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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September 14, 2006
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This is the Twenty-fourth 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 September 12, 2006 conference included: Carolyn Allen (Clark); Pam Bennett (Clark); Barb Bloetscher (Entomology/C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); Joe Boggs (Center at Piketon/Hamilton); Jim Chatfield (Center at Wooster/HCS); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Tim Malinich (Lorain); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Amy Stone (Lucas); 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 September 1-September 12, 2006. This weather summary has information from 4 OARDC weather stations across the buckeye state.
| 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 |
71.9 |
56.7 |
NA
|
NA |
0.69" |
NA |
| Hoytville |
NW |
76.7 |
54.6 |
64.3 |
67.4 |
0.81"
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0.95" |
| Miami |
SW |
79.8 |
59.4 |
68.5 |
68.4 |
0.28" |
0.89"
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| Jackson |
South |
75.5 |
55.0 |
64.4 |
68.7 |
1.48" |
1.16" |
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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MUSHROOM MADNESS
Cooler temperatures and higher moisture levels in lawns and landscapes are bringing up the usual crop of mushrooms and subsequent calls about their control. Mushrooms are the fruiting portion of a colony of microscopic threads of fungus. These threads, called mycelium, grow throughout the area and consume organic matter in the lawn and garden. When conditions favor their development, they produce a fruiting body recognized as a mushroom. The mushroom develops and disperses spores to begin new colonies. Some mushrooms specialize in consuming certain types of organic matter and are therefore associated with a particular type of tree or wood.
As interesting as they are, mushrooms become a nuisance in landscapes. Large colonies can seriously impact the quality of turf. Homeowners are often concerned about risks to children or pets. There are no fungicides available to control these microbes. Control in the landscape involves manipulation of the food source or the mushrooms themselves. The following are some recommendations:
*Remove individual mushrooms as they emerge. They will, however, continue to produce until conditions change or until their food source is exhausted.
*Remove the organic food source on which they are feeding. This may be an old tree stump, buried construction material or even accumulated thatch in turf. In the case of thatch, core aerifying speeds up the decomposition process and breaks up the mat of fungal mycelium.
*Do not eat the mushrooms. Death and serious health problems occur every year to people who guessed wrong when identifying mushrooms. Do not make a casual identification of mushrooms and do not recommend eating wild mushrooms; leave the identification to the experts.
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BULB BUYING BASICS
Fall is the time for planting and digging of bulbs. Bulbs in a general sense are usually referenced as an entire category of plants that produce swollen roots, stems, or leaves underground. Traditionally, bulbs sold in the fall are cold hardy. Spring offerings are not as likely to be entirely cold hardy stock. Despite these common similarities of their root systems, the entire group should be sorted into those that are cold hardy and those that are tender (not cold hardy).
A true bulb is an underground stem with modified fleshy leaves. Bulbs include onions, garlic, daffodils, and tulips. Most onions are planted in the spring and dug in the fall. Not so with garlic, daffodils, and tulips which are cold hardy and are planted in the fall. Horizontal, swollen, underground stems are called rhizomes. Canna lily and iris are two herbaceous plants that have rhizomatous root systems. The iris is cold hardy; the canna lily is not. When sold as potted plants in the spring, one could mistakenly assume the canna lily will overwinter, only to be disappointed the following spring when it does not reappear in the garden.
Other examples exist of plants with similar root systems and different hardiness traits displayed and sold together. When choosing to buy these types of plants in the garden center, consumers should ask for advice about the proper care related to these herbaceous ornamentals. One should not only ask for proper planting instructions, but also ask about whether the bulbs, tubers, rhizomes or corms need to be annually lifted from the soil and if so, how to properly store them until the following growing season.
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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 OF THE WEEK. WINDFLOWER (Anenome spp.). Depending upon the species, these plants bloom in either the spring or fall and the fall bloomers of this group of plants are spectacular at this time. The name windflower comes from the Greek word "anemos" which means wind. The fall bloomers are appropriately named as they move with the wind and add motion to the garden. They thrive in partial shade and tolerate full sun if soil remains moist; they do not like to be disturbed once planted. Flowers are pinks and whites and singles and doubles. Heights vary according to cultivar and can be from 2-3' to 3-4' tall. 'Margarete' grows to 2' tall and has double pink flowers. 'September Charm' has graceful, silvery-pink single flowers and gets up to 3' tall. 'Honorine Jobert' has white, silk-like flowers on 3-4' tall plants.
*WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK. FANTASTIC FRUITS. It is always difficult to choose one plant, so this week, take a look at three plants that have outstanding fruits right now. One, of course, is crabapple (Malus), as golden-yellow, deep purple, apple-red and cider-oranges of various crabapple taxa are starting to develop their autumnal and winter shows.
Two other ornamental fruits to enjoy right now as well are on fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa). Fringetree has wonderful egg-shaped, blue fruits that are quite attractive now. Of course, they are only on female fringetrees; the males have wonderful fleecy flowers of late spring, but no fruits. Kousa dogwood has oversized, roundish raspberry-like fruits that are pinkish-red now and seem to be unusually large this year.
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BUG BYTES
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STINGING CATERPILLAR COMMENTARY
STINGING CATERPILLAR COMMENTARY. Joe Boggs reported that a Cincinnati BYGLive! participant enthralled the group with a live SADDLEBACK CATERPILLAR (Sobine stimulea), and a first-hand description of their painful encounter with this stinging caterpillar. Members of a number of lepidopteron families have caterpillars with stinging hairs. However, the most notorious stingers belong to the families Magalopygidae (flannel moths/puss caterpillars), and Limacodidae (slug caterpillar moths).
Caterpillar hairs that are modified for defense are called "urticating" hairs. They may appear as rigid bristles or as long, flexible, tapering hairs. Urticating hairs may be envenomating, meaning they are hollow and filled with venom or they may be non-envenomating meaning that they only cause mechanical irritation. Not all hairy caterpillars are hazardous; however, unless the caterpillar is identified as innocuous, don't handle them. It is best to err on the side of caution. Likewise, if stung, it is best to seek medical attention. While stings from Ohio caterpillars are not generally considered life-threatening, some people are particularly sensitive.
Saddleback caterpillars belong to the Limancodidae family. They are rectangular-shaped and about 1" long at maturity. The "saddle" consists of an oval purplish-brown spot in the middle of a green patch on the back. The caterpillars have dark colored envenomating bristles on four large projections (tubercles) and many smaller white bristles that stick out from the sides of its body. Stings from these hairs are intensely painful and are described by hapless victims as sharp and burning. The pain may last for a considerable duration and often spreads over a large area. This is time of the year that saddleback caterpillars reach maturity and they may be found on a wide range of trees and shrubs, as well as ornamental grasses and corn.
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PUMPKIN SQUASHED BY BUGS
Joe Boggs reported seeing a strange sight while searching for a glimpse of the "Great Pumpkin." A pumpkin appeared to be covered with a strange substance that moved on its own. Upon closer inspection, Joe was pleasantly surprised to discover that the pumpkin party was being hosted by another squash lover, the SQUASH BUG (Anasa tristis).
These pumpkin piercers attack all members of the Cucurbit family but really prefer to suck squash and pumpkins above all others. Adults and nymphs both cause damage by piercing the leaf and sucking out nutrients. Under heavy feeding pressure, the leaves begin to wilt due to the disruption of the flow of water and nutrients. Feeding also causes yellow flecks to develop on leaves. Intense feeding by high populations of these insects causes the foliage to first go off-color, like a dry green, then eventually turn brown. Smaller plants may be stunted or killed while larger plants can tolerate many more affected leaves and vines.
Although most often noted as damaging the foliage, these true bugs also feed on the fruit later in the growing season. The adult squash bug is difficult to kill, so early detection of nymphs is important. Scout often by inspecting the leaves for copper-colored eggs placed in the "V" of the leaf mid-rib and a primary vein. Control will be necessary when the average number of egg masses (groups of eggs) is greater then one egg mass per plant. Pyrethroids do the best job of controlling these pests, as will pyrethrins. Of course when asked how to best control these insects, Joe simply replied "SQUASH 'EM."
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SUFFERIN' MUFFLEHEADS
Tim Malinich in Lorain County reported receiving cries for relief from homeowners suffering an invasion of hundreds of MIDGES, a type of fly in the family Chironomidae. Midges are also called "muffleheads" and are similar in appearance to mosquitoes, but fortunately most do not bite or take a blood meal. However, at different times during the growing season, mass emergences of adults produce major nuisances for people living near the bodies of water from which they have emerged. The midge adults are attracted to lights at night and rest on house walls, on the leaves of trees and shrubs, and in the grass in the day. Anyone who walks through the grass or brushes up against the shrubs will raise a cloud of midges that fly in the trespasser's face, land on their clothing and hitch rides into homes and cars. This is not a desirable occurrence for most.
Like their relatives, the mosquitoes, midges need bodies of water in which to lay their eggs, rear their young and pupate. However, unlike the mosquito larvae that float and feed in the water column and must maintain a connection to the atmosphere through a snorkel-like structure to breath, midge larvae sometimes called bloodworms, live in the muck in the bottoms of ponds, reservoirs, and lakes and breath with the assistance of gill-like structures. These differences also influence control measures.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to manage midge populations where the mass emergences are not tolerated by homeowners living near the bodies of water that support their life cycle. Larval management can be accomplished with compounds such as (s)-methoprene (e.g. Strike Professional Midge Control) and temephos (e.g. 5% Skeeter Abate) and maybe Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) (e.g. MosquitoDunks). These same products would work on mosquitoes, however one type of product that would work on mosquito larvae but not midge larvae is the water surface coating oil products (e.g. Golden Bear). These products are designed to suffocate mosquito larvae by preventing their snorkels from connecting to the atmosphere. Since midge larvae breath underwater through gills, they would not be impacted by the oils. Adults are controlled with a flying insect spray containing compounds such as permethrin (e.g. Raid).
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DANCING PUFFBALLS ON ALDER
Cincinnati BYGLive! participants were also treated to the dance-like movements of WOOLLY ALDER APHIDS (Paraprociphilus tessellates) on European alder. The woolly aphids gather together in prominent colonies on twigs and branches and enshroud themselves in a profuse mass of white, wool-like filaments. When a colony is disturbed, they pulse their posterior ends in unison. Readers may recognize that this aphid's woolly appearance and peculiar defense behavior is almost identical to BEECH BLIGHT APHID (Grylloprociphilus imbricator), the so-called "boogie-woogie aphid" that was reported in last week's BYGL (9/7/06, 2006-23).
However, similarities between the two aphids end with the woolly two-step. Beech blight aphids are only found on beech. The woolly alder aphid also infests silver maple. Indeed, the alternate common name for this aphid is MAPLE BLIGHT APHID. On maple, the aphid spends the winter as eggs in bark cracks and crevices. The nymphs hatch in the spring and migrate to the midveins on the underside of maple leaves where they cover themselves in a mass of white, woolly filaments. Their plant sucking damage may cause leaves to become curled and puckered. In mid-summer, white fluff-covered adults fly to alders where they establish colonies described above. Flights of these "flying puff-balls" can be dramatic.
On alder, two types of aphids arise from the colonies at the end of the season. One type flies to maple and lays overwintering eggs. The other type remains on alder, spending the winter in hibernation under leaf litter beneath the tree. In the spring, these adults move back to the branches and establish colonies.
The aphids are prolific producers of honeydew, both on maple and alder. Branches and leaves beneath the colonies may become glazed in a sticky goo. The honeydew is often heavily colonized by black sooty molds. However, the aphids appear to cause no approachable harm to the overall health of infested alder or silver maple trees. Heavy populations usually collapse from predation and parasitism after a few seasons; no controls are recommended.
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BLISTERING PEARLEAF COMMENTARY
Joe Boggs reported that PEARLEAF BLISTER MITE (Phytoptus pyri) damage on ornamental pear leaves has reached its zenith for the season, and is now very obvious in southwest Ohio. Feeding by the microscopic eriophyid mite produces small, distinct blisters on the upper leaf surface and rough, irregular patches of necrotic tissue on the lower surface. The blisters are light-green at first, but later turn pinkish-red, and eventually brownish-black. Blisters may coalesce giving the leaf a blackened, gnarled appearance. The patches on the lower surface turn from dark brown to black and tiny exit holes appear as mites emerge.
The tiny, cigar-shaped blister mites overwinter under bud scales and initiate blister formation as leaves expand. They first feed on the lower leaf surface, causing the epidermis to rupture. The mites then crawl into the leaf and deposit eggs. As eggs hatch, the new mites continue feeding within the leaf, destroying more cells. Blister and necrotic patch symptoms become most evident after successive generations of mites have fed within the leaves. Although high populations of this mite may cause dramatic symptoms, damage is seldom significant relative to tree health. Control is generally not warranted since high populations on landscape trees seldom occur over successive years.
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OLD MOTHER HUBBARD HAD MOTHS IN HER CUPBOARD
Each fall, reports of moths flying in the kitchen or in front of the TV come into Extension offices. In many cases, the moths are identified as the INDIANMEAL MOTH (Plodia interpunctella). These 5/8-3/4" long moths are in the family Pyralidae, indicating that they have long palps (mouth parts). Normally when they land, they light with nose down and tip of wings pointing toward the ceiling. The wings are wedge shaped, and folded flat on the moth's back. The front halves of the wings are silvery white and the back halves of the wings coppery brown. When smashed, nothing is left but scales and a smudge on the wall.
These moths lay eggs in products containing milled grain or seeds, such as pudding and baking mixes, corn meal and flour, chocolate, powdered milk and even dried fruit, seeds, and dried flowers. The most commonly infested food source is bird seed and dog biscuits. After eating their share of food, the caterpillars will wander away from the infested food to spin a small cocoon. One may see these yellowish-beige caterpillars crawling up the wall. Close inspection reveals row of spots along each side and a light covering of delicate hairs.
As soon as either the moths or caterpillars are seen, look through all cabinets and closets containing flour products. Caterpillars can chew through plastic bags and cardboard, so all containers should be checked. Contaminated items should be discarded outside and suspect items frozen. Most food products can be frozen for several days to kill all stages of this pest and other pantry pests. No chemical is necessary, however cleaning the cabinets with soapy water will help to eliminate webbing, frass, and cocoons. When shopping, check the box or bag for water damage and the freshness date. Sale items may have been reduced for a reason! Be cautious when purchasing pet food. If moths are flitting about the bags of food, look elsewhere for your pet. They usually don't like stale food either! Keep pet food in metal or plastic bins with tight fitting lids, and away from other groceries. A few prudent practices may help to reduce future problems.
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ORIENTAL CHESTNUT GALL WASP REPORTED
A chestnut grower in Lake County called the CWEPPDC with questions about the Oriental chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus). Although the sample was not sent to the Clinic, it was apparently identified by someone in their county. This exotic pest has been sighted in NE Ohio the last few years and damaged Chinese chestnut trees.
Small (1/2") galls develop on the branches of new growth, in late spring, causing dieback. When these galls are sighted, prune them out and destroy them as soon as possible. Contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) when infested trees are noted.
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DISEASE DIGEST
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POWDERY MILDEW PRODUCES PITHY PUMPKIN PEDUNCLES
Erik Draper reported that a fungus is running rampant in pumpkin patches. Powdery mildew (PM) on pumpkins can be caused by two different fungal pathogens namely, Erysiphe cichoracearum and Sphaerotheca fuliginea. Both fungi grow as a white, powder-like covering of leaves, petioles, and stems on pumpkins. Leaves that are heavily infested by PM will rapidly begin to turn yellow, then brown and then collapse. The collapse of the foliage may result in sunscald on the fruit, which reduces quality, as well as the how long the fruit can be stored.
Another real concern in years with intense PM pressure is that the peduncles can also become infected. In lay terms, a peduncle is the stem which attaches the fruit to the vine, fruiting spur or branch. When speaking in pumpkin grower's terms, the peduncle is called the handle or stem. If the handle is badly infected with PM, it becomes pithy, brittle and appears as if it has some type of dry rot. This is not good because those handles always seem to snap off either when they are being harvested out of the field or being inspected by the buyer.
Fungicide sprays should be applied to pumpkins regularly when colonies of these fungi first appear in the field. Sprays to control PM should continue right up until harvest to help suppress the foliage loss and subsequent infestation of the peduncles. After all, no Halloween celebration could be proper if the jack-o-lantern is sporting a little nubbin instead of a long, scary handle!
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MOIST CHAMBER
Late season diseases continue to attract questions from horticulturists statewide.
*ROSE BLACK SPOT was quite bad in many areas of Ohio this year. Remember that one key to control for next year is to clean up black-spotted foliage and canes from the plant in order to limit the amount of fungal (Diplocarpon rosae) inoculum that otherwise overwinters, leading to the development of spores that infects plants next spring.
*BACTERIAL LEAF SCORCH OF PIN OAK was positively identified by the University of Kentucky diagnostic lab from Warren County in southern Ohio recently. This disease is a significant problem in Kentucky but has not been identified as much of a problem in Ohio in the past. Come learn more about this disease from Dr. John Hartman of UK at the Buckeye Bluegrass BYGLive! program in Lexington, KY on October 2, 2006.
*GUIGNARDIA LEAF BLOTCH is ravaging Aesculus, especially common horsechestnut (A. hippocastanum) and its hybrids, sometimes resulting in almost complete defoliation; however bottlebrush buckeye (A. parviflora) shows its excellent genetic resistance to this fungal disease in adjacent plantings.
*TAR SPOT OF MAPLE seemed to take its sweet time developing this year, and numerous arborists and horticulturists are reporting its presence in recent weeks. The tarry spots look ominous but this late season fungal leaf spot disease, with nickel-sized or larger spots made up of smaller diffuse black dots, is not considered serious relative to plant health.
*BOTRYTIS GRAY MOLD is rampant on many annual flowers right now, as senescent blossoms colonized by the fungus fall onto healthy leaves. With ample fungal inoculum build-up, high relative humidity, moisture, and shading of the covered leaves, the result is lesions and Botrytis infections of leaf and stem tissue. The resultant slimy mess is punctuated by fuzzy growth of the Botrytis spore stalks crowned with clusters of spores.
*SEPTORIA LEAF SPOT OF DOGWOOD is common now, especially on certain Cornus sericea and C. racemosa taxa. Note the peppering of the foliage with small lesions of purple rimmed necrotic tissue. This disease was not as bad on the shrub dogwoods this year as in the past several years, but its presence and differential incidence on different Cornus taxa highlights the need for the planned development of a Cornucopia plots for dogwood disease evaluations at Secrest Arboretum at the OARDC in Wooster.
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TURF TIPS
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BROWN TURF?
Turfgrass samples, as well as phone calls continue to pour into specialists' and educators' offices, regarding browning or dead patches in lawns. Several factors may be involved with the browning including environmental problems, insects and diseases. To determine all the causes, one must examine the turfgrass closely, tug at the browning grass blades, and examine the leaf blades with a 10x hand lens.
A dull mowing blade can cause turfgrass blades to have torn, brown, tips and a higher susceptibility to leaf diseases. Scalping will also cause the grass to brown, since the crown is then exposed to intense sunlight, increased traffic wear, and decreased humidity. Leaving trash cans, buckets and other items on the grass will turn the grass underneath brown within several hours on hot days.
Different grass species and cultivars have varying tolerances to the heat and drought, for instance Kentucky bluegrass leaves will become dormant and turn brown during periods of prolonged drought, while the deep roots of tall fescue enable it to absorb moisture beyond the depth of Kentucky bluegrass roots. Warm season grasses like zoysia grass or Bermuda grass thrive during droughts. A common weed surfacing this year is roughstalk bluegrass (Poa trivialis) which will become dormant during periods of intense heat. This stemmy, prostrate growing grass, often flourishes in irrigated lawns as it prefers moist conditions, however despite the irrigation, once the temperature rises and remains above 85F, roughstalk bluegrass will go dormant.
Roughstalk bluegrass can be identified by teasing the stems of browning grass out of the canopy and examining the stems. Roughstalk bluegrass has long, slender stems that root at the nodes. This perennial grows across the soil surface and has very shallow roots. Unlike the short, truncate ligule of Kentucky bluegrass, the upper leaves of roughstalk bluegrass have a long (4-8 mm), pointed ligule.
Brown patch and dollar spot are also still prevalent and causing small brown patches. These diseases can be identified by light brown lesions on the leaf blades. Contact the CWEPPDC for more information about turfgrass diseases, 614-292-5006. Fertilizer containing 30% slow release nitrogen at this time of year will encourage new growth and recovery.
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MORE SOD WEBWORMS!
Dave Shetlar reported that while conducting his sod webworm studies this week, he has noticed both bluegrass sod webworms and vagabond sod webworm flying! Neither requires control now, as the turfgrass roots and blades are growing rapidly enough that damage from these fall feeding caterpillars is negligible.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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NEXT STEP (STREET TREE EVALUATION PROGRAM) VISITS QUEEN CITY
In between planning meetings with southwest Ohio urban foresters some of the OSU Street Tree Evaluation Program members stepped out to several outstanding Cincinnati area arboreta and gardens. Here are a few plant highlights:
*Mt. Airy Forest and Arboretum: As Larry Parker of the City of Cincinnati Park Board points out, the Mt. Airy Forest is a completely planted urban forest (1930's-1950's), from its earlier manifestation of old dairy farm land. It is a marvelous place, a great resource for Cincinnatians, comprising over 1400 acres, and it includes an arboretum. The arboretum includes a great collection of oaks, a clematis garden, viburnum collections, and is the site for Michael Dirr's selections of Viburnum dilatatum 'Mt. Airy' and more prominently Fothergilla gardeni 'Mt. Airy'. On the early September trip participants were especially wowed by a striking planting of Symplocos paniculata (sapphireberry) with what Dirr accurately describes as unique ultramarine-colored fruits.
*Theodore Berry Friendship Garden: Cincinnati has a great riverfront park, with ornamental grasses and globe locusts featuring an African look, a walk in paleontological time, solar powered trash compacters and all kinds of neat stuff. One must visit to do it justice. Check out the paulownia seedlings along the river bank, with leaves sometime reaching 2 feet in diameter and more. Enjoy the crape myrtle which is hardy for southern Ohio. Admire the hibiscus plantings.
*Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum: It is of course always a pleasure to visit this venerable location, one of the greatest arboreta in America. Spring Grove has the largest collection of State Champion (24) trees and National Champion trees of any location in Ohio, with magnificent bald cypress plantings and colonies of knees arising in Spring Grove ponds, marvelous sycamores, a weeping katsuratree that must be seen to be believed, majestic yellow buckeyes, the 'Spring Grove' flowering dogwood and on and on... One plant that really struck participants this time though was... a goldenraintree in full shimmering bloom.
Yes, a goldenraintree blooming a full two months later than its brethren. It was Koelreuteria 'September', possibly a hybrid of Koelreuteria paniculata and K. bipinnata, providing quite a late season splash and attracting quite an array of insects, apparently equally enthralled with this early September spectacle.
*Boone County (KY) Arboretum: This was the last stop on the tree trekking and this new Arboretum, with plantings started in 1997, is about to add 112 acres to its original 121 acre size. It is a wonderful place to visit, with excellent signage for the plants, over 3000 trees and shrubs, interesting collections and a blend of woodland and open arboretum sites. Other plants include silver lindens with their leaves of glossy green on top and undersides of starchy silver-white flitting in the breeze, spicebush fruiting in colors of green, yellow, orange and red, and a wide diversity of plant materials - from fothergilla to figs.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
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FARM SCIENCE REVIEW
This event is held annually at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. For those engaged in an agricultural related occupation, this nationally recognized Ag Show is something to experience. Once there, experience 600 plus exhibitors displaying wares over 83 acres. Look for 750 plus acres of field demonstrations and much more on the 2,100 acre facility. Think its all about production agriculture, well look a little closer. On display will be over 4,000 different equipment lines. Everything from irrigation to portable generators to landscape equipment is on display.
FSR only runs for three days, September 19-21 (Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00-5:00 p.m., Thursday from 8:00-4:00p.m). Advance tickets are $5.00 each and $8.00 at the gate. Children five and under get in free! Tickets are available from OSU Extension offices, local agribusinesses, and on site.
OSU Extension offers educational programs covering the latest research and field trial results. Look for ENLT team members presentations at the Gwynne Conservation Area, the Utzinger Garden Area, and OSU Central. FSR is sponsored by The Ohio State University and related Colleges.
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ANLA-WNGA KICK THE DIRT TOUR
Don't miss this great program in Lake County Ohio, which will run from September 19 - 22. It will connect production, research, and economics. Registration is through the ANLA office at http://www.anla.org .
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OSU/ONLA NURSERY LANDSCAPE RESEARCH DAY
This outstanding program is presented by The Ohio State University and the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association. It will be held October 3, 2006 at the Wittmeyer Conference Room, OSU Waterman Farm, 2490 Carmack Road Columbus, Ohio.
Please RSVP by September 25, 2006. There is a $10 registration (lunch) fee. Pre-registration is required. Please fax or mail RSVP & payment to Cheryl Cuthbert, 256D Howlett Hall, 2001 Fyffe Ct, Columbus, OH 43210 (Fax: 614-292-3505). Payment: Cash, check, or 100W forms, and please make checks payable to "The Ohio State University." Please send questions to: cuthbert.9@osu.edu or 614-247-4353.
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TREE SURVIVAL SCHOOL
This is a cooperative program with OSU Extension and Associated Industries. The three-day program occurs on October 4 - 6, 2006, at Community House, 303 Cahoon Road, Bay Village, OH. Instructors include the dynamic-duo of Alan Siewert (ODNR) and Randy Zondag (OSU).
The school will be helpful to anyone who purchases, plants or cares for trees in a commercial or public landscape. The three days are divided between classroom and hands-on outdoor learning experiences. City service directors, tree commission members, cemetery workers, professional groundskeepers, and school groundskeepers are invited. Participants should to dress for the weather and bring proper pruning tools (pruning saw, hand pruners, pole pruners, pole saw) and eye protection. Participants will be making a nursery visit and planting a tree. The class is limited to 35 applicants. The class is worth 15 ISA Credits for Certified Arborists, and 1 hour ODA Pesticide License Credit. ONLA Credits, & ASLA Credits are applied for. If you have questions, call Alan Siewert at (440) 632-5299. For registration questions or directions call (440) 225-7613.
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60TH PLANT DIAGNOSTIC WORKSHOP FOR THE GREEN INDUSTRY
Thursday and Friday, October 5-6 marks the annual flagship 2-day Ohio Plant Diagnostic Workshop, held this year in Wooster, Ohio at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Secrest Arboretum and OSU Extension Center at Wooster.
The program this year features: Dave Shetlar: Of Mites and Men; Hannah Mathers/Randy Zondag: Diagnosis of Nutrient Disorders and Herbicide Injury; Dennis Lewandowski: Symptoms of Viral Diseases; Landon Rhodes: Common Decay Fungi of Landscape Plants; Joe Boggs and Jim Chatfield: Plant Galls from Both Sides Now; The Season of 2006 in Samples and Examples; Night Diagnostic Walk and Bonfire at Secrest Arboretum; Clinic Catharsis Sample Sharing, Diagnostic Walks, Field Trips and Gourmet Lunches.
Cost for the two day program is $50 or $30 for single day registration, either day. Various recertification credits are available. For more information, contact Sue Beasley at the OSU Extension Center at Wooster for registration details. Her information is: beasley.37@osu.edu (330) 263-3799 (FAX = 3667), Extension Center at Wooster, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691.
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OCTOBER 11 TREE FORUM
The "Why Trees Matter" Community Tree Forum, featuring the "Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits and Impacts of Community Forests" will be held on October 11 at OSU's OARDC in Wooster. This forum is a program of the OSU Next STEP (Street Tree Evaluation Program), OSU's Secrest Arboretum, and the OSU's Extension Center at Wooster. "Why Trees Matter" is for all those interested in Ohio's community forests, including street tree commissions, mayors, arborists and urban foresters, utility companies, economic development and resource managers, nurserymen and landscapers, and all citizens of Ohio interested in the resource of trees in our urban and suburban areas.
The keynote address is by Dr. David V. Bloniarz, the project coordinator of the USDA Forest Service's Northeast Center for Urban and Community Forestry at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. Dr. Bloniarz has worked on numerous urban forestry projects throughout the northeast U.S., including volunteer street inventories in communities of various sizes in Massachusetts and in New York City. He is a key scientist in developing models and software for determining values of streetscape trees, developing volunteer-driven inventories of urban forests, and in community and natural resource management in community forests. Dr. Bloniarz will address "Why Trees Matter" in terms of current and emerging research of environmental, social and economic benefits of trees.
Additional discussions at the Forum will include the current and future Street Tree Evaluation Program of OSU partnering with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and the development of the new OSU Community Tree research plots at Secrest Arboretum and in communities throughout Ohio. For further information and registration materials for October 11, contact Sue Beasley at the OSU Extension Center at Wooster (beasley.37@osu.edu, 330-263-3799, fax = 330-263-3667, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691).
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BYGLOSOPHY
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Prompted by the Tuesday morning BYGL conference call discussions, today's BYGLosophy was recited by Erik Draper and oft quoted by many BYGLers, "There old mushroom hunters and there are bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters." - Unknown
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