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Vol. 18, No. 15, August 8, 2003 In
this Issue |
Emerald ash borer has arrived in my area - what should I do? |
It's August 2003 and more people just found out that some ash trees in their city are infested with emerald ash borer. What can you do now (in late summer)? First, make sure that you have ash trees and not some other type of tree. Only ash trees will be attacked. If you are not sure, contact your local MSU Extension office for bulletin E-2892: Distinguishing ash from other common trees (Editor's note: This bulletin was inserted into the June 27 issue of this newsletter and can be printed from the Internet at: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/pdf/E2892Ash.pdf). Second, insecticide treatments are not likely to help dying trees. They will work best as preventive treatments to healthy ash trees. Finally, if you do have ash trees, you can treat them each year with insecticide or let emerald ash borer infest and eventually kill the tree. Treating your trees yourself or paying an arborist to treat them may be costly, and so is the cost of removing dead trees. Trees located between the sidewalk and street may be removed by the city or township you live in, but you will have to pay for the removal of trees in your yard. At this time, most infested ash trees are dying one to three years after the tops become thin from borer attack. Remember, if you decide to treat your ash trees with insecticide, they will need treating each year. Insecticide treatments options
for August For arborists or landscapers 2) Trunk injections of imidacloprid or bidrin. We can't say at this time which insecticide works the best. The optimum time for trunk injections is probably late May and June, but they should still work in July and early August as long as the trees are healthy (the insecticides will not move well if there is a lot of borer damage to the trunk). We know from our tests last year that trunk injections in late August and early September do not work well for trees already showing some canopy dieback. 3) Trunk and foliage sprays with Tempo (cyfluthrin), Talstar (Bifenthrin), Astro (permethrin), Sevin (carbaryl) or Orthene (acephate). The best timing for a trunk and foliage spray was late June and early July, when the beetles emerged. These sprays will not help at all after August 1. For homeowners 2) Trunk injections cannot be done by homeowners themselves except for the Acecap product. We do not know how well Acecaps work for emerald ash borer. 3) Trunk and foliage sprays with Orthene or Sevin. Optimum timing is late June and early July. There is no benefit to spraying in August. Looking ahead to next year How much does it cost to treat ash trees?
When is it too late to treat infested
trees? Resources: Michigan Department of Agriculture: www.michigan.gov/mda Michigan State University: emeraldashborer.info |
APHIS regulations and emerald ash borer |
Indemnification for growers who lost ash trees due to emerald ash borer (EAB) continues to be an issue. APHIS is currently accepting comments about new regulations related to cost-sharing arrangements in the event of an emergency, where a new pest or disease threatens the agricultural production of the United States. It seems logical that EAB would qualify as such a pest. The comment period is open until September 8. Either respond directly to the contact below, or send your comments to Amy Frankmann, MNLA at amyf@mnla.org, to be forwarded to APHIS. Please take advantage of the opportunity to voice your comments and concerns. APHIS is proposing new regulations that would establish criteria to determine the federal share of financial responsibility relative to states and other cooperators in an emergency in which an animal or plant pest or disease threatens the agricultural production of the United States. The increasing frequency of new pest and disease incursions, the variation in cost-sharing arrangements among past and present emergency programs, and constraints on Federal and State resources necessitate a more consistent and predictable approach to cost allocation among program participants. The cost-sharing arrangements provided in this proposed rule would apply to most emergency program activities, including the payment of compensation, that are authorized under the Plant Protection Act and the Animal Health Protection Act. This would include funding provided to respond to an emergency, as well as funding included in the annual budget request for ongoing actions previously funded through emergency authority. The intent of this proposal is to facilitate long-term
resource planning and funding decisions by both the federal government
and cooperators. Since infestations can have a national impact,
as well as affect state and local governments, industry, and producers,
and remedial actions will benefit all affected interests, there
needs to be a way to determine the appropriate allocation of responsibility
in combating these infestations. The purpose of this rulemaking
is to describe the criteria that would be used to determine the
appropriate levels of responsibility between the federal government
and cooperators. APHIS will consider all comments that we receive
on or before September 8, 2003. APHIS Contact: Kevin Shea, Director,
Policy and Program Development at 301-734-5136. Complete information
is available at the July 8 Federal Register: |
Emerald ash borer quarantine expanded |
To further contain and stop the spread of emerald ash borer (EAB), a one-year moratorium prohibiting the sale and movement of ash nursery stock from, into and within Michigan's Lower Peninsula, has been added to the state's EAB quarantine. A full review of this provision, slated for a year from now, will determine whether the nursery stock ban continues beyond one year. The revised quarantine, effective August 5, also: § Adds seven counties - Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Shiawassee, and St. Clair- to the existing quarantine of six Southeast Michigan counties; § Bans the movement of all firewood of ANY species from the now 13 quarantined counties; and § Further
prohibits the movement of any ash materials, including logs, branches
and other items unless chipped to 1 inch or less, and firewood of
any species, from within the core EAB-infested zone to anywhere
else in the quarantined area or state. (NOTE: Please see the map for EAB core zone and expanded quarantine area.) Based on survey
data and the pattern of EAB "outliers" that MDA has been gathering
and reviewing over the past few weeks, these actions were determined
necessary to help ensure Michigan is doing everything it can to
stem the spread of this destructive insect and protect valuable
ash resources. The emerald ash borer, a destructive exotic beetle from Asia that feeds on ash trees, was initially discovered in the summer of 2002 in six Southeast Michigan counties (Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne). These six counties were under the original state quarantine and will remain part of the expanded quarantined area. To date, EAB has killed or damaged almost six million ash trees in this six-county area. Since then, infestations of the borer have also been identified in Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee and St. Clair counties. Based on the method of infestation (artificially - either by transported landscape ash trees or ash firewood), survey data, geographic conditions and other information, these counties, along with Lapeer and Shiawassee, will be added to the quarantine. EAB has also been detected in small pockets of areas in Eaton, Kent and Saginaw counties. Based on the best information available to date, these sites will be treated and managed as isolated infestations that can be eradicated, unless further survey results determine that the borer is more widespread. Anyone who thinks they have inadvertently moved ash materials or firewood out of the new, expanded quarantined area, or who suspects an ash tree is infested that is outside of the quarantine, should report it immediately via the state's toll-free EAB hotline at 866-325-0023. For more information, including a copy of the revised
quarantine order and map, visit www.michigan.gov/mda
and click on "Emerald Ash Borer" in the Spotlight section. Other EAB information may be found by visiting
www.emeraldashborer.info,
or by contacting your regional MDA and DNR office or local Michigan
State University Extension office. |
Rust and red thread |
Has your white puppy or squeaky clean new school shoes been turning rusty orange/brown after tromping around the lawn lately? If so, your lawn is experiencing a good old case of the rusts. Now that we're in the dog days of summer, rust has become a common occurrence on many lawns. Wait a second, I thought rust usually became a problem in the fall? All across Michigan temperatures have been rather cool for what is usually a sweltering hot time of year. The cooler temperatures combined with timely rainfalls in some areas have led to the occurrence of rust on lawns. There are many different kind of rusts: stem rust, crown rust, leaf rust, stripe rust. In most cases, only an experienced turf pathologist would be able to distinguish between the different rusts or for that matter really care. What we're concerned about is what to look for and how to get rid of that rusty lawn look. If you're lawn appears yellowish from a distance and upon closer inspection of leaf blades reveals yellow to dark brown spores, you've got rust. The good news is that in all but the most severe cases simply keeping up on your mowing and applying fertilizer should stimulate the turf to outgrow the rust and return your lawn to the green oasis you want. Red thread Reseeding projects For example, seeding could be done on October 1 and it is likely that the seed would germinate and emerge from the soil. However, there just isn't much time for those young seedlings to establish at that time and the likelihood of winterkill will increase the later into the autumn you seed. If you're looking to brush up on some seeding tips please see my article in the April 4 issue. |
OOPS! Did I clean my spray tank? |
Every season homeowners injure their desirable landscape plants by not adequately or properly cleaning their pesticide sprayers. This year is no different. Plant samples and pictures were submitted to the diagnostic lab from a concerned, distraught homeowner following an application of two commonly used pesticides to his more than 30 fruiting trees and shrubs. The homeowner noticed leaf scorching and defoliation of his trees and shrubs as well as browning of the grass around them several days after applying an insecticide/fungicide mixture with a small lawn sprayer. Some of the plants injured included plum, cherry, apricot, apple, gooseberry, currant and grape. It is important to keep in mind that when multiple plant species have similar symptoms, the causal agent is usually abiotic. Abiotic agents could be related to the environment, site location, cultural reasons or chemicals that affect all plants in the landscape. A plant disease does not typically affect multiple plant species at the same time. It became apparent looking at the several plant samples and accompanying pictures that there was a contaminant in the spray tank - the contaminant most likely being glyphosate (RoundupŇ, KleenUp®, etc.). There were classic signs of direct application of glyphosate to the plants, sometimes missing the uppermost leaves of the tallest trees. There were also irregular-shaped areas beneath the plants symptomatic of glyphosate drift and/or where spray droplets may have naturally fallen. The availability, effectiveness, and usefulness of glyphosate make it a popular choice for homeowners to control unwanted grass and broadleaf vegetation in fencerows, along garden and landscape edges and in driveways. As with all pesticides, homeowners must follow appropriate cleanup procedures following an application - especially an application of glyphosate. There are several things that homeowners can do to ensure a clean sprayer for the next pesticide application, whatever that might be. To avoid the possibility of spray tank contamination, homeowners using small, economical pump-up type sprayers should have designated sprayers for herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. At the least, it is wise to have a "herbicide only" sprayer. If several different herbicides are being used around the house, then it is also recommended that these herbicides be used in separate sprayers. Follow these steps on cleaning
small, pump-up sprayers or larger, pull-type lawn sprayers 2) Thoroughly rinse down the inside and outside of the spray system with water. 3) Fill the spray tank half full of water. 4) Flush the tank, boom or hand wand, hoses and nozzles by operating the spray system until all rinse water is removed from system. 5) Remove nozzles and screens and clean separately. 6) Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times. Water is usually sufficient in cleaning the spray system. However, the use of household ammonia (1%) or a commercial tank cleaner may provide a more thorough cleanup. Ammonia + water should be used when cleaning 2,4-D or other common "3-way" broadleaf weed killers used in lawns. Never store herbicides in unmarked containers. Be sure to read and follow labeled directions on proper personal protective equipment, specific cleanup recommendations, and general directions of use. |
West Michigan Summer Nursery Tour |
The West Michigan Summer Nursery Tour will be held on Thursday, August 14 from 9:15 AM to 3:45 PM. The tour will begin at Zelenka Nursery, 16127 Winans, Grand Haven, Michigan with coffee and refreshments. Topics covered during the tour include: § MSU/IR-4 Project on Valent's new insecticide for container grown ornamentals by local MDA staff; § An update on emerald ash borer and European chafer by Dr. David Smitley; § Weed control trials for ash, black cherry, highbush cranberry, pin oak, rugosa rose and white oak seedlings by Dr. Rob Richardson; § Water quality management in the landscape nursery system by Deana Brigg and Dr. Bud Hart; § New groundwater laws and their impact on nurseries by Dr. Tom Fernandez; § Controlling fletcher scale biologically, one nursery's experience by Dr. David Smitley; § Surguard herbicide for taxus liners by Dr. Rob Richardson; § Use of cheese biosolids as a nutrient source for nursery fields by Dr. Lee Jacobs; § And an update on the alternatives to methyl bromide for perennial plant and nursery seedling production by Dr. George Bird and Diane Brown-Rytlewski. Tour stops included on the tour are Zelenka Nursery, Van's Pines Nursery, Northland Farms Inc., Michigan Evergreen Nursery and Sawyer Nursery Inc. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Greenstone Farm Credit Services at the Yellow Jacket Restaurant for those who register for the tour. For more information or to register for the tour, please contact Judy at the Ottawa County Extension Office at 616-846-8250. Registration deadline is August 12. For a map to the site, click here. |
Weather news |
In some parts of the world such as southern and eastern Asia, the bulk of the annual precipitation falls during a relatively short period of the year when available moisture is present near the earth's surface and upper air dynamics support convection. This precipitation is typically in the very repetitive form of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms on an almost daily basis. Given an almost stationary upper air trough with relatively cool air aloft over the Great Lakes region (which is associated with relatively unstable atmospheric conditions), Michiganders have had a chance to experience such monsoonal type climates recently. Scattered showers and thunderstorms have formed on a daily basis since late last week. Rainfall totals with this pattern have been extremely variable with some spots reporting more than 2 inches (and unfortunately in some areas, damaging hail as well) while in many other areas, totals were less than 0.25 inches. In the forecast the upper air trough is expected to edge eastward, but extremely slowly. This will set the stage for afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms through Friday (August 8), especially in eastern sections of Lower Michigan. Rainfall totals and a real coverage will likely remain very scattered at best, with most spots remaining dry. Temperatures for the next several days will remain at or a couple of degrees below normal. After the trough finally weakens and moves into New England by Saturday, fair weather is expected to develop and continue into the middle of next week. Further ahead, the NOAA medium-range forecast guidance suggests an eventual end to the current upper air pattern across the eastern U.S. For both 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks, covering August 12-16 and 14-20 respectively, temperatures are forecast to range from near normal in southern sections of the state to above normal in the north. Precipitation totals during the 6-10 day time frame are forecast to be near normal statewide while totals in the 8-14 day period are expected to range from below normal in western sections of the Upper Peninsula to above normal in the southern Lower Peninsula. New long lead outlooks |