large scientific name, on baldcypress. The spongy, elongate, 1/8" - 1/2" long galls produced by the fly appear white due to a covering of fine, powdery material. Rubbing the powder off the galls reveals their true light green color. The galls arise from the base of leaflets. Needle growth extends through the galls with the needles protruding beyond the surface of the galls. A portion of this season's growth usually extends beyond the tips of the galls.
Opening the galls will reveal the tiny, orangish-yellow midge fly larvae (maggots) that directed gall formation. Each maggot is individually housed in its own tiny compartment. Once maggots pupate, and a new set of adults emerge, the galls will eventually shrivel and detach from the trees. At this time, the leaflet growth extending beyond the gall will sometimes die and turn reddish brown producing an unsightly appearance. Adult flies emerge from the fallen galls on the ground.
The flies may have two generations per year with a second set of galls appearing in late-July or August. The second generation gall-makers spend the winter on the ground as pupae in fallen galls. Although the galls and browned-tipped foliage may reduce the aesthetic appeal of infested trees, the flies appear to cause no appreciable harm to the health of the tree. Populations are often regulated by a wide range of parasitoids that target the maggots. Therefore, insecticide applications are not recommended. Pruning and destroying galls now on small trees will reduce the number of future galls.
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MORE BALDCYPRESS WOES: RUST MITES
Joe Boggs reported that the damage from the warm-season baldcypress rust mite (Epitrimerus taxodii) is just becoming evident on its namesake host in southwest Ohio. Damage observed thus far ranges from a subtle off-coloring of the foliage on trees with low populations to a very obvious reddening of the inner foliage on trees with heavy infestations. Heavy populations eventually cause the entire tree to become orangish-red, and defoliate. The key to the prevention of severe damage is early detection. Symptoms produced by this eriophyid mite are often mistaken for foliage damage from lack of water, particularly on newly planted trees.
As with other eriophyid mites, the baldcypress rust mite is almost microscopic in size. Standard 10X and even 20X hand lenses will only render images of moving specks of dust. Under 40X magnification, the carrot-shaped, cream-colored, semi-translucent mites come into sharp focus and their unusual body arrangement can be seen. The mites only have two pairs of legs which are clustered at the front end. No other mite has only two pairs of legs at any stage in their development. High magnification will also reveal the brownish, sunken areas on the needles caused by the mites rasping through the epidermis to extract the cell contents below.
Unlike spider mites, eriophyids can be controlled with many standard insecticides including carbaryl (e.g. Sevin). Pyrethroid insecticides are also effective, as well as the miticide abamectin (e.g. Avid). Although horticultural oils are effective on free-living rust mites attacking other trees and shrubs, baldcypress is extremely sensitive to these oils; foliar damage from the oils far outpaces the potential destruction caused by the mites. For a list of effective materials consult OSU Extension Bulletin 504 titled, "Insect and Mite Control on Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennials"
http://ohioline.osu.edu/b504/index.html .
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FLEECY FLATIDS
Several BYGLers reported that the white, fleecy handiwork of PLANTHOPPER nymphs is becoming very evident on the lower stems of herbaceous perennials and low-growing woody ornamentals throughout Ohio. Planthoppers belong to the Family Flatidae (Order Homoptera), and are sometimes referred to as "flatids."
The nymphs of several flatid species cloak themselves in a dense tangle of waxy, white "fluff." They also congregate in groups, or "colonies," and their profusion of flocculent material on affected plant stems draws attention to the insects. The nymphs also produce copious quantities of honeydew which may coat the plant and become colonized by black sooty molds.
Planthoppers are related to aphids and the nymphs are sometimes mistaken for woolly aphids. However, planthopper adults and nymphs...hop. Aphids just mosey around. Planthopper adults are 1/4" - 3/8" long, purplish blue, lime green, or powdery white, and they hold their broad wings vertically in a tent-like fashion covering the sides of the body and legs. Aside from providing great entertainment value, these sap-sucking insects usually have little impact on the overall health of landscape plants. They seldom become more than a nuisance pest. If management is required, any insecticide labeled for use on the affected plant will be effective. A course stream of water will also do the trick.
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IS IT BOXELDER OR "ACER" BUGS?
Curtis Young reported observing a number of BOXELDER BUG (Boisea trivittatus) nymphs meandering around his driveway in western Ohio. He noted that his landscaping is devoid of boxelder trees (Acer negundo); however, he does have several mature silver maples (A. saccharinum). Curtis' observation demonstrates that insects pay little attention to their common name.
Besides sucking juices from boxelder seeds, the bug commonly feeds on seeds of other trees in the genus Acer, as well as on ash. Boxelder bugs have even been observed feeding on alder, apple, buckeye, cactus, geranium, grape, honeysuckle, lilac, linden, oak, peach, plum, spirea, strawberry, and tulip. As seed-feeders, the bug causes no harm to the health of trees. However, their feeding activity on tree fruit and strawberries has been known to reduce fruit quality.
The narrow-shaped, flat-backed 3/4" long adults are dark brownish-black and have three orangish-red stripes running lengthwise on the pronotum, the area behind the head. The antennae, head, thorax, legs, and wing-pads of the oblong-shaped nymphs are bluish-black. Their abdomen is bright red with a faint orange line running down the middle, and an obvious orange spot in the middle of the line. The bugs are most often encountered as a nuisance pest. In the fall they will congregate on and sometimes enter homes where their general color and shape may cause them to be mistaken for bed bugs.
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THAT THAR'S SUM BIG BEETLE!
Dave Shetlar reported that the BIG of the big beetles are beginning to show up at porch lights, screen doors, and sidewalks around Ohio. Two common representatives of these big beetles are the STAG BEETLES, sometimes called 'Pinching Bugs' (Psuedolucanus spp. and Lucanus spp.), and the SPOTTED GRAPEVINE BEETLE (Pelidnota punctata).
Stag beetles are brown to black and range in size from 3/4 - 1 1/4" in length. They are so named because of the large stag horn-like branching mandibles of the males. No significant plant injury is attributed to the adults. Spotted grapevine beetles are tan and about 1" in length. They have six black spots arranged along the edge of their wings. The beetles can be found feeding on grapevine leaves, but they cause little damage. The immature stages of both types of beetles are huge, white, grub-like larvae that live and feed in well-rotted logs and stumps. Neither beetle requires management.
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DISEASE DIGEST
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QUINCE RUST
One of the samples brought in by an attendee at the OSUE Plant Diagnostic Workshop Monday was a quince sample with QUINCE RUST (Gymnosporangium clavipes) in which spindle shaped galled areas were noted on quince stems. Joe Boggs also reported observing a considerable amount of quince rust on hawthorn fruits (bright orange aecia with multitudes of aeciospores protruding from the fruits) at the BYGLive! Diagnostic Walk-About in Cincinnati this past Monday. Quince rust is probably the most important "cedar rust" disease on rosaceous plants in Ohio, because of the incidence of the disease on twigs and fruits compared to "cedar" apple rust and "cedar" hawthorn rust in which infections are typically only on the leaves.
Gymonsporangium clavipes and other "cedar" rust fungal pathogens alternate between two very different types of host. G. clavipes infects Juniperus virginianae, also known as the Eastern red cedar from whence the "cedar" name often appended to the disease name is derived, and a wide range of plants in the rose family (Rosaceae). In fact, G. clavipes infects over 480 plant species in 11 genera in the Rosaceae. Spores produced in infected areas on eastern red cedar and several other species of juniper (including J. communis, J. horizontalis, J. Sabina, and J. scopulorum) infect the rosaceous hosts in spring as the leaves and flowers emerge on these hawthorns, quinces, crabapples, serviceberries and others -- but most commonly hawthorns in Ohio.
Those infections occurred several months ago, and are not still occurring. So what you see now cannot be undone and cannot be prevented from recurring until new infections occur next spring from perennial infections on affected junipers. In most cases, fungicide applications are not warranted in the landscape, but where fruit infections, particularly of hawthorns, are severe and result in unwanted tracking of orange-colored spores into houses, preventive fungicide sprays in the spring may be an option.
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WHY FUNGICIDES "FAIL," PART 7: CONFUSING FUNGICIDE NAMES
The Chinese philosopher Krishtalka noted that "The beginning of wisdom is calling things by their right names." The same can be said about proper and successful use of fungicides and of course all pesticides. Pesticides have three different names, the chemical name, the common name, and the trade name. Horticulturists usually deal with common and trade names but often fail to even realize what they have in their pesticide cabinets. For example, just a few trade names for the fungicide with the common name of chlorothalonil are Exotherm Termil, Ortho Daconil Plant Disease Control, PathGuard 6F, Thalonil, Bravo, Bravado, and Echo 500. These are different formulations and they have different trade names, but all contain chlorothalonil. An applicator needs to know what he has at hand by knowing both trade names and common names.
Another example of knowing what is in the products you buy and use is that there are a number of combination products which combine fungicides with different activity. Some products combine a contact and a systemic fungicide. Examples would be combining thiophanate-methyl and chlorothalonil. Brand names of this combination include ConSyst WDG, and Spectro WDG. Other combination products mix in a good water mold fungicide with a fungicide good for control of other fungi. Examples would be etridiazole and thiophanate-methyl sold under the brand name of Banrot. Horticulturist, know thy products!
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MOIST CHAMBER
From the PPDC, Nancy notes that they had their first positive DUTCH ELM DISEASE sample for the year this past week; plenty more where that came from throughout the state. On the other hand, there are way too many VERTICILLIUM WILT field diagnoses being made. Do not assume that just because there is branch dieback in maple, Verticillium is involved. In fact, Nancy has not confirmed any Verticillium on maple samples yet this year. That does not mean that there is little or none out there, but the fact is that most maple problems are associated with plant health care issues such as poor overall root health, girdling roots, construction injury, and other physiological problems.
Other problems noted this past week included clusters of small lesions from SEPTORIA LEAF SPOT on red-twigged dogwood, and on 'Little Henry' river birch. ROSE BLACK SPOT is proliferating throughout the wetter regions of Ohio in the past few weeks. FIREBLIGHT ON CALLERY PEAR is not particularly bad in most situations this year compared to the last few years, but there are still many 'Aristocrat' and 'Autumn Blaze' Callery pears with some large "strikes" evident.
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TURF TIPS
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BROWN PATCH APPEARS
Joe Rimelspach reported that brown patch caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani has been developing in many lawns and on golf courses in Ohio. During long periods of hot, wet and humid conditions, brown patch can develop rapidly so that large blighted areas can occur within 24 - 48 hrs. Turfgrass usually recovers from light attacks in 2 - 3 weeks with cooler temperatures and/or dry conditions.
Symptoms of brown patch vary greatly depending upon turf species, mowing height, soil, and environmental conditions. In high cut turfgrass lawns, affected areas appear as large circles of 2' - 3' in diameter, or as a general thinning of turfgrass. The affected areas of thinned grass are often irregularly shaped. Leaf lesions are not distinctive and are irregular. Leaf tissue within the margins is often gray and grungy-looking as apposed to dollar spot that generally has a lighter tan color and expands across the entire width of the leaf blade, looking like the shape of an hourglass (if the lawn is dry, dollar spot is a common problem now). White mycelium growth in the turfgrass canopy may be encountered during periods of high relative humidity and may be confused with mycelium of dollar spot or pythium.
Management options include:
1. Cultural: Excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications should be avoided, especially in warm and wet weather. Keeping foliage dry and avoiding wet soil are the most important practices to reduce disease pressure. Over-irrigating lawns is a common cause for this disease. Excessive water should be properly drained. If possible, irrigate in the morning. Irrigation should be reduced, especially late in the day during disease-activating periods. Increase light penetration and air circulation by maintaining a consistent mowing schedule to reduce the level of free water and humidity on turfgrass.
2. Genetic: All cool season turfgrass species are susceptible to brown patch; however, Kentucky bluegrass is generally less susceptible than ryegrasses or tall fescues. Moderately resistant cultivars of perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and tall fescue are available. Most creeping bentgrass cultivars are susceptible to brown patch, and velvet bentgrass is very susceptible to the disease. Check the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program for more information at the following web address:
http://www.ntep.org/ .
3. Chemical: Preventive fungicides are commonly applied to bentgrass fairways, greens, and tees when environmental conditions favor brown patch development. The first application should be made when the night air temperatures do not fall below 67 F, and when wet conditions prevail. There are many fungicides labeled for managing brown patch including: chlorothalonil (e.g. Daconil Ultrex); iprodione (e.g. Chipco 26019 or 26GT); vinclozolin (e.g. Touche, Curalan, Vorlan, etc.); azoxystrobin (e.g. Heritage); flutolanil (e.g. ProStar); mancozeb (e.g. Fore); trifloxystrobin (e.g. Compass); pyraclostrobin (e.g. Insignia); and polyoxin D zinc salt (e.g. Endorse). Read the label for additional information for proper use of the product. Fungicides integrated with other management practices will maximize their effectiveness.
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BLOOMIN' CLOVER
Several BYGLers reported that the small white flowers of white clover are very visible in lawns throughout Ohio. In some cases, the clover appears to be out-pacing the turfgrass, especially where grass is under-fertilized. Clover is a legume and is very competitive under low nitrogen (N) conditions, so increasing annual N is the best method for the long-term reduction of this weed.
The best overall method for controlling clover is to increase your annual fertilization in combination with an application a broadleaf herbicide in mid-October. Any product containing clopyralid will be effective on clover. 2,4-D alone will not control clover. Be sure to read the label on clopyralid-containing products because many are not labeled for use on home lawns. Also, many products can burn creeping bentgrass in the heat of summer. Lontrel appears to be the safest for bentgrass. Spotlight, which is Dow's new replacement for clopyralid in lawns, will also control clover. In order to expand the number of weeds controlled, Spotlight may be tank-mixed with 2,4-D and/or other broadleaf products.
The temptation is to apply an herbicide now to control clover; however, applications during warm weather can cause damage to turf while providing less-than-effective control. If an herbicide application must be made now in order to satisfy customer demands, make certain the clover and grasses are well-watered and not suffering from stress. Stressed turfgrass is more likely to be injured, and stressed clover will be less susceptible to herbicide activity. Also, avoid making herbicide applications when temperatures are above 80 degrees F because turfgrass burn is likely and control will be less effective. It is important to note that applications made now will have to be followed-up with fall applications to achieve the best long-term control of clover.
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SUMMER LAWN INSTALLATION
Fall is generally considered the best time of the year for establishing cool-season grasses. As the name implies, these grasses have optimal growth in the spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and soil moisture is adequate. However, while summer presents significant challenges in establishing new grass plants, homeowners and landscapers are sometimes faced with the need to do something now.
Sod is an effective alternative to seeding for lawn establishment under summer conditions. Many of the weed and disease issues can be greatly reduced by using sod. Also the specific grass type desired can be installed. The big challenge is providing adequate water. Remember even after the sod is rooted the root system is not fully mature and supplemental watering may be required through the fall season.
Summer seeding may germinate well especially if the seed receives adequate water. However, due to a limited and immature root system the new plants may decline if adequate moisture is not maintained while the plants mature. Another significant challenge is the rapid germination of weeds in the summer, both dicot and monocot weeds. These weeds are often better adapted to the summer environmental conditions and may out-compete the young fragile cool season grass seedlings.
Here are a few things to consider if summer seeding is required:
1. Adequate soil moisture is critical for success. Since the roots are shallow and few in number, the soil must be moist.
2. Avoid over-watering! Too much water is as undesirable as too little. Excess water creates ideal environmental conditions for damping-off diseases, and produces water-logged soils. Both can kill the small and fragile turfgrass root systems.
3. Pay attention to grass selection. Perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass blends, or turf type tall fescues are the best options for lawns. However, establishing a 100% Kentucky bluegrass lawn can be especially difficult in the summer. There are new "heat-tolerant" bluegrass hybrids that show promise. The hybrids are the result of crossing Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and Texas bluegrass (Poa arachnifera). These are currently being evaluated at OSU and other universities and turfgrass evaluation sites.
4. Management after germination is important to maintain the young plants. Water in dry conditions, mow properly, use slow-release fertilizer products, and if weed control is required, strictly follow product label recommendations.
5. During extremely hot and wet conditions, consider using fungicides to manage pythium, brown patch, and damping off diseases. Young juvenile succulent plants are extremely vulnerable to fungal infections.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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OSUE PLANT DIAGNOSTIC WORKSHOP IN FRANKLIN COUNTY: A SUMMARY
A marvelous group of arborists, gardeners, and other horticulturists joined OSU Extension's Jane Martin, Dave Shetlar, and Jim Chatfield in Howlett Hall and in the Chadwick Arboretum on the OSU Columbus campus this past Monday. Dave held forth on the excretions and secretions of Homopteran sucking insects, from the waxy flocculent largely innocuous white secretions of planthoppers that are occurring right now on a wide range of herbaceous and woody plants, to the foamy "anal bubble bug" excretions of spittlebugs on conifers and other plants. Jim oohed and ahhed at the yellow haloed brick red Guignardia fungal leaf blotch symptoms on horsechestnut hybrids collected from OSU's Secrest Arboretum in Wooster.
There were powdery mildews of varying symptoms, from the familiar powdery white growth common on lilac, to the sometimes misdiagnosed reddening, purpling, and desiccation that accompany and often obscure the familiar powdery growth on magnolia, deciduous azalea, and dogwood. There was "hopper-burn" and stunted new growth from potato leafhoppers on hedge maple and Amur maackia (wedge-shaped browning on the tips of leaves).
There was a new one for Dave, Saperda longhorned beetles killing a shoot on Chatfield's kousa dogwood. This beetle is common on other dogwood species, but this was the first time Dave saw it on Kousa dogwood. There were unknown leaf spots on oakleaf hydrangea, deciduous azalea, leucothoe, and southern magnolia which were sent over to the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic for their expert help (stay tuned). But the coup de grace (no not the grass bagworm on the styrax stem) was the wiggling boogywoogin' carrot-shaped eriophyid mites causing barren stunted blooms on purple coneflowers. Dave pulled out his hand lens and wowed the crowd.
If these are the sort of sick and icky things that interest you, these Ohio Plant Diagnostic Workshops are a great education and great fun. Join Dave Goerig of OSU Extension and his pathological and pestilential friends for the next such Workshop on Wednesday, September 13, 9 am. - 4 pm. at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Youngstown. Bring in pest or disease diagnostic challenges for identification and tune up your plant pest diagnostic skills and have fun at the same time. For reservations call Dave at 330-533-5538. The fee is $30 and includes lunch
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EMERALD ASH BORER NOTE
Last week, Amy Stone took members of OSU's Street Tree Evaluation Program (Next STEP) on a short trip through some of Toledo's streets with high numbers of ash plantings. The group visited one small block of 14 houses. In this block, there were 16 street trees in the devil strips (tree lawns). Of the 16 trees, there were 14 mature Marshall Seedless ashes. As evidenced by dieback, epicormic branching, and extensive tunneling and exit holes on several trap trees, emerald ash borer was moving along nicely on these trees and they will soon have to be removed. All were in the 14" - 24" dbh range.
Davis Sydnor of OSU's School of Environmental and Natural Resources (SENR) noted that an estimate for removal of such trees is approximately $675 per tree. So for that one block, the cost of the emerald ash borer included: @ $9500 for removal, the cost of replacement, and the cost of lost environmental, social, and economic values of the mature trees. Significant five figure costs for one small city block.
The group also experienced first-hand the environmental impact of the loss of urban ashes on a site several blocks away. The group exited their cars on this street where ashes were already removed; Kathy Smith (SENR) immediately noticed the increased sun glare and major increase in heat. Residents were quick to ask us why we were there and to bemoan the current state of affairs. The group also stopped on a street that had been one of the original OSU STEP sites (1960's - 1990's), and it was quite a history lesson of what the street looked like in pictures from the 1960's, then the 1990's, now, and next year once that street's ashes will be gone. The entire experience underlined the fact that EAB is an awesome and ever-expanding problem.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
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The 2006 PLANT HEALTH CARE WORKSHOP
The topic for this year's Plant Health Care Workshop will be: "Selection and Management of Trees in Hostile Environments." The Workshop will be held on July 19-20 at the OARDC in Wooster, Ohio. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida, who will give presentations on "How tree biology should drive urban forestry and arboricultural practices," and "Urban designs compatible with successful urban forestry." Other presentations will focus on root regeneration, the Next Shade Tree Evaluation Project, resource allocation pattern of trees, mycorrhizae and other soil amendments.
Registration is limited so act now to reserve your space. The $225 fee includes lunch both days, dinner on the 19th, resource materials, and handouts. For registration and program information, contact Denise Ellsworth, OSU Extension, Summit County, 330-928-4769, ext. 21, or ellsworth.2@osu.edu .
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NEW OTF SEMINAR
The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation (OTF) and The Ohio State University are offering a new seminar entitled, "Turf Problems and Solutions for Where You Live, Work and Play!" at a new location, The Golf Center at Kings Island, Cincinnati, Ohio on Tuesday, July 25,2006. Concurrent sessions run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Registration is at 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. (breakfast included).
Three tracks are offered covering Golf Course Maintenance, Sports Turf, and Lawn & Grounds. Earn 0.25 GCSAA education points and up to 1.5 hours of Commercial ODA pesticide re-certification credits. Registration is free for OTF members and $25 for non-members (registration is limited). The registration form can be printed from the following on-line web address:
http://www.ohioturfgrass.org/pdf/2006RegistrationFax.pdf .
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NORTHWEST OHIO GREEN INDUSTRY SUMMER SESSION
The OSU Extension, Agricultural Business Enhancement (ABE) Center; OSU Extension, Lucas County; Owens Community College; and the Green Industry Educational Committee joined forces to sponsor this all-day educational event to be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2006, at Owens Community College in Toledo. Attendees will hear the latest researched-based industry information, and have the opportunity to receive ODA, ISA, and ONLA re-certification credits for ODA, ISA and ONLA.
The program will offer several training tracks covering a wide range of educational topics including: planting techniques; principles of good pruning; tree I.D.; water garden basics; using Ohio native plants; pesticide updates; using beneficial insects; basic turfgrass management; turfgrass disease management; turfgrass insect management; and using a digital camera to capture plant problems for diagnosis. Plus, there will be sessions on Workman's Compensation and other business issues. For more information, contact the OSU Extension, ABE Center office at (419) 354-6916, or visit:
http://abe.osu.edu/COMMERCIAL/Info/index.html .
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OHIO LAWN CARE OUTDOOR SUMMER SEMINAR
The Ohio Lawn Care Association (OLCA) is offering an outdoor summer seminar on Thursday, August 17, at the OTF Research and Education Facility, 2551, Carmack Road, Columbus, OH. This day-long training event will offer a range of practical educational topics that will earn ODA pesticide re-certification credits: CORE: 1/2 hr.; Category 8: 2 hrs.; Category 6a: 1/2 hr.
Training topics will include: the art of the service call (Mark Grunkemeyer, Buckeye Ecocare); billbug and chinch bug management (Dr. Dave Shetlar); broadleaf weed control strategies (Dr. Dave Gardner); new herbicide chemistry for grassy weed control (Dr. John Street); diagnostic skills for basic lawn management (Joe Rimelspach); landscape and ornamental insects (Barb Bloetscher and Joe Boggs); and a pesticide regulatory and enforcement update (Dr. Bill Pound). Plus, participants will have the opportunity to test-drive lawn maintenance equipment from many of the leading industry manufacturers! For more information, contact Kevin Thompson at 614-501-1100, ext. 3151, or visit the OLCA website "calendar" at http://www.ohiolawncare.org/calendar/calendar.html .
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BYGLOSOPHY
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"If you are a garden plant you are regarded; well regarded, just as long as you stay in the garden." -- Davies Gilbert
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