Hudson Valley Horticulture
Cornell Cooperative Extension of the Hudson Valley
~~~Commercial Horticulture Electronic Newsletter~~~
Volume 7, Issue 5
May 17, 2007
Participating Counties: Dutchess * Orange * Putnam * Rockland * Sullivan * Ulster * Westchester *
Editor: Rosemarie S. Baglia
http://www.cce.cornell.edu

In this Issue:

· The 2007 Cornell University Turfgrass and Landscape Industry Research Field Day
· Fungus Eyed as Stopper of Ash-Killing Beetle
· Christmas Tree Pest Update
· New IPM Field Guide for Christmas Trees
· New York's State Insect, the Nine-Spotted Lady Beetle Rediscovered in the Eastern US After 14 Elusive Years
· For A 'Green' Lawn, Focus On Mowing, Not Early Fertilizing
· From Ornamental Crops IPM E-Newsletter Spring 2007
• Survey Respondents Needed!
• Tour of Greenhouses in Canada
· Regional Updates
o Westchester County
o Rockland County
o Orange County
· Cornell Cooperative Extension Calendar of Events
· Other Horticulture Programs
· Tri-County Nursery Landscape Association Events
· Pesticide Certification Exams Spring 2007

2007 Cornell University Turfgrass and Landscape Industry Research Field Day
Where? Cornell University main campus, Ithaca, NY
When? Tuesday June 19, 2007 from 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM

The Cornell University programs that conduct research and education in the turfgrass and landscape industries are pleased to invite you to the 2007 Industry Research Field Day. The Field Day will be held at the Cornell University Turfgrass and Landscape Research and Education Center on the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, NY.

This year’s Field Day will highlight the depth and breadth of the research and education underway at Cornell University (CU) 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 visit: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/instruction/turf/fieldday.htm or contact Joann Gruttadaurio at 607-255-1792 / jg17@cornell.edu.

Industry certification credits including New York State pesticide recertification credits and 4 ISA CEU's will be awarded for attendance.

Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension Westchester County
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Fungus Eyed as Stopper of Ash-Killing Beetle

Beauveria bassiana, a soil-borne fungus already used for keeping many insect pests in check, is being eyed as a possible control for an invasive beetle that has already killed more than 20 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Ontario.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) entomologist John Vandenberg and colleagues want to know how well a commercial strain of B. bassiana stands up to the emerald ash borer after repeated applications. They are also seeing if this strain called GHA will work better if used with the commercial insecticide imidacloprid.

B. bassiana spores kill insects by attaching to them, germinating, and penetrating their hosts' bodies. The spores can survive to infect later pest generations. B. bassiana is used against a variety of insects, including termites and whiteflies.

The emerald ash borer is thought to have entered North America during the 1990’s in solid wood-packing material from Asia. Its immature larvae feed on the vascular-system tissue of ash trees.

First spotted here in 2002 near Detroit, the destructive beetle has since cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries tens of millions of dollars, according to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Infestations were recently found in the Chicago area.

According to Vandenberg, of the ARS Plant Protection Research Unit (PPRU), Ithaca, N.Y., preliminary studies led by USFS scientist Leah Bauer have shown that the beetle is susceptible to B. bassiana. However, the fungus' effectiveness in larger field trials has not yet been proven.

At a commercial tree nursery near Jackson, Mich., Vandenberg, Bauer, PPRU entomologist Michael Griggs, Cornell University scientist Louela Castrillo and Michigan State University researcher Houping Liu are studying the performance of the fungus on about 400 ash trees in three planting areas.

A possible strategy against the beetle would entail spraying the fungus on trees before the pests' spring mating season, according to Vandenberg.

Written by Luis Pons, USDA - ARS Staff Writer. To read more, visit www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2007/070413.htm

Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension Westchester County
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Christmas Tree Pest Update for May 10

Insect activity is based on Growing Degree Days (GDD). For a detailed explanation of GDD refer to the webpage http://ipmguidelines.org/treesandshrubs/. The Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY keeps track of GDD. To get an up to date report go to: www.ecostudies.org/emp_daily.html. The weather station at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies notes 180 GDD have accumulated as of May 15th. Please note: the warmer the weather, the faster GDD’s accumulate.

Please note: Specific pesticide recommendations can be found in the 2007 Pest Management Guide for Commercial Production and Maintenance of Trees and Shrubs available from your local Cornell Cooperative Extension or online at http://ipmguidelines.org/treesandshrubs/.

Rhabdocline of Douglas fir should once again be prevalent this year. At this time of the year, Rhabdocline is characterized by visible reddish/brown banding on the upper and lower surface of the needles. It usually starts at the base of the tree. I also observed some variability in severity. I believe this is due to genetic diversity, but it is none the less baffling when you have two trees side by side and one is covered with Rhabdocline and the other has hardly any banding! If you have trees that are severely affected, today is the day to rogue them! Trees should be rogued before they break bud. Affected branches can be pruned out. Pruned branches and rogued trees can be left on the ground. They will no longer be infective. Any spring pruning should be done to uninfected trees first to avoid potential spread via pruning tools. Fungicide applications should be made before new growth is 1/2" long and additional applications, if necessary, should be done at three to four week intervals until July 1st.

Weir's Cushion Rust of Colorado blue spruce (also black, white, Serbian and occasionally Norway) is evident now as yellow bands or spots on needles of the previous year's growth. Shortly these yellow bands will start to develop into golden-yellow to orange pustules which will erupt to infect newly emerging growth. Fungicide applications should be applied when budbreak is 10% complete. Two addition applications should be made at 7 - 10 day intervals.

Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid on Colorado blue spruce is evident. Immature females were clearly visible near twig terminals and buds. They are tiny, black in color and have white waxy strings on their body. Once these waxy strings cover the body it is too late for control. It is probably too late for control on spruce, but control may be possible on Douglas fir. On Douglas fir look for white cottony tufts on the undersides of needles. These wingless female adults lay their eggs in the cottony tufts. Newly hatched offspring will feed on the needles and cause the characteristic "crook" in the needle. When replanting, avoid planting Colorado blue spruce near Douglas fir. Insecticide applications may be made to Douglas fir in mid-May, 120-190 GDD.

White Pine Weevil control is best achieved from 7-58 GDD. There is still an opportunity for control of this important Christmas tree pest. Because of the cold weather the female adults may have not yet oviposited (laid their eggs). Look for small round holes or pitch flow on terminals leaders. It is not necessary to spray the entire tree. Control should be focused on terminal leaders. If you have had a lot of problems with white pine weevil, it may be worthwhile to put out trap for the adults. Information on Tedders traps can be found here: http://ctrees.cas.psu.edu/pdfs/whitepinewvtraps.pdf.

Douglas fir needle midge (DFNM) traps were placed underneath several Douglas firs. I checked this morning and did not see any adults. A trap can be a simple box with one of the sides containing a cut out replaced with either a jar (the jar should face into the box) or a piece of Plexiglas. The trap is placed beneath the tree (the box is turned over to come in contact) with the duff. When adults emerge from the duff they will be attracted to the light and will be visible through the Plexiglas. Control is directed at adults before they lay eggs. DFNM damage can be mistaken for Cooley damage or possibly Rhabdocline. Larval feeding within the needle may cause the needle to crook. If you look at an infected needle from the side, it will appear swollen and may cause chlorosis at the point where the needle is bent.

Spruce spider mites were not found during this scouting visit. On average, hatch usually begins in mid to late April. Using a hand lens, begin scouting where you noticed damage in previous years by examining the undersides of twigs for round red eggs on the bark, between needles, and around the buds. In the next week or two, you should check for egg hatch by tapping a branch over a white surface and looking for small fast-moving dots that squish red. Tap at least 10 branches onto a white piece of paper. If more than 10 mites are present control may be necessary. There may still be time for dormant control (7-121 GDD). Spruce spider mites are early season feeders.

Written by Stephanie D. Mallozzi, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County
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New IPM Field Guide for Christmas Trees

This guide, though originally developed for Christmas tree farmers, is very relevant to landscape contractors who plant and maintain Douglas fir, spruces, and true firs in landscape settings. Please read on.....

Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County and the NYS Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program are pleased to announce the availability of a brand new tool to assist Christmas tree farmers. The Integrated Pest Management Field Guide for Christmas Trees: Douglas Fir, True Firs, Spruce was written by Horticulture Team Coordinator, Stephanie Mallozzi. The Christmas Tree IPM Field Guide contains a series of fact sheets (with color photos) on 17 arthropod pests, 9 diseases, 4 abiotic disorders, 2 vertebrate pests, a resource section, index of growing degree day calendar, a seasonal occurrence time-line, monthly scouting guidelines for spruces, true firs and Douglas fir, photos of invasive pests and photos of beneficial arthropods. It is approximately 92 pages and is contained in an 8 1/2" X 11" loose-leaf binder. There are no pesticide recommendations in the manual, though timing of pesticide applications are referred to in the fact sheets. Specific pesticide recommendations can be found in Cornell’s annually published Pest Management Guide for Commercial Production and Maintenance of Trees and Shrubs. These guidelines are also available on-line at http://ipmguidelines.org/treesandshrubs.

Cost of this comprehensive guide is $32.00 plus $5.00 postage. The guide is available through Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County. To order a copy, please contact Nancy Halas at 845.677.8223 X115 or email nh26@cornell.edu.

To view the cover of this guide please go to: www.cce.cornell.edu/dutchess

Written by Stephanie D. Mallozzi, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County
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New York's State Insect, the Nine-Spotted Lady Beetle Rediscovered in the Eastern US After 14 Elusive Years

The nine-spotted lady beetle (Caccinella navermnatata or C9) was found in Arlington, VA. Serendipitously, it was found in the backyard of Jeff and Leslie Perlman, parents of Cornell entomology student Jordan Perlman. This is the first east coast sighting of C9 in 14 years and only the seventh sighting in the last eight years across its native range.

This beetle is noted for its white-fringed neck shields and four spots on each wing cover with a split spot in the middle of the wings. It was one of the most common lady beetles through the 70’s. Scientists suspect its decline may be related to competition by invasive species such as the seven-spotted lady beetle and the multi-colored Asian lady beetle.

For more information on our state insect please see: www.news.cornell.edu/stories/April07/Nine-spottedbeetle.html.

Submitted by Stephanie D. Mallozzi, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County
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For A 'Green' Lawn, Focus On Mowing, Not Early Fertilizing

ITHACA, N.Y. - As the grass greens up across the northeast, lawn owners who want an eco-friendly yard should focus more on mowing - and less on fertilizing.

"The first step to minimize the environmental impact of your home lawn is to raise the mower's blade to a height of 3 to 4 inches - usually the highest setting on your mower - and leave the grass clippings on the lawn," says Marty Petrovic, a turf specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University.

Taller grass competes better with weeds, and sinks roots deeper into the soil to better withstand mid-summer heat and drought, explains Petrovic. The result: A thicker turf with fewer weeds and less watering. He also suggests keeping your mower's blades sharp for a clean cut that reduces stress on the grass.

"And leaving the clippings recycles nutrients so you'll need less fertilizer," adds Petrovic, whose research shows that it's likely most lawns in New York don't need any additional phosphorus fertilizer, especially if you leave the clippings.

Prevent phosphorus pollution

Petrovic has been studying the fate of phosphorus fertilizer applied to lawns. When too much phosphorus washes into lakes and streams, it can cause algae blooms, eutrophication and a reduction in water quality.

Fortunately, phosphorus is a relatively insoluble, immobile nutrient. Most of the phosphorus from yards that ends up in surface waters gets there when water runoff physically carries away eroded soil or plant material (like leaves or grass clippings).

An important first step to prevent phosphorus pollution is to make sure your turf is thick enough to keep soil from washing away, and to be careful with clippings and leaves, says Petrovic. Don't rake or blow them into roads, ditches or storm water drains where it's just a short trip to the nearest waterway.

Phosphorus can leach out of plant material on hard surfaces, so clean them up quickly. And, whether you use organic or chemical sources, don't spread fertilizer on hard surfaces, and promptly clean up any spills. Also avoid applying fertilizer to areas where the soil is always wet because these spots are more prone to runoff.

When Petrovic analyzed the results of soil tests sent to the Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory for lawn fertilizer recommendations, he found that about 80 percent had enough phosphorus already. "And that was a conservative estimate," he adds, noting that his research may lead to lowering the phosphorus soil test level considered to be adequate for lawns.

For those who already have enough phosphorus, Petrovic recommends not applying more. "Why put down more if you don't need it?" he asks. Even if you remove the clippings, it might take five to ten years to draw down phosphorus levels in the soil to the point where you need to start adding more. "Meantime, you should look for zero-phosphorus fertilizers, and if your local retailer doesn't carry any you should encourage them to do so," suggests Petrovic.

Too much of a good thing

Where Petrovic starts to see pollution problems is with soils that test extremely high in phosphorus - perhaps eight to ten times what's generally considered high. At that point, phosphorus runoff from lawns increases dramatically.

To reach soil test levels that are that high takes many years of applying typical chemical lawn fertilizer blends, because they contain relatively little phosphorus at standard application rates.

What concerns Petrovic is that some lawn owners who want to embrace eco-friendly lawn practices will over-apply organic products - especially those made from composted animal manures, most of which are relatively high in phosphorus.

"A quarter- to half-inch application of a typical composted manure product may have 8,000 times more phosphorus than a year's worth of a commercial product's season-long weed and feed program," says Petrovic. "That's a century's worth of phosphorus in a single application."

No doubt, the organic matter in such applications may be good for soils low in organic matter. But the tradeoff comes in excessively high levels of phosphorus in the soil with the potential for pollution. "It used to be we tested soil to make sure that we had enough of certain nutrients," observes Petrovic. "But more and more, we need to test to make sure we don't have too much phosphorus."

If you want the benefits of organic matter but are concerned about phosphorus, consider yard waste composts, suggests Petrovic. While variable, they are generally lower in phosphorus than most manure-based products.

Nitrogen still needed

Even if you have enough phosphorus and return your clippings to the soil, grass still needs some nitrogen to form the kind of dense turf that prevents runoff. If you don't want to use zero-phosphorus chemical fertilizers, Petrovic suggests an organic nitrogen source such as corn gluten. Or, you can include in your lawn mix a legume such as clover that will remove nitrogen from the atmosphere and fix it in the soil.

Fall and late spring- not early spring - is the best time to apply nitrogen. "It may be human nature, but it's not a good practice to go out on the first nice weekend and spread fertilizer," says Petrovic.

Other eco-friendly practices Petrovic suggests are to fine-tune watering practices and to skip trying to grow grass where it doesn't want to grow. Plant shade-loving plants where there's too little light, rain gardens where drainage is poor, and hardscape high-traffic areas.

"There are some places you just don't want to grow lawn. I'm a turf researcher, but even I can heartily recommend that," quips Petrovic.

For more lawn care information, including the online publication "Lawn Care Without Pesticides," visit www.gardening.cornell.edu/lawn.

For more information, contact Craig Cramer 607-255-5428 or cdc25@cornell.edu.

Submitted by Rose Baglia, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Orange County
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From Ornamental Crops IPM E-Newsletter Spring 2007

Survey Respondents Needed!

Frustrated by the lack of management options for ornamental crops you grow? You can help by providing information on the types of pests you need help controlling!

For over 40 years, the USDA’s IR-4 Project has been the major resource for supplying pest management tools for specialty crops by developing research data to support crop protection registration clearances. The Ornamental Horticulture Program was started in 1977 to address the disease, insect, and weed management tool and plant growth regulator needs of growers. Over time this program has expanded to cover not only ornamental horticulture plants grown in greenhouses and nurseries, but also landscape plantings, Christmas tree farms, sod farms and interiorscapes.

Research activities start with an identified need, an area where current management tools are not sufficient, such as for a newly introduced pest or for crops where little phytotoxicity information is available. Each year, high priority projects are chosen to generate sufficient research to add uses to labels. In order to determine which projects are of most importance, IR-4 invites growers, and Extension and research personnel, to help focus the research by answering a few questions about the diseases, insects, and weeds that most impact them.

Help the Northeast Region be represented in this national survey. In addition to determining national needs, regional information is also useful to researchers and Extension Educators within the state.

The survey can be completed on-line at: http://www.ir4.rutgers.edu/ornamental/Survey/

Paper copies for individual use, or in larger numbers for use at CCE programs, are available from Betsy Lamb at 607-254-8800 or EML38@cornell.edu.

Completed paper copies can be faxed to 315-787-2397 or mailed to Edith Lurvey at Cornell University – NYSAES, Dept. of Food Science & Technology, 630 W. North Street, Geneva, NY 14456-0462. Her phone is 315-787-2308. More information on the IR-4 project can be found at: www.ir4.rutgers.edu/ornamentals.htm.

CCE personnel are encouraged to provide growers with information on the survey through individual contacts or at programs that relate to ornamental producers.
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Tour Greenhouses in Canada
Learn from Growers in Canada about Greenhouse Biological Control

The NYS IPM Program in collaboration with NYS Flower Industries (NYSFI) and the NY Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) will be offering a tour to Canada where participants will visit growers using biological control in their operations. This will offer a unique opportunity to learn from the experts at a very reasonable price. The tour will start in Ithaca, make a quick stop in Buffalo to pick up participants, and continue on to Canada for a two-night stay. Over the three days participants will meet with biological control suppliers, research experts, and growers in Canada.

Date: August 14-16, 2007
Locations: Growers in Canada near Vineland Station
Price: $50 and your overnight accommodations.
This tour is a project funded by the NYFVI.
Overnights: Casablanca Winery Inn, Grimsby Ontario $115.00/night
www.casablancawineryinn.com
More information: Contact NYSFI, Karen Hall, Director at 716-941-3502 or mrskdhall@aol.com

Watch your mail for more information and registration materials in the June NYSFI newsletter and an individual mailing.
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Regional Updates

Westchester County
With a few days of high rainfall in April, we find our current precipitation totals registering at 16.1 inches - over 10 inches more than we had received around this time last year! As of May 16, we have accumulated 244 Growing Degree Day (GDD) Units.

A number of insects and arthropod pests in various stages have been noted including Boxwood Mites and newly-hatched Boxwood Leafminer feeding on the soft inner tissue of boxwood leaves. As well, European Pine Sawfly larvae have been noted feeding on pines, Spruce Spider Mites have been observed hatching and becoming active on conifers and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid crawlers have also been noted. As with last year at this time, early instar larvae of Eastern Tent Caterpillars have been seen beginning the process of putting together their "silken homes" on ornamental fruit-bearing trees (cherries, apples, etc.).

We have yet to get reports of the orange-colored fruiting bodies of Cedar-Apple Rust that are typically noted on junipers this time of year. It is important to monitor for the presence of these fruiting bodies because management options to protect the other susceptible host species (i.e. ornamental crabapples) from infection should be considered at the first sign of the fruiting bodies on junipers.

While the consumer call-in line has been warming up with a lot of timely questions (managing white grubs in lawns, spring weed control) we continue to get questions about winter injury on woody ornamentals. Typically, we recommend tracing (removing small sections of the bark to check for live green tissue) twigs/branches before pruning off dead tissue in its entirety. We are also getting questions about crabgrass prevention. One integrated strategy to consider regarding crabgrass prevention may be to seed those thin areas that are historically infested with crabgrass. To do this, use a high rate (6-10 lbs/1000 sq. ft.) of perennial ryegrass seed with the hope that this quick-germinating grass may out-compete the crabgrass if environmental conditions (i.e. adequate rainfall) are favorable.

Written by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension Westchester County

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Rockland County
Winter injury of broad-leaved evergreens has been one of our lab’s frequently diagnosed problems in the past weeks. Winter injury is a very common condition on plants growing in exposed locations where strong winds can cause the leaves to lose water. This occurs when the soil is frozen or water is unavailable. This causes the leaves to turn brown, especially on the edges and tips. Although there is no cure for this disorder, maintaining plant health and planting bushes in more wind-protected locations is helpful. So that the plants will go into winter with adequate water, irrigate if rainfall is scant in late autumn, and make sure the ground is moist when it begins to freeze. Rhododendrons and their relatives are understory plants, and do best when woodland conditions are similar to their native habitat.

In addition to winter injury, we have been seeing a lot of spruce and needle evergreens infested with spider mite eggs. Many species of mites infest ornamental trees and shrubs, and do their damage on leaves and needles by sucking out the plant juices and causing discoloration and poor plant vigor. Damage can be seen as pale, speckled areas resulting from feeding. Mites can be washed off with a stream of water every few days. Spider mites may complete their life cycle in as little as a week in favorable conditions. Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps are the most environmentally friendly remedies, however under extreme conditions, they may need to be managed chemically with an acaricide (miticide). As a last resort, there are chemical alternatives available to commercial pesticide applicators; however miticides may kill beneficial predatory mites and insects as well. Avoid the use of carbaryl (Sevin) as it may enhance the rate of reproduction of pest mites. For more information, consult the 2007 Pest Management Guide for Commercial Production and Maintenance of Trees and Shrubs.

Submitted by Donna M. Cooke, Cornell Cooperative Extension Rockland County
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Orange County
Here in Orange County we have had a very challenging spring with a lot of flooding last month and cold temperatures alternating with some very hot days! In our diagnostic lab we have been getting a number of soil samples for analysis. We have received several weeds for ID - (thistle and ground ivy) and numerous rhododendrons with winter damage. On the commercial side, we have seen virus on cannas, red spots (that apparently have no disease origin) on Gauras that disappear once the plant is indoors, botrytis, nutritional issues related to low and high media pH, and the usual array of insects - mites, aphids, thrips, shore flies, and fungus gnats. We also had reports of beetles in white pines. Happy spring!

Submitted by Rose Baglia, Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County

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Cornell Cooperative Extension 2007
Horticulture Programs for Professionals
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cornell Cooperative Extension of the Hudson Valley provides educational programs that can help you improve your skills in horticulture, pest management and business management skills. Updated brochures with specific information about each program will be mailed to you beforehand only if you are on your county's Cooperative Extension mailing list. If you wish to be added to that list, have questions or need further information about these programs, contact your local Cooperative Extension office listed below. Pesticide Recertification Credits will be awarded at programs marked * pending NYS DEC approval. All dates subject to change.

*Christmas Tree Twilight Meeting
July 9, 2007 – TBA
Contact: Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x104 or Teresa Rusinek (845) 340-3990
This is a hands-on, in-the-field program focusing on professional Christmas tree production issues.

Other Professional Horticulture Programs of Interest

Cornell Landscape Architects Short Course
June 15 and 16, 2007, Cornell Campus and Ithaca, NY
Welcome to the first annual short course for landscape architects at Cornell University! Our objective is to increase your understanding of the challenges faced when establishing landscapes in urban and difficult sites and give you the skills with which to solve these problems. We look forward to teaching you about some of the newest advances in landscape establishment - including understanding site variables that will impact plant growth, the best new trees and shrubs for challenging landscapes, strategies for dealing with compacted soils including structural soil and the use of porous pavements. We will see demonstrations and visit on-site installations in the City of Ithaca and on the Cornell Campus. We will make it as 'hands on' as possible. You will also be able to earn 10 continuing education credits (CEU's) now required for maintaining your Landscape Architecture license. We hope to see you on June 15 and 16th in Ithaca. For a registration form, please call (607) 255-9552 or download the form at www.landscape.cornell.edu/registration%20form.pdf.

NYS ReLeaf Conference
July 19-21, 2007, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
For more information contact: Mary Kramarchyk at 518-402-9412 or email at mckramar@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

Join fellow urban and community foresters, municipal officials, community organizations, arborists, and affiliated industry professionals for a conference that offers workshops and tours on urban and community forestry issues.

Certified Landscape Technician Training
Contact: New York State Turf and Landscape Association, (914) 961-2535, www.nystla.com
An optional national testing program to recognize proficiency of qualified landscape professionals.

Certified Nursery Landscape Professional Training Program
Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester: Scott Olivieri (914) 682-4224
Orange, Rockland & Ulster: Mark Masseo (845) 658-9148

By passing this exam you can earn the title Certified Nursery Professional (CNLP). Contact your New York State Nursery and Landscape Association representative, listed above, for more details.

Tri-County Nursery/Landscape Association In Conjunction With Cornell Cooperative Extension Present 2007 Calendar of Events

July 10
Summer BBQ with Hardscape Industry Representatives
Jan Jansen (845) 651-4106

September 11
Golf Outing At Winding Hills
Jim Presutti (845) 567-1611

October 13 & 14
Small Farm and Rural Living EXPO - Ulster Fairgrounds
Rose Baglia (845) 344-1234

November 13 -15
Green Industry Show- Rochester
Jan Jansen (845) 651-4106

December 1
Holiday Party
Kevin Shuback (845) 651-4074, Jan Jansen (845) 651-4106

All dates subject to change. For more information or to become a member contact: Kevin Shuback at (845) 651-4074.
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Pesticide Certification Exam Schedule, Spring 2007 – Region 3

COUNTY

TRAINING............................ EXAMS
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
CORE: 9:30 AM / CATEGORY: 11:00 AM
Sullivan (845-292-6180) Completed May 18, 2007
Dutchess (845-677-8223) Completed May 24, 2007

Seating may be limited. Reservations are required by all counties. Contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office where you wish to attend to sign up.

The DEC charges $50 for the exam fee (If you are attending the pre-exam training session, please bring a check or money order for the $50 exam with you that day). Upon passing the exam, the certification fee is $225 for your first category (except $100 for cat. 3A or 3B only). This certification will be valid for a 3 year period (only 1 year for cat. 3A or 3B only). If adding a category, a letter of experience or 12 recertification credits are needed to be allowed into the test: certification fee to be determined at the time of the exam dependent on expiration date of current license.

For more information contact the New York State Department of Environment Conservation, Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials, Region 3, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, New York 12561-1696; by phone 845-256-3097, fax 845-255-3414, or visit their website at www.dec.state.ny.us.

Cornell Cooperative Extension County Commercial Horticulture Educators

Dutchess: Stephanie Mallozzi, sdm10@cornell.edu, 845-677-8223 x 104
Orange: Rosemarie Baglia, rsb22@cornell.edu, 845-344-1234
Putnam: Dianne Olsen, dko3@cornell.edu, 845-278-6738
Rockland: Donna Cooke, dmc72@cornell.edu, 845-429-7085 x 108
Ulster: Teresa Rusinek, tr28@cornell.edu, 845-340-3990
Westchester: Rick Harper, rwh26@cornell.edu, 914-946-3005
Sullivan: Marianna Quartararo, mdq2@cornell.edu, 845-292-6180 x 112

Pesticide Certification

If you apply pesticides, including weed-killers, weed and feed products, insecticides, fungicides, or tick control products to customer's properties for hire, you or someone in your company must be a New York State Certified Pesticide Applicator through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and have your business registered. There are now three levels of commercial certification: applicator, technician, and apprentice.

For Commercial Applicators
To be eligible to take the exams to become certified, you must meet one of the following requirements:
· 3 out of the past 5 years of verifiable experience as an apprentice working in the category applicant is seeking certification in; or
· 3 out of the past 5 years as a certified private applicator in a corresponding private category; or
· Certification in another state with which New York has reciprocity; or
· if seeking certification in the Sales Category - At least 3 years experience in the sale of pesticides, or can demonstrate, through applicable training certifications or education degrees, that one possesses appropriate technical background.
Certified Pesticide Technician
· be at least 17 years of age.
· 2 years of verifiable experience as an apprentice; or
· completion of a 30-hr. training course, approved by the Department or a baccalaureate or associate degree from an accredited college or university in the area seeking certification. These are offered at the following:
Westchester Community College: (914) 785-6830
Dutchess Community College: (845) 431-8904
Colorado Correspondence Course: (800) 525-4950

For technicians, once certified, desiring full applicator status the following documentation is required: a letter indicating 2 yrs. of experience or 1 yr. of experience plus 12 recertification credits. Experience and recertification credits must be category or sub-category specific.

Pesticide Apprentice
· Must be at least 16 years of age.
· Must receive 40 hours of pesticide use experience under supervision of a certified applicator and a minimum of 8 hours of instruction on topics outlined in Section 325.18 of Part 325 Rules & Regulations relating to the application of pesticides, before being able to apply general use pesticides under the off-site direct supervision of a certified applicator.
· Documentation of the above must be maintained by the certified applicator, and include: name & address of apprentice; date(s) of instruction or observation; content of training and certification category; instructor's name and certification identification number; and an evaluation of the competency of the apprentice.
For Private Applicators:
· Must be at least 17 years old.
· Have at least one year of full-time experience within the last three years in the use of pesticides in the category in which certification is requested – OR
· Has completed a 30-hr. training course, or has received an associate's or higher level college degree in the area of which certification is requested.
For further information on eligibility rules and regulations, and fees, contact the NYSDEC Region 3 Pesticide Staff at (845) 256-3097.
Eligible candidates for certification must attend a training session, and pass two examinations, administered by the NYSDEC and held in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Once you determine you are eligible for certification, contact your county's Cornell Cooperative Extension office for information on registering for the training class and exams. Contact your local CCE educator to find out training and exam dates for your county in the Hudson Valley. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.
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