home bygl 2011 text only contacts search site map enlt ... · northeastern us and canada in the...

12
BYGL September 23, 2010 http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM] Lead Editor: Curtis Young Contributing Authors: Pam Bennett, Joe Boggs, Cindy Burskey, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, Dave Dyke Gary Gao, David Goerig, Tim Malinich, Becky McCann, Bridget Meiring, Amy Stone and Curtis Young Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine provides timely information about Ohio growing conditions, pest, disease, and cultural problems. Updated weekly between April and October, this information is useful for those who are managing a commercial nursery, garden center, or landscape business or someone who just wants to keep their yard looking good all summer. BYGL September 23, 2010 Thursday, 23 September 2010 17:44 This is the 25th 2010 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL). BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Ohio State University Extension (OSUE) Educators, Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio. In This Issue: 1. WEATHERWATCH. 2. PLANTS OF THE WEEK: Annual (Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'), Perennial (Turtlehead), Woody (Sweetgum), and Weed (Purple Loosestrife). 3. HORT SHORTS: OARDC and Secrest Storm. 4. GREEN SHORTS: Project Earth, and Learning from our Neighbor to the North. 5. CLINIC CLIPS: No report. 6. BUGBYTES: Twig Girdler, Boring Black Locust (Locust Borers), Grasshopper Damage A-Bounds, and Mega Wasps Stinging Dead Trees (Giant Ichneumons). 7. DISEASE DIGEST: No Report. 8. TURF TIPS: Clouds of White Moths Arise from Lawns (Vagabond Sod Webworms), and Undetected White Grub Damage. 9. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: No Report. 10. COMING ATTRACTIONS: Residential Landscaping Seminar, Associated Green Industries Fall get Together, Cincinnati Area Professional Green Infrastructure Network (CAPGIN) Meeting, What Have We Done? Pruning Principles Pictorial Presentation, Plant Pathology 300 - Fleshy Woodland Fungi Forays, Bluegrass-Buckeye BYGLive!, Managing for Success Workshops Scheduled, and 5th Why Trees Matter Forum. 11. BYGLOSOPHY. 1. WEATHERWATCH. The following weather information summarizes data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) Weather Stations spanning the dates from September 1-21, 2010 with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at 6:05 p.m. The BIG weather news was the tornado and straight-line winds experienced in the Buckeye State last Thursday, September 16, 2010. Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT Presentations

Upload: others

Post on 26-Feb-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

Lead Editor: Curtis YoungContributing Authors: Pam Bennett, Joe Boggs, Cindy Burskey, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, Dave DykeGary Gao, David Goerig, Tim Malinich, Becky McCann, Bridget Meiring, Amy Stone and Curtis Young

Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine provides timely information about Ohio growing conditions, pest, disease, and cultural problems. Updatedweekly between April and October, this information is useful for those who are managing a commercial nursery, garden center, or landscape

business or someone who just wants to keep their yard looking good all summer.

BYGL September 23, 2010Thursday, 23 September 2010 17:44

This is the 25th 2010 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL). BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference callof Ohio State University Extension (OSUE) Educators, Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio.

In This Issue:

1. WEATHERWATCH.2. PLANTS OF THE WEEK: Annual (Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'), Perennial (Turtlehead), Woody (Sweetgum), and Weed (Purple

Loosestrife).3. HORT SHORTS: OARDC and Secrest Storm.4. GREEN SHORTS: Project Earth, and Learning from our Neighbor to the North.5. CLINIC CLIPS: No report.6. BUGBYTES: Twig Girdler, Boring Black Locust (Locust Borers), Grasshopper Damage A-Bounds, and Mega Wasps Stinging Dead

Trees (Giant Ichneumons).7. DISEASE DIGEST: No Report.8. TURF TIPS: Clouds of White Moths Arise from Lawns (Vagabond Sod Webworms), and Undetected White Grub Damage.9. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: No Report.

10. COMING ATTRACTIONS: Residential Landscaping Seminar, Associated Green Industries Fall get Together, Cincinnati AreaProfessional Green Infrastructure Network (CAPGIN) Meeting, What Have We Done? Pruning Principles Pictorial Presentation,Plant Pathology 300 - Fleshy Woodland Fungi Forays, Bluegrass-Buckeye BYGLive!, Managing for Success WorkshopsScheduled, and 5th Why Trees Matter Forum.

11. BYGLOSOPHY.

1. WEATHERWATCH.The following weather information summarizes data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC)Weather Stations spanning the dates from September 1-21, 2010 with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings fromTuesday, September 21, 2010, at 6:05 p.m.

The BIG weather news was the tornado and straight-line winds experienced in the Buckeye State last Thursday, September 16, 2010.

Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT Presentations

Page 2: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

The OARDC Campus in Wooster, Ohio was hit hard and declared a national disaster following the storm (see article below for additionalinformation).

While the official start of fall is this week, temperatures have not been fall-like. Tuesday temperatures exceeded 90F, with above averagetemperatures predicted the rest of the week. Hot temperatures and drought-like conditions are not a good combination for plants headinginto fall!

Weather Station

Region of Ohio

Ave. High Temp F

Ave. Low Temp F

TotalPrecip."

NormalPrecip."

Soil Temp F 2"/3"

Ashtabula NE 72.7 54.4 2.33 3.3 71.92/72.40

Wooster NE 76.3 52.3 1.45 2.3 72.08/70.67

Hoytville NW 79.0 54.4 0.75 2.1 82.16/76.11

Columbus Central 83.3 55.8 0.28 2.0 76.52/74.34

Piketon South 83.1 51.9 0.56 1.4 86.37/84.31

For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, visit: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm .

For more information, see:

Weather Station Link

2. PLANTS OF THE WEEK.*ANNUAL - EUPHORBIA 'DIAMOND FROST'. Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' is a beautiful, light textured,airy plant in the spurge family that blooms from spring till frost! This plant has done extremely well in theAnnual Plant Trials at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden as a bedding plant and in containerplantings. Its delicate, airy, white flowers stay attractive the entire season. The delicate look that theplant provides should not fool you on its toughness. It is an outstanding performer in the garden. Itsmany attributes include: no deadheading, deer resistance, and heat and drought tolerance. This plantalso mixes well with other annuals in containers and bedding displays, especially plants with darkfoliage. 'Diamond Frost' is low growing, reaching heights of 12-18". Other cultivars of Euphorbia that areavailable at garden stores include 'Breathless Blush', 'Breathless White', and 'White Manaus'.

*PERENNIAL - TURTLEHEAD (Chelone spp.). This native perennial gets its name from the shape ofits unusual flowers that are tight terminal clusters of tubular 2-lipped flowers resembling the heads ofsnapping turtles. It is a good choice for heavy, wet soils. Turtlehead spreads to form dense colonies ofupright stems bearing pink, rose, or white flowers, coming into bloom about the middle of August andlasting for 6-7 weeks. It grows best in some shade, but tolerates full sun with adequate moisture.Turtlehead is an excellent, sturdy, easy-to-grow perennial, that can tolerate wet soils. It can be droughttolerant once established. Attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, this beautiful, vertical perennial withstout, upright stems, makes a good plant for the border, or to plant along streams.

The most commonly found species of this genus include: white turtlehead (C. glabra), reaching 3-6' tall with light creamy white (or slightlypink) flowers; Pink Turtlehead, Rose Turtlehead, Purple Turtlehead, and Red Turtlehead (C. obliqua), that reach 2-3' tall and half as widewith flowers in pink to deep rosy pink; and Lyon's Turtlehead (C. lyonii), at 3-4' in height bears clusters of purplish-pink flowers fromAugust through October.

*WOODY - SWEETGUM (Liquidambar styraciflua). Sweetgum is a deciduous tree that can be foundfrom Connecticut to Florida, and in the mountains of Central America ranging from Mexico to Panama.The serrated, glossy, five-lobed leaves of Sweetgum are sometimes termed star-shaped. This treegrows moderately fast and is highly resistant to insect attack. Sweetgum generally reaches heights of60-80' with a canopy width of 40-60'. Many owners may not be excited about the sweetgum tree, due to

Page 3: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

the pesky fruits that make mowing and walking difficult. Even though this tree may have annoying fruit,it does make up for it with beautiful, yellow to red fall color.

For more information, see:

Arbor Day Tree Guide - American Sweetgum

*WEED - PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE (Lythrum salicaria). Purple loosestrife was introduced to thenortheastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is anerect perennial in the loosestrife family Lythraceae, with a square, woody stem and opposite or whorledleaves. Loosestrife plants grow 4-10' high and produce a showy display of magenta-colored flowerspikes throughout much of the summer. Flowers have 5-7 petals. Purple loosestrife is very invasive,with mature plants having approximately 30-50 stems growing from a single rootstock. This plantadapts readily to natural and disturbed wetlands. As it establishes and expands, it overcomes nativeplants and ultimately makes it harder for wildlife to find good food sources. Purple loosestrife can stillbe found in garden stores and sometimes hidden in wildflower seed mixes, so consumers beware!

Small infestations of purple loosestrife can be removed by hand. The entire root system must beremoved from the ground and bagged and removed from the area. Larger populations are harder tocontrol using mechanical means and chemicals may need to be utilized. The best way to target theplants is to apply herbicides by cutting and treating the stems. Read the herbicide label for sprayingguidelines before applying.

For more information, see:

Department of Natural Resources - Invasive Plants Factsheet

3. HORT SHORTS.A. OARDC AND SECREST STORM. As many know, The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Secrest Arboretum andsurrounding Wooster, Ohio Wayne County homes and businesses were damaged by an EF-2 tornado last Thursday September 16,

Page 4: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

2010 at around 5:30 p.m. Other areas in Ohio (in Franklin and Athens counties) also had significant storm damage, as concurrently didNew York City where a rare tornado event occurred, especially in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, downing thousands of trees andkilling a woman in a car.

Fortunately, in Wooster there was only one minor physical injury. Damage to buildings and trees at OARDC and Secrest Arboretum wasextensive. Thus far, a team from OSU Extension, OARDC, and ATI have inventoried over 775 trees of 6" diameter and greater, withmany of these trees well over 10-20 inches in diameter, including 42" oaks and a 53" sycamore. When the full inventory is completed,the count of large fallen trees on the OARDC campus and Secrest Arboretum will be well over 1000. The Ag Engineering Building atOARDC was the building most damaged and the nursery and greenhouse engineering lab headed by the USDA's Charles Krause wasdevastated. Students and faculty lost a great deal of research and valuable germplasm in greenhouses. As one of Jim Chatfield's wifeLaura's second grade students wrote to Secrest Program Director Ken Cochran: "Ken, I am sorry for loosing (sp) your trees on theground and your data."

Cleanup efforts at the OARDC and Secrest are monumental. In the Arboretum Ken, Joe Cochran, and Jim Karcher, with Arboretuminterns Paul and Tim and so many others are working beyond the hours of each day with incredible results. OSU President Gordon Gee,College of Food Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Dean Bobby Moser, and OARDC Director Steve Slack, along with so manyothers have been on the scene with practical and heartfelt support. Governor Strickland has promised support as well, in addition tofederal disaster status. As you might imagine, there are extensive insurance considerations and a need for on-site adjustordocumentation. OSUE Director Keith Smith and Vice-Provost Mike Boehm have been providing support to us all on a regular basis. Thecampus is still in disaster administration status a week later, but about to re-open.

Here are a few notes of what has occurred:

Some major losses:

Rhododendron Valley has hundreds of large trees with no topsUmbrella magnolia grove flattenedThe new Jack and Deb Miller Garden Pavilion building which held the 70th Ohio Plant Diagnostic Workshop 6 days earlier - goneHuge oaks behind the Stone House - uprooted, fallen and goneWhite pine archway - one-sided nowHemlock rill up toward dawn redwoods with hundreds of trees downCrablandia I - goneCrabapples along road - 3/4 are goneLondon planetrees in Fisher parking lot - goneAgain, 775 large trees that were lost are identified, measured and GPSed thus far. To put this into perspective:

A single 24" diameter pin oak tree in a Wooster, OH (44691 area code) parkland setting provides $214 in annual benefits (according tothe USDA Forest Service i-Tree analysis which you can access easily on treebenefits.com). These benefits include stormwaterremediation, energy savings, air quality benefits, carbon sequestration, and property value.

On the other hand:

Only one minor injuryMuch of campus undamaged, including all of ATI3/4 of arboretum - relatively unaffectedDawn redwood grove - intactCrablandia II (our new research plot) with only seven trees downNew phenology pavilion - virtually unscathedMost of old Shade Tree plot - unaffectedIncredible number of people, businesses and organizations are supportive and offering helpA Secrest Fund has been started with a generous donation of $30,000 from someone we all knowKen Cochran, hurt beyond measure (emotionally), is providing uplifting effort and is working this into his mission and movingforward very positively and with great spirit.Dan Herms has led the way in stressing the research and educational opportunities this storm provides. Wind is a natural eventand understanding and demonstrating effects in forested areas, from effects of invasive species, to reforestation dynamics andthrough interpretive signage and case studies is what educational institutions provide.Joe Cochran and arboretum interns have already cleaned up areas such as the Water Garden which was almost completelycovered over by fallen trees and debris Friday. On Monday the tree inventory team (Bruce Cubberley, Cathy Herms, John Cardina,Denise Ellsworth, Jim Chatfield) had a pleasant lunch there, gazing at the water lilies. Not much shade though.

Some upcoming teachable moments:

Page 5: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

The i-Tree environmental audit, tree inventory results and this ongoing story will be a crucial part of the OSU Extension Why TreesMatter Forum on October 20, 2010 (see below).Also check the Secrest Arboretum website at http://secrest.osu.edu for the schedule of 2010 upcoming events in the arboretum,including, if conditions permit, the Autumn Discovery Day on October 2, the Bird Walk on October 5, and the Secrest ArboretumAutumn walk on October 13. Again, check the website.When you can make it, come see Secrest - though not quite yet (stay tuned). Emotions and mourning is part of the deal, and leadsto a deeper understanding and appreciation of why trees and research matter. The inventory team was greatly affected by theirchance to commune with fallen trees, even stumps, one last time. It's not going to be just a vague number of trees that were lost. Itis going to be as close to accurate as possible and with a fuller understanding of what all that loss entails.

A few words from Ken Cochran, Secrest Arboretum and Gardens Program Director (with great help from the Ohio Nursery andLandscape Association's Jennifer Gray who also was up to share in an arboretum walk with Ken and Jim yesterday):

Friends Make A Difference - Renew Secrest.

Though the tally of trees, reaching over 1000 of significant size, is devastating, the spirit of support and rejuvenation now underwayprovides comfort to the many staff members, researchers, graduate students and volunteers left in the storm's wake. Edmund Secrest(1881-1949) faced barren fields when he developed what became a cherished space for research, outreach and enjoyment of naturalbeauty. One fourth of the Arboretum's total 120 acres are significantly damaged. In this space, the work of Edmund Secrest will beginagain.

I confess the news of the devastating tornado brings a tinge of sorrow and sadness. It is not easy for us to control our feelings, norshould we do so, but we will continue to bring to you the values of agricultural science and research. Storms are a natural force andsource of renewal in forests. The Ohio State University and Secrest Arboretum & Gardens are educational institutions and much will belearned from research, and in teaching and outreach, about the effects of this storm. My goal is to keep us all directed toward asustainable program for Secrest.

Support began immediately as our friends expressed concern, through calls and e-mails and hugs and tears and thoughts of renewal.Just 48 hours following the tornado's touchdown, a private gift of $30,000 became seed money to establish a Fund to renew Secrest.Friends can make a difference. Insurance coverage will make the clean-up possible and will replace or renew building/content loss ordamage, but will not replace the plants lost to the landscape.

We have established the Secrest Renewal Fund to aid our rebuilding and replanting efforts. Contributions to Secrest Arboretum will bedeposited in the OSU Development Account, with 100% of the funds used by and for the Arboretum. Any size gift will help to renewSecrest and will be greatly appreciated. A $3,500 gift to the Secrest Renewal Fund can name a tree in honor or memory of someone anda $10,000 gift can name a tree grove of three trees. Additional naming of theme areas and landscape features range from $25,000 to$75,000. From all cash gifts, a 20% deposit is made to the Secrest Endowment Account, ensuring that the mission of Secrest continueswill into the future. All gifts are tax deductible. Donations should be made payable to Secrest Arboretum and marked "Fund #308772."Mail directly to Secrest Arboretum, c/o Ken Cochran, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691. Online donors should visithttp://www.giveto.osu.edu and donate to Fund #308772.

Volunteer opportunities will be forthcoming, but we have to get out of the "disaster stage" first. Let us know if you can clean up litter; planttrees, shrubs, groundcovers, and bulbs; help maintain beds in 2011-2012 and beyond; or volunteer at plant sales and with specialevents. Friends of Secrest will make a difference and return many fold its intrinsic value.

The story now is about the Renewal of Secrest. In 1908, the beginnings of a forest arboretum contained native and exotic species, afield of study. In 2010, Secrest contains themed landscape gardens and plant evaluation studies, fulfilling the promise of value to Ohiocitizens. A century after the Arboretum began, we are called to rebuild the grandeur of the damaged areas with new plantings, renewedforests and landscape features. The forces of the tornado upon Secrest teach us to recognize wise land uses and educational andresearch programs.

Tree planting may begin this autumn and will continue into 2011. When planting is completed depends on the tornado clean-up, landprep, weather and responses. A "Second Century Secrest" is positioned to have a greater, distinctive, positive impact upon people'slives. Renewal is underway! Come to Secrest soon. The Secrest website http://www.secrest.osu.edu details the many autumn eventsscheduled beginning October 2, 2010.

For additional information regarding Secrest Arboretum, the recovery process, and how to donate, contact Ken Cochran at 330-464-2148 or email at [email protected] .

Tree at my window, window tree,My sash is lowered when night comes on;

Page 6: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

But let there never be curtain drawnBetween you and me. - Robert Frost

4. GREEN SHORTS.A. PROJECT EARTH. On September 21st, 2010, WLWT TV (Channel 5) in Cincinnati and the Regional Stormwater Collaborativeannounced the formation of a new partnership that is called Project Earth. The purpose of this project is to educate and get the citizensof Cincinnati involved in the stewardship of all of the region's natural resources.

The Regional Storm Water Collaborative is composed of storm water districts, municipalities, and soil and water conservation districts inSouthwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Its purpose is to raise awareness about water quality issues in the Ohio River Valley. Thecollaborative's goal is to disseminate environmental information through at least 3 news stories each week on WLWT TV and to publishthe stories and other information, including a calendar of environmental events, on its website http://www.wlwt.com/project-earth/index.html. Note that one of the very first stories on the site is a BYGL Green Shorts article on fertilizing lawns during drought(BYGL Issue 2010-23, September 9, 2010)!

B. LEARNING FROM OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH. The state of Michigan was the first to find and deal with the devastatingimpact the emerald ash borer (EAB) has left behind. Southeast Michigan has a reclaimed wood marketplace to encourage the utilizationof urban trees. This excellent resource is an example of what can be done with infested ash trees and other trees that need to beremoved. Be sure to check out the stories and the resources tabs on the website at http://urbanwood.org . Support for this project comesfrom the United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation and DevelopmentCouncil, and Ann Arbor Recycling.

There is an increased interest in doing something similar right here in Ohio. Stay tuned for developing news!

For more information, see:

SE Michigan's Reclaimed Wood Marketplace

5. CLINIC CLIPS.No report.

6. BUGBYTES.A. TWIG GIRDLER.

Participants in last week's Southwest Ohio BYGLive! observed damage to the top of a small persimmontree that had been caused by the twig girdler (Oncideres cingulata, Family Cerambycidae). Thebrownish-gray beetles are around 5/8" long and, as with most longhorned beetles, they haveexceptionally long antennae. The beetles emerge in late summer. Females chew a V-shaped groovearound the circumference of small twigs. The females then lay eggs beneath the bark in the portion ofthe twig beyond the cut. The severed twig may remain attached by a small strand of xylem tissue forshort time, but the tissue eventually breaks causing the twig to drop to the ground.

After hatching from the eggs, the cream-colored cylindrical larvae feed on the wood of the fallen twigs.They spend the winter in the twigs and resume feeding in the spring. The larvae eventually consume the entire inner portion of the twigs,replacing the wood with frass that looks like fine wood shavings. The twig girdler may feed on a wide range of deciduous trees including:dogwood, elm, hackberry, hickory, honeylocust, linden, oak, persimmon, redbud, and ornamental fruit trees. The females normally focustheir attention on the tips of lateral branches; however, they may occasionally attack the main stems of small tress. Although suchdamage is significant, given the random nature of the beetle's host selection, protective sprays are hardly justified. However, destroyingfallen, infested twigs now or during the winter will reduce the overall localized population of the beetle.

For more information, see:

University of Missouri Extension Fact Sheet

Page 7: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

B. BORING BLACK LOCUST.

Joe Boggs reported that the intense yellow blooms of GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.) are becomingspectacular in central and southern Ohio. Of course, according to Joe, what really makes this weed /landscape perennial of great interest are visits by LOCUST BORERS (Megacyllene robiniae). Indeed,the coloration of this black and yellow beetle seems to be in sync with allowing the beetle to dodgepredators as it feeds on the pollen of yellow-flowered goldenrod.

The locust borer is a type of long-horned beetle (family Cerambycidae), so named because of theirextremely long antennae. The beetles are 3/4-7/8" long with reddish legs. They have tapering cylindricalblack bodies that are covered by yellow bands and two distinct "W"-shaped markings on their wing

covers. The borer spends the winter as first instar larvae inside small hibernation chambers bored into the xylem. The larvae becomeactive in the spring to tunnel and feed through the heartwood throughout the season. Adults emerge to feed, mate, and lay eggs in latesummer to early fall.

Although generally associated with producing large holes on main stems and branches of mature black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)trees, BYGLers have observed damaging infestations of this insect on 2" diameter nursery stock. The damage caused by these stemborers can kill small trees. Damage to large forest trees can cause structural weakening that could result in branch and trunk breakage.Insecticide applications to trunks to protect nursery stock, or small landscape trees, should be made now to prevent damage by thisborer.

For more information, see:

U.S. Forest Service Insect and Disease Leaflet

C. GRASSHOPPER DAMAGE A-BOUNDS.

Pam Bennett and Joe Boggs reported observing grasshopper feeding damage on ornamental grassesin southwestern Ohio. The three most common grasshopper species appearing in Ohio landscapesinclude the differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis), redlegged grasshopper (Melanoplusfemurrubrum), and the Carolina locust (Dissosteira carolina). The mottled coloration of the large (1 1/2-2" long) Carolina locust provides almost perfect camouflage. It may remain unnoticed until it takes flight,revealing its striking hind wings that are blackish-brown and trimmed in yellow.

Populations for these and other grasshopper species fluctuate in cycles. High or very high populationsmay be present for 2-4 years, followed by low to moderate populations for several years. Even when

overall populations are relatively low, grasshoppers in and around the garden can be a nuisance. However, in outbreak years,grasshoppers can destroy unprotected gardens and threaten small trees and shrubs.

The potential for grasshopper damage increases as summer progresses. Adults are more prone tomove into yard and gardens in September and October. Severe problems may arise when adjacentagricultural crops or grasslands mature or are harvested and grasshoppers move to find new foodsources. Defoliation is the primary injury to plants, but fruit and ripening kernels of grain will also serveas food. Indeed, grasshoppers will feed on just about anything as long as they do not detect a feedingdeterrent. Reports are common of grasshoppers eating paper, paint, window screen, window caulking,fence posts, hoe handles, etc. during grasshopper outbreak periods. Heavy infestations ofgrasshoppers may require chemical treatment to reduce or prevent serious damage to sensitive plants.

For more information, see:

N.C. State Entomology Fact Sheet

Page 8: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

D. MEGA WASPS STINGING DEAD TREES.

*At least at first glance, that is what some might think. Both Curtis Young and Joe Boggs reportedobserving GIANT ICHNEUMON WASPS (Megarhyssa macrurus) ovipositing in the trunks of dead trees.Joe's observation was made in Secrest Arboretum on September 10, 2010, a week before the stormmoved through Wooster, and Curtis's observation was made in Ada, Ohio on September 15, 2010.These beautifully colored wasps are a sight to behold, and it appears that they are active in multipleareas of Ohio.

The giant ichneumon wasps observed by Curtis and Joe have brown bodies that are nearly 2" in length,marked with black and yellow stripes and transparent wings. The female wasp has a very long (up to4") thread-like ovipositor. These wasps are able to thread their 4"-long ovipositor into the wood of the

dead tree, where they deposit an egg in the tunnel of another wasp called the PIGEON TREMEX HORNTAIL (Tremex columba). Thelarvae of the pigeon horntail are wood borers tunneling deep within the trunks and branches of the dead tree. However, they were not thecausative agent of the death of the trees. They are only attracted to dying or recently dead host trees, especially American elm trees

killed by Dutch elm disease. When the ichneumon larva hatches, it will find the tremex larva in itstunnel, attach itself to the horntail larva, and eventually eat it. After the ichneumon larva finishesfeeding, it pupates, metamorphs, and then will emerge the following year. Although ferocious looking,the giant ichneumons are unable to sting with their enormous ovipositors. Both wasps are magnificentspecimens of nature to be observed and marveled.

For more information, see:

Colorado State FactSheet on Horntails and Ichneumons

7. DISEASE DIGEST.

No Report.

8. TURF TIPS.A. CLOUDS OF WHITE MOTHS ARISE FROM LAWNS.

Curtis Young and Joe Boggs reported observing numerous small white moths flittering over lawns inwestern and southwestern Ohio, respectively. The small moths were VAGABOND SOD WEBWORMS(Agriphila vulgivagella) adults; they emerge in large numbers in September and sometimes causeconsiderable alarm. Homeowners and turfgrass managers may think their turfgrass is under assaultfrom more serious sod webworm moths. However, vagabond sod webworms cause little significantdamage despite their impressive late-summer aerial displays.

The vagabond sod webworm has only one generation per year. The moths currently on the wing willmate and drop eggs onto the turfgrass. The resulting caterpillars feed on the turfgrass; however, since

plants are typically fast-growing in the fall, little real damage is done. Of course, Joe quipped that the drought dormant turfgrass in hispart of the state may present a serious challenge to the caterpillars! The caterpillars overwinter and continue feeding in the spring. Againlittle damage is done since they feed on fast growing grass. Eventually, the caterpillars form a pupal case and remain inside the case aspre-pupae until late-August. In September, they pupate and eventually emerge as adults. While these webworms cause little damage tohome lawns, they may occasionally need to be managed on golf course tees and greens. There is only one generation per year.

B. UNDETECTED WHITE GRUB DAMAGE.

Dave Shetlar reported that a number of homeowners in central Ohio and possibly elsewhere in Ohioare going to be shocked and quite disappointed with their turfgrass once rains return and the expectedre-greening of lawns does not occur. With the extended period of drought resulting from an extreme lackof rain for a couple of months, homeowners may have assumed that the browning-out of their turfgrass

Page 9: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

has been totally the result of the grass going dormant to survive until cooler temperatures and rainsreturn. However, Dave thought a number of these lawns looked odd and, upon closer investigation,discovered that the dead, brown-looking patches rolled up like pieces of carpet when tugged. The rootsystems of these patches had been sheared off by the feeding of white grubs. One of the things thatmade Dave suspicious was that the patches looked flatter than what he would expect to see with

normal dormant grass as a result of seed stems having lost their supporting root systems.

Another thing that Dave discovered was that when he rolled the damaged grass back to look for grubs,there were very few grubs actively feeding under the dead grass. Instead, all that Dave found was veryloose, powdery soil that had been worked up by the grubs feeding. Most of the grubs had alreadybegun digging down in the soil profile heading to a place to spend the winter. This action by the grubsmay be the result of the soils being too dry and many of the grubs had already reached a size and agethat they were ready to overwinter. And the surprises kept coming. Most of the grubs that Dave did findwere MASKED CHAFERS (Cyclocephala sp.) and not JAPANESE BEETLES (Popillia japonica).

BYGLers asked what actions homeowners should take at this point. Is a rescue treatment of trichlorfon(e.g. Dylox) recommended? Dave's answer was that it may be too late for a rescue treatment and that the soils may be much too dry forthe rescue treatment to be effective. Since the grubs are already digging down in the soil profile, to get the rescue treatment to them, itwould take a huge amount of water to wash the insecticide down to where the grubs are presently positioned. Thus, it is not highlyrecommended to do anything to try to kill the grubs at the present time. The exception to this recommendation would be if grubs werediscovered at the soil surface still feeding.

For more information, see:

OSU Extension FactSheet on Masked Chafers

OSU Extension FactSheet on White Grub Identification

9. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS.No Report.

10. COMING ATTRACTIONS.A. RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING SEMINAR. The Delaware County OSU Extension Office is announcing the 2010 "ResidentialLandscaping Seminar" with a major focus on perennials. The topics and speakers are as follows: "Made in the Shade: BeautifulPerennial Solutions For a Common Garden Problem" by Ms. Melissa Hoover, Owner, Melissa Hoover Landscape Design LTD; "DrinkingIt In: Using Water-Saving Perennials to Enhance Your Garden" by Ms. Jennifer Schneller, Landscape Architect, Melissa HooverLandscape Design LTD; "Cultural Management of Perennials in the Home Landscape" by Dr. Gary Gao, Associate Professor andExtension Educator, OSU Extension; and "Identification and Management of Insects of Perennials" by Dr. Dave Shetlar, Professor andExtension Landscape Entomologist, OSU. The program will be held from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on September 28, 2010 at the MainConference Room of Delaware County Board of Elections, 2079 US Highway 23 North, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

The registration fee is $30 per person. This fee includes the all-day program, handouts, morning refreshments, lunch, and a certificate ofcompletion. E-mail Cindy Kaelber at [email protected] or call OSU Extension in Delaware County at 740-833-2030 for aregistration form. Send your registration form with a check payable to OSU Extension to: OSU Extension - Delaware County, Attn. CindyKaelber, 149 North Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015. Registration deadline is September 24, 2010. Space is limited. Registrationwill be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Late or on-site registration is subject to a $5 late fee.

For more information, see:

OSU Extension - Delaware County

Page 10: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

B. ASSOCIATED GREEN INDUSTRIES FALL GET TOGETHER, September 28, 2010 at Holden Arboretum, afternoon tours, calibrationclasses (with pesticide credit), and keynote speaker Dr. Dave Shetlar. ISA, OCNT and ODA credits available. Detailed flyer andregistration information posted on the program page at: http://lorain.osu.edu/topics/horticulture/comhort .

C. CINCINNATI AREA PROFESSIONAL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK (CAPGIN) MEETING. The next CAPGIN meetingwill be held on September 29, 2010, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District 22 Triangle Park Dr.,Cincinnati, OH (note the change in location). All who are professionally involved in some facet of landscape stormwater management,such as landscape installers, landscape architects, engineers, and plant producers are invited to attend. For information contact DaveDyke by phone (513) 505-1202 or email [email protected] . CAPGIN is sponsored by the following: Metropolitan Sewer District ofGreater Cincinnati (MSDGC), OSU Extension - Hamilton County, Hamilton County Storm Water District, Hamilton County Soil and WaterConservation District, and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

D. WHAT HAVE WE DONE? PRUNING PRINCIPLES PICTORIAL PRESENTATION. On Thursday, September 30, 2010 from 8:30 a.m.till 10:30a.m., the Mahoning Valley Landscape Nursery Association (MVLNA) is sponsoring an educational opportunity for memberbusinesses, their employees, and others to review some of the common pruning bloopers that occur in the industry. Presenting thisoverview at the Trumbull County Agriculture & Family Education Center, 520 West Main Street, Cortland, Ohio will be Dave Goerig,Mahoning Extension Educator. To reserve a spot, call Mary Jan Perdulla, MVLNA secretary at 330-757-0884. There is no cost formembers, non-members $15.

E. PLANT PATHOLOGY 300 - FLESHY WOODLAND FUNGI FORAYS. This Plant Pathology course will be taught this Autumn Quarter(the last time we will be able to say that as Semesters arrive in 2011). If you cannot enroll for the whole class, there are two opportunitiesto attend Saturday all-day fungal forays (fee of $15; bring your own lunch).

The dates are: Saturday, October 2, 2010 - Geneva Hills Camp, 10 miles south of Lancaster Ohio and Saturday, October 30, 2010 -Mohican State Park and OARDC/Secrest Arboretum in Wooster.

Contact Jim Chatfield ( [email protected] or call 330-466-0270) if you are interested in attending. Registration information will beforthcoming.

F. BLUEGRASS-BUCKEYE BYGLive!

8The 13th Annual Bluegrass-Buckeye BYGLive! will be held on Monday, October 4, 2010, 10:00 am. –3:00 pm. at The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, on the University of Kentucky campus,500 Alumni Drive, Lexington, KY 40503 http://www.uky.edu/arboretum

Thanks to our host, Larry Hanks (Pampered Properties, Lexington, KY), this year's Buckeye-BluegrassBYGLive! is shaping-up to be a truly memorable event! Registration fee is $15.00; the fee will cover thecost of lunches. Send your fee to (checks payable to "OSU Extension") Kim Martini c/o Buckeye-Bluegrass BYGLive!, OSU Extension, Hamilton County, Suite 315, 110 Boggs Lane, Cincinnati, OH45246. Registration deadline is Thursday, September 30. For more information, contact Joe Boggs,

513-946-899

G. MANAGING FOR SUCCESS WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED. Join workshop leaders; Dr. Bernie Erven, Pam Bennett, Chris Bruynis,Dr. Beth Fausey Scheckelhoff, Julia Woodruff, and Becky McCann; and fellow horticultural and agricultural business managers andowners for a series of creative workshops to assist in identifying opportunities that will enhance your ability to manage your business.Topics include: developing mission statements, objectives, goals, and tactics for your business; understanding the 5 basic managementfunctions; apply basic management concepts and skills to your business; finding, recruiting, selecting, hiring, and training employees tobecome an effective part of your team; and learn how to utilize financial and other resource people. These, interactive learningexperiences that will give you skills to change your business and your life!

There are two workshop locations set for fall of 2010. The Thursday evening workshops will be held from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., October

Page 11: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

14-November 18, 2010, at the Defiance County OSU Extension office, or Friday morning workshops, to be held from 8:00 a.m.-12:00noon, October 15-November 19, 2010, at the OSU Extension, ABE Center, in Bowling Green, OH.

Workshop registration cost is $150.00 for the first participant from a business and $125.00 for additional people from your operationattending. The deadline to register is October 1, 2010. For additional workshop information or to register, please contact Beth FauseyScheckelhoff [email protected], or Becky McCann [email protected] , at 419-354-6916.

H. 5TH WHY TREES MATTER FORUM. The Forum on October 20, 2010 takes on new significance now with the story of the OARDCand Secrest Storm - a teachable moment. We shall keep the features already planned but will incorporate the lost tree inventory and i-Tree environmental audit and tour of Secrest Renewing into the day's agenda.

Register now for the Fifth Annual OSU Extension Why Trees Matter Forum. The date is October 20, 2010 at Fisher Auditorium andSecrest Arboretum at the OSU OARDC in Wooster. The Forum is for all those interested in Ohio's community forests: street treecommissions, mayors, community development and economic development managers, utility companies, nurserymen and women,landscapers, and all citizens of Ohio interested in the resources of trees in our urban and suburban areas.

Keynote speakers this year include David Nowack and Donna Murphy of the United States Forest Service. Dan Herms of OARDC, DrewTodd of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and speakers from the OSUE Why Trees Matter team including Kathy Smith, AmyStone, and Jim Chatfield with updates on programs throughout Ohio will also present. We will feature the trees in the Arboretum at theend of the afternoon session.

Registration is $55 for this 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. program. A registration form can be downloaded from the Ohio Woodland Stewards webpage at: http://woodlandstewards.osu.edu by linking to Workshops and/or contact OSU Extension for a copy of the form. Contact LisaTroyer for registration forms at 330-263-3799, FAX 330-263-3667, or [email protected]. Send your check for $55 per person toOSU Extension, c/o Lisa Troyer at 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, Ohio 44691. For now, in anticipation of great fall foliage and for areminder that Every Day is Arbor Day at OSU, reserve October 20, 2010 on your calendar for the Why Trees Matter Forum.

11. BYGLOSOPHY"Whether the weather be fine, Whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold, Whether the weather be hot, We'll weather theweather, Whatever the whether, Whether we like it or not." - Anonymous

Following are the participants in the September 21, 2010 conference call: Pam Bennett (Clark), Joe Boggs (Hamilton), Jim Chatfield(Plant Pathology and Horticulture and Crop Science), Dave Dyke (Hamilton), Jennifer Gray (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association),Becky McCann (Agriculture Business Enhancement Center), David Shetlar (Entomology), and Curtis Young (Miami).

BYGL is available via email, contact Cheryl Fischnich [email protected] to subscribe. Additional fact sheet information on anyof these articles may be found through the OSU FactSheet database http://plantfacts.osu.edu/.

BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by support from the ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) http://onla.org/ ;http://buckeyegardening.com/ to the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT). Any materials in this newsletter maybe reproduced for educational purposes providing the source is credited.

BYGL is available online at: http://bygl.osu.edu , a website sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and CropSciences (HCS) as part of the "Horticulture in Virtual Perspective." The online version of BYGL has images associated with the articlesand links to additional information.

< Prev Next >

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although

Page 12: Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT ... · northeastern US and Canada in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial in

BYGL September 23, 2010

http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=912:bygl-september-23-2010&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74[4/7/11 9:15:26 AM]

every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consultingthe pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State UniversityExtension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity, or expression, disability,religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veterans status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSUExtension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

Website designed by Dr. Tim Rhodus. Direct comments or questions to Webmaster