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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May 18, 2006
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This is the Seventh 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 May 16, 2006 conference included: Pam Bennett (Clark); 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); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Tim Malinich (Cuyahoga); Jane Martin (Franklin); Becky McCann (Agriculture Business Enhancement Center); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Amy Stone (Lucas); Nancy Taylor (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 May 1 - May 17. Much of the state has seen some precipitation - some areas much more than others. Here is the weather summary for 5 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 |
65.8 |
46.1 |
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2.43" |
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| Hoytville |
NW |
66.4 |
47.3 |
56.6 |
57.3 |
3.31" |
1.64" |
| Columbus |
Central |
68.3 |
49.4 |
58.2 |
59.0 |
1.88" |
2.34" |
| Miami |
SW |
67.2 |
49.6 |
57.7 |
59.5 |
1.88" |
2.74" |
| Jackson |
South |
68.7 |
46.1 |
57.1 |
59.4 |
1.43" |
2.32" |
For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, check out: http:// http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm
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HORT SHORTS
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GDD (GROWING DEGREE DAYS)
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 10 OARDC weather stations and available on the web at the site below.
The range of GDD accumulations in Ohio from north to south is 322 to 582. Following is a report of GDD for several locations around Ohio as of May 17, 2006: Painesville, 322; Cleveland, 343; Toledo, 374; Youngstown, 366; Lima, 405; Wooster, 401; Coshocton, 448; Columbus, 496; Springfield, 439; Dayton, 460; Cincinnati, 507; Ironton, 558; Portsmouth, 560; and Piketon, 582.
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 above web site, you can see what could be taking place in the landscape around you.
Winter king hawthorn, first bloom, 328; lilac borer, adult emergence, 330; Ohio buckeye, full bloom, 374; holly leafminer, adult emergence, 375; Vanhoutte spirea, full bloom, 406; euonymus scale (first generation), egg hatch, 406; black cherry, full bloom, 419; 'Miss Kim' Manchurian lilac, first bloom, 422; locust leafminer, adult emergence, 437; doublefile viburnum, full bloom, 444; black locust, first bloom, 467; common ninebark, first bloom, 478; oystershell scale, egg hatch, 497; smokebush, first bloom, 501; arrowwood viburnum, first bloom, 534; American yellowwood, first bloom, 546; bronze birch borer, adult emergence, 547; black locust, full bloom, 548; American holly, first bloom, 556; mountain laurel, first bloom, 565; potato leafhopper, adult arrival, 568; juniper scale, egg hatch, 571; and common ninebark, full bloom, 596.
 
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PLANT PHENOLOGY
Despite the non-stop rains this past week, most of Ohio continues to demonstrate why it's such a beautiful state. Beginning in the south, Dave Dyke reported that many of their flowering plants, such as azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) and black locusts (Robinia pseudoacacia) were just beginning to decline.
In central Ohio, Pam Bennett and Jane Martin noted that the following are in full glorious bloom: tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), black locust, wild cherry (Prunus serotina), horsechestnut, red horsechestnut, and Ohio buckeye (Aesculus hippocastanum, A. x carnea, and A. glabra), goldenchain tree, (Laburnum watereri), 'Winter King' hawthorn (Crataegus viridis), white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). 'Miss Kim' lilac (Syringa patula) and redbud (Cercis canadensis) were just beginning to fade.
Moving up I75 to Lima, hawthorns were in full bloom and European mountainashes (Sorbus aucuparia) were beginning to fade. Amy Stone noted that dogwoods (Cornus florida) were at petal fall and lilacs (Syringa spp.), spiraea (Spiraea spp.), and Ohio buckeyes were in full bloom in the Toledo area.
Going up I71, royal paulownias (Paulownia tomentosa) were in full bloom in Secrest Arboretum and rhododendrons and azaleas were just coming into bloom. Erik Draper reported that dogwood, horsechestnuts, and lilacs were in full bloom and doublefile viburnums (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum) were just beginning. In the Cleveland area, Tim Malinich reported that dogwoods, lilacs, and buckeyes were in full bloom, though they were knocked down pretty good by recent heavy rains. Dave Goerig, in the far northeast part of the state reported that Russian-olives (Eleagnus angustifolia), honeysuckles, azaleas, buckeyes and horsechestnuts were in full bloom and lilacs and dogwoods were fading; sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) was just beginning to bloom.
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PLANTS OF THE WEEK
*PERENNIAL OF THE WEEK: CATMINT (Nepeta x fassenii). This showy, extremely easy-to-grow perennial is in full bloom in central Ohio now. The mint relative has gray-green foliage and spikes of bright lavender to blue flowers that bloom late spring and early summer. After they finish blooming, cut back to the ground and the plant rejuvenates and blooms again. Some cultivars bloom several times during the summer. Try some of the following cultivars: 'Blue Wonder' - 15-18" tall with larger leaves and bluer flowers; 'Six Hills Giant' - lavender-blue flowers on 36" tall plants; and 'Walker's Low' - bluish-purple flowers on 10-15" plants.
*WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK: WHITE FRINGETREE (Chionanthus virginicus). Fringetree is wowing people with its late spring glories in southern and central Ohio and blossoms are beginning to emerge up north. White fringetree is a small native tree (12-18') with outstanding fleecy white flowers. It has an open tree form, lustrous green leaves, and attractive egg-shaped blue fruits on female trees. The lacy-white flowers are eye-openers in overall effect and are highly aromatic. Plant male and female fringetrees together to get the fruit. It is air pollution and soil pH adaptable. Chinese fringetree (C. retusus) is an attractive relative.
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WHAT ARE ALL THOSE YELLER FLOWERS?
Pam Bennett reported that she is receiving calls regarding the sea of canary yellow currently gracing farm fields in her part of the state. The weed producing the display is CRESSLEAF GROUNDSEL (Packera glabella), (a.k.a. BUTTERWEED (Senecio glabellus)). As a member of the aster family (Asteraceae; a.k.a. Compositae), the flowers are daisy-like and the seed heads look like miniature dandelion puff-balls. The flowers are borne at the ends of thick, erect, stems that are green with reddish-purple streaks. The plant has "cress-like" leaves giving rise to the common name.
Cressleaf groundsel is a native winter annual found in the northern United States. It is a heavy seed producer, and the seed can remain viable in the soil for a number of years. For reasons that are not clearly understood, this weed has become unusually common in Ohio in recent years in cultivated fields, nurseries, and landscapes. Past reports indicate the weed may have some tolerance for 2, 4-D and may require high rates of glyphosate to be controlled. Hand pulling is an effective option in landscapes, but plants must be destroyed prior to seed maturation. Cultivation prior to flower production is also effective. Both approaches will reduce future infestations.
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BUG BYTES
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BAGWORMS ARE A HATCH'IN
Dave Shetlar reported that bagworm caterpillars (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) have begun to hatch in central Ohio (Columbus area). Since they are hatching in central Ohio, they should also be hatching in southern Ohio. In these areas, evergreens, especially arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) and its cultivars, should be monitored closely for bagworm activity paying very close attention to plants that were infested last year. The caterpillars that are hatching are very tiny and may be difficult to find, but they do leave evidence that they have hatched. The newly hatched caterpillars will stream out the bottom of their mother's bag from last year on silken threads. A bag that has experienced a recent hatch will have a mass of new silken threads hanging from its bottom. Many of the newly hatched caterpillars will settle down on the host plant upon which their mothers had fed, but some will be caught by the wind and carried to neighboring host plants by their silken threads. Soon after beginning to feed, new caterpillars will begin constructing their own bags in which they will reside the rest of the summer. They will spin silk and bind pieces of the host plant into the bag that provides camouflage for them.
As has been emphasized in past years of BYGL, management of the bagworm can be accomplished most easily while the larvae are young and small. At this time the biological insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt (e.g., Dipel, Thuricide, or Caterpillar Attack) can be quite effective against the bagworm. But don't wait too long for once the caterpillars reach 3/4" and larger, the effectiveness of Bt declines rapidly. After this time, more traditional insecticides will be needed. However, don't wait till late in the growing season to manage the bagworm, because even the traditional insecticides lose their effectiveness against the large bagworms. Refer to OSU Extension Bulletin 504, "Insect and Mite Control on Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennials" for details on effective insecticides.
A final word of caution: don't rush the timing of treatments. Since the bagworms have just begun hatching in Columbus, treatment now might miss part of the population. Allow some time to pass so most of the population has a chance to hatch before applying treatments. Additionally, northern populations have yet to begin to hatch.
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BROWN RECLUSE IN THE NEWS AGAIN!
"Bites" from brown recluse spiders have been in the news again, yet most likely the "bites" are misdiagnosed. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Division of Vector Borne Diseases keeps records of brown recluse identifications in Ohio, and states that they are rarely seen in Ohio. In fact, even in the southern states where they are common in homes and buildings, few bites actually occur.
In many cases, the so-called bites are infected puncture wounds from an item encountered in the home, landscape, or other surroundings, or occasionally from a weed, insect or spider. If not cleaned and covered, any puncture wound can become infected. Wounds which do not begin to improve within a few days should be examined by a doctor, instead of waiting until the infection worsens.
If a brown recluse spider is suspected, contact the local county extension agent or the local ODH branch, for verification. If it can not be identified from a telephone call, the spider should be placed in a plastic bottle containing rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), and clearly labeled with the inquirer's name, address, phone number, and sent to the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (614-292-5902) for identification. It is extremely important that these spiders be properly identified and recorded with ODH, to keep their records viable. An excellent factsheet can be found on the Ohioline website at: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2061.html
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PINE NEEDLE SCALE EGG HATCH
As predicted in Dave Shetlar's P.E.S.T. Newsletter, pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae)eggs have hatched in southwest Ohio, and crawlers are...crawling. The tiny, mobile, rusty-red first instar nymphs (crawlers) can be detected with a hand-lens or by lightly rubbing infested needles between the thumb and index finger. A dark red stain on the fingers indicates crawlers are present. The crawlers are the life stage of the insect that is most susceptible to contact insecticides.
A soil drench application of the systemic neonicotinoid insecticide dinotefuran (e.g. Safari) in the fall will provide preemptive control of this armored scale. The current batch of crawlers can be controlled with contact insecticides such as soaps and horticultural oils as well as other insecticides listed in the OSU Extension Bulletin 504, "Insect and Mite Control on Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennials." However, infested trees should be closely monitored because eggs may hatch over an extended period time requiring a second insecticide application to kill the late arrivers.
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FOUR-LINED PLANT BUG
Erik Draper and Jim Chatfield reported that they observed fourlined plant bug (Poecilocapsus lineatus) nymphs and their feeding damage on a range of perennials in northeast Ohio. This sucking insect feeds on over 250 herbaceous plant species. The quick-moving nymphs are reddish-orange with black wing-pads. The appropriately named adults vary from yellow to green in color and have four black stripes down the wings.
Like many plant-feeding hemipterans, the four-lined plant bug injects enzymes into the plant causing cells to collapse. The bugs then feed on the resulting "slurry." The damage appears as small, round, black sunken spots which may coalesce into extensive blackened areas on infested leaves. The symptoms are commonly mistaken for a plant leaf disease.
There is only one generation per year. However, both the adults and nymphs are heavy feeders. High populations can produce significant plant injury. Targeting the early instar nymphs for control now will reduce the overall damage caused this season by this insect. Refer to OSU Extension Bulletin 504, "Insect and Mite Control on Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennials," for a list of control materials.
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WINDSHIELD WIPES
BYGLers ran into a few other insect and mite problems this week including:
* Joe Boggs reported that MAPLE PETIOLE BORER (Caulocampus acericaulis) is beginning to produce noticeable leaf drop on its namesake in southwest Ohio. The larvae of this sawfly bore into the petioles of maple leaves. Their feeding activity causes the petioles to break sending the otherwise healthy looking leaf to the ground. The fallen leaves have short (1-2"), hollow petioles. Larvae remain inside the portion of the petiole attached to the twig, so raking and destroying fallen leaves will not reduce the population. There is only one generation per year and damage is seldom severe enough to cause serious harm to the tree.
* Barb Bloetscher reported that the CWEPPDC received a sample of PALES WEEVIL (Hylobius pales) adult feeding damage on conifer seedlings growing in an eastern Ohio Christmas tree plantation. Adults feed by removing bark at the base of lateral shoots on large trees causing the shoots to occasionally turn brown and die. Adults may also feed on the main stems of seedlings killing the seedlings. Much of this damage occurs in late summer and early fall when new adults emerge, and the damage can be prevented by making an insecticide application at that time. However, a much more effective management approach is to remove or spray stumps in the spring that were left from the fall harvest. The weevil lays eggs on, and larvae develop in, these fresh-cut stumps.
* BYGLers reported that the handiwork of two gall-making mites in the family Eriophyidae are now appearing in Ohio, and are available for appreciation. These include the light-green to reddish-green, finger like "spindle galls" on the upper leaf surface of sugar maple produced by the eriophyid Vasates aceriscrumena, and on the upper leaf surface of black cherry produced by Phytoptus cerasicrumena (the so-called "cherry-ophyid mite"). Neither of these galls causes serious harm to their host trees.
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DISEASE DIGEST
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PERFECT WEATHER FOR DUCKS AND DISEASE!
Pam Bennett reported that she is in desperate need of sunshine and warmer temperatures in order to stop the botrytis rampage in Clark County. Annuals waiting to be planted in field trial beds were the perfect target this past week for the fungal disease botrytis or gray mold (Botrytis cinerea). Botrytis blight is quite common on annuals and perennials under cool and moist conditions. It can be quite damaging when rainy and cool conditions prevail for an extended period of time - sound familiar?
On annuals, it usually starts out with the dead flowers dropping on the leaves and stems. Masses of silver-gray spores with a moldy appearance are found on the dead tissue. On some plants, it can infect the stem, potentially leading to death of the plant. One of the best management options is good sanitation; remove all dead flower blossoms and prevent them from lying on leaf and stem tissue. Other options include good air circulation and sunlight to dry off plants. Once weather conditions no longer favor development of botrytis, it usually disappears. For more information, refer to the following OSU Extension Factsheet: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3070.html
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CEDAR RUST DISEASES GOO-ING SPORES
Curtis Young reported receiving a call about CEDAR QUINCE RUST (Gymnosporangium clavipes) gelatinous spore mats developing on branches of JUNIPER in a landscape. The weather conditions over the past week or so have been optimal for the production of spores from several of the rust diseases. The two other rust diseases that could be producing spores on juniper at the current time are CEDAR APPLE RUST (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) and CEDAR HAWTHORN RUST (Gymnosporangium globosum). Each produces spores from different types of gall growths on the stems and branches of juniper. When actively producing spores, the galls will exude gelatinous tentacles or mats through openings on the galls. In some cases these diseases are minor problems, but cedar quince rust and cedar hawthorn rust can be a major problem on hawthorns in the landscape and cedar apple rust is a major economic consideration in commercial apple production.
When the rust fungi switch to their alternate hosts in the landscape, the fungi produce leaf lesions and again produce massive quantities of spores. These activities of the rust fungi detract from the appearance of the trees and when the spores are shed, they can discolor sidewalks, driveways, cars, furniture and other items with a rusty red-orange color.
Control of the rust fungi can be accomplished with fungicide sprays, but the fungicides must be in place as a preventative before spores can germinate and infect the tissues. The other alternative to control the rust diseases is to eradicate the hosts and replace them with non-host species.
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OH NUTS
Nancy Taylor reported that a case of EASTERN FILBERT BLIGHT was diagnosed last week by the PPDC. This fungus disease, caused by Anisogramma anomala, can devastate a planting if left unchecked. The native hazelnut (Corylus americana) serves as a host for the disease organism but is somewhat tolerant to its attack. Hybrids between C. Americana and C. avellana are somewhat tolerant to blight. The fungus infects the bark, turning it dark. Twigs and branches become infected and leaves wilt and collapse beyond the diseased portion. Eventually the fungus is characterized by rows of black pustules breaking through the bark. Diseased portions of wood should be pruned out and burned. Fixed copper sprays during the growing season may help control this disease. Susceptible specimens in the planting should be rogued out. For further information on this disease refer to "Eastern Filbert Blight Help Page", Oregon State University at http://oregonstate.edu/dept/botany/epp/EFB/management.htm
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BLACK ROOT ROT ON PANSIES
Nancy Taylor reported receiving pansies that were subsequently diagnosed as being infected with black root rot. This disease is caused by the fungus, Thielaviopsis basicola. This fungus is very common and widespread. It has a wide host range and affects many other plants besides greenhouse floral crops. Almost any factor that stresses the host plant can lead to development of this disease. Crops grown under conditions that are too cool or too warm are often subject to infection. Nutritional imbalances are also frequently associated with disease development. Excess of ammonia nitrogen appears to be particularly troublesome for pansy growers dealing with black root rot. Growing media with a pH above 5.5-6.0 are also conducive to black root rot development. The good news is that correcting plant stress can allow infested plants to "outgrow" the disease and eventually recover.
Growers in areas with high alkalinity levels, such as southwestern and northeastern Ohio, often have difficulty maintaining a pH low enough to discourage black root rot development. When using soiless media, it is imperative that the pH be checked frequently with a quality pH meter due to the low buffering capacity of soiless mixes. Steps must be taken, through acid injection or fertilizer regime, to maintain a pH below 6.0 (ideally at 5.5 or lower) to assist in the prevention of black root rot on pansies. Refer to OSU Factsheet, HYG-3066-96, "Black Root Rot of Greenhouse Floral Crops" at http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3066.html for further information on this disease.
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ANTHRACNOSE DISEASES OF SHADE TREES
Conditions earlier this Spring in some areas of Ohio were not particularly conducive to development of some of our common anthracnose diseases, such as ASH ANTHRACNOSE (Apiognomonia errabunda) and SYCAMORE ANTHRACNOSE (Apiognomonia veneta). Infections by the causal fungi are enhanced by cool, wet conditions during early leaf development, and drier areas of Ohio did not have these conditions until this past week. Nevertheless, enough earlier infections had already occurred, even in the drier areas, so that ash anthracnose and sycamore anthracnose was observed throughout Ohio this past week. With the prolonged cool, wet, cloudy monsoons we can expect much greater incidence of these diseases to show up in the coming week or two.
Look for grayish water-soaked appearances of leaves on both plants, with big blotches delimited by the center vein on ash and some total leaf blight and discoloration along main veins on sycamore leaves. On sycamore this may result in very sparse foliation and a good bit of twig dieback. For pictures, see http://plantfacts.osu.edu/pest/display.lasso?-Search=Action&-Table=html&-Database=Insects&-KeyValue=4457. On ash, look for considerable leaf drop, especially on the lower branches of the tree where higher moisture and relative humidity prevails. For pictures, see http://plantfacts.osu.edu/pest/display.lasso?-Search=Action&-Table=html&-Database=Insects&-KeyValue=482 The good news is that, even with the large number of leaves on the ground with ash and with very sparse foliage on sycamores, these trees typically recover quite nicely and the problem will be largely forgotten by the end of June. Use of fungicides is rarely recommended. Fungicide applications would have had to be made at bud break to be effective.
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APPLE SCAB ON CRABAPPLE
Our wet weather this past week is also the "environment conducive to disease" that helps lead to significant APPLE SCAB OF CRABAPPLE. Starting with lower leaf surfaces from spores splashed from overwintering fungal inoculum on last year's scabby leaves and then occurring on upper leaf surfaces, scab is starting to show up on susceptible Malus taxa already, and presumably will be greatly enhanced in days and weeks to come due to our past week of wild wet weather. Fungicides to prevent scab will of course not get rid of these primary infections, but subsequent applications will help limit secondary infections as the season progresses. Of course it is difficult to even make applications while it keeps raining.
The best alternative for the future of course is to practice the ultimate in disease prevention: plant crabapples with good genetic resistance to infections by the scab fungus (Venturia inaequalis). There are many, from 'Red Jewel' to 'Strawberry Parfait', from 'Royal Raindrops to 'Sargent', from 'Bob White' to many of the Round Table Series. For an extensive list of our crabapple trials, connect to our OSU Extension research data from the Crablandia trials at OSU's Secrest Arboretum at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. For more information on crabapple trials from the current Ornamental Circular, go to: http://woostercenter.osu.edu/SC197-05-13 Crab Knowldg.pdf
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THE MOIST CHAMBER
*Randy Zondag continues to report that DOWNY MILDEW OF ROSE is a problem for growers removing plants from overwintering structures. A DOWNY MILDEW OF SALVIA sample was received from a greenhouse operation at the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.
*ROSE BLACK SPOT is rearing its ugly head throughout the state.
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TURF TIPS
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SURFING O-HI-O
As this slow moving, low pressure system hovering over the Midwest breaks up and moves on, outdoor activity will be in full gear again. This weather has brought much needed rain to the Midwest and Ohio since it arrived. We knew things were really wet when Randy Zondag, located in sandy-soiled Lake county, expressed his dissatisfaction about "all the mud." With all this water, turfgrass that was fertilized earlier this season is now growing at impressive rates. Because of this, BYGLers believed this was a good issue to share some timely tips to folks in the lawn care industry.
Tip #1: It is better to mow wet grass than not to mow at all. The mowing schedule should be based on the lawn's rate of growth, not based on the company's ability to handle the work load.
Tip #2: It is not a good idea to mow more than 1/3 of the height of the turfgrass per cutting. Removing more than 1/3 of the height has been known to reduce the root system of the plant and generate excessive clippings, which in turn will weaken the plants and cause them to be more susceptible to insect and disease attacks.
Tip #3: Keep your mower blades sharp. Wet grass is very turgid. A sharp blade will cut clean and eliminate the brown cast caused by the tattered edges of a lawn that has been cut by tearing.
Tip #4: Safety First! Wet turf clumps and often clogs the mower discharge shoot. Always perform mower adjustments with the engine off.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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PROACTIVE PAYS OFF!
Randy Zondag made the point to BYGL participants that even though some pests have yet to emerge, it pays to monitor for them before they become a problem. Growing degree days indicate that lilac borer is coming out now. Set traps early to get a jump on the pest rather than the pest getting a jump on you. Use tools such as BYGL and the plant phenology website, http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/gdd/, to track emergence.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
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EMERALD ASH BORER AWARENESS WEEK
Ohio, along with Michigan and Indiana, have declared the week of May 22-27 as "Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week" in an effort to raise public awareness about EAB, an ash-tree killing insect, and the collective efforts underway to prevent its spread. Don't move firewood and protect our trees!
For more information about the borer, EAB Awareness Week, and activities planned in Ohio, check out the Ohio Department of Agriculture's website at http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab/plnt-eab-updates.stm
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UPCOMING DIAGNOSTIC WORKSHOPS
* NORTHWEST OHIO. Invest a day to grow your company's reputation as a valuable knowledge source in your customers' eyes! Join us Wednesday, May 24, 2006 as OSU Extensions Green Industry Center presents the first of this year's OSU ENLT Team workshops. Extension nursery and landscape specialists, Jim Chatfield, Joe Boggs and others will combine their experience to help your company to meet your clients' diagnostic challenges with this year's OSU Extension Plant Diagnostic Workshop.
Topics at this year's workshop will include the following and more: Emerald Ash Borer; Diseases and Insects du Jour; Dr. Dendro Diagnostic Case Studies; Digital Diagnostics; Clinic Catharsis Sample Sharing; and Diagnostic Walks. The daylong program begins at 9:45 A.M., and will be held at Toledo Botanical Garden Conference Center. Additionally, certification credits will be provided for ONLA and Master Gardeners.
The registration fee is $30.00, payable by check or cash to OSU Extension, ABE Center, at 639 S. Dunbridge Rd., Suite 4, Bowling Green, OH, 43402. This covers lunch, refreshments and program materials.
* SPRINGFIELD. Future diagnosticians wanted - to attend one of the many Ohio Plant Diagnostic Workshops. On May 26th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in Springfield, Jim Chatfield, Joe Boggs, and Pam Bennett test your diagnostic skills and teach you more! Learn about the insects and diseases du Jour and how to use a digital camera to enhance your diagnostic abilities, and enjoy case studies and an emerald ash borer update as well as lots of food. Registration costs $30.00; call in advance to reserve your space - 937-328-4607. Reservations due before May 24th.
* NORTHEAST OHIO. This hands-on workshop will be held on Tuesday June 6, 2005 at the Donald W. Meyer Center in the beautiful Big Creek Park of the Geauga Park District. Join OSU Extension's Jim Chatfield, and Erik Draper as they combine their own zany experiences and skills to help you meet the diagnostic plant challenges of the coming season.
Some of the topics at this year's workshop include: Emerald Ash Borer; Diseases and Insects du Jour; Dr. Dendro's Diagnostic Case Studies; Digital Diagnostics; Clinic Catharsis Sample Sharing; and a Diagnostic Walk. Registration for this daylong program will begin at 9:30 A.M. and the program starts at 10 AM. Additionally, certification credits will be provided for ONLA technicians and Master Gardeners.
The registration fee is $30.00, which covers the cost of lunch, refreshments and all program materials. Fee is payable by check or cash to OSU Extension, Geauga County, at PO.BOX 387, Burton , OH. 44021-0387. If there are questions or to RSVP a place in this unique learning experience, please call 440.834.4656. For directions to the park see http://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/parks/bigcreek.shtml
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BYGLOSOPHY
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In light of our recent long periods of rain: "I always thought a yard was three feet, then I started mowing the lawn." - C.E. Cowman
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