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Bobcat Introduces TL623 Telehandler
Jessica Schwartz
Green Industry Team Answers Call To Treat 150 Ash Trees In Des Moines
SiteOne, Arborjet, and others joined forces in Iowa to treat trees against the devastation of emerald ash borer. The city of Des Moines, IA recently requested help to treat 150 ash trees that hadn’t been protected against emerald ash borer (EAB) for several years. Arbor Masters®, a provider for the city, volunteered assistance alongside SiteOne® Landscape Supply, Mirimichi Green, and Arborjet. EAB is an invasive beetle that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the U.S. since it first appeared in 2002. It was first spotted in Des Moines several years ago, leading to the removal of thousands of trees. “Like many communities, Des Moines has many well-established ash trees that should be preserved,” said Matthew McCarroll, national account manager at SiteOne. “This pest is impacting neighborhoods by taking memories and history when trees must be removed. It was important for us to come together as an industry to help the city maintain some of its tree canopy.” The treatments included root collar excavation and soil amendment with LESCO CarbonPro-G, a soil optimizer, among other products. Infected trees can be identified by thinning leaf coverage, yellowing leaves, canopy and bark loss, and D-shaped holes. The beetle’s larvae lay eggs in the cracks of the ash trees and feed on bark, killing the tree. SiteOne offers a range of products and expertise to prevent and treat pest outbreaks like EAB. For more Turf coverage on EAB, see: Three Tree & Shrub Pests To Watch The Tiny Champion Fighting Emerald Ash Borer ...
Finding Emerald Ash Borer: Watching Woodpeckers & Early ID
Robert Haight, a Forest Service researcher in St. Paul, Minnesota, has proposed a more strategic approach to saving ash trees: identifying beetle-infested trees before they show signs of damage. One way, he says, involves searching for woodpeckers. The emerald ash borer (EAB) hides its eggs in bark crevices and tunnels deeply within trees — invisible to humans, but not to woodpeckers. They pick at the tree’s bark, searching for tasty grubs. Along with other research colleagues from the Northern Research Station, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and the College of Saint Rose, Haight has developed a new model that combines a map of a city’s ash trees with a summary of their health. Multiple health categories denote unaffected, newly infested, and long-term infested trees. These highly specific categories improve upon previous models, allowing for more accurate forecasts of tree health. These forecasts help city planners economize EAB management. For example, they can decide where to protect healthy trees by inoculating them with insecticide and where to remove low-value specimens. Trees can endure infestations for a few years before exhibiting outward signs of damage, like yellowing leaves and dying branches. Once branches begin to die, insecticides may no longer prevent damage and death. Detecting vulnerable trees early gives arborists and others more opportunities for intervention. This new model, combined with other treatment options, informs and improves ash tree defense. Haight noted that tree care providers can track locations of potentially infested trees by searching for signs of the beetle ...
AzaSol® Now Available In New One Pound Size
Arborjet | Ecologel announces AzaSol, a bio-insecticide and insect growth regulator, is now available in a new one pound container. The new size is ideal for landscape professional use, including tree injection. AzaSol is a potent, 6% Azadiractin, non-oil based, powdered neem currently registered in all states. It is systemic and translaminar, and is OMRI Listed for organic use. It is a botanical, water soluble powdered insecticide, and growth regulator derived from the Neem tree. Through its patented production process, AzaSol provides an environmentally friendly insect control solution for trees, shrubs, gardens, vegetables, fruit trees, and herbs. It can be used as a spray, soil drench, tree injection or used through chemigation. Benefits of AzaSol include: No oily residue or clogging of equipment Won’t burn leaves or block photosynthesis Systemic & translaminar (absorbed through leaves) May be applied the same day as harvest AzaSol provides control for a wide variety of insect pests including: Whiteflies, Leafminers, Scale, Mealybugs, Thrips, Aphids, Psyllids, Bugs, Flies, Sawflies, Caterpillars, Beetles, and Weevils, Borers, Mole Crickets, Mushrooms Flies and Pests of Turf Grass. To read about Arborjet | Ecologel, click here.
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 ...
Two New Training Modules Available From PBI Gordon
PBI Gordon introduces the Atrimmec Plant Growth Regulator and Segway Fungicide SC modules to its library of FREE training courses. PBI Gordon Turf Training Program offers product knowledge training modules to simplify the training process through flexible online segments. These segments allow users to select and review specific products. Free upon registration, all modules are self paced and can be viewed in any order the user prefers as long as each module is completed and the user scores at least 80% on the accompanying quiz. The first new addition to the available training modules is the Atrimmec Plant Growth Regulator, which can be used for growth regulation of listed landscape plants and trees. The second new training course is for Segway Fungicide SC which can be used for control of Pythium Diseases on turf areas. Upon completion of both the Atrimmec and Segway Fungicide SC courses, users are rewarded 100 points for each. These points can then be redeemed for rewards through the site. More information on the rewards program can be found here. Founded in 2021, the PBI Gordon Turf Training Program began with eight original modules. These training modules include: Fungicides 101 Training, Kabuto® Fungicide SC, Katana® Turf Herbicide, Pedigree Fungicide SC, Q4® Plus Turf Herbicide for Grassy & Broadleaf Weeds, SpeedZone® EW Broadleaf Herbicide for Turf, Union® Fungicide SC, and Zylam® Liquid Systemic Insecticide. The program has since evolved, and now includes 12 modules. More on this program’s evolution can be found here. PBI Gordon, a 100% ...
Bans, Laws, & Legislation
Various state and local legislation coming down the pipeline stand to have large impacts on the Green Industry and the day-to-day operations of lawn and landscape businesses. Certain pesticides and gas-powered equipment are being targeted and debated in meeting halls, government offices, and courtrooms across the nation. Highly controversial, the bills are viewed as overdue eco-saving necessities by some and as non-science based, financially cumbersome, public health-risking, over-regulation by others. Unfortunately, many in the Green Industry find themselves in the unenviable position of appearing “anti-green” if they oppose such regulatory measures—measures that can greatly impact every aspect of their business, even its basic viability, overnight. Many lawn and landscape professionals, particularly when it comes to adopting battery-power, find themselves not opposed to the transition per se, but find the devil is in the timing, enactment, and details of regulation. “There are a lot of people trying to tell our story, but nobody tells it better than us,” says Brandon Sheppard, Weed Man Sub-Franchisor team member and operator of Weed Man franchises in Virginia, Maryland, and Alabama. “We want sustainability, too. But we must continue to focus on the science, not the emotions. We are not the bad guys as we are sometimes made out to be. We want cleaner air and safe green spaces for our kids—and for many of us, that’s what this industry is all about.” No matter where you fall in opinions or location, it’s beneficial to stay ahead of what’s happening and how it may ...
Bayer’s Landscape Pesticide Business To Be Bought By Cinven
Bayer and Cinven have entered into a definitive agreement regarding the sale of Bayer’s Environmental Science Professional business for a purchase price of $2.6 billion. Environmental Science Professional offers environmental solutions to control pests, diseases and weeds in non-agricultural areas such as vector control, professional pest management, vegetation management, forestry, and turf and ornamentals. In 2021, the business had approximately 800 employees supporting operations and sales in more than 100 countries. It is headquartered in Cary, NC. Bayer had announced its decision to divest the business in February 2021. “Driven by a shared belief in people and purpose, Cinven will enable the Environmental Science Professional business to advance towards its vision of healthy environments for everyone, everywhere. We are convinced by Cinven’s focus and its commitment to the long-term growth potential for the business and its people,” Santos said. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of this year. “Bayer’s Environmental Science Professional business is a global leader in a highly attractive and critical industry. We thank Bayer for the trust they have placed in Cinven and plan to build on the strong foundations established by Bayer by significantly investing in it,” said Pontus Pettersson, Partner and Head of Industrial at Cinven. “As a long established global investment firm, Cinven is well positioned to continue to drive innovation and accelerate growth at Environmental Science Professional, including the delivery of digital and data-enabled solutions, as well as make the business more agile in responding to the unique needs ...
Get Equipped: Pesticides And Fertilizers
Take a look at this assortment of pesticides and fertilizers that can add value to your professional lawn care and landscaping services. Finalsan® From Neudorff Finalsan® Herbicidal Soap is a fast-acting weed, grass, algae, lichen, liverwort, and moss killer. A non-selective herbicide, it controls and suppresses many common annual, biennial, and perennial weeds that grow around ornamental flowers, shrubs, and trees. The activity is non-selective, and the soap will kill plants it comes in contact with but will not translocate to underground portions of the plants or harm the bark of mature, woody plants. Finalsan works in lawns bordering gardens, in bark mulch, around planters, raised beds, and containers. It can be used in planting beds before planting, or on roofs decks, patios, walks, brick, and cement. Finalsan leaves no harmful residue in the soil, and people and pets can reenter areas as soon as the spray dries. It doesn’t stain bricks, concrete, or asphalt. ATS 22-04 From Advanced Turf Solutions ATS 22-0-4 50% XCU with Foliar-Pak Armament is a granular fertilizer enhanced with Armament technology, a patented, biodegradable nutrient enhancer that protects nutrient ions from interactions, antagonisms, and tie-up in the soil. Its highly negative charge unlocks nutrients that already exist in the soil and keeps them in a plant-usable form, capturing more cations. The result is increased nutrient uptake by as much as 30%, as well as deeper, stronger roots and improved plant resilience. Tissue tests have shown 9% higher nitrogen levels with Armament treatment—in addition to growth ...
Federal Legislation Aims To Ban Certain Pesticides
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® joined more than 350 pesticide user organizations this week, sending a letter to all members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives voicing support for the pesticide regulatory system currently in place under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) of 1972. The letter is in response to legislation S. 3283, or ‘Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act,” introduced in November 2021 by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). The bill’s aim is to amend FIFRA by removing certain pesticides from use, specifically: Organophosphate insecticides Neonicotinoid insecticides Paraquat Yet RISE says the legislation “would undermine the rigorous, science-based standards of FIFRA and threaten the availability of the safe and effective pesticide products that protect public health, pets, infrastructure, schools, waterways, green spaces, and food and agriculture production.” The proposed legislation would impact products and applications made for: vector control; protecting and enhancing homes and public places; for noxious and poisonous weed control; creating firebreaks and utility rights of way; protecting public infrastructure; and for controlling invasive and non-native species that harm native species and ecosystems. According to a statement from Booker’s office, “Each year, the U.S. uses over a billion pounds of pesticides — nearly a fifth of worldwide use.” It continued, “Approximately one-third of annual U.S. pesticide use — over 300 million pounds from 85 different pesticides — comes from pesticides that are banned in the European Union. The pesticide regulation statute… contains many loopholes that put the interests of the ...
Get Equipped: Pesticides
Take a look at this assortment of pesticides, fungicides, insecticides and more that can add value to your professional lawn care and landscaping services. EcoCore™ From Atticus Atticus, LLC has rebranded its professional non-crop market business to EcoCore™; “Chemistry at the Core of Environmental Wellness.” EcoCore herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides fight unwanted threats and contribute to the safety and comfort of people, the beautification of surroundings, and the protection of personal property and critical infrastructure. Maintain beautiful turf with EcoCore from Atticus. Based in Cary, NC, Atticus is an American-owned and independently operated company. Offering a broad and expanding portfolio of relevant, branded-generic products for the professional market, the company also delivers a reliable experience for turf managers. With its nimble approach and operational excellence, Atticus makes it easy to find foundational chemistry. Atticus holds independent technical active ingredient registrations that are supported with organizational agility and a continuous appetite for product development, which will push the EcoCore portfolio to expand for years to come. Keep turf in prime shape with products such as fungicides Artavia™ 2 SC and Detour™ 4 SC; herbicides Empero™ and Torocity™; and Talak™ 7.9% F insecticide. Kalida™ Fungicide From FMC The combined power of two active ingredients: Fluindapyr (a novel broad-spectrum succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide); and Flutrafol (next-generation DMI), Kalida Fungicide provides complete protection against a wide spectrum of tough diseases. As a foundation fungicide and geared to golf courses, Kalida provides rapid uptake, longevity, and controls tough diseases as a standalone or part of ...
