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 June 17. 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 one week period, June 2 through June 8. Soil temperatures and phenological indicators were observed on or about June 8. 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 |
||
|
1-Week Gain |
2016 Total |
Sun |
Shade |
|||
|
Cape Cod |
183 |
414 |
75 |
61.5 |
0.20 |
5:18 PM 6/8 |
|
Southeast |
104 |
439 |
75 |
64 |
0.80 |
5:30 PM 6/8 |
|
North Shore |
97 |
404 |
63 |
60 |
1.46 |
11:00 AM 6/8 |
|
East |
118 |
494.5 |
70 |
67 |
1.10 |
5:00 PM 6/8 |
|
Metro West |
111.5 |
454 |
62 |
60 |
1.32 |
5:40 AM 6/8 |
|
Central |
110 |
539 |
60 |
61 |
n/a |
12:00 PM 6/9 |
|
Pioneer Valley |
118 |
522 |
70 |
64 |
1.34 |
12:00 PM 6/8 |
|
Berkshires |
118 |
453 |
68 |
61 |
1.28 |
10:00 AM 6/8 |
|
AVERAGE |
120 |
465 |
68 |
62 |
1.07 |
- |
|
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. |
| Catalpa speciosa (Northern Catalpa) | * | * | * | * | * | * | Begin | * |
| Syringa reticulata (Japanese Tree Lilac) | * | Begin | * | Begin | Begin | * | Begin | Begin |
| Cladrastis lutea (Yellowwood) | * | * | * | * | Full | * | * | * |
| Philadelphus spp.(Mockorange) | Begin | Full | Full | Full | Full | * | Begin/Full | Begin/ Full |
| Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood) | * | Full | Full | End | Full | * | End | Begin/ Full |
| Cotinus coggygria (Common Smokebush) | Begin | Full | * | Full | Full | * | Full/End | Full |
| Kalmia latifolia (Mountain-laurel) | Begin | Full | Begin/Full | Begin | Full | * | Full | * |
| Hydrangea anomala petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) | Begin | Full | * | Begin | Full | * | End | Begin/ Full |
| Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust) | Full | Full | Full | End | Full | * | End | * |
| Kolkwitzia amabilis (Beautybush) | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | * | Full/End | Full |
| Weigela florida (Old Fashioned Weigela) | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | * | Full/End | Full |
| Deutzia spp. (Deutzia species) | Full | Full | Full | Full | * | * | Full/End | Full |
| Syringa meyeri (Meyer Lilac) | Full | End | Full/End | End | Full / End | * | End | Full/End |
| Rhododendron catawbiense (Catawba Rhododendron) | Full | Full | Full/End | Begin/Full | Full / End | * | Full/End | Full |
| * = no activity to report/information not available | ||||||||
Regional Notes
Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)
General Conditions: This reporting period’s weather fluctuated between mild and sunny and slightly cooler and overcast. While rain threatened at times, the Cape only received less than a quarter of an inch and soils are dry. Pine pollen is still casting a yellow dust over everything but is beginning to lessen. Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) and Alternate leaf dogwood (C. alternifolia) are in full bloom. In the perennial garden, Bearded hybrids Iris and Siberian iris (Iris siberica) are blooming, along with many species and cultivars of the hardy geranium (Geranium spp.) Dandelion is past bloom but Hawkweed (Hieraceum spp.) is beginning to bloom.
Pests/Problems: The lack of good rainfall is beginning to be of concern. Be sure to water in all newly planted landscape materials and monitor for dry conditions in landscapes.
In areas where defoliation is continuing, the culprit is gypsy moth caterpillars, which are in the 4th and 5th instar. The “epicenter” for the Cape is Nickerson State Park in Brewster, but there are hot spots in most towns. In the Rt. 28 corridor between Mashpee and Hyannis, one can observe defoliated oaks right next to oaks with seemingly full canopies. In home landscapes, they are feeding on a variety of ornamental plants, including River Birch (Betula nigra), Roses, and Winter hazel (Corylopsis spp.). Lily leaf beetle larvae are in the 4th instar and are large and covered with frass. Rose slugs are about ¾” long and feeding on both surfaces of the foliage. Azalea sawfly larvae are still active on deciduous azaleas. Earwigs are skeletonizing newly planted annuals.
Azalea gall is beginning to sporulate and should be removed when observed. Apple scab and rust spots are beginning to show up on susceptible crabapples. Sycamore anthracnose is active. Red thread has been observed in lawns.
For those with clients who have vegetable gardens, both Colorado and old fashioned potato beetles are active. Colorado potato beetles are laying bright orange egg masses on potatoes and tomatoes. Cucumber beetles are skeletonizing foliage of cucumbers and squash. Asparagus beetle adults and larvae are present on asparagus.
