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Jessica Schwartz
Sentinel Gardens: Growing Native Trees In Foreign Lands To Predict Invasive Threats
Imagine a young red oak growing in an open meadow, its limbs reaching towards the bright October sky. As fall sets in, its broad leaves are turning a scarlet hue. But this iconic tree isn’t growing in a New Jersey park or hardwood forest in Vermont. Rather, it stands conspicuously in a lush garden just outside of Nanjing, China. A growing network of gardens in East Asia, Europe, and the US cultivate tree species native to other parts of the world. These so-called “sentinel gardens” are more than just collections of exotic plants. They stand as the first line of defense for forests and may just uncover the next dangerous invasive pest or pathogen—the ones that haven’t yet arrived. Funding Sentinel Gardens “These trees are like a canary in a coal mine,” said Isabel Munck, plant pathologist with the Forest Service’s Northeastern Area field office. “They are out ahead of the threat and are providing us with important information about potential invasive species.” Invasive species of insects and fungi know no boundaries or borders. They devastate individual trees and large swaths of forests. As a result, the Forest Service is now partnering with research institutions in the US and abroad to grow sentinel gardens. It now funds and supports nine gardens on three continents: Asia, Europe, and North America. “Europeans have been using this approach to identify potential invasive species for some time,” said Beth Lebow, invasive species program coordinator for the Forest Service’s International Programs. “When we ...
Purdue’s Plant Doctor Helps Identify, Diagnose, & Report Pests
Now there’s a new tool to help diagnose landscape plant problems. The Purdue Plant Doctor website, co-created by Purdue University professors Cliff Sadof and Janna Beckerman, aids in diagnosing and managing thousands of plant health problems (insect, disease, and other biotic or abiotic conditions) on over 250 species of the most common Midwest land Northeast U.S. landscape plants. The website has thousands of accurately identified and curated, high-resolution color photos, and current recommendations to help educate yourself or your clients regarding important plant health management decisions. The website was also designed to have all its critical information and photos in a mobile friendly format—so it can be freely accessed, downloaded, and shared via text, email, or even on social media platforms. All of this can be done in a matter of minutes with a few short clicks. Plant ID & Making A Diagnosis The welcome page offers you the choice to enter what you think may be the problem, allowing you to by-pass the menu-based diagnosis process. If the plant name is entered into the text box, the site will provide a list of the most common problems affecting that host. Scrolling through the list takes you directly to the topic of interest. You can click directly on the type of host plant (broadleaf tree, shrub, vine; evergreen tree and shrub; flowers) if it is known. Doing so will enable you to be guided through a visual menu of plant hosts, with a diagnostic thumbnail to assist in correctly ...
How To Trap Spotted Lanternfly, Not Other Wildlife
One of the methods to help control the spotted lanternfly (SLF) invasion is having unintended negative consequences. According to officials fromNJ-based The Raptor Trust, glue traps being attached to tree trunks have been injuring and killing birds, according to an article posted in NJ.com. As of early August, The Raptor Trust had responded to 61 cases involving birds that were caught in glue traps — including 53 in June and July alone. Of these 61, 15 recovered and were released, 23 remained under care with injuries, and the rest died. “Once they’re in that trap, they’re struggling to get free,” Christopher Soucy, executive director of the non-profit Raptor Trust, told NJ.com. He noted that the birds suffer from “feather damage and abrasions, skin damage, as well as trauma and stress and shock.” “While the SLF is of great concern in our area, the unintended consequences of this method of remediation far outweigh its effectiveness, and in some cases the by-catch victims are they very things that might prey upon the lanternflies in the first place,” the bird rehabilitation group posted on its Facebook page. As a result, The Raptor Trust doesn’t recommend the use of glue traps. To protect birds and other wildlife, those using sticky bands should tack nylon window screening loosely around the band (seen at left) to prevent other creatures from getting stuck. Penn State Extension has a short video that shows how to properly use sticky bands. But there is a better alternative, say experts: a circle ...
Experts Predict Bad Year For Browntail Moth Infestations
The browntail moth has recently made a strong resurgence across the Northeast, according to sources at Arborjet | Ecologel. Experts predict this will be a bad year for the invasive insect, “possibly the worst it’s been in over 100 years.” The browntail moth was accidentally introduced into Somerville, MA from Europe in the late 1800’s. By the 20th century, the insect had spread to all of the New England states, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The Maine Forestry Department says that browntail moth populations are again building in Maine and in areas along the coastal northeast. The larval stage (caterpillar) of this insect feeds on the foliage of hardwood trees and shrubs including: oak, shadbush, apple, cherry, beach plum, and rugosa rose. This causes reduction of growth and occasional mortality of trees and shrubs. While feeding damage causes concern, the browntail moth’s primary impact on people results from contact with poisonous hairs produced by the caterpillars. Microscopic, toxic hairs break off the caterpillars and can be airborne or settle on surfaces. Sensitive individuals who encounter the hairs may develop a skin rash similar to poison ivy and/or have trouble breathing. “Timely treatment is even more important with the browntail moth than most other leaf-feeding insects because of the risk to humans posed by contact with their hairs,” says Rob Gorden, director of Urban Forestry and Business Development for Arborjet. “Treatments can be done in the spring when caterpillar larvae become active, as leaf expansion occurs, beginning in May into early ...
Three Tree & Shrub Pests To Watch
Last December, a CNN article declared 2020 as the year of scary bugs. But 2021 has perhaps been worse with the return of the infamous murder hornets, 17-year-dormant Brood X cicadas, spotted lanternflies, and more. Unfortunately, pests can sabotage the enjoyment of outdoor spaces. And 75% of people deemed outdoor spaces as indispensable this past year, according to a survey conducted on behalf of TruGreen by OnePoll. To ensure outdoor spaces remain a place of reprieve, here’s the latest information on some of the most problematic invasives that affect trees and shrubs. Emerald Ash Borer Originally from Asia, the emerald ash borer (EAB) was first discovered in the Detroit area around 2002. Strong flyers, they have since spread to 35 states (AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, Nebraska, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, VA, WV, and WI) and four provinces in Canada. Though half an inch long, the metallic green EAB causes great damage to the circulatory systems of green, white, and black ash trees. Adults emerge in late May (or earlier in warm weather), with females laying eggs shortly thereafter. Upon hatching, larvae quickly bore into the tree, feeding on the cambium and disrupting the tree’s vascular system. Feeding damage inhibits the tree’s ability to transport photosynthates, water, and nutrients between the roots and leaves, resulting in canopy thinning, branch dieback, and epicormic sprouting. Often, EAB presence and damage may not be obvious to clients ...
Finding Your Niche In The Market
How do you stand out from your competitors? Why should a homeowner call you before they call the other lawn and landscape maintenance company down the street? In many cities, there’s increased competition among landscaping and lawn care service companies. So, you need to stand out. Many green industry companies successfully diversify their business models to stay competitive. Majestic Lawn Care & Landscape In New City, NY, Majestic Lawn Care & Landscape, Inc. has been in business for over 26 years. The company’s President, Joe Holland, wears many hats in the company, including one as a certified arborist. Holland describes his business as a lawn and landscape business that provides tree care and removal services. He started a company back in the late 1980s that focused solely on trees. When he left that business, he opened Majestic Lawn Care & Landscape. Later, he included tree care services with the landscape and lawn maintenance services, which was a natural fit. “I started taking classes in tree care, and the next thing you know, I’m taking the arborist test. I learned a lot by going through the educational side ,” explains Holland. And he keeps up his certification by taking continuing education courses in tree care. “I knew the mechanics of trees, not the biology,” he says. Holland found that the tree care education opened his eyes and helped him appreciate trees more. “I’m not as quick to suggest removal anymore,” he states. Plus, Holland doesn’t have to subcontract out tree care ...
The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly: Know What To Do
By Christine Menapace Landscapers in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia need to be on the lookout for a new invasive insect, the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), or lycorma delicatula. Feeding on the sap of over 70 types of plants, the planthoppers cause significant damage and even death to ornamentals and nursery plants, as well as forestry and agricultural crops. Many areas where the insect has been found are now under quarantine and landscapers in these areas need to know the rules to avoid fines. Those in bordering areas are urged to help stop the spread of this destructive insect. Native to parts of Southeast Asia, the SLF was first identified in the U.S. in Berks County, PA in 2014. Since then, it has spread to 12 other counties in PA, including Monroe, Carbon, Schuykill, Lebanon, Lancaster, Chester, Montgomery, Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Philadelphia, and Delaware. In 2017, it was spotted in Frederick County, VA. Last year, three NJ counties, Mercer, Warren, and Hunterdon, were added to the list of quarantined areas. This past September, a single adult insect was found in both Albany and Yates counties of NY. In areas under quarantine, such as PA and NJ, movement of such things as yard waste, firewood, nursery stock, and other elements of landscaping are restricted. While the insect can only jump or fly short distances, they lay their eggs on any number of surfaces, such as trees, vehicles, and outdoor articles, and thus spread easily from human activity. So ...
