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Multi County April 2021 Volume 14, Issue 4 • INSIDE THIS ISSUE: TheThe Tung Tung Tree INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The tung tree, fordii, is native to Termites & 2 Thesouthern tung China, tree, VerniciaBurma, and fordii, . is native In their to CogongrassTermites & 2 Cogongrass southernnative China, environment Burma, and these Vietnam. can growIn their as tall as Garden Calendar 3 native environment60 feet. In South these Mississippi, trees can thesegrow trees as tall are oftenas GrowingGarden Loquats Calendar in 4 3 60 feet. seenIn South along Mississippi,roadsides and inthese home trees landscapes are often and South Mississippi tend to grow no taller than 40 feet. Tung trees Growing Loquats in 4 seen along roadsides and in home landscapes and HummingbirdsSouth Mississippi 5 tend to growhave simpleno taller than that 40 may feet. be eitherTung hearttrees-shaped or have three -like lobes. They can be easily OnlineHummingbirds Master 6 5 have simpleidentified leaves by thata pair may of red be glands either where heart the-shaped Gardener Training Tung tree leaves and blossoms or have threemeets maplethe .-like lobes. They can be easily CarnivorousOnline PlantsMaster of 7 6 identified by a pair of red glands where the leaf MississippiGardener Training of the tung tree are just over an Tung tree leaves and blossoms meets theinch petiole. across and pale pink with streaks of darker red QuickCarnivorous Bites Programs 8 of 7 at the base of the petals. The flowers bloom in Mississippi Flowers of the tung tree are just over an CONTACT early spring and due to the attractiveness of the INFORMATIONQuick Bites Programs 8 inch acrossflower and and pale the pinkearly withbloom streaks they were of frequentlydarker red at the baseplanted of the as ornamentals.petals. The Tungflowers trees bloom produce in a large Forrest CountyCONTACT Phone: (601) 545-6083 early springwoody, and pear due-shaped to the attractiveness which is initially of the green Email: [email protected] but turns dull brown as it ripens. Though the tree and the early bloom they were frequently George County planted asis veryornamentals. attractive, all Tung parts treesof the produce are toxica large and Phone: (601)Forrest 947-4223 County should not be eaten. Leaves of the tree can also Email: [email protected]: (601) 545 -6083 woody, pear-shaped berry which is initially green cause irritation resulting in a rash similar to poison Email: [email protected] but turns dull brown as it ripens. Though the tree Hancock County ivy. The nuts of the tung tree are able to last a Phone:(228)George 467-5456 County is very attractive, all parts of the plant are toxic and Email: [email protected] significant time on the ground making them very Tung Nut Phone: (601) 947-4223 should notsuccessful be eaten. at spreading. Leaves of the tree can also HarrisonEmail: [email protected] Phone: (228) 865-4227 cause irritationTung resulting trees werein a introducedrash similar into to Mississippi poison in the early 20th Century with Email: [email protected] County ivy. The nuts of the tung tree are able to last a Phone:(228) 467-5456 the intention of establishing their production as a sustainable industry. Oil from tung Email:Jackson [email protected] County significant time on the ground making them very Phone: (228) 769-3047 trees has been used to waterproof , in and ,Tung Nut making adhesives, Email: [email protected] successfulas wellat spreading. as in insulators for electric wires. Tung oil is also used as a drying agent for Harrison County inks and after processing, as a motor fuel. Tung oil trees were once referred to as the LamarPhone: County (228) 865-4227 Phone Email: : (601) [email protected] Tungmost profitabletrees were cash introduced crop grown into in its Mississippi climactic area in andthe aearly godsend 20th for Century Gulf Coast with Email: [email protected] the intentionfarmers of seekingestablishing a replacement their production crop for large as areasa sustainable of cut-over industry. pine. Commercial Oil from tung Jackson County PerryPhone: County (228) 769-3047 trees hasproduction been used of to tung waterproof oil trees in wood,the United in paints States beganand varnishes, in the early making 1900's with adhesives, the Phone: (601) 964-3668 Email:Email: [email protected] [email protected] as well ascenter in insulators of production for beingelectric the wires.panhandle Tung of Florida oil is andalso between used as Poplarville a drying andagent for inks andPicayune, after processing, Mississippi. as Productiona motor fuel. of tung Tung oil treesoil trees remained were important once referred for Coastal to as the Pearl RiverLamar County County Mississippi through the late 1960s. Hurricane Camille in August of 1969 resulted in Phone: Phone(601) 403 : (601)-2280 794-3910 most profitable cash crop grown in its climactic area and a godsend for Gulf Coast Email: [email protected]: [email protected] the destruction of as much as 40,000 acres of tung trees. This, combined with farmers seeking a replacement crop for large areas of cut-over pine. Commercial Stone County increased labor costs and competition from importers led to the end of large scale Phone: (601) Perry928-5286 County productiontung of tree tung production. oil trees Tungin the trees United were Statesgrown inbegan Stone in County the early in the 1900's mid-1990s with but the Email: [email protected]: (601) 964 -3668 the largest orchard, located near Lumberton, MS was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina Email: [email protected] center of production being the panhandle of Florida and between Poplarville and Picayune,in Mississippi.2005. At the time Production that orchard of producedtung oil 20trees percent remained of the domesticimportant supply for Coastalof tung Pearl River County oil. Phone: (601) 403-2280 Mississippi through the late 1960s. Hurricane Camille in August of 1969 resulted in Email: [email protected] the destructionChristian of as much Stephenson, as 40,000 Ph.D., acres C.A., of tung Co. Coordinatortrees. This, &combined Extension with Agent Stone County increased laborMSU costs-ES and Hancock competition County from importers led to the end of large scale Phone: (601) 928-5286 tung tree production.Phone: 228Tung-467 trees-5456 were grownE-mail: in [email protected] County in the mid- 1990s but Email: [email protected] the largest orchard, located near Lumberton, MS was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At the time that orchard produced 20 percent of the domestic supply of tung oil. Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination in university employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Compliance and Integrity, 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839. ChristianExtension Service Stephenson,of Mississippi State University, Ph.D., cooperating C.A., with U.S. Co. Department Coordinator of Agriculture. Published & in Extensionfurtherance of Acts of AgentCongress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director MSU-ES Hancock County Phone: 228-467-5456 E-mail: [email protected] Garden Calendar: April Page 4 Planting Divide Violets, Shasta Daisies, Liriope, Ajuga, Mums and other Perennials. Plant Okra, Melons, Peas, Corn, Beans, Eggplant, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes. Set out Basil. Set out summer annuals if danger of frost is past: Ageratum, Allysum, Begonias, Geraniums, Dianthus, Celosia, Marigolds, Moss Rose, Petunias, Impatiens, Coleus, and Caladiums. Plant summer and fall blooming bulbs: Callas, Cannas, Dahlias, Gladiolus, and Gloriosa Lilies. Sow Zinnias for early summer blooms.

Fertilizing Fertilize Tomatoes with 10-10-10

Pruning Remove any freeze-damaged and dead wood. Prune Azaleas during or after blooming. Remove faded flowers from Kurume Azaleas. Prune flowering shrubs after they finish blooming. If pruning can be done while the shrub is flowering, the trimmed off parts can be brought indoors for floral displays. Disbud roses and peonies for specimen flowers.

Mulch Always mulch in new plantings to help assure success.

Miscellaneous National Arbor Day is the fourth Friday of April.  andRoss repair gardenOverstreet, furniture and Co. other Coordinator/Extension hard construction (bird bath, bird Agenthouses, mailbox, deck, etc.).

Buy AzaleasMSU in -bloomES Lamar to be sure County of color. Page 5 Page 2Phone: (601) 794-3910 E-mail: [email protected] Eddie Smith, PhD. Co. Coordinator/ Extension• Agent Eddie Smith, Ph.D., C.A., Co. Coordinator & Extension Agent MSU-ES Pearl River Lawn County Care LawnsPhone:MSU are - nowES(601) beginningPearl 403-2280 River to show County Espring-mail: growth. [email protected] Be careful not to push the grass by forcing early growthPhone: with lots (601)of fertilizer. 403 If-2280 fertilizer E is-mail: put on [email protected] early, it will feed winter weeds and not the turf. A good rule of thumb to follow is to mow your lawn twice before fertilizing. Typically this begins in April in the coastal counties and into May moving Termites northward. This is when you should begin to fertilize your lawn. A soil test is recommended to determine your soils nutrient levels. TermitesFertilizer areanalysis active are 365 listed days on a year,the bag but as we percentages tend to be ofmore Nitrogen, mindful Phosphorous, of them and inPotassium the spring (N because-P-K). this is when they swarm. Having large numbers of termite swarmers emerge inside a building is a sure sign the building is infested and needs to be professionallyIn order to treated. convert It theis also fertilizer a good product idea to you be alerthave foravailable signs of into termite units of nitrogen, divide the desired amount of nitrogen by the percentage of nitrogen found in the product you have available. For example, for most applications you infestation when doing home repairs or maintenance2 or when working in flower beds aroundwill want the to foundation apply 1 pound of a building.of nitrogen It isper even 1000 more ft . importantDivide the to desired know when1 pound your by the percentage of that nutrient found in the product, .13 in the case of a 13-13-13 product. (1lb N/.13 N=7.69 lbs of actual fertilizer product to equal 1 pound house was last treated for termites. of nitrogen).Swarming termites are attracted to light at night. In the spring when termites are swarming,Along youwith can fertilizer prevent applications, attracting the cutting swarms heights by turning are important off external for healthy lights grass. Cutting grasses that need to be aroundleft tall youris a common home. Limiting mistake. theChoose internal an evenlights higher will also cut helpfor grass keep in the shade. swarming Sharpen your mower blade before the season termitesand at least from once trying a month to enter while your the home. turf is actively growing to ensure a quality cut which can help prevent disease and insect damage.If you don’t Replace have that an oldactive oil withtermite new contract and stale on gasyour with home fresh or beforeat least you have start a your mower this spring. record of when the house was last treated, it is probably time to have the house Recommended cutting heights for the different turfgrasses are: treated. See Extension publication 2568, Protect Your House from Termites, for informationCommon Bermudagrass on how to recognize: 1½ inches signs ofHybrid termite Bermudagrass infestation and: 1 for inch answers Zoysiagrass: to 1-1½ inches commonCentipede/Carpetgrass: questions about 1½ termite-2 inches treatments. St. Augustinegrass: 2½-3 inches For shady areas raise the mower deck another ½ inch for all species Heath Steede, Co. Coordinator/ Extension Agent MSU-ES George County Phone: (601) 947-4223 E-mail: [email protected]

Cogongrass If you have been on the road in the past few weeks unless you were driving with your eyes closed you have seen lots of white feathery plants in the ditches. This noxious weed called (Cogongrass) is a major problem in southeast Mississippi. Cogongrass has no nutritional benefits and is detrimental to forage crops and hinders the growth of timber. Cogongrass is most commonly seen in pastures/hayfields, wooded areas and roadsides. The easiest time to identify the weed is now when it’s blooming and in the winter while it is dormant. Now of course it can be identified by the white feathery-like heads. It also typically grows in a large circle, and during the winter it has a color that is different from surrounding dormant grasses. The most effective form of treatment is through the use of herbicides. The use of Roundup (Glyphosate) or Arsenal (Imazapyr) solution twice a year where cogongrass has surfaced seems to be the most effective. These products can be found in many different brand names but the active ingredient of (Glyphosate) or (Imazapyr) is what you should seek. The first of those two applications should be a spray mix containing 0.6 fluid ounces of herbicide per gallon of water, which should be applied just before flowering starts in late April or early May. The second spray should be a heavier dose applied in September or October four to six weeks before the first frost with a spray mixture that contains 2.6 fluid ounces per gallon of Roundup or 1.3 fluid ounces per gallon of Arsenal. There is more flexibility if you’re using Arsenal, in terms of when that application can be made. The downside of using Arsenal is if you have hardwood vegetation close to the treatment zone, you may kill the hardwoods. It won’t damage pine trees, but it can hurt hardwoods. There has never been a major concern that the cogongrass may invade agronomic crops, such as cotton, corn, peanut or soybean. Rather, the greatest threat is for no-till crops, such as timber, pecans and blueberries. Cogongrass is a major problem in areas where there is little to no soil disturbance. If you are vigilant in fighting cogongrass with herbicides you can usually gain effective control on your property but this will be an ongoing battle. Page 3 • Garden Calendar: April

Planting •Divide Violets, Shasta Daisies, Liriope, Ajuga, Mums and other Perennials. •Plant Okra, Melons, Peas, Corn, Beans, Eggplant, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes. •Set out Basil. •Set out summer annuals if danger of frost is past: Ageratum, Allysum, Begonias, Geraniums, Dianthus, Celosia, Marigolds, Moss Rose, Petunias, Impatiens, Coleus, and Caladiums. •Plant summer and fall blooming bulbs: Callas, Cannas, Dahlias, Gladiolus, and Gloriosa Lilies. •Sow Zinnias for early summer blooms.

Fertilizing •Fertilize Tomatoes with 10-10-10

Pruning •Remove any freeze-damaged and dead wood. •Prune Azaleas during or after blooming. Remove faded flowers from Kurume Azaleas. •Prune flowering shrubs after they finish blooming. If pruning can be done while the shrub is flowering, the trimmed off parts can be brought indoors for floral displays. •Disbud roses and peonies for specimen flowers.

Mulch •Always mulch in new plantings to help assure success.

Miscellaneous •National Arbor Day is the fourth Friday of April. •Paint and repair garden furniture and other hard construction (bird bath, bird houses, mailbox, deck, etc.). •Buy Azaleas in bloom to be sure of color. Page 4 Tim Ray, C.A., Co. Coordinator & Extension• Agent MSU-ES Harrison County Phone: (228) 865-4227 E-mail: [email protected] Growing Loquats in South Mississippi Loquats originated in central and southern China. Although it is a fruiting tree in areas with subtropical or Mediterranean climates, it is often planted as an ornamental in regions with colder temperatures. Since loquats are not grown on a large scale in Mississippi, availability may be limited. Space loquat trees about 25 feet apart in full sun. The tree has a short trunk and a rounded canopy. Pruning will maintain a desired tree height and shape. Unpruned trees can reach heights of 20 or 30 feet, whereas pruned (topped) trees will stay between 6 and 12 feet tall. The leaves are in whorls and are thick, evergreen, and large, growing up to 15 inches long. Loquat leaves Well-drained soils with slightly acidic pH are necessary for loquat trees. Since mature trees are in some stage of growth year-round, they should be fertilized three times per year, once just before bloom, once after harvest, and again in early summer. A common fertilizer such as 8-8-8 will suffice. A mature tree can require 10 to 15 pounds of fertilizer per year. It is always best to perform a soil test first to better determine the fertilization needs of your specific site. Loquat trees do not need a lot of water; in fact, overwatering will hurt the trees. Mature trees need water during extended dry periods and when the is developing. Young trees should be watered Loquat fruit more frequently to ensure survival. Flowering occurs in the fall and early winter. The flowers are white, fragrant, and arranged in panicles that may contain up to 100 individual flowers. The timing of flower production is problematic for fruit production in Mississippi. Temperatures below 27°F can kill both flowers and fruit. The tree itself is far more tolerant of cold temperatures, as it can survive temperatures down to 10°F, but leaves may suffer damage at this temperature. Insects pollinate flowers for fruit production. Loquats are self-pollinating, meaning one single tree can produce fruit, but as with many A loquat can add color and texture fruiting trees, cross-pollination improves the number, size, and quality of to your landscape. fruit. Fruit production is irregular in Mississippi, but the fruit is excellent for jams and pies if it can be harvested. A mature tree can be very productive, producing 100 pounds of fruit or more per year. Expect fruit production to begin when trees are between 5 and 10 years of age. Private Applicator Training in Harrison County Harrison County Extension will host a Private Applicator Training for those who wish not to do so online. A private applicator is defined as an individual who is at least 18 years of age and who is producing an agricultural commodity on his/her land or on rented land. The training will be Wednesday, April 14th at 1:00 p.m. Our office is located at 9229 Hwy 49 in Gulfport. Parking and the office entrance are in the back of the building. Please call our office in advance at 228-865-4227 as space may be limited due to university guidelines. The costs is $20 per individual. Page 5 • Christian Stephenson, Ph.D., C.A., Co. Coordinator & Extension Agent MSU-ES Hancock County Phone: 228-467-5456 E-mail: [email protected] Hummingbirds Hummingbirds are attractive and interesting visitors to Mississippi gardens. They are extraordinarily agile fliers, and watching them fly swiftly or hover around the backyard can provide hours of enjoyment. Hummingbirds get their name from the sound made from the rapid flapping, about 80 times per second, of their wings. Hummingbirds have a long tapered bill that is used to obtain nectar from flowers. Hummingbirds are among the smallest of birds, with most species measuring 3-5 inches in length. The smallest is the bee hummingbird, which is just over an inch long and weighs less than a penny. Hummingbirds are native only to the Americas and range from southeastern Alaska to Southern Chile. Of the more than 300 species of hummingbirds, only 21 can be found in North America, with most remaining in the tropics year round. While several species of hummingbirds can be found in Ruby Throated Hummingbird Mississippi, the only species that breeds in the eastern is the Ruby Throated Hummingbird. Other hummingbirds may occasionally winter in coastal Mississippi or may be found here in small numbers during the spring and fall. Other species seen in Mississippi include the Rufous Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird and Allen's Hummingbird. The majority of hummingbirds found in the United States migrate south to Central and South Black Chinned Hummingbird America in the winter. Providing feeders for hummingbirds is the easiest way to attract them to your garden. Many feeders are available commercially along with nectar. Hummingbird nectar can also be made by mixing one part refined sugar to four parts water and boiling to dissolve the granules. While hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, and red in particular, it is not necessary to add food coloring to the nectar mixture for hummingbird feeders. Feeders should be cleaned and changed regularly, particularly in hot weather. Keep in mind that male hummingbirds are territorial, and so placing feeders in several areas around the garden will provide for more hummingbirds. In addition to nectar, hummingbirds also feed on small insects and spiders, so avoid use of insecticides in the garden when possible. Plants can also be chosen to provide food for hummingbirds. Flowers favored by hummingbirds are tubular in arrangement or shape, scentless, brightly colored, and easy for hummingbirds to hover around. Examples of good plants for hummingbirds include annuals such as begonias, petunias and zinnias, and perennials such as bee balm, cardinal flower and lantana. Azaleas, red buckeye, and butterfly bush are amongst the shrubs favored by hummingbirds. Water sources for hummingbirds are also important. They may take in as much as eight times their body weight in a single day. Add small rocks to existing birdbaths to provide space for hummingbirds. The addition of a mister is also a good source of water. Page 6 2021 Online Master Gardener• Training

Registration opened March 1 for the newest class of Master Gardeners, who will receive their training online this year.

Master Gardeners are expert volunteers trained and certified in consumer horticulture and related areas by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. In exchange for 40 hours of educational training, participants are required to return 40 hours of volunteer service within one year of their training.

This year, all Master Gardener instruction is online and self-paced. The class begins May 1 and closes June 30.

The cost is $125 for those who want to become certified Master Gardener volunteers and provide 40 hours of service. For $200, a home- gardening course is available for those not interested in the volunteer service. Non-volunteer participants can pay $25 per class for select classes if they prefer. These individual classes are available year-round.

Registration is open from March 1 until April 15. Register for the training and learn more about the Master Gardener program at http:// msuext.ms/mg.

Master Gardeners are an asset to the communities where they live and serve. After the first year’s 40-hour community service requirement is met, Master Gardeners continue to receive training and log a minimum of 20 community service hours a year to maintain their certified status. Projects they work on support their local county Extension offices and benefit their communities.

The volunteer work of Master Gardeners helps local Extension offices reach a broader audience than is possible with existing Extension agents. Volunteers help extend the educational arm of the university to the public by providing horticultural information based on university research and recommendations.

Master Gardener volunteers experience the personal satisfaction of serving their community, gaining horticultural expertise and connecting with their local gardening community.

MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation or questions about the Master Gardener program, please contact Jeff Wilson at (662) 566-8019 or [email protected]. Page 7 • Evan Ware, C.A., Extension Agent MSU-ES Jackson County Phone: 228-769-3047 E-mail: [email protected] Carnivorous Plants of Mississippi

Most of us are familiar with pitcher plants that are native to boggy areas along the Gulf Coast. The distinctive tubular leaves in bright tones of yellows, reds, and whites are hard to miss if you have ever visited a pine savanna. Insects are attracted to pitcher plant leaves, and once an insect is inside the tube-shaped leaf, downward hairs prevent them from being able to escape. Captured insects are decomposed by digestive enzymes in fluid held at the base of the tube. The insects serve as a source of supplemental nutrients for carnivorous plants since the wet and acidic environments of pine savannas are lacking in nitrogen and other nutrients. Pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts, and butterworts are the four types of carnivorous plants native to Mississippi, and they all inhabit similar environments. While a pitcher plant would be hard to miss in your garden, dwarf sundews are small, red plants that grow horizontally across the ground. These smaller and lesser-known plants are easy to miss if they are hidden between patches of grass. You may be able to see them better under sunlight, as the leaves have droplets on the ends of them that reflect and sparkle under the sun. The The long tube-shaped leaves of pitcher plants help entrap insects droplets on the leaves are secretions that trap insects and needed for supplemental nutrition. release digestive enzymes to break the insects down for nutrients. You’d be surprised at how many requests for identification of sundews have come through the Extension office. Their presence and unique appearance can be alarming if you don’t know what they are. Sundews will not outgrow a healthy turf, but if you have low-lying areas conducive to their growth, you may notice them in your lawn. If you see them in your lawn, it may not be the best environment to grow turf. Instead of trying to get rid of Sundews can be difficult to spot due to their small size, but have intricate structures on them, why not enjoy our native flora? closer inspection (Photo credit: Sturgis McKeever, Georgia Southern University, Bugwood.org) • Quick Bites April 2021

Quick Bites programs are offered through the Mississippi State University Extension Service and provide information in a wide variety of topics through Zoom. The programs are held during lunch (12-1 pm) on Thursdays. Sessions will be held in Bost 409 for those who are on campus. Contact your county office for more information.

For County Offices: Counties may sign up via the Zoom registration link if they plan to host a program within their office area according to the current face-to-face numbers and meeting space guidelines. Or, counties may make the registration link available to their clients for the individual client to view the programs from their personal computers. Individuals will register for each program and will receive the program link automatically upon registration completion. April 1 April 8 It’s April!! How Business Owners Can Utilize the Lynette McDougald, Instructor Mississippi Small Business Development Plant & Soil Sciences Center Website April! Our Own Special Earth Day! Celebrating the Chip Templeton, Director Out-of-Doors! Yards and gardens; highways and MSU Small Business Development Center byways. Growing and collecting for floral design The MS SBDC is a tremendous no-cost resource for projects will be the focus of our April program. small businesses in our state. Chip will showcase the website & explain the various opportunities Zoom Registration Link: that business owners can take advantage of for live and on-demand workshop events, resources, http://msuext.ms/qb2021-04-01 & how to obtain one-on-one business counseling. This resource can help those planning to open a business or need assistance with their current April 22 business for next steps.

Diseases & Disorders in Vegetable Zoom Registration Link: Gardens Clarissa Balbalian, Diagnostic Lab Manager, http://msuext.ms/qb2021-04-08 Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology April 29 & Plant Pathology What’s next now that you have your garden Weed Control planned? This program will focus on prevention Dr. John Byrd, Extension/Research Professor and identification of possible diseases in your Plant and Soil Sciences home garden. Spring has arrived and everything around us is blooming, including the weeds… Join in as Dr. Byrd Zoom Registration Link: identifies what weeds are growing and what to do about them. http://msuext.ms/qb2021-04-22 Zoom Registration Link:

http://msuext.ms/qb2021-04-29 Developed by the Extension Center for Technology Outreach We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.