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Landscape Message: May 24, 2019 | Umass Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment 5/24/2019 Landscape Message: May 24, 2019 | UMass Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment Apply Give Search (/) LNUF Home (/landscape) About (/landscape/about) Newsletters & Updates (/landscape/newsletters-updates) Publications & Resources (/landscape/publications-resources) Services (/landscape/services) Education & Events (/landscape/upcoming-events) Make a Gift (https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1640/alumni/index.aspx? sid=1640&gid=2&pgid=443&cid=1121&dids=2540) (/landscape) Search the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment Search this site Search Landscape Message: May 24, 2019 May 24, 2019 Issue: 9 UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data. The Landscape Message will be updated weekly in May and June. The next message will be posted on May 31. To receive immediate notication when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list (/landscape/email-list). To read individual sections of the message, click on the section headings below to expand the content: Scouting Information by Region ag.umass.edu/landscape/landscape-message-may-24-2019 1/18 5/24/2019 Landscape Message: May 24, 2019 | UMass Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment Environmental Data The following data was collected on or about May 22, 2019. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments for the 2019 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. Soil Temp GDD Precipitation MA Region/Location (°F at 4" depth) Time/Date of Readings (1-Week Gain) 1-Week Gain 2019 Total Sun Shade CAPE 59 130 61 56 0.01 12:00 PM 5/22 SOUTHEAST 67 167 60 55 0.16 3:00 PM 5/21 NORTH SHORE 72 179.5 60 55 0.37 1:00 PM 5/21 EAST 72.5 207 67 59 0.46 5:30 PM 5/22 METRO 60 179.5 56 52 0.8 7:00 AM 5/22 CENTRAL 72 204.5 60 51 0.35 1:00 PM 5/22 PIONEER VALLEY 73.5 219 61 55 0.27 12:30 PM 5/22 BERKSHIRES 62 192.5 58 55 0.36 10:00 AM 5/22 AVERAGE 67 185 60 55 0.35 - n/a = information not available Phenology INDICATOR PLANTS - STAGES OF FLOWERING (BEGIN, BEGIN/FULL, FULL, FULL/END, END) PLANT NAME (BOTANIC/ CAPE S.E. N.S. EAST METRO W. CENT. P.V. BERK. COMMON) Deutzia spp. * * * * * * * Begin (Deutzia species) Enkianthus * Begin/Full Begin * * * Begin Begin campanulatus (redvein Enkianthus) Rhododendron Begin/Full Begin/Full Begin/Full Begin Begin * Begin/Full Begin carolinianum (Carolina Rhododendron) Aesculus Begin/Full Full Full Begin/Full Begin/Full Begin/Full Begin/Full Begin/Full ag.umass.edu/landscape/landscape-message-may-24-2019 2/18 5/24/2019 Landscape Message: May 24, 2019 | UMass Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment hippocastanum (common horsechestnut) Rhododendron Begin Full Full Begin Begin/Full Begin/Full Begin Begin catawbiense (Catawba Rhododendron) Elaeagnus Begin/Full Full Full Begin/Full Full Full Full Begin umbellata (autumn olive) Spiraea x * Full * * * * Begin * vanhouttei (Vanhoutte Spirea) Rhododendron Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Begin/Full spp. (early azaleas) Syringa vulgaris Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full (common lilac) Cornus orida Full Full Full Full/End Full Full Full/End Full (owering dogwood) Malus spp. Full Full Full Full/End Full/End Full/End End Full (crabapple) * = no activity to report/information not available Regional Notes Cape Cod Region (Barnstable) General Conditions: The average temperature during the period from May 15 – May 22 was 57˚F with a low of 42˚F on May 16 and a high of 75˚F on May 20. Overall, the period has been sunny and dry - a stark contrast to recent past weeks. The favorable work conditions are being taken advantage of by most rms which are working from dawn to dusk to catch up. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions remain adequate. Newly planted material should be watered due to the drying winds and bright sunlight. Pests/Problems: Winter moth is still feeding on susceptible hosts, no defoliation is expected. Other insect pests or damage seen this week include Hydrangea leaftier on Hydrangea arborescens, Lecanium scale on oak, boxwood psyllid on boxwood, and boxwood leafminer (just about to emerge from leaves) on boxwood. The dry weather is a blessing as it will slow what was looking like a banner year for diseases. Disease symptoms or signs seen over the period include Volutella blight on boxwood, macrophoma leaf spot on boxwood, Iris leaf spot on Iris, coral spot nectria canker on Acer palmatum, brown rot on Prunus spp., anthracnose on dogwood, and anthracnose on sycamore. Numerous white pines in the upper Cape region developed winterburn-like symptoms over the last week, especially those with south facing exposures. Weeds in bloom include mouse ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), dandelion (Taraxacum ocinale),garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), ivy leaf ag.umass.edu/landscape/landscape-message-may-24-2019 3/18 5/24/2019 Landscape Message: May 24, 2019 | UMass Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment speedwell (Veronica hederifolia), common blue violet (Viola papilionacea), creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), old eld cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex), cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) and yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris). Crabgrass has begun to germinate. Southeast Region (New Bedford) General Conditions: Warmer days are here. Day temperatures have been in the 60’s and 70’s. Evening temperatures dipped down to 41˚F. It looks as though it’s safe to put out our tender annuals with the disclaimer to keep an eye on night temperatures. This week’s rainfall only amounted to 0.16”, so keep an eye on newly planted trees and transplanted plant material, they may need supplemental watering. Syringa and Quercus are in full bloom. Warmer season bulbs like Alliums are also beginning to reach full bloom with these mild, sunny days. Butteries are active. Pests/Problems: Dandelions and cress are going to seed. Garlic mustard is owering. Slugs and snails are active on Hosta. Ticks, mosquitoes and blackies are active. Boxwoods are covered in aphids and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is active. North Shore (Beverly) General Conditions: Seasonable spring weather continued during this reporting period. Most of the days during this period were beautiful with clear sunny skies. Only three days were overcast with light rain showers. Temperatures during this reporting period were variable with most day temperatures ranging from a low of 60˚F to the high 60s. The highest temperature during this reporting period, 83˚F, was recorded on May 20. Night temperatures were mostly in the low 50s except on May 20th when the temperature did not go below 66˚F. Approximately 0.37 inches of rainfall was recorded at Long Hill during this period. Lawns are green and there is plenty of color in the landscape. Woody plants seen in bloom include: silver bell (Halesia carolina), Wright Viburnum (Viburnum wrightii), handkerchief or dove tree (Davidia involucrata), hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata), beach plum (Prunus maritima), large Fothergilla (Fothergilla major), dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii), Wisteria (Wisteria oribunda), pearlbush (Exochorda racemosa), redvein Enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus), owering dogwood (Cornus orida), redbud (Cercis canadensis), little leaf lilac (Syringa microphylla), common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), common horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Carolina Rhododendron (Rhododendron carolina), Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense), crabapple (Malus spp.), and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Herbaceous plants seen in bloom include: honesty plant (Lunaria annua), yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon), blue eyed Mary (Omphalodes verna), Vinca vine (Vinca major), water forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris), barrenwort (Epimedium rubrum), Trilliums (Trillium spp.), Corydalis (Corydalis lutea), bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis), rue Anemone (Anemonella thalictroides), and tulips (Tulipa spp.) Pests/Problems: The larvae of Viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) are getting larger and starting to cause damage on the leaves of susceptible Viburnum cultivars. Leaves are starting to get skeletonized. Some type of foliar blight, perhaps anthracnose, was observed on a weeping cherry tree. Weeds seen in bloom include: dandelion (Taraxacum ocinale), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) and blue violet (Viola spp.). Due to the relatively warmer temperatures, ticks and mosquitoes are very active. Make sure you apply repellents before going to work outdoors. Make sure you also remove any standing water to prevent mosquito breeding areas. (/sites/ag.umass.edu/les/pest- alerts/images/content/viburnum_leaf_beetlte_larvae._photo_by_georey_njue.jpg) (/sites/ag.umass.edu/les/pest-alerts/images/content/viburnum_leaf_beetlte_larvae._photo_georey_njue.jpg) (/sites/ag.umass.edu/les/pest-alerts/images/content/foliar_blight_on_cherry_tree._georey_njue.jpg) (/sites/ag.umass.edu/les/pest-alerts/images/content/foliar_blight_on_cherry_tree_2._georey_njue.jpg) ag.umass.edu/landscape/landscape-message-may-24-2019 4/18 5/24/2019 Landscape Message: May 24, 2019 | UMass Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment East Region (Boston) General Conditions: Over the past week we received several cool damp days including the tenth consecutive Friday with precipitation. We received 0.46 inches of rain over the last seven days. Temperatures varied with a daytime low of 59˚F on the 15th and a high of 86˚F on the 20th. We gained 72.5 GDDs over the past week, bringing us to 207 for this year’s total so far. Plants are putting on lush growth and much is in bloom throughout the landscape.
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