Landscape Message: September 23, 2016

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 October 6. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list.

NEW! To read individual sections of the message, click on the section headings below to expand the content:

---

Scouting Information by Region

Environmental Data

The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for an approximately two week period, September 8 through September 21. Soil temperatures and phenological indicators were observed on or about September 21. 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 (°F at 4" depth)		Precipitation (2-Week Gain)	Time/Date of Readings
	2-Week Gain	2016 Total	Sun	Shade
Cape Cod	249	2626	78	72	1.65	4:15 PM 9/21
Southeast	252	2481	67	64	0.42	10:15 AM 9/22
North Shore	277	2600	66	64	0.30	9:00 AM 9/21
East	287.5	2863	73	70	0.61	3:30 PM 9/21
Metro West	228.5	2582	66	64	0.95	6:15 AM 9/21
Central	2661	2661	65	64	1.65	2:32 PM 9/22
Pioneer Valley	271	2775	69	67	1.85	10:00 AM 9/21
Berkshires	237	2376	69	65	1.87	9:30 AM 9/21
AVERAGE	249	2626	78	72	1.65	-
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.
Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-Son Flower)	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	*
Clematis paniculata (Sweet Autumn Clematis)	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full
* = no activity to report/information not available

Regional Notes

Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)

General Conditions: The weather for this reporting period has been lovely with mostly mild and sunny days and warm nights. A cold front did give the Cape cool overnight readings of 49° F on the morning of the 16^th but temperatures rebounded and were in the low 80s by Sunday the 18^th. The dew points have been high, making it uncomfortable for physical work. The Cape received some long overdue rainfall on Monday the 19^th, with continuing scattered showers until the morning of the 20^th. Goldenrod is blooming along the roadsides. Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ continues to bloom in perennial gardens. Garden chrysanthemums are bursting at all the local garden centers.

Pests/Problems: Drought conditions continue to be the main problem in the landscape. There has been some confusion in the media lately, when a certain Town’s Water Dept. officials said that, in their opinion, the Cape wasn’t in a drought situation. They were referring to Hydrologic drought, which impacts water sources. The Cape’s aquifer is not impacted so far by the dry season. However, most of the Cape is definitely in an Agricultural drought, in which soil moisture levels have been severely impacted. The U.S. Drought Monitor now has most of the Cape listed as Severe Drought, with the area of Bourne and Sandwich near the Canal being listed as Extreme Drought. The latest map is available at http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA. Many plants are exhibiting marginal browning, premature leaf drop, or early fall coloration. Trees, shrubs, and perennials that were planted this season should continue to be watered regularly. The recent rainfall, while very welcome and needed, hasn’t broken the dry conditions.

Insect activity is very low. Wasps and yellow jackets are active. Powdery mildew can still be observed on phlox and beebalm.

Southeast Region (Hanson)

General Conditions: The last two weeks of summer remained warm, sunny and dry, except for 0.42 inches of rain on Monday, Sept. 19. Hanson, like many other towns in Southeastern, MA, did not receive the rain that was predicted, and hoped for. Most towns are, and remain, in an Extreme Drought designation, with most towns posting some form of water ban. Non-irrigated landscape plants continue to exhibit signs of drought through marginal leaf necrosis, leaf drop, wilt, premature ‘fall’ color, etc. Many trees, like oaks, did not fully refoliate after the defoliation from gypsy moth caterpillars.

Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-Son Flower), Albizia julibrissin, Butterfly bush, Rose-of-Sharon, roses, Campsis radicans, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea quercifolia, Actaea (Cimicifuga) simplex, Eupatorium rugosum, fall asters, Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed), Tricyrtis formosana ‘GiltyPleasure’, Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers’, Sedum sp., Japanese anemone, ornamental grasses, Corydalis lutea, goldenrod, Caryopteris divaricata, Coreopsis ‘Harvest Moon‘ and Phlox paniculata continue to bloom.

Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia syphilitica, Lobelia hybrids, Heliopsis ‘Summer Sun’, Helianthus 'Lemon Queen', Rudbeckia ‘Herbstonne' and Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm are ending bloom.

Autumn clematis is in full bloom. While this plant is not listed as a Massachusetts invasive plant, it certainly can aggressively seed into many areas around and away from where it is planted. If your clients want to avoid unwanted numerous clematis seedlings next year, shear the plants immediately after flowering and before seed set.

Hummingbirds appear to have left the area. Another sign that fall is here.

Pests/Problems: There are no new pest problems to report and insect activity is slowing down. The following insects remain active: lacebugs, sawfly larvae on various plants, wasps, hornet, aphids, spider mites, slugs and snails. Continue to monitor for hemlock woolly adelgid and continue to monitor for Asian Longhorned beetles on susceptible trees. (See Tawny Simisky’s Insect Report). Also, ticks and mosquitoes remain active and the diseases they are capable of passing along to you are daunting; continue to take precaution against ticks and mosquitoes and use a repellent.

Beneficial insects like lady bugs and their larvae also remain active.

Drought continues to be the biggest landscape challenge and if clients are planting trees and shrubs and are having lawns put in or renovated, remind clients that newly planted plants all need to be watered on a regular basis and grass seed will not germinate without moisture and the young seedlings will not be sustained without it. Education of clients is important.

Many plants in non-irrigated landscapes, especially perennials, are looking bedraggled and the landscape may benefit from early fall cleanups.

Deer, chipmunks, squirrels and turkeys continue to be a landscape nuisance.

North Shore Region (Beverly)

General Conditions: Summer like temperatures continued during this reporting period of September, with hot, humid and dry weather. Temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded for one day during this period. Average daily day time temperatures were in the 70s and 80s in the 50s and 60s during the night. Long Hill gained 277 growing degree days during this two week period. There has not been any significant amount of rain received during this period and the month of September. The rain event that occurred in most areas on Monday September 9, brought only 0.26 inch of rain to the area. The total rainfall for the month of September so far is 0.56. With the lack of significant rainfall, the soils remain dry which will affect the fall planting season. Woody plants seen in bloom include: Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), Blue mist shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis), Russian Daphne (Daphne x transatlantica) and Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha), Seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides), and Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). Herbaceous plants seen in bloom include: New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), Autumn joy sedums (Sedum spp.), Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida), Hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis) and Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Different kinds of annuals are also contributing color in landscapes.

Pests/Problems: Because of lack of adequate rainfall some plants are showing signs of drought stress such as yellowing and browning, premature leaf drop and early foliage color change. Powdery mildew (Microsphaera alni) is still being observed on some lilac varieties. Severeleaf margin burn was observed on Stewartia. Crabgrass and other weeds are thriving in the landscape. Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is in full bloom and continues to thrive on road sides and field borders. Mosquitoes have slowed down but they are still active at dawn and dusk. Ticks are also active.

East Region (Boston)

General Conditions: Despite three minor thundershowers passing through delivering a combined 0.13” and one full day of consistent precipitation on the 19^th amounting to 0.48”, we remain in an extreme drought according to the US Drought Monitor. We had a few fall-like cool mornings but conditions quickly returned to hot and humid. Despite starting the month of September with highs in the mid-70s over the first week, temperatures have since warmed reaching an average high of 80° F, having hit 93° F on the 9^th and reaching temperatures above 80° F on six occasions. Lows have averaged 61° F, dipping down to the high 40s on the 16^th and 17^th. Herbaceous perennials continue to dominate the majority of the color in the landscape: Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), A. tuberosa (butterflyweed), Caryopteris spp. (bluebeard), Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus), Echinacea purpurea (coneflower) and its cultivars, Eupatorium perfoliatum (common boneset), Hylotelephium spectabile [previously Sedum spectabile] (stonecrop) and its cultivars including H. 'Autumn Joy' ('Herbstfreude'), Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower), Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage) and its cultivars, Phlox paniculata (garden phlox), Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed susan) and its cultivars, Solidago spp. (goldenrod), and Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster). Hybrids and rose cultivars continue to flower and put on a show. Colorful fruit is visible on Chaenomeles sp. (flowering quince), Crataegus sp. (hawthorne), Ilex sp. (holly), Magnolia sp. (magnolia), Rosa sp. (rose), Sorbus sp. (mountain-ash), and Viburnum sp. (viburnum). Fall color has begun and is especially noticeable on Acer sp. (maple), Nyssa sylvatica (black tupelo or blackgum), and Phellodendron amurense (Amur corktree).

Pests/Problems: Lack of precipitation remains the primary concern in the landscape; early leaf drop is visible throughout the grounds. American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), black swallowwort (Cynanchum louiseae), and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) continue to flower, fruit, and disperse seed. Fireblight continues to appear on susceptible Rosaceous plants. Black spot is visible on roses. Powdery mildew can be seen on lilacs and young magnolia.

Metro West (Acton)

General Conditions: Summer isn’t over yet! The hot, humid and dry weather pattern has continued into September. The only relief is the cool night temperatures. Needless to say, soils are dry despite the recent rain. The Acton area gained 228.5 GDD during this two-week recording period and received 0.84” of rain. September’s average rainfall is 3.77” and a total of 0.95” has been recorded for the month so far. This summer’s lack of rain and hotter temperatures has taken much of the sting out of our flowering plants. Woody plants seen in bloom this week are Buddleia spp. (Butterfly Bush), Franklinia alatahama (Franklin Tree), Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-Son Flower), Hibiscus syriacus (Rose-of-Sharon), Hydrangea paniculata and its many cultivars including 'Tardiva', Rosa rugosa (Rugosa Rose), and R. 'Knockout' (The Knockout family of Roses). Woody vines in bloom are Campsis radicans (Trumpet Vine) and Clematis paniculata (Sweet Autumn Clematis). Contributing even more color and interest to the landscape are some flowering herbaceous plants including: Aster spp. (New England Aster, New York Aster, Smoother Aster, White Wood Aster), Cassia marilandica (Wild Senna), Chelone lyonii (Pink Turtlehead), Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower), Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed), Kirengeshoma palmata (Yellow Wax Bells), Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower), Patrinia gibbosa (Patrinia), Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage), Phlox carolina (Carolina Phlox), C. paniculata (Phlox)and its many cultivars, Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' (Black-Eyed Susan), Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Autumn Joy Stonecrop), S. ‘Rosy Glow’ (Stonecrop),and Solidago spp.(Goldenrod).

Pests/Problems: 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. Signs of plant stress are apparent in the landscape including premature leaf wilt, drop, discoloration, scorch, and early fall color. Powdery mildew is rampant on Monarda (Bee Balm), Phlox and Syringa (Lilac). Emergence season is upon us for the Asian Longhorned beetle so continue to check your trees for oviposition sites, frass, exit holes and the beetle. Monitor the 12 host genera: Acer (Maple), Betula (Birch), Ulmus (Elm), Salix (Willow), Aesculus (Horsechestnut), Fraxinus (Ash), Platanus (Plane Tree), Populus (Poplar), Sorbus (Mountain Ash), Albizia (Mimosa), Cercidiphyllum (Katsura) and Keolreuteria (Golden Raintree) for this invasive pest.

Central Region (Boylston)

General Conditions: Pleasant, summer-like conditions prevailed for most of the reporting period with a few periods of light rain on the 14th and 15th, and heavier rain on Monday, September 19th which persisted into the 20th. Cooler nights and much needed rain are welcome but the rain has not made a dent in the deficit for the year. Trees and shrubs in the area remain stressed and are coloring early or showing marginal scorching. Lawns have greened up again but are still showing signs of stress. Humidity has been high over the past several days. Seven Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) is in full bloom, Hibiscus syriacus cultivars continue to flower as does Blue Mist Shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis), and Caryopteris divaricata. Phlox paniculata cultivars continue to bloom and are joined by New England Asters, Sedum sieboldii, Chelone glabra, Gentiana clausa, Anemone x hybrida cultivars, Actaea ‘Brunette’. Clematis paniculata is in full bloom and Knockout roses are reblooming. Berries (Ilex verticillata, Viburnum dilatatum, Cornus amomum) are coloring up nicely.

Pests/Problems: Slugs and lace bug continue to be a problem. Woodchucks and chipmunks are currently the bane of the vegetable garden.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst)

General Conditions: Unseasonably warm weather has been abundant this reporting period as we enter the last week of September. Yet overall, high temperatures are only now reaching the upper 70s to low 80s throughout the valley. When the heat has spiked this month it’s nearly always accompanied by high humidity, but mixed in have been some absolutely spectacular days with cooler temperatures and dry air. Autumn has now officially started and with it comes the drastically shorter days. It’s now completely dark well before 8 PM and the sun is rising ever later in the morning. The change in photoperiod is already triggering senescence in many landscape trees and shrubs, especially those weakened by drought stress. While it’s always difficult to predict how well the autumn colors will appear this season, because of the drought we can most likely expect a shortened fall foliage season. We have experienced some cool nights over the past two weeks since our last report, with temperatures dropping into the upper 40s to low 50s. However, we haven’t even come close to a frost yet and the long-term forecast shows no indication that temperatures will drop into the 30s yet. Hopes for cooler and wetter conditions were partially satisfied on Monday, September 20 when the valley received a soaking rainstorm. Accumulations were mostly over an inch with some locations receiving almost two inches. While it wasn’t nearly enough to loosen the grip of this crippling drought the region has endured in 2016, it was legitimate rain and we’ll take whatever we can get at this point. Water use restrictions remain in place for many towns and cities including a complete ban on outdoor watering in Amherst. This season’s drought has highlighted the benefits of rain barrels in capturing storm water runoff. While they’re purely supplementary, if outfitted correctly even minor rain events can yield numerous gallons of water for vegetable gardens and ornamental beds.

Pests/Problems: Recently transplanted trees and shrubs may be senescing early due to the combined effects of transplant shock and the drought this season. These plants should continue to receive supplemental water late into the autumn season. Water use restrictions must be observed, but irrigation is required for recent transplants even after foliage is discarded for the season. Conifers like white pine and arborvitae will be naturally shedding older foliage soon. Due to the drought, the shedding may be more extensive than what is normally observed. Naturally senescing needles will turn yellow whereas those blighted by pathogens typically become brown. The recent rain and cooling soils may stimulate wood-rotting fungi to produce their annual to biennial fruiting bodies soon. Scout the base of large trees for these large, fleshy fruiting bodies which may indicate the presence of internal decay in the roots and lower trunk. Lacebug damage on andromeda, azalea and rhododendron is significant in certain locations. If insecticides are used to control this pest, care must be taken to avoid impacting pollinators. Skunks are very active digging in lawns for grubs. Rabbits and chipmunks continue to be abundant and an annoyance in the landscape, with the latter tunneling and accumulating food for the winter months.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington)

General Conditions: Some drought relief occurred on Sunday night, Sept. 18, and during the following day when 1.35 inches of rain fell at a steady rate. Despite the rain, soils just two days later have little moisture to show for it. Day time temperatures during the two week period covered by this report were well above normal, ranging from 70 to 87 F. Night time temperatures were also above normal except for the stretch Sept 12-16 when temperatures were in the low 40s, just a few degrees below normal. High humidity and cool nights frequently resulted in dense morning fog and heavy dew. Fall color is beginning to appear on a few plants, notably blueberries and Euonymus alatus but this color change may be due to the drought. Most of the color in the landscape is occurring in perennial flower borders with late blooming sedums, anemones, fall asters, Russian sage, and hardy Chrysanthemum species in bloom. Hydrangea paniculata has put on a prolific show of bloom from mid-summer and many cultivars continue to do so. This is one shrub whose blossoms age gracefully, gradually changing from bright white in summer to pink in late summer and early fall.

Pests/Problems: Drought continues to be the main topic of concern. Leaves on many trees and shrubs are turning from green to brown and dropping to the ground. Woody plants on normally drier sites are in some cases completely defoliated. Nevertheless, there should be plenty of fall color for leaf peepers. Plant pests are few and include red spider mite, oak lace bug (nymphs and adults), plant bugs, and adult stages of various scale insects. Nuisance pests which are active include wasps, yellow jackets, mosquitoes, eye gnats, deer ticks, and earwigs. Voles, rabbits, and chipmunks continue to dine on landscape plants but deer browsing is surprisingly infrequent at the moment. Home invading pests are beginning to march in. These include: lady beetles, Western conifer seed bug, box elder bugs, and spiders. The rain has not yet helped lawns recover from the long drought as many lawns are still brown or have large areas of brown turf.

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

Leaf browning and stem cankering of American holly (Ilex opaca) caused by Botryosphaeria. Tree is approximately 35-years-old and has been present at the site for 23 years. In the spring of 2015, winter injury was observed and over the past two growing seasons the canopy dieback has worsened. Tree is planted near a house and receives partial sun in the morning. Homeowner has been irrigating with overhead sprinklers, which is likely facilitating disease development and spread. Because the tree is mature tree and does not reside in full sun, supplemental irrigation is not required and wetting the dense canopy is providing free moisture necessary for spore germination and infection of host tissues.

Early leaf drop and canopy decline of red and sugar maple (Acer rubrum and A. saccharum) due to drought stress, girdling roots and deep planting. Row of residential street trees, approximately 25-years-old, in full sun with surrounding lawns. Root flares are not visible and girdling roots were observed near the base of the declining trees. Early leaf drop and canopy dieback has been observed for several years now.

Glyphosate drift injury on knockout rose (Rosa ′Radrazz′ KNOCK OUT). Approximately 300 seven-years-old plants are present at a condominium in full sun with drip irrigation. This spring, ground cover in the beds was removed using glyphosate and the drift seriously damaged the majority of the roses. New growth is stunted while older leaves are distorted and exhibit a mosaic pattern. There was also significant necrosis in the roots. Glyphosate is highly mobile in plants and would readily travel throughout the canopy and into the roots, causing damage.

Root decay caused by Armillaria on a mature privet (Ligustrum sp.) hedge. The privet hedge is over 30-years-old and has exhibited decline symptoms for six years. Specifically, foliage is wilting and prematurely shedding, branches are declining and dying leaving bare patches in the hedge and main stems exhibit open wounds. Photographs provided show that the hedge is sheared aggressively each year to maintain the current form. The annual wounding and lack of new growth weakened the plant’s defenses against Armillaria, allowing the fungus to cause considerable decay of the roots.   

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:

• Asian Longhorned Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, ALB adults continue to be active through the fall as the adult population tapers off for the winter. Look for the insect itself (a shiny black bodied beetle with white spots and long antennae with black and white bands) or 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 captured an Asian longhorned beetle or 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.
• Fall Home-Invading Insects: Various insects, such as ladybugs, boxelder bugs, seedbugs, and stink bugs will seek overwintering shelters in warm places, such as homes, throughout the next couple of weeks. While such invaders do not cause any measurable structural damage, they can become a nuisance especially when they are present in large numbers. If you are not willing to share your home with such insects, repair torn window screens, repair gaps around windows and doors, and sure up any other gaps through which they might enter the home.
• Redheaded Pine Sawfly: remains active at this time. This caterpillar-like insect is yellow with rows of black spots and a rust-colored head capsule. Clusters of these hymenopterans can be seen feeding on pines and will continue until the first frost. Inspect needle tips for clusters of larvae. Prune out or destroy with a gloved hand in the case of small infested areas. Spinosad is effective against these larvae, whether younger or older.
• Winter Moth Monitoring for Next Season: To make monitoring of winter moth egg hatch easier next season, tree bands can be set up in mid-late October (emptying them throughout the adult flight season) which encourages female winter moths to deposit eggs above and (primarily) below the tree band. These eggs can then be monitored next spring for the color change indicating hatch is fast approaching. Adults will emerge in November through January and mate and the flightless females will lay the eggs that will overwinter on host trees such as oak to hatch next spring. The use of these tree bands is recommended for monitoring purposes only, in order to plan management strategies directed at the caterpillars next spring. Although they may capture many adult winter moths in certain areas, these bands are not recommended as a management tool.

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: Acer griseum

Acer griseum is a slow-growing small tree reaching 20-30’ tall and 15-25’ wide. The common name, paperbark maple, comes from the exfoliating cinnamon red-orange to brown bark. The inner bark is a lighter tan.  Leaves are trifoliate, 3-5” long and leaflets being coarsely toothed. Leaves are green on top and a gray-green to blue-green underneath.  Fall color can be variable – sometime orange and red other times red-green or bronze-green.  Similar to other maples, the fruit of Acer griseum are winged samaras. Plants do well in full sun to part shade in a moist, well-drained soil. Propagation of the species is difficult, which contributes to low availability in trade. Acer griseum has no serious insect or disease problems. Great specimen tree or tree for small areas.

             

Report by Mandy Bayer, Extension Assistant Professor, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture

Other Relevant News/Pest Alerts

UMass Extension's Pest Identification Guide for Weeds, Insects and Disease of Ornamentals: Good identification of your pest problem is the first, key step to successful management! This photo guide has over 80 pages of clear color photographs for the most frequently encountered weed, insect, disease and non-pathogenic disorders of ornamental trees and shrubs in the Northeast.  https://www.umassextensionbookstore.com/products/27

---

Additional Resources

To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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