UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Scouts compile and record environmental and phenological data for locations throughout Massachusetts to aid in the monitoring of plant and pest development, the planning of management strategies, and the creation of site-specific records for future reference. Detailed reports from Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. UMass Extension has updated the following issue to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data.
The Landscape Message will be updated weekly April through June. The next message will be available on April 8. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list.
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Scouting Information by Region
Regional Notes
Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)
General Conditions: The spring weather continues on its rollercoaster ride. One day it might be in the 60s F and the next it will barely reach 40 F. A cold front moved in on Sunday the 20th, making it cold enough that the precipitation on the 21st arrived in the form of wet snow. The Cape has experienced several high wind alerts, with gusts up to 50 mph not uncommon. Spring clean-ups have begun in many landscapes. Lawns are actively growing and soon it will be mowing season. Plant development continues to be somewhat ahead of average, with Pulmonaria spp. beginning to bloom. Hellebores (Helleborus xhybridus) have had a spectacular bloom this year and the foliage has not been winter killed and remains attractive. Daffodils are blooming, along with Crocus, Snowdrops, and Chionodoxa. Early cultivars of Forsythia are also beginning to bloom.
Pests/Problems: Larry Dapsis, entomologist with Cape Cod Extension, has begun monitoring blueberry buds for winter moth caterpillar activity. As of Monday, March 28, no caterpillars were observed. Blueberry is still in the tight bud stage but increasingly warm days may hasten development. Adult deer ticks are active. Be sure to either use DEET or permethrin based products on clothing and do thorough tick checks after working in the landscape. The Lone Star tick has now been found outside of its isolated discovery at Sandy Neck. It has been identified in Marstons Mills near Race Lane. Rabbit browse is evident on some perennials, especially Peachleaf Bellflower (Campanula persicifolia). Vole “tunnels” have also been seen in perennial gardens and under creeping species of Juniper. Check for damage on stems and twigs.
Southeast Region (Hanson)
No written report available this week. Environmental Data appears below.
North Shore Region (Beverly)
General Conditions: In the last two weeks, temperatures on the North Shore have been steady in the low 40s during the day and in the high 20s and low 30s during the night except for two days (March 23 and 29) when the temperature climbed up to the 50s. We have experienced a few days of precipitation. The soils are very moist and are not suitable to be worked until they dry out. In the last two days we experienced high winds with gusts of more than 40 mph. However there was no wind damage on trees reported at Long Hill. Because of the steady cool temperatures plants in bloom have held their flowers for relatively long time. Woody plants in bloom at Long Hill include: Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas), Chinese witchhazel (Hamamelis mollis), Arnold promise witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia), Goat willow (Salix caprea), American Filbert (Corylus americana), Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera x purpusii) and February daphne (Daphne mezereum). Early spring flowering bulbs seen in bloom include: Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) and Puschkinia (Puschkinia libanotica), Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa), and Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis). Some daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) are starting to bloom and others are in full bloom depending on the species.
Pests/Problems: Very minimal deer browsing has been reported. Ticks are active and so it is important to take precautions when working outdoors. Some vole tunnels have been observed on the lawn.
East Region (Boston)
General Conditions: It has been an early and unpredictable spring. Over the last two weeks, temperatures averaged 41.4° F with an average high of 48.6° F and average low of 34.3° F; temperatures ranged from 25.6° F to 65.0° F and we gained 6 GDDs bringing us up to 36.0 on the year. We received precipitation on four occasions over the last two weeks amounting to 1.07 inches in total, including almost three inches of snow that fell on the 21st. The snow did not last long as sunny conditions followed in the afternoon of the 21stt and on the 22nd, completely melting all snow. Cooler temperatures have slowed things down considerably. Color in the landscape includes: Abeliophyllum distichum (white forsythia), Cornus mas (cornelian cherry), C. officinalis (Japanese cornelian cherry), Forsythia cultivars (forsythia), Hellebore sp. (Lenten rose), Lindera sp. (spicebush), Lonicera x purpusii (Purpus honeysuckle), and Vinca minor (common periwinkle). Bulbs continue to put on a show: Chionodoxa forbesii (Forbes' glory-of-the-snow), C. luciliae (glory-of-the-snow), Crocus sp. (crocus), Narcissus sp. (daffodil), Puschkinia scilloides (striped squill), Scilla siberica (Siberian squill). Magnolias (Magnolia sp.) are just starting to open.
Pests/Problems: Ranunculus verna (previously Ranunculus ficaria) (lesser celandine) is flowering in sunny locations throughout the landscape as is ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea). Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has germinated; their cotyledons are visible. Winter moth eggs on the south side of trees are starting to change color, indicating that hatching is approaching. Allergy pollen in the air includes juniper, poplar and maple.
Metro West (Acton)
General Conditions: In the two weeks since the last report, this area has received a total of 2.25” of precipitation, including sufficient snow fall to cancel or delay the start of school on the 21st, and has recorded a high temperature of 65° on Saint Patrick’s Day and a low of 18° on the 20th. Much is in bloom for this time of the year, including the following woody plants: Acer rubrum (Red Maple), Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple), Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry Dogwood), C. officinalis (Japanese Cornelian Cherry), Erica sp. (Heath), Hamamelis × intermedia 'Arnold Promise'(Arnold Promise Witch hazel), and H. × intermedia 'Diane' (Diane Witch hazel). The following bulbs and herbaceous plants were seen in bloom: Adonis amurensis (Adonis), Chionodoxa luciliae (Glory of the Snow), Crocus spp. (Crocus), Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop), Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose), Narcissus spp. (Daffodil), Petasites japonicus (Japanese Butterbur), Pulmonaria sp. (Salmon colored Lungwort), Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill), Symplocarpus foetidus (Skunk Cabbage), and Vinca minor (Periwinkle).
Pests/Problems: With the recent strong winds more woody debris is seen scattered throughout the landscape. Ticks are active. Draba verna (Spring Whitlow Grass) and Lamium purpureum (Purple Deadnettle), both winter annual weeds, as well as Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) were observed in bloom.
Central Region (Boylston)
General Conditions: Typical March conditions have predominated in the past two weeks with lengthening, warming days and cold nights. Those spring bulbs and perennials that got off to an early start in March have slowed down. Early Daffodil (Narcissus) cultivars like ‘Jetfire’, ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’, ‘Topolino’ and ‘Tete-a-tete’ are in full bloom and ‘Ice Follies’ and ‘Rip Van Winkle’ are not far behind. Other spring bulbs in bloom include Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae), Windflower (Anemone blanda), Crocus tommasinianus, Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica), Puschkinia libanotica, Scilla mischtschenkoana, Corydalis solida, Iris reticulata and Iris danfordiae. We are also beginning to see flowers opening on Forsythia viridissima ‘Mckcitrine’ (AKA Citrus Swizzle), Forsythia ‘Arnold Promise’, White Forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum), Mountain Andromeda (Pieris floribunda), and Lonicera x purpusii. Willows like the Black Pussywillow (Salix gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’) and Giant Pussywillow (S. chaenomeloides ‘Mt. Aso’), as well as February Daphne (D. mezereum) and Heaths (Erica sp.) remain in bloom and colorful in the landscape. Corylus fargesii and Alnus incana subsp. rugosa, though not terribly showy, are in full bloom - their dangling catkins providing interest. Winter Jasmine (J. nudiflorum) is all but finished blooming, as are snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis and other species) Perennials like Helleborus niger, H. x hybridus, and H. foetidus as well as Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) are in bloom or beginning to bloom, and the turf is beginning to green up.
Pests/Problems: Ticks are quite abundant this spring. Deer have been active though plants that have been protected by taste and odor repellents are still intact. Black bears have emerged and have been seen around bird feeders - time to bring the feeders in. Many winter annual weeds are emerging and blooming.
Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst)
General Conditions: Consistent with spring in New England, weather conditions over this past reporting period have been fickle. High temperatures in Northampton ranged from 41–65°F with lows ranging from 25–43°F. Aside from the brief cold blast on 3/19 and 3/20, low temperatures in the valley have stayed above freezing. That said, in the hill towns west of the Connecticut River, low temperatures on Sunday, 3/20 dipped to 16° F in many locations. The latter half of March began with some beautiful spring weather but has since delved into a more seasonable pattern of cool, breezy days with a mixture of bright sun and raw, rainy conditions. The snow storm on 3/24–3/25 resulted in minor accumulations throughout the valley (1–2″) that was subsequently melted by mid-morning on the 25th. Apples and crabapples are starting to flush new foliage and buds on many other deciduous trees (beech) and shrubs (serviceberry and blueberry) are swelling. Lawn grass has greened up dramatically in sunny areas while soil temperatures remain mostly stuck in the 40s. While the best time to fertilize trees and shrubs is generally between late August through September, early spring applications are also recommended for newly planted trees or those suffering from stress and have undersized or off-color foliage.
Pests/Problems: Pests and pathogens are still not active yet but this remains a good time for preemptive management for persistent problems on the landscape. Examine eastern redcedar and upright junipers for galls produced by the cedar-quince rust pathogen, Gynosporangium claviceps. Orange-colored, cushion-like spore masses emerge from swollen stem cankers on Juniperus in the spring. These cankers can be very damaging and the spores will infect a broad array of rosaceous hosts. Serviceberry can experience stem dieback that can be quite damaging in some cases. Sinclair considers G. claviceps to be the most damaging of the Gynosporangium rust fungi. Now that buds are swelling on deciduous hardwoods, blighted branches and stems infected by cankering can be easier to locate when other symptoms (e.g. rough cankers) are absent. Prune and discard these dead plant parts before sporulation begins in late April and May.
Berkshire Region (Great Barrington)
General Conditions: The weather at this time of year is much like a yoyo with temperatures well above normal a few days and then well below normal for a few days. This we will see over the next several days from 3/31 through 4/4. Soil moisture, except on sandy sites, is still high and saturated in some locations. Working the soil has to be evaluated since tilling wet soils can damage basic soil structure. High wind events have not been uncommon this month. Most recently, 3/28 and 3/29, winds blew at a steady rate of 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. A few trees toppled but most damage was to twigs and branches which were left strewn on roads and yards. Snowdrops (Galanthus) have completed their bloom. Unlike other spring flowering bulbs, snowdrops can be dug and divided now. A few hybrid crocus remain in bloom but most species crocus have completed their flowering. Daffodils are in full bloom or beginning to bloom, depending upon species and/or cultivar. Also in bloom now are Siberian squill (Scilla), Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa), Iris danfordiae, and Iris reticulata. Helleborus niger and Helleborus orientalis are still in bloom. This is a good time to remove old hellebore leaves at ground level. The bright yellow blossoms of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) adorn roadsides.
Pests/Problems: Other than a super abundance of deer ticks, no other of the wee pests is apparent. Deer browsing has been minimal but voles and field mice are active. Check the base of thin barked trees and shrubs for signs of their gnawing.
Environmental Data
The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for an approximately two week period, March 17 through March 30. Soil temperatures and phenological indicators were observed on or about March 30. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments for the 2016 calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.
|
Region/Location |
GDD |
Soil Temp |
Precipitation |
Time/Date of Readings |
||
|
2-Week Gain |
2016 Total |
Sun |
Shade |
|||
|
Cape Cod |
11 |
35 |
52 |
45 |
1.40 |
9:00 AM 3/30 |
|
Southeast |
4 |
32 |
53 |
48 |
1.25 |
5:00 PM 3/30 |
|
North Shore |
4 |
29 |
40 |
37 |
0.84 |
10:15 AM 3/30 |
|
East |
6 |
36 |
51 |
47 |
1.07 |
3:30 PM 3/30 |
|
Metro West |
2.5 |
18.5 |
41 |
38 |
2.25 |
6:10 AM 3/31 |
|
Central |
5 |
33 |
48 |
35 |
1.39 |
11:20 AM 3/30 |
|
Pioneer Valley |
3 |
24 |
46 |
42 |
1.10 |
11:30 AM 3/30 |
|
Berkshires |
7 |
21 |
42 |
39 |
1.07 |
9:45 AM 3/30 |
|
AVERAGE |
5 |
29 |
47 |
41 |
1.30 |
- |
|
n/a = information not available |
||||||
Phenology
Phenological indicators are a visual tool for correlating plant development with pest development. The following are indicator plants and the stages of bloom observed for this period:
| Indicator Plants - Stages of Flowering (BEGIN, BEGIN/FULL, FULL, FULL/END, END) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLANT NAME (Botanic/ Common) | CAPE | S.E. | N.S. | EAST | METRO W. | CENT. | P.V. | BERK. |
| Pieris japonica (Japanese Pieris) | Begin | * | Begin | Begin | * | * | Full | Begin |
| Cornus mas (Corneliancherry Dogwood) | Full | * | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Acer rubrum (Red Maple) | Full | * | Full | Begin/Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple) | Full/end | * | End | End | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Hamamelis mollis (Chinese Witchazel) | * | * | Full | * | Full/ End | Full/end | Full/End | Full |
| Hamamelis x intermedia (Witchhazel hybrids) | Full/end | * | Full/End | * | Full/ End | Full/end | Full/End | Full |
| * = no activity to report/information not available | ||||||||
- CAPE COD REGION - Roberta Clark, UMass Extension Horticulturist for Barnstable County - Retired, reporting from Barnstable.
- SOUTHEAST REGION - Deborah Swanson, UMass Extension Horticulturist for Plymouth County - Retired, reporting from Hanson.
- NORTH SHORE REGION - Geoffrey Njue, Green Industry Specialist, UMass Extension, reporting from the Long Hill Reservation, Beverly.
- EAST REGION - Kit Ganshaw & Sue Pfeiffer, Horticulturists, reporting from the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain.
- METRO WEST REGION – Julie Coop, Forester, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, reporting from Acton.
- CENTRAL REGION - Joann Vieira, Superintendent of Horticulture, reporting from the Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston.
- PIONEER VALLEY REGION - Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, reporting from UMass Amherst.
- BERKSHIRE REGION - Ron Kujawski, Horticultural Consultant, reporting from Great Barrington.
Woody Ornamentals
Diseases
Recent pathogens of interest seen in the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab:
Verticillium wilt of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). Three trees, approximately 5–6′ tall were planted in a small, urban backyard in July of 2014. Site has full sun and trees were irrigated as needed. During the spring of 2015, one tree began showing symptoms of canopy dieback. A second tree became symptomatic in autumn of last year and the third tree became symptomatic in early 2016. Browning foliage, premature leaf shedding, blackening of canopy shoots and branches were all observed. Upon incubation, numerous microsclerotia were produced from the blighted shoots. Verticillium produces these black, seed-like structures to survive in dead plant material and in the soil, where it can persist for multiple years.
Infestation of the azalea bark scale (Eriococcus azaleae) on azalea (Rhododendron ‘Delaware Valley White’). Stems were brittle and blackened with sooty mold fungi. This black color contrasted sharply with the white-colored scales that were adhered to the bark, primarily in stem crotches. When populations are high, this insect pest can cause considerable damage by feeding on the stems and undersides of young foliage.
Stem cankering caused by Phomopsis and needle spots caused by Phyllosticta on eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Tree is nine-years-old and has been present at the site for five years. One of several hemlocks at the site growing in a shaded setting. Adjacent hemlocks are healthy and free of dieback symptoms. Phomopsis is common on eastern hemlock, causing a shoot tip blight after predisposing stresses have weakened defenses. Needle spots were singular, yellow in color and mostly confined to the needle margins. While Phyllosticta is common on Thuja and occasionally found on Abies, it is not a common pathogen on Tsuga.
Branch and trunk cankering caused by Botryosphaeria and Fusarium on sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). Ten trees, 14-years-old and present at the site for ~10 years, growing on a slope between a parking lot and a river. Visible cankers with callus tissue and thick sap were visible on the submitted sample. In some cases, sweetgum sap is so thick and voluminous over the wound it prohibits pathogen identification. One tree was removed while others exhibit branch dieback and general decline.
For more detailed management information for woody plant diseases in the landscape, refer to UMass Extension's Professional Management Guide for Diseases of Trees and Shrubs.
Report by Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass Amherst.
Insects
Woody ornamental insect and non-insect arthropod pests to consider for the beginning of the 2016 season, a selected few:
I’d like to note first off that we are, as many know, ahead of schedule this season regarding temperatures. The mild winter we have had has lead us to be about 3 weeks ahead of schedule this season for winter moth egg hatch (see section below). We should be scouting at this time for a myriad of landscape pest insects and thinking about early intervention where and when we can. When using the average growing degree day calculation method, with a base of 50° F, I would like to discuss quickly here some insects and strategies we should be incorporating now while we are between 1-49 GDD’s accumulated. I’ll go into detail regarding two below. As mentioned in last week’s Landscape Message, please be looking for the egg masses of eastern tent caterpillar in cherry, crabapple, and others and prune out any you find encircling twigs within reach. The same can be done for forest tent caterpillar at this time. In hardwoods, remove gypsy moth egg masses if finding a few within reach. Look to last week’s message for information regarding upcoming gypsy moth management options if egg masses are great in number. For pine and others, inspect for scales, adelgids, aphids, mealybugs, psyllids, and mites in their various overwintering stages and any damage they may have caused last season. Treat with dormant oil as needed, when temperatures will remain above freezing 24-48 hours following treatment. Make sure to inspect these insects and be sure (using a hand lens where necessary) that they are still alive and warrant this treatment. Some woolly masses and old scale coverings can remain on plants even when insects are previously deceased.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Adelges tsugae is an exotic insect native to areas in Asia. It was discovered in Massachusetts around 1988. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) are perhaps more susceptible to this insect, although western and Asian hemlock tree species may also be impacted, however less so. This insect is a significant forest pest, but can also impact landscape and ornamental hemlock and management may be warranted. The most obvious way to determine whether or not hemlock woolly adelgid (or HWA) is present is to look for the white, woolly masses the insects make as they mature at the base and underside of the hemlock needles. These masses can be 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in diameter. This insect is fascinating in that all populations in Massachusetts are made up of females reproducing asexually. (We do not have the proper spruce host that winged adults need in order to mate.) Adelgid females are now laying eggs in masses of 100-300 within their woolly coverings. The mobile stage or larvae known as crawlers will be emerging soon in April or May and settle at the base of suitable needles. There are two generations per year. From mid-July to mid-October, nymphs will be settled at the base of needles but will not feed or develop at this time. Trees with several years of infestation of this pest or additional stress factors may exhibit thinning crowns. This insect is most active during the winter months. Wind and birds may be the primary means for this pest to move, but humans can also move HWA around on infested plant material. Management options can be different in a forested setting and can include silvicultural options. In both forest and landscape situations, an option for management can be to do nothing. However, early intervention in landscape situations with “softer” methods such as horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps can be successful. HWA can be treated with horticultural oil as a dormant application in April-May but also while the insect is dormant in mid-July as a summer spray. In order for oil applications to be effective, coverage must be thorough throughout the plant. Some neonicotinoid active ingredients can be effective in managing HWA as soil drenches or as basal trunk applications in both the spring and fall. Depending on the chemical involved, it may take several months for it to become apparent that the adelgid population is being impacted. Soil drenches may be best when temperatures are above 41° F to encourage translocation to foliage. Dinotefuran can show results within weeks of application, and should be used when elongate hemlock scale is also present (see last week’s Landscape Message) if employing management options beyond horticultural oil. This active ingredient can provide up to 2 years of HWA management. Imidacloprid is not effective on elongate hemlock scale, but may manage the adelgid for up to 5 years. Treatments with imidacloprid may take several months for their effect to become apparent with the adelgid. Soil treatments are not appropriate for all soil types and care should be taken, as with all applications, to avoid drift onto non-targets or flowering plants. Care should also be taken around aquatic systems. Follow all label instructions. Avoid nitrogen fertilizers for infested trees, as this may actually be advantageous for the adelgids too.- Winter Moth: (Continued monitoring) Operophtera brumata eggs are hatching as you are reading this message! We are about 3 weeks ahead of schedule for this insect, according to Dr. Elkinton. He expects winter moth eggs to be hatching in most areas by the end of this week in Massachusetts. Eggs have turned blue and hatched in Rhode Island, as reported by Heather Faubert of URI Cooperative Extension. Scouts have reported eggs turning blue and hatching in Franklin, MA while others are still seeing orange eggs in Mattapoisett, MA and eggs are just turning blue in Hanson, MA. Dr. Elkinton reports that areas such as Boston and West Bridgewater have enough accumulated degree days for winter moth egg hatch to have begun this week. If using an average degree day calculation method, with a base of 50° F, winter moth eggs hatch between 20-50 GDD’s. View the Environmental Data section of this message for degree day information for your area. As mentioned in last week’s Landscape Message, blueberry growers and others protecting fruit crops should make planned insecticide applications for these caterpillars as soon as possible, to prevent them from feeding within the buds they are trying to protect. For ornamental trees and shrubs, applications of insecticides with active ingredients such as spinosad can be made as leaves open up (however this will not prevent the feeding the youngest caterpillars will do while inside the buds).
Report by Tawny Simisky, Extension Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, & Urban Forestry Program
Additional Resources
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Diagnostic Services
A UMass Laboratory Diagnoses Landscape and Turf Problems - The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed identification, and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. For sampling procedures, detailed submission instructions and a list of fees, see Plant Diagnostics Laboratory
Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing - The University of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory is located on the campus of The University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Testing services are available to all. The function of the Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory is to provide test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments. For complete information, visit the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory web site. Alternatively, call the lab at (413) 545-2311.
Ticks are active at this time! Remember to take appropriate precautions when working and playing outdoors, and conduct daily tick checks. UMass tests ticks for the presence of Lyme disease and other disease pathogens. Learn more
