UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data.
The Landscape Message will be updated monthly October-December. The next message will be available on December 2. 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
Environmental Data
The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for an approximately four week period, October 6 through November 2. Soil temperatures and phenological indicators were observed on or about November 2. 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 |
||
|
4-Week Gain |
2016 Total |
Sun |
Shade |
|||
|
Cape Cod |
119 |
2872 |
56 |
53 |
5.14 |
4:45 PM 11/2 |
|
Southeast |
119 |
2700 |
53 |
49 |
5.84 |
5:20 PM 11/2 |
|
North Shore |
163 |
2902 |
44 |
41 |
4.52 |
10:00 AM 11/1 |
|
East |
139 |
3143.5 |
56 |
53 |
6.22 |
4:00 PM 11/2 |
|
Metro West |
72 |
2739 |
45 |
42 |
6.34 |
6:15 AM 11/2 |
|
Central |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|
Pioneer Valley |
121 |
3025 |
51 |
48 |
2.22 |
12:30 PM 11/2 |
|
Berkshires |
96 |
2586 |
52 |
49 |
4.11 |
8:00 AM 11/3 |
|
AVERAGE |
126 |
2865 |
51 |
48 |
4.12 |
- |
|
n/a = information not available |
||||||
Drought Conditions Update: Greater than 99% of Massachusetts is currently under official drought status, of that approximately 98% of the Commonwealth is classified as at least 'Moderate Drought', 63% is classified as 'Severe Drought', and approximately 29% is classified as 'Extreme Drought'. For more information see http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA.
For UMass Extension drought resources for landscapers, see https://ag.umass.edu/news/dry-dry-dry-resources-for-landscapers.
Regional Notes
Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)
General Conditions: The weather pattern made a big change during the month of October. Cooler temperatures interspersed with mild days were normal for this time of year. The biggest change was the number of wet days, which helped to make a dent in the drought status. Daytime temperatures gradually went down over the course of the month, with most days somewhere in the 50s F and several days in the 40s F. However, the Cape experienced 75° F on October 19th, with several milder days following. The Cape had several chilly nights, with temperatures in the upper 30s F and received the first frost in the Marstons Mills area overnight on October 31/November 1, when temperatures went down to 30° F. It was a light frost, not a killing frost, with ice forming on car windshields. Hardy chrysanthemums ‘October Glow’ and ‘Sheffield Pink’ are in full bloom in the perennial garden. Native Witch Hazel is also in bloom.
Pests/Problems: With the beneficial rainfall in October, the US Drought monitor moved the Cape back from Severe to Moderate Drought status. The rainfall has been especially beneficial for broadleaved evergreens as they prepare for winter. The drought was particularly hard on Rhododendrons that were not under irrigation and many dead branches can be observed on those plants. Pest insect activity is pretty much over for the year while nuisance pests like the Asian Lady beetle and Western conifer seed bug can still be observed looking for shelter in houses. Adult deer ticks are active. Be proactive and use DEET or permethrin treated clothing when working outdoors.
Southeast Region (Hanson)
General Conditions: The warm summer-like weather gave way to fall with cooler days and nights. Rain was a welcome relief and Hanson received 5.84 inches of much needed rain. The rain did much to alleviate some of the drought stress but more is needed before plants go into dormancy. The first frost of the season came overnight on Oct. 26-27; cold enough (32 degrees) to frost the coleus but tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, geraniums were fine. A later frost (30 degrees) overnight on Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, took out the tomatoes, but marigolds, etc still look ok. Hanson has not had a killing frost to date. The following plants remain in bloom: landscape roses, hardy Chrysanthemums (Clara Curtis, Sheffield pink, etc.), Nippon daisy, Aconitum sp., Corydalis lutea, Lamium, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, and a few lingering Phlox paniculata. Fall color was mixed this year. The drought certainly impacted fall color with many trees dropping leaves before they changed color or just turned brown and dropped. Fall color is impressive on Oxydendron arboreum, Ginkgo biloba, some red maples, etc. but overall not as impressive as in previous years.
With the rain, lawns started to recover and come out of dormancy. Many lawns have greened up nicely and mowing continues.
Pests/Problems: Continue to monitorand manageAndromeda, rhododendron and azalea, for lacebugs which remain active. At one site, high populations of lacebugs were observed on several azaleas and also on P.J.M. rhododendron; plants that, in previous years, never had a lacebug problem. The drought stress is most likely a contributing factor. Winter moths, fall cankerworm moths and Bruce spanworm moths will be emerging in a few weeks. A few winter moths may be seen emerging in the next week or so, but heaviest flights are usually just before and around Thanksgiving, especially on warm nights and after rain. Insect activity has slowed down as is usual at this time of year, although boxelder bugs, slugs and snails remain active.
Mosquitoes also remain active although in very small numbers. Adult deer ticks are active; continue to take precautions and use a repellent like DEET, especially during fall cleanups. The fall invaders (Asian ladybugs (Harmonia axyridis), western conifer seedbugs, spiders, etc., were observed on buildings, looking to enter and find shelter to overwinter.
Fall cleanups are underway and, now is a good time to cut back perennials, remove leaves, grass and weeds from around trees and shrubs, etc. to help remove habitat for voles and mice. Turkeys continue to be seen in high numbers in many southeast MA locations and deer continue to browse.
North Shore Region (Beverly)
General Conditions: Long Hill received 4.59 inches of much needed rainfall in the month of October. More is needed before the winter to compensate for the drought experienced through most of the year. The temperatures were very variable throughout the month. Temperatures ranged from the low 40s and into the 50s and 60s, climbing up to the high 70s on some days early in the month. Temperatures were below average for the month of October on some of the days. The first frost of the month was recorded at the end of the month on October 31st when the thermometer registered 30degrees F. Fall color continues in the landscape with different foliage colors mainly yellows, oranges and reds despite many leaves falling. A few plants are providing color in the landscape. The few plants observed in bloom include: Redbud hazel (Disanthus cercidifolius), Franklin Tree (Franklinia alatamaha), Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), Russian Daphne ((Daphne x transatlantica), Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum), Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida) and hardy fall blooming cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium). Colorful fruiting plants such as hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata), beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), wright viburnum (Viburnum wrightii) and winterberry (Ilex verticillata) are also providing color in the landscape by their fruits.
Pests/Problems: Ticks are still active and will remain active anytime the temperature is above freezing. Take precautions when raking leaves. Conduct tick checks after working outdoors. Use repellents containing DEET to protect yourself. Mosquito populations are mostly done for the year. Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and invasive species such as burning bush (Euonymus alatus) are displaying fall foliage color in the woods.
East Region (Boston)
General Conditions: Fall weather has arrived. Rain has been the highlight of the month, we received precipitation on 8 separate occasions totaling 7.02 inches for the entire month of October, with soaking rains on the 1st, 9th, 18th, 21st and 27th/28th. This amounts to more rain received during the month of October than the combined rain total from June through September. Over the last two weeks, 4.52” of precipitation fell. The evening of the 21st brought torrential downpours, we received 0.5 inches of rain over a 15-minute period and an inch of rain over a one-hour period. This left low areas flooded and significant erosion of mulched beds and gravel paths. A heavy killing frost on October 27th, ended the growing season at 182 days for the year. For the month of October, high temperatures ranged from 47° F to 80° F, averaging 63° F while low temperatures ranged from 28° F to 58° F, averaging 44° F. Fall color continues despite the rain and strong winds over the last two weeks which blew many leaves off of trees. Especially beautiful at this time of year are most maples including Acer rubrum 'Schlesingeri' (Schlesinger red maple), Acer saccharum (sugar maple), Acer japonicum (full moon maple), and many Carya sp. (hickory). Recent milder temperatures have extended fall color throughout the landscape. Fall fruit continues to provide color especially evident on Grewia biloba (bilobed grewia), Malus sp. (crabapples), Rosa sp. (rose), Symphoricarpos sp. (snowberry), and Viburnum sp. (viburnum). The native Hamamelis virginiana (American witch-hazel) is in full flower.
Pests/Problems: We remain significantly below average for precipitation on the year despite gaining seven inches this month. Perennial weeds continue to produce and spread seed. Winter annuals are germinating. Chelidonium majus (greater celandine) has germinated and is growing quickly. Turf remains green while crabgrass and other annual turf weeds have turned brown due to the frost. Skunk damage is evident indicating high grub populations.
Metro West (Acton)
General Conditions: At last, a month with rainfall recorded that exceeded the average monthly total! For the month of October, the average rainfall is 3.77” and the precipitation recorded for this month in the Acton area was a grand total of 6.91”! The Acton area gained 72 GDD during this recording period. A high temperature of 79⁰ F was recorded on the 7th and a low of 24⁰ F was recorded on the 27th, bringing with it a hard frost. Not much was observed in flower at this time of year with the exception of a few herbaceous perennials including Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawa’ (Ornamental Onion), Aster tataricus (Tatarian Aster) and Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Montauk Daisy). Providing additional color and interest in the landscape are fruits, pomes, capsules, and seeds. Seen are the red fruits on Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood), C. kousa (Kousa Dogwood) and Ilex verticilata (Winterberry), seed capsules on Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-Son Flower),a variety of colors and sizes of fruit on the Callicarpa dichotoma (Beautyberry), Cornus racemosa (Gray Dogwood), Crataegus spp. (Hawthorn), Malus spp. (Apple and Crabapple), Rosa spp. (Rose), Sorbus spp. (Mountain Ash), and Viburnums spp., seed pods on Catalpa sp., Gleditsia triacanthos (Honeylocust), and Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky Coffeetree), and nuts on Carya spp. (Hickory), Juglans spp. (Walnut) and Quercus spp. (Oak).
Pests/Problems: Despite the recent rain, drought conditions remain in effect throughout the state with extreme conditions existing for this area and for most of the central and northeastern regions of the state and severe conditions exist for most of the remaining portions of the state as declared by the National Drought Mitigation Center. Remember to keep your plants well watered through the fall!
Central Region (Boylston)
No report available this week.
Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst)
General Conditions: Unfortunately, the Pioneer Valley did not receive the heavy precipitation that parts of central and eastern Mass experienced during this penultimate reporting period. For the month of October, precipitation in the valley averaged 2.46″ with locally higher amounts (e.g. 4.90″ in Easthampton). Hampden County fared the worst with just over 1.50″ recorded at several stations in Springfield. Consequently, the drought continues into the dormant period, which may adversely affect the ability of trees and shrubs to acclimate for cold weather. At the same time, even above-average precipitation would not have alleviated the deficit the region has experienced in 2016. On a more positive note, the general consensus was that the October foliage was fantastic this year. We had a number of bright sunny days and cool nights in early October that produced deep red, orange and yellow foliage on deciduous hardwoods. Lawn grass has continued to flourish with the fairly regular rainfall and cooler temperatures this autumn season. Some areas that were completely brown in July have been dramatically reinvigorated. Despite the drought and municipal water bans, October was actually a good time to for recovery and establishment of new plantings for lawns that were damaged this summer by drought. As we await the coming of the winter solstice, measurable snowfall occurred on Thursday, 10/27 in the valley with some towns recording over 3″. The wet, heavy snow damaged many herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs that were still holding leaves and/or flowering parts. Numerous tree limbs were downed on mature silver maples and white pines causing scattered power outages during and after the storm. By the late afternoon hours on 10/28 most of the snow had melted and temperatures have been seasonal since. In an odd note, multiple rhododendron shrubs on the UMass campus have been observed flowering over this past week. The shrubs also produced new succulent foliage which is likely to be damaged by cold temperatures this winter.
Pests/Problems: Protect small diameter trees and shrubs from rodent feeding this winter with tree wraps or bark guards. Meadow voles are the primary culprits responsible for bark chewing that can girdle young trees and shrubs. Rabbits are also responsible, chewing off fine twigs and gnawing on the main trunk off small trees and shrubs. Symptoms and signs of needle cast caused by Rhizosphaera on blue spruce are very abundant right now. Older needles in the canopy may be purple, orange-brown to straw-colored and appear coated in a black dust. These are spore-bearing structures produced by Rhizosphaera that emerge from the stomata. Many mature Norway spruces are shedding large volumes of older needles. The spruce spider mite was locally abundant this season and the dry weather allowed large populations to develop on infested trees. While many other factors must be considered, the drought and mite infestations may be to blame for the above-average needle shedding. Removal of blighted leaves shed from deciduous hardwoods is one of the best ways to reduce overwintering populations of foliar pathogens. Mowing leaves and putting them into a compost pile that is regularly turned can accelerate decomposition and reduce foliar pathogen inoculum present at a site. The resulting leaf mulch can then be used to suppress weeds and provide nutrients in ornamental beds.
Berkshire Region (Great Barrington)
General Conditions: October continued the string of above normal temperatures, including a record high of 83° F on October 18. First hard freeze of the season occurred a few days earlier on October 15. However, October did provide a break in the year long drought, albeit perhaps too little, too late. 3.06 inches of the monthly total of 4.11 inches of rain fell over a two day period, October 21 and 22, causing some minor flooding in a few locations. One oddity in terms of precipitation was a wet snowfall which, at the Great Barrington monitoring site, measured 2.5 inches in depth. Greater depths were reported in many hilltowns. Despite the year long drought, there was ample fall foliage color though not as beautiful nor as prolonged as in years with normal precipitation. Most deciduous trees and shrubs have dropped their foliage. Those species still foliated do not develop an abscission layer in their leaf petioles in fall. Examples of trees which retain their leaves through winter include most oaks (Quercus), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana), and ironwood (Ostrya Virginiana).
Pests/Problems: Deer ticks remain active and are frequently found in leaf litter. Most of the attachments to humans have occurred among people raking and picking up leaves. As such, precautions should be taken when raking and gathering leaves. Vole and chipmunk activity remains very high at this time. Deer browsing in managed landscapes is also increasing. The extent of negative effects of the year’s drought on landscape plants may not be evident until next spring.
Regional Scouting Credits
- 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:
Root and crown rot of apple (Malus domestica) caused by Phytophthora. Multiple three-year-old orchard trees on M9 rootstock died approximately one month ago. Roots and the crown exhibited the typical cinnamon-brown discoloration of the sapwood that ended at the grafting site. Once infected trees begin to produce fruit during year three, symptoms of infection become visible and the trees often die as a result. It is not known whether the rootstock was infected from the grower or the tree became infected upon planting at the site.
Fruit rot caused by Colletotrichum and Botrytis and a foliar infestation of the hawthorn lacebug (Corythucha cydoniae) on quince (Cydonia oblonga). Tree is approximately 18-years-old and has been present at the site for 15 years. For many years now, the fruit develops brown, necrotic patches on the underside once it matures. On landscape trees, Colletotrichum is most often observed causing leaf spots and a foliar blight but the fungus can also cause stem cankers and fruit rot. The lacebug infestation caused flecking and mottled spotting on the surface of the foliage. The hawthorn lacebug infests numerous genera in the rosaceae.
Decline of a landscape fir (Abies sp.) due to an infestation of the cryptomeria scale (Aspidiotus cryptomeriae), needle cast caused by Rhizosphaera and upper trunk cankering caused by Botryosphaeria. Approximately three months ago, needles at the top of this ~30-year-old tree turned brown and were prematurely shedding. Since the initial symptoms were observed, the entire top of the tree is dead extended 10 feet downward. The cryptomeria scale is a non-native armored scale that is very similar to the elongate hemlock scale. The main trunk was infected by Botryosphaeria, which was found producing a multitude of small cankers that ultimately girdled the upper trunk. The tree is part of a privacy screen and still has utility despite the top dieback.
Decline of eastern white pine due to heavy shade and stem cankering by Diplodia. Tree is approximately three to five-years-old and was planted in the summer of 2015 in a heavily shaded setting with compacted soils with construction debris. Several nearby spruces also died. Approximately ⅓ of the canopy has prematurely shed needles and the decline will only continue to worsen if the tree does not receive additional sunlight.
Foliar blight of pin oak (Quercus palustris) caused by Tubakia dryina. Approximately twenty 10-year-old trees were planted six months ago in an urban setting surrounded by a brick hardscape. In mid-summer, bleeding cankers developed on the trunks and a foliar blight developed in the canopy. Tubakia was present on all three submitted samples and is quite common on oaks in this region. The pathogen causes a circular leaf spot that will expand to consume large areas of the foliage during wet years. Clearly, transplant shock is also a concern in this difficult setting. Drip irrigation is provided to the trees.
Report by Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass Amherst.
Insects
Woody ornamental insect and non-insect arthropod pests to consider, a selected few:
Now is a great time to consider some fall clean-up in preparation for the winter- before it is too late. Whether we choose to accept it or not, it is coming. On Thursday, 10/27, Amherst and other areas received a taste of winter weather- snowfall that accumulated on lawns and roads, resulting in the need for plows, salt, and sand in some areas!
Cultural practices such as fall maintenance and sanitation can help reduce the presence of inoculum for fungal and bacterial disease and remove hiding spots for pest insects seeking to overwinter and continue their activity next year. Protecting ornamental trees and shrubs from dry winter winds and potential road salt injury can help you to improve overall plant health. Improving the overall health of the host plant can be one of the most successful ways to reduce the negative impacts (or deflect the attention) of destructive pest insects attracted to weakened plants.
As mentioned in “Fall Maintenance Practices for Landscapes” (https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/fall-maintenance-practices-for-landscapes) fall also offers an excellent opportunity to conduct pruning to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches of woody ornamentals. This selective pruning can allow for the removal of areas targeted by certain bark/wood boring insects.
Where there is interest and ability, leaving behind select undisturbed patches of habitat for overwintering pollinators and beneficial insects (small areas of leaf litter, dead twigs/stems, certain ground covers) is possible. These areas may be left near or adjacent to landscapes when safe and deemed unlikely to encourage pest insect populations in the given situation.
Woody ornamental insect and non-insect arthropod pests to consider, a selected few:
- Asian Longhorned Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, ALB: Look for signs of an ALB infestation which include perfectly round exit holes (about the size of a dime), shallow oval or round scars in the bark where a female has chewed an egg site, or sawdust-like frass (excrement) on the ground nearby host trees or caught in between branches.
The regulated area for Asian longhorned beetle is 110 miles2 encompassing Worcester, Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston, and parts of Holden and Auburn. If you believe you have seen damage caused by this insect, such as exit holes, on susceptible host trees like maple, please call the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program office in Worcester, MA at 508-852-8090 or toll free at 1-866-702-9938. To report an Asian longhorned beetle find online or compare it to common insect look-alikes, visit:http: //massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pests-diseases/alb/report.
- Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): Agrilus planipennis readily attacks ash (Fraxinus spp.) including white, green, and black ash and has also been found developing in white fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus). For a map of the known locations of emerald ash borer in the state, as well as further information about this insect, please visit: https://ag.umass.edu/fact-sheets/emerald-ash-borer.
- Winter Moth: Operophtera brumata adult emergence generally occurs around mid-November. Male winter moths have wings and are able to fly. They are light colored moths with a band of black marks extending across the tip of the wings. Adult female winter moths have greatly reduced wings (and are sometimes said to be wingless) and are incapable of flying. No management options are recommended or effective against the adult moth stage of this pest. Adult winter moths do not feed. Females will lay the eggs that will hatch next spring.
Concerned that you may have found an invasive insect or suspicious damage caused by one? Need to report a pest sighting? If so, please visit the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project: http://massnrc.org/pests/pestreports.htm.
A note about Tick Awareness: deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) are all found throughout Massachusetts. Each can carry their own complement of diseases. Anyone working in tick habitats (wood-line areas, forested areas, and landscaped areas with ground cover) should check themselves regularly for ticks while practicing preventative measures. Have a tick and need it tested? Visit the web page of the UMass Laboratory of Medical Zoology (www.tickdiseases.org) and click on the red Test a Tick button for more information.
Report by Tawny Simisky, Extension Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, & Urban Forestry Program
Management Practices
Plant of the Week: Aronia arbutifolia
Aronia arbutifolia is a great multi-season interest plant for shrub borders, woodland, naturalized, and wet areas. This deciduous multi-stemmed native shrub grows 6-10’ tall and 3-6’ wide (cultivars can be smaller). Plants can be suckering or colonizing, so root suckers will need removed to prevent spread. Plants have clusters of small, white flowers in early May. Leaves are shiny medium to dark green with fine serrations and are about 1/3 as wide as they are long (1.5-3.5” long). Aronia arbutifolia has great fall color with a mix of red and purple with some orange mixed in. The ¼” glossy red fruits (pomes) develop in clusters and are showy from September to December. Chokeberry is a great native alternative for the invasive burning bush. Best in groups and with other plants as plants can be leggy. Cultivars such as ‘Brilliantissima’ have been selected for superior ornamental features such as larger fruit and intense red fall color and are more commonly available in trade than the species.
Report by Mandy Bayer, Extension Assistant Professor of Sustainable Landscape Horticulture, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Additional Resources
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For a complete listing of upcoming events, see our Upcoming Educational Events page.
For commercial growers of greenhouse crops and flowers - Check out the New England Greenhouse Update website
For professional turf managers - Check out Turf Management Updates
For home gardeners and garden retailers - Check out home lawn and garden resources. UMass Extension also has a Twitter feed that provides timely, daily gardening tips, sunrise and sunset times to home gardeners, see https://twitter.com/UMassGardenClip
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
