~Hudson
Valley Horticulture~ Cornell Cooperative Extension of the Hudson Valley ~~~~~~~Commercial Horticulture Electronic Newsletter~~~~~~~ Volume 6, Issue 7 July 5, 2006 |
Participating Counties: Dutchess * Orange * Putnam * Rockland * Sullivan
* Ulster * Westchester *
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| Jefferson
Trees Resistant to Dutch Elm Disease A large-scale program to screen American elm trees for resistance to Dutch elm disease may lead to trees that can ward off this deadly disease, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and cooperators. The fungus that causes Dutch elm disease (DED)--Ophiostoma ulmi--has wiped out around 77 million American elms, decimating these graceful trees along streets and in parks and gardens, since its introduction to the United States in 1931. To combat this exotic and deadly disease that originated in France, researchers screened thousands of American elm trees for resistance. Thanks to the efforts of ARS scientists with the US National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., and collaborators, enough old specimens were located and kept alive to provide the germplasm necessary to develop DED-tolerant trees. The arboretum's tree-breeding project was led by ARS geneticist Denny Townsend until his 2005 retirement. Townsend worked with horticulturalist Susan Bentz at the ARS Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit (FNPRU) in Glenn Dale, Md. In 2005, the newest American elm--named Jefferson--was released jointly by ARS and the National Park Service (NPS), after collaborative screening tests by Townsend and James L. Sherald, NPS Natural Resource Officer, showed it to have an outstanding level of DED tolerance. It was cloned in 1993 from the original tree, a survivor of about 300 elms planted on the National Mall in Southwest Washington in the 1930s. Jefferson grows in the typical vase shape up to nearly 70 feet tall, has broad U-shaped branch unions, and has leaves that turn dark-green earlier in the spring--and stay dark later in the fall--than most other elms. FNPRU research leader John Hammond regards Jefferson as a good "street tree" because it can withstand pollution from city traffic and has wide adaptability, growing in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 7. While this durable, DED-tolerant elm may once again fill parks and grace famous landmarks with true American elms, Jefferson wont be available to consumers for about four years. But specimens can be seen on the National Mall, next to the old Smithsonian building, and will soon be at the arboretum. Efforts also are under way to propagate quantities for nursery cooperators. Written by Alfredo Flores,
USDA-ARS Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County Two New Lilacs From the U.S. National Arboretum Two of the newest additions to an ever-growing list of original ornamental plants produced by breeders with the U.S. National Arboretum ( USNA), Washington, D.C., are lilac cultivars named Old Glory and Declaration. They were recently released to the public by the arboretum, administered by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The 446-acre arboretum maintains and displays many of the ornamentals and flowering trees, shrubs and herbaceous garden plants found in cities, towns and home landscapes throughout the United States. To these traditional favorites, researchers there and in the ARS Floral and Nursery Research Unit in Washington, have added many of the superior new floral and woody nursery plants now seen in public areas, as well as in private gardens. Old Glory and Declaration are two new Syringa cultivars developed in the arboretums shrub-breeding program. Bred and initially selected by the late USNA horticulturalist Donald Egolf and released by geneticist Margaret Pooler, they follow the release of the Betsy Ross lilac in 2000. Old Glory and Declaration are each suited to a variety of landscape uses, including as background plantings in shrub borders, as deciduous hedges, or for mass-plantings in larger areas. Old Glory was selected for its abundant fragrant, bluish-purple flowers, rounded growth habit and disease-tolerant foliage. In 25 years of testing in Washington, it grew nearly 11.5 feet high and a little over 13 feet wide. Compared to other Syringa x hyacinthiflora types of lilac, Old Glory has shown good field tolerance to Cercospora blight and Pseudomonas syringae in warmer climates where these diseases are a problem. It has also shown better-than-average tolerance to powdery mildew. Declaration was selected for its fragrant, dark-reddish-purple flowers, nearly foot-long flower clusters and open, upright growth habit. In 25 years of testing at the arboretum, it grew 8.5 feet high and about 6.5 feet wide and also is well suited to a variety of landscape uses. However, it is recommended primarily for traditional, cooler lilac-growing regions. Both Old Glory and Declaration bloom in mid- to late April at the arboretum, which is located in Plant Hardiness Zone 7a and has an average minimum temperature range of 5 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Planting stock should be available from a limited number of nurseries in 2006, and should be available from retailers in 2008. Written by Alfredo
Flores, USDA-ARS Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County Nurseries to give big-city test to Cornell-cloned trees and tree-growing technique By Kara Dunn New York City life is tough on trees. Compacted soil with high pH, low-hanging utility wires, an environment often hot and dry, and the city's harsh winters challenge a tree's survival and colorful foliage. So Cornell researchers are partnering with nursery operators in a project funded by the New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) to help trees thrive in harsh urban landscapes. The project will evaluate a new Cornell tree-growing technique as well as new varieties of oak and maple trees bred with the help of Cornell researchers. Project leader Nina Bassuk of Cornell's Urban Horticulture Institute and Cornell Ph.D. candidate Naalamle Amissah have developed a new cloning technique called clonal propagation that allows oaks to develop their own root system, rather than growers having to use the traditional and difficult grafting method. Nurseries will evaluate the new propagation method for quickly getting the new varieties into commercial production. Growers want trees that are easy to establish at nurseries and to transplant to city settings, said Bassuk. Since oaks are nearly impossible to root from cuttings, Cornell researchers also have been working with ornamental plant breeder Peter C. Podaras of the Landscape Plant Development Center in Mound, Minn., to improve the trees' rootability. They have been crossing deciduous oaks with evergreen oaks and cross-breeding native northern white oaks with white oak species from the Southeast, southern Midwest, North Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean. Some of the 200 combinations of oaks started at Cornell are already 6 feet tall. "We have combined native cold-hardy trees with much shorter southern and desert species that can tolerate heat, drought, compacted low oxygen soil, road salt and the concrete-induced high pH soils common to cities," Podaras said. "Smaller-sized trees require less long-term maintenance and do not interfere with power lines. We believe these new extremely vigorous hybrids have excellent potential as the ultimate street trees and for backyard landscaping." Bassuk added, "If the new clones root well and prove to be tolerant of urban growing conditions, including drought and extreme wet weather, they represent a huge economic market potential for New York nurseries through purchasing by municipal foresters, arborists and homeowners." Also, maple clones now growing in Cornell horticultural plots are the result of crosses with a Chinese drought-tolerant variety with good color and shorter height to enable the trees to grow in urban settings with overhead utility wires. The clones will be field- and nursery-tested on Long Island and in Western and Central New York this fall. Trees improve urban life not only by providing natural beauty and shade but also by taking up carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen and helping to reduce greenhouse gases, summer energy consumption with their cooling shade and storm-water runoff, said Andrew Hillman, Ithaca's forester who oversees 14,000 trees. "This year we are seeing trees dying from the effect of last year's stressful hot and dry conditions. This project is producing some interesting oak and maple species that promise to be healthier and long-lived under tough city growing conditions, which will be good for the environment and the economy," he added. The NYFVI provides New York's farmers and growers with access to a network of production, business planning, marketing and agricultural and horticultural specialists that includes Cornell University faculty and extension educators. From June 23, 2006 ChronicleOnline Submitted by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County Return
to Index Plants require certain chemical elements also known as plant nutrients for growth and maintenance. Iron is one of the micronutrients necessary for healthy plant growth. Plant nutrients may occur naturally in the soil or may be supplemented through fertilization. Soil pH plays an important role in nutrient availability and is measured by the pH scale which runs from 0 – 14. 7 is neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic or “sour” and anything above 7 is alkaline or “sweet”. Most plants are able to get the nutrients they need when the pH is in the range of 6.0 to 6.8. There are exceptions to this. Ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurel, andromeda, blueberries, leucothe and most needled evergreens prefer an acid soil in the range of 5.0 – 5.5. Pin oaks also prefer a more acid soil. Plants get their nutrients through “drinking” water. Plant roots are able to take up nutrients such as nitrogen and iron only when they are dissolved in water. If the pH is too high or too low, certain nutrients won’t dissolve and become “tied up” and unavailable to the plant. Iron is most available to plants when the soil is in the pH range of 5.0 – 6.0. When soil pH is above 6.5 or so, iron becomes “tied up” and unavailable. This is known as iron deficiency or iron chlorosis. Ericaceous plants can be especially sensitive to lack of iron. A common symptom of iron chlorosis is yellow leaves with dark green veins and midrib (interveinal chlorosis). Nitrogen deficiency can also cause yellowing of leaves. The difference between the two is iron chlorosis occurs on the new growth towards the tips. Nitrogen deficiency usually occurs on the bottom of the plant on older growth. The first step
to manage iron chlorosis is to take a pH test to determine the soil
pH. Alkaline soils are usually the cause of iron chlorosis. The short
term solution to correct iron deficiency is to use a chelated (water-soluble)
iron solution. Chelated iron may be used as a foliar spray or applied
to the root zone around trees and shrubs. Chelated iron products will
usually green up chlorotic plants very quickly. Chelated iron comes
in many forms and brands and will contain the words “FE”
(the chemical symbol for iron) or “iron chelate”. Be sure
to follow label directions. The long term solution is to lower the soil
pH. This is usually accomplished with elemental sulfur. The amount to
use is dependent upon the soil pH value. Your local Cooperative Extension
can offer advice on altering soil pH. Here is a link that discusses
iron deficiency: Written by Stephanie D. Mallozzi, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County Home
Garden Use of Milorganite Submitted by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County Return
to Index Ithaca, NY--School building and grounds managers in the lower Hudson River Valley of New York State have a lot of incentive to reduce pesticide use in their buildings and on their athletic fields. Methods with lower toxicity are inherently healthier for children, teachers, administrators, staff, and families. Recent laws, including the New York State Neighbor Notification law and a Westchester County ban on using pesticides in county parks and nature preserves, are among the most stringent pesticide regulations in the country. Parents in these communities are asking for the use of pesticides to be reduced. At the same time, they need their schools to be pest-free and they want their fields to look pro-sports good. The New York State Integrated Pest Management (NYS IPM) program, based at Cornell University in Geneva, NY, offers many techniques to help schools reduce their pesticide use. Integrated Pest Management promotes least-risk ways to manage pests, whether on the farm or in the community. Realizing that many individual employees of school districts had IPM knowledge that they could share with others in their region, NYS IPM organized a two-year learning project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture's Northeast IPM Center (http://neipmc.org/). Between 2004 and 2006, a team formed to help the Scarsdale Public Schools, the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, and the Minisink Valley Central School District. They used a community learning approach, in which school district employees worked with extension workers and peer mentors to help each other develop proactive pest-management programs. During this project, the goal of each school district was to become eligible for the IPM Institute of North America's Star Certification Award, a national award indicating achievement of a high level of school IPM and practices. (More information about the IPM Institute can be found at http://www.ipminstitute.org/). The school districts are on track for being recommended for this distinction. From the CALS online newsletter Find out more about IPM at www.nysipm.cornell.edu. Submitted by Dianne K. Olsen, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County New Commercial Vehicle Marking Requirements IF YOU ALREADY
HAVE A USDOT # AND YOUR BUSINESS NAME AND USDOT # ARE DISPLAYED ON BOTH
SIDES OF YOUR TRUCKS If however, you operate a truck with a gross vehicle weight of 18,001 lbs. or more for business purposes in New York State, and you don’t already have a USDOT # you need to obtain one by July 5, 2005. Beginning July 5, 2006, this requirement will also apply to trucks and truck/trailers with a gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 10,001 lbs. or more.It’s fairly simple and it’s free. You can register online at http://www.safersys.org and then click on “FMCSA Registration & Updates.” All you’ll need is a valid credit card (no charge – the card is needed for an electronic signature). You can call us at (866) 881-2630 and we can mail or fax you an application. Visit NYSDOT’s website at http://www.dot.state.ny.us/ts/files/markingregs100504.pdf for the new marking requirements. The lettering of your business name and USDOT # followed by the letters “NY” needs to contrast with the background color of your truck and be readable from 50 feet (minimum of 2 inches high recommended). Example: ABC
LAWN CARE SERVICE Submitted by Rose Baglia, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County Return
to Index An article appeared in the March 2006 issue of Hudson Valley Horticulture regarding new security regulations for the sale of Ammonium Nitrate. Because of the risk that ammonium nitrate could be used in producing bombs, its sale is being closely monitored. Any retailer of ammonium nitrate products must now be registered and maintain accurate records of sale of these products for a minimum of two years. In speaking with Bill Nystan of Ag and Markets, I was told that when a landscaper applies ammonium nitrate to a homeowner’s property, the landscaper then becomes the seller of the product and must conform to all the new regulations just like any retailer. Submitted by Tolly Beck, Cornell cooperative Extension of Rockland County
An extension brochure outlining the changes in the revised 2006 Nursery Crop Insurance Policy is now available. The brochure was prepared by our New Jersey and Pennsylvania colleagues in crop insurance education. To obtain a small supply of printed copies, contact Gene Gantz at gantz@pa.net or (717) 497-6398. Please specify the quantity and the name and address to which they should be shipped. BUT, for nursery and ornamental growers, there is another program called The Non-Insured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). This crop insurance option was explored in a Small Farms Quarterly article entitled "Should You Have Crop Insurance?," first published in Summer 2004. The article focused on a diversified Hudson Valley Farm operated by Mary and Frank Heyer. Here's an excerpt: The NAP program reduces risk for commercial crops which are not usually covered by catastrophic crop insurance coverage (CAT). These crops include ornamentals, vegetables, berries and herbs, crops which form the basis of the Heyer's farming operation. Participating farmers pay an annual fee for each crop to be insured. NAP insurance takes the sting out of losses greater then 50% of the usual yield. This "usual yield" is calculated based on the farm's Actual Production History or "APH". This means growers need to maintain good production records, including the crop, type, variety, location, productions practices such as irrigation, planting dates and intended use of the commodity. Recent years have been especially difficult due to late frosts and excessive spring rains that made their river bottom soils impossible to work. They had crop losses in each of the last five years due to frost. Through the NAP program Mary was able to reduce the impact of such losses. For more detailed information contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency office, or go to the FSA web site http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/nap.htm. For more information on managing risk on your small farm, visit www.smallfarms.cornell.edu. From NY Farms! Newsletter Submitted by Dianne K. Olsen, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County ISA
Scholarship Offered Both ISA and the Washington Office are anxious to reach as many communities as possible through the scholarships. Funds are still available in the grant and over this next year we hope to greatly increase participation. Please share this information with all your states. Below is the scholarship application to be used by the State Coordinators and ISA. The scholarship is available to communities through their State UCF Coordinators to help fund an individual in the community to receive arborist certification. The grant covers the cost of ISA Certification workshop fees, the certification study guide and other materials, and the cost of the certification test. The scholarship recipients are then required to donate 80 hours of service back to the community. The scholarship
is intended to target communities, particularly smaller rural communities,
that have limited resources, do not have an urban forestry professional
on staff, and do not have access to an ISA certified arborist in the
community. This grant project helps address the need for communities
to have professional staff to reach the "developing" and "managing"
categories of the allocation methodology. Submitted by Dianne K. Olsen, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County Orange
County Putnam
County Rockland
County Westchester
County Westchester County has received above-normal rainfall totals for the month of June and we have seen the start of those hot summer-time temperatures (above 85 degrees) that our region typically enjoys this time of year. Of course, these hot, humid, and moist conditions strongly encourage the development of seasonal disease and we have heard reports of disease (i.e. Anthracnose, Brown Patch, Summer Patch) causing problems on turfgrass. Although it germinated quite a few weeks ago, the warmer temperatures have also given a big boost to the growth rate of crabgrass. Crawlers of our most common scales infesting ornamental plantings (Juniper scale, Azalea bark scale, Cottony Taxus scale, Fletcher scale, Pine Needle Scale, White prunicola scale) have also made their debut in June. Reports have also been made about sightings of Chinch bug and Sod Webwom in lawn settings throughout the region. The fearsome Bronze Birch Borer can also be observed in the adult stage. Also, one cannot help but notice the plethora of adult scarab beetles that have emerged - Oriental beetle, Chafers, Japanese Beetles - to mate and lay eggs. Remember, this month's eggs are next month's grubs. Be on the look out for a number of treatment windows that typically open in early - mid July for a number of insect pests including Hemlock woolly adelgid (the mid-summer crawler emergence should be taking place in July) and Cooley spruce gall adelgid (the galls begin opening throughout the month of July). Treatment windows should also be opening up in July for other common insects of ornamentals including Lacebugs (Corythuca sp., 1266-1544 GDD) and Privet rust mite (Auculus ligustri, 1266-1515 GDD). Adult Whiteflies also abound, so keep an eye out for this insect as well. Remember, Horticultural
oils should not be applied in a period of high temperature (above 80
degrees) or humidity, or if plants are experiencing drought stress.
As always, be sure to consult the appropriate 2006 Pest Management Guide
when considering your treatment options. It is also available online
at: http://treesandshrubs.org Programs
Of Interest Hudson
Valley Cornell Cooperative Extension
Featured Speakers: More info and
registration form [.pdf]
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - On Thursday, October 5, 2006, the New York State Turfgrass Association (NYSTA), in partnership with Cornell University, and endorsed by the New York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds, the New York State Recreation and Parks Society, and the Sports Turf Managers of New York, will present the Winning Fields seminar at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is offering 3.5 pesticide recertification credits and the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) is offering .525 certified education units (CEU’s). Sports turf managers, facility operators, and those interested in grounds maintenance are invited to attend this outdoor, hands-on educational program. Experts will teach proper sports turf maintenance techniques on a new field at Nazareth College that was constructed two years ago. The registration and trade show begins at 7:00 a.m. and the final session ends at 3:00 p.m. Professors from Cornell University and SUNY Delhi, as well as turf professionals from Nazareth College, University of Rochester, Great Lakes Athletic Fields, S.V. Moffett Company, Inc. and Mar-Co Clay Products, Inc. will cover soil preparation, cultivation and renovation methods. In addition, mowing and irrigation techniques will be reviewed. Equipment demonstrations will be held during the morning break followed by a walking panel discussion led by practitioners. Discounted seminar rates are available for NYSTA members and new members can join now, receive the seminar discount, and maintain membership until December 2007. Exhibitor and attendee registration forms must be submitted to the NYSTA office by September 28, 2006. To obtain a seminar brochure or for more information, please call NYSTA at (800) 873-8873, (518) 783-1229, fax (518) 783-1258 or e-mail nysta@nysta.org. Information is also available on NYSTA’s website www.nysta.org. Submitted by Stephanie Mallozzi, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess Count
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If you're not
already a member, please consider joining the Tri-County Nurseryman/Landscape
Association, Region 7 of the New York State Nursery/Landscape Association.
It's a great way to network, learn and meet other people within our
industry. NYS
ReLeaf Conference |
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