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Westchester County Update Cornell Cooperative Extension of the Hudson Valley ~~~~~~~Commercial Horticulture Electronic Newsletter~~~~~~~ April 02, 2007 *** Well, Spring has sprung!!! With green industry businesses moving forward with their annual outdoor spring clean-ups, and some daytime temperatures reaching the 60's over the past couple of weeks, we can say without too much hesitation that the 2007 growing season has officially begun. For much of the Northeast region, the winter of 2006-2007 proved to be a relatively warmer one, with temperatures on average about 3-4 degrees above seasonal norms. Average winter precipitation was significantly lower than normal with many places indicating they received approximately 1/2 the amount of expected totals for the winter of 2006-2007. Growing degree day (GDD) accumulation has once again begun and as of April 1st, our count for Westchester County totalled 11 GDD. Many entomologists / specialists seem to be speculating that because of the warm winter weather we should be on the lookout for higher emergence populations of overwintering landscape insect & arthropod pests. Some of these may be visible right now, including the eggs of Spruce Spider Mite (SSM) and Pine Bark Adelgid as well as overwintering females (sometimes referred to as "Stem Mothers") of the Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid. Other insects that may be visible include a variety of scale insects such as the overwintering females of the Azalea Bark Scale and Juniper Scale. It is important to note that on a recent scouting trip we observed very high populations of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). We noted large numbers of the "cottony-waxy" substance that this insect produces and lives in, on a number of hemlock shrubs that been uninfested in previous growing seasons. These substances were filled with overwintering females that were busy feeding and laying plenty of their trademark salmon-colored eggs. As always, knowing the location of the these - and other - pests allows a landscape professional to forecast areas that may require follow-up monitoring or treatment as insect and arthropod emergence occurs with the onset of warmer temperatures. Also, keep an eye out for the elusive White Pine Weevil adults which may be active (and managed) at this time in the growing season. Read more about these and other common landscape pests (and their management) in our newly printed 2007 Pest Management Guide for Commercial Production and Maintenance of Trees & Shrubs. They may be obtained by stopping in at your local Cooperative Extension Office. In Westchester County, green industry professionals may call us at 946-3005 for more information or stop by the office on 26 Legion Drive in Valhalla. Written by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County *** Save the Date!!! The 2007 Cornell University Turfgrass and Landscape Industry Research Field Day
This year’s Field Day will highlight the depth and breadth of the research and education underway at Cornell University designed to improve the environmental stewardship and profitability of green industry partners. Many exciting new projects are underway in golf and sports turf management, as well as urban and landscape horticulture featuring CU Structural Soil, the latest tree and shrub selections for the landscape, perennial plant demonstrations and research and nursery crop production. There is something for everyone involved in the green industry. Several guided and self-guided options are available throughout the day that will include a diverse trade show of equipment and wares and our famous Cornell Chicken BBQ lunch. Industry certification credits including New York State pesticide recertification credits will be awarded for attendance. For more information on this exciting opportunity for all members of the green industry in New York, contact Joann Gruttadaurio at 607-255-1792 or jg17@cornell.edu. *** Subscription forms for the 2007 growing season for this popular Cornell University timely landscape ornamentals publication are now being made available to green industry professionals. Early subscribers (postmarked by February 28, 2007) will receive a discounted rate of $35.00 from the 2007 subscription price of $40.00. Also, for a limited time (from December 01, 2006 - February 28, 2007) the 2006 issues will be available on the web site for a free preview - just visit BranchingOut.Cornell.edu For more information about this publication, or to request a subscription form, please contact: Mail: Branching Out, 334 Plant Science Building, Cornell Univeristy,
Ithaca, NY 14853 OR contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office. *** Your Local Extension Educators Mention of trade names and commercial products is for educational purposes; no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied. Pesticide recommendations are for informational purposes only and manufacturers' recommendations change. Read the manufacturers' instructions carefully before use. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University assume no responsibility for the use of any pesticide or chemicals. Some of the links provided are not maintained by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University are not responsible for information on these websites. They are included for information purposes only and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied. You have received this email because you indicated an interest in hearing about the information included in Hudson Valley Horticulture. If you wish to be removed from future mailings, please respond by using the "Reply" function in your email software and changing the subject line to "Remove." This will automatically remove you from future mailings. If this email has been forwarded to you, contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Educator and ask to be put on the list. Cornell Cooperative Extension
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