Vol. 68 No. 11 • News Edition A Publication of the American Horticultural Society November 1989

Using a Beneke shearing machine, Virginia grower AI White carefully prunes and shapes one of his 50,000 Christmas trees on a hot summer's day.

Front Royal-Warren Sentinel photo by Ginger Perry The Business of Christmas

f you have ever thought that grow­ For White the Christmas year begins seedlings purchased from the Virginia ing Christmas trees might be an in early March, when he plants State Forestry Service. He has planted undemanding part-time occupation, thousands of two-year-old white pine as few as 6,000 seedlings, but in recent I think again It's a commitment that requires year-round attention and nonstop effort during the holiday season. It's also extremely competitive In This Issue and ties up capital for many years. AI White, owner of the Glen Manor A Christmas Tree Farm 1 All-America Selections Christmas Tree Farm in Front Royal, · 12 Vrrginia, started his Christmas tree busi­ Members' Forum 4 Growing Shiitakes · 14 ness in 1979, three years before he retired from the U.S. Department of Education. Saving the Chestnut 6 Gardener's Q&A · 15 Inspired by a national Christmas tree growers' conference, he researched the idea Building a Mist Bench 8 Gardener's Bookshelf · 16 of starting a tree farm to keep him busy Rehousing House Plants 9 Gardener's Dateline · 18 during retirement. Today he and his partners--brother-in-Iaw Stuart Rudacille Regional Notes 10 AHS Bulletin .20 and sons Mark, Steve, and Jeff White-are all kept busy by their thriving 50,000-tree Sod ...... 11 Classifieds .22 £ann. ''It's a full timejob now," he chuckles. years has been planting 10,000 every In 1986 White lost all 10,000 seedlings American spring. Although he rents a planting due to drought. However, in some machine to reduce labor, "somebody years, severe losses can be caused by Horticultural Society still has to hold the seedling over the too much rain. hole," he notes. OFFICERS 1989·1990 Several times a year, he must spray the Mrs. Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, President AdvertiSing and Marketing Mr. John H. Whitworth Jr., trees with herbicides, fertilizers, and in­ 1s t Vice President secticides, and in summer, there is the One aspect ofthe business that would-be Mrs. John M. Maury, 2nd Vice President never-ending chore of mowing the grass growers rarely think about is how to Mr. Richard C. Angino, Secretary between the trees. Because the expense market and sell the trees. ''It's a Mr. Richard J. Hutton, Treasurer far outweighs the benefit, Christmas competitive market," says David Mr. Everitt L Miller, Immediate Past President trees are not irrigated, and grass that Baumann, associate executive director might rob them of moisture and for the National Christmas Tree BOARD OF DIRECTORS nutrients must be constantly cut down. Association in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Richard C. Angino, Harrisburg, PA "It forces growers to become marketers." Mr. George W. Ball Jr., West Chicago, IL A few years ago, that wasn't necessary; Dr. Sherran Blair, Columbus, OH Summer Shearing Mrs. Benjamin P. Bole Jr., Cleveland, OH consumers would practically knock down Mr. J. Judson Brooks, Sewickley, PA In the middle of summer, just when a grower's door and beg for good trees. Dr. Henry M. Cathey, Washington, DC Christmas is furthest from most minds, But while the business of producing plan­ Mr. Russell B. Clark, Boston, MA the enormous task of tree shearing tation-grown trees is less than 30 years Mrs. Erastus Corning II, Albany, NY begins. Between June 15 and July 15, old, it has now matured to the point that Mrs. Ann Lyon Crammond, Atlanta, GA all 50,000 trees must be pruned and . there is an overabundance of high Mr. Edward N. Dane, Boston, MA trimmed to produce a compact shape quality trees, Baumann said. Mrs. Beverley White Dunn, and to encourage the central leader to Around Thanksgiving, White mails Birmingham, AL branch. With only 30 days to complete flyers to past customers. "I have heard Mr. K. Albert Ebinger, Boxford, MA Mr. Richard J. Hutton, West Grove, PA this task, White enlists the help of his other people advertise on the radio and Mr. Stephen F. Keating, Wayzata, MN partners, family, and part-time I may do radio someday too," he says. Mr. David M. Lilly, SI. Paul, MN employees. This two-step process The Glen Manor Farm sells to both Mrs. Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Rochester, NY requires small hedge clippers, shearing wholesalers and retailers, and part of Mrs. John M. Maury, Washington, DC knives, and a battery-operated Beneke the farm is devoted to a "choose and Mr. Elvin McDonald, Brooklyn, NY shearing machine. As one person trims cut" field where families can select a Mr. Everitt L. Miller, Kennett Square, PA back the central leader of the tree with tree and cut it down themselves. Many Mr. Frank L. Robinson, Springfield, VA shearing knives, another uses the growers draw customers by staging Mrs. Jane Scarff, New Carlisle, OH Beneke to trim the side branches and holiday festivals at the farms. Mrs. Virginia Urschel, Montecito, CA Mr. Andre Viette, Fishersville, VA shape the tree into an inverted cone. Mrs. Helen Fulcher Walutes, Although time is short and the staff A Full-Time Business Mount Vernon, VA must work swiftly, they must also Mr. John H. Whitworth Jr., New York, NY concentrate to avoid accidents with the Because of this overproduction, Mrs. Jean Verity Woodhull, Dayton, OH sharp knives and tools. Baumann advises anyone contemplat­ ing entering the market within the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tagging and Harvesting next five years, at least, to think long Mr. Frank L. Robinson and hard about where their trees Several weeks later, mature trees are would be sold. AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST measured and tagged with colored rib­ If you are going to produce quality EDITOR: Kathleen Fisher bon to denote height so that staff can trees, you can't think of it as a hobby, ASSISTANT EDITORS: easily spot and cut specific trees in agrees W.T. Francisco, president oithe Peggy Lytton, Mary Beth Wiesner December when filling an order. Most Virginia Christmas Tree Growers EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Martha Palermo ofthe trees White sells are from six to Association. "It's a full-time business DESIGN DIRECTOR: nine feet tall; a few taller ones are sold and you need time to devote to the Rebecca K. McClimans for commercial display. Christmas-tree business." Before you plant your first MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: growing ties up capital anywhere from seedling, he advises, take about two Kathleen B. Amberger years to research the business, analyze ADVERTISING: American Horticultural four to 12 years, depending on the Society Advertising Department, SO South species involved. It takes White's two­ the cost and time factors, visit state Early Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22304. year-old pines six to seven years to and national meetings, and create a Phone(703)S23-6966. reach salable height. sound business plan. Cull trees-too scrawny or misshapen Fortunately, there is help available to Address all editorial correspondence to : The Editor, American Horticulturist, American Horticultural for living room display-are cut and both new and long-time growers. The Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, used for wreaths and greenery. National Christmas Tree Association Virginia 22308. AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. ISSN 0096·4417. is published by the American Horticultural Because of the added labor and has plenty ofliterature, business and SOCiety. 7931 East Boulevard Drive. Alexandria. Virginia expense in making wreaths, cull trees marketing information, plus yearly 22308. (703) 768-5700, and is issued six times a year as realize less of a net profit than living meetings for people to meet fellow a magazine and six times a year as a news edition. The American Horticultural Society is a nonprofit organization room specimens, and some trees are a growers and to learn the latest tech­ devoted to excellence in horticulture. Botanical nomencla­ total loss. Of the 10,000 seedlings he niques. State affiliates of the national ture in AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is based on HORTUS TH IRD. National membership dues are $30; plants each spring, White expects association also provide cultural assis­ two years are $55. Foreign dues are $40. $12 of dues are about 20 percent to be lost to dryness tance and business advice. Two state designated for AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1989 by the American Horticultural SOCiety. or insects (seedlings are particularly agencies, the State Forestry Service Second-class postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia and at susceptible to moisture loss). The los­ and the State Extension Service, pro­ additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form vide advice and solve cultural problems 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, 7931 East ses may be even heavier in years of Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22308. severe drought or insect infestations. for growers in their areas.

2 • American Horticulturist · November 1989 Left: Rows of perfectly groomed conifers bring promises of satisfied customers and happy Christmases. Right: Protected by knee guards, field workers must trim the trees carefully yet swiftly.

Although the Northwest is the artificial trees are manufactured in highest producing region of the Asia. The business not only aids the country, all 50 states have plantation­ U.S. economy by providing 100,000 Fall Prevention for grown Christmas tree farms. Hybridiza­ jobs and taxes from $1.2 billion in tion of pine trees has allowed income, but it also benefits the environ­ Scales and Mites Christmas tree production to extend ment. Christmas tree production uses into Southern states such as Florida, more than one million acres in the Dormant oils, a means of controlling Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas. United States and benefits the environ­ scales and mites on trees and shrubs, Southerners may have to shear trees ment by replenishing the oxygen have traditionally been applied in the twice a year and insects may be more supply, increasing soil stability, and early spring. But you can opt to spray of a problem, but these trees have sig­ serving as a wildlife habitat. in the fall once your plants are no nificantly increased the nation's supply -Peggy Lytton longer actively growing. of live trees. The national association Formed from petroleum products, oils estimates that over 35 million trees suffocate scale and mite eggs but do not will be sold during the coming AHS will be selling white and Scotch harm plants except maples and Christmas season. This is an increase pine trees from Al White's Farm evergreens, which are sensitive to older, of over 890,000 trees since last during the Christmas Open House at traditional dormant oils, says Jeffrey Christmas and, if the estimates prove River Farm. Hahn, entomologist with the University true, this year will be a record breaker. If you are interested in starting your of Minnesota's Extension Service. Of those, 90 percent will have been own business contact the National "There are some newer, more refined grown in this country specifically for Christmas Tree Association at 611 dormant oils that are much less harm­ Christmas and 10 percent will have East Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53202; ful to sensitive trees," said Hahn. been raised on Canadian farms; most (414) 276-6410. "Unfortunately, these dormant oils are not readily available at this time." When you spray, he said, it is impor­ tant that the temperature is around After the Holidays 50' F. Spraying when the temperature is too warm will cause burning; cold • Christmas trees can be placed in your back yard to be used as weather will cause adverse reactions. bird feeders. Just one application in the fall will • Trees can be shredded into mulch for the garden. Remember, fresh wood help prevent a heavy infestation of must decompose sufficiently before being applied to plants. scales or mites next summer. Dormant • Needles can be used for potpourris, floral arrangements, and aromatic oils are an inexpensive preventative pillow stuffing. and the older types are available at • Large quantities of trees can be used for effective sand and soil erosion. major nurseries. They are also easy to • Trunks can be carved into trinkets, buttons, and ornaments. use; just remember to read the label • Live trees (balled and burlapped) can be planted in the yard after directions and not to spray plants that Christmas or donated to a charitable organization. are still flourishing.

American Horticulturist · November 1989 + 3 Members' Forum

has conducted much of the research on Is Vinegar Toxic? Can we clarify a story this dogwood anthracnose since it was first observed about 10 years ago, said I found your July News Edition most for you, get more that he has seen two cases on Cornus interesting and helpful, particularly kousa, but in both cases, the trees were the article on mycorrhizal fung:i. I have information, or pass exposed to excessive moisture. In one, ordered the "Nutri-Link" product the trees were subject to overhead irriga­ mentioned in the article from Smith & along a gardening tip? tion, and the others were on an ocean Hawkin to give it a try. I have als0 site similar to Mrs. Hill's. been using the Nitron enzyme formula Let us know! "I would still recommend them as a that you have advertised. good substitute for florida," he said. One item on page 16 in the article "A Anthracnose on Comus kousa Being resistant means that while the Sour Note" particularly caught my eye. trees may show some symptoms, their It states that ascetic acid (vinegar) is a To my great regret, this letter is the reaction to the fungus should be mini­ toxic substance. bearer of bad news. Comus kousa, grow­ mal, except perhaps where they are My major horticultural interest (obses­ ing in my allee of 30 trees at Barnard's exposed to very wet conditions. sion actually) is bonsai. Most of my trees Inn Farm, has definitely been attacked A plant pathologist in the Mid­ were all staying alive and growing but by the Discula organism. Kousa dog­ Atlantic region said that alarm over the they were not as vigorous as I thought wood can no longer be considered anthracnose there seems to be spread­ they should be and just did not ''look immune to dogwood anthracnose. ing faster than the fungus itself Dis­ right." After much thinking about the To be sure, all signs were favorable cula has remained confined to the problem, I finally traced it to watering this spring for the disease to develop mountains in that region and has not them with municipal water. The utility on Martha's Vineyard. My trees were spread to any new counties, he said. Of maintains the pH at a constant 8.3 to stressed due to years of drought, 284 samples their lab was asked to prevent corrosion in the mains. This is prolonged far into this late spring. The check for Discula, only 20 were positive. apparently the standard practice 1989 weather through April, May, and He said it has been a bad year for spot everywhere. All of my pots checked out June 15 was cold, damp, gray, and anthracnose, which causes leaf drop decidedly alkaline and I began trying to "late." So when the leaves and flowers and defoliation similar to Discula, but find a way to neutralize my water. were unfolding, Discula was there and does not infect the wood. I first used a liquid soil acidifier, but coming on strong. it is terribly expensive and rather Richard Bir of North Carolina State 'Greenhouse' Impact? messy to use and contains so much sul­ University Research and Extension Cen­ phur, it can quickly create anaerobic ter was here June 28 and took samples. On a recent visit to Canada, I was in­ conditions. I had heard other persons, They were cultured in his lab. He wrote terested in several discussions ofthe including extension agents, recommend me July 17: "The assay came back "greenhouse effect," and was startled to vinegar. It is much less expensive and positive, i.e., your kousa has Discula, see various plants that usually bloom does not require much to effect the the new anthracnose organism... We do in succession there all blooming at once. desired reading-about one teaspoon to not know if it will be fatal." Heaven knows the climatic changes one tablespoon per gallon. Mixing . A very few of my trees appear to be during the past weeks in the enough in a whiskey half-barrel to immune. My kousa dogwoods isolated Washington area have been dramatic. water all of my trees requires a half in the open fields do not appear A recent Washington Post article cup to one cup per 20 gallons of water, affected. Fruits of affected trees, by and talked of palms along the Potomac. It according to my little pocket-sized large, seem to be ripening normally. noted that trees that don't grow south electronic pH meter. This would appear They were sprayed with Dithane July of here could be weakened by rising to be a negligible concentration. 25, in hopes that it might help. temperatures, and undesirable Hauling all of that water around, a Polly Hill southern species, such as kudzu, could gallon at a time, in our stiffiing sum­ Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts begin to march north. mer heat is too much for my arthritic I think we're witnessing something real­ back. I now use a Hyponex siphon and Reports on this virulent and still ly serious. I would like to hear if other a "fan" nozzle (necessary to create a mysterious dogwood anthracnose, in­ AHS members have witnessed evidence rapid enough flow for the siphon). Two cluding one in our July News Edition, that the greenhouse effect has changed cups of vinegar in a five gallon bucket indicate that Discula is still confined their gardening season in any way. siphoned into the hose flow brings it primarily to Comus florida, the native Faith Jackson out of the nozzle at 6.5 pH. At a siphon­ dogwood, when it is growing in Washington, D.C. ing rate of 1: 16, this is a pproximately crowded conditions such as a forest. C. two cups of vinegar to 90 gallons of kousa has been suggested as a sub­ Two University ofMinnesota researchers, water. The results on my bonsai have stitute for home landscapes. Margaret Davis and Catherine Zabinski, been nothing short of astounding! However, experiences such as Mrs. have estimated that a one-degree tempera­ Their color and vigor have increased Hill's point out that while C. kousa is ture rise could shift a tree species habitat dramatically. resistant to Discula, it is not immune. northward 60 to 90 miles! But the effect Now I note in your article that Craig R. Hibben of the Brooklyn may actually help some plant species fare vinegar is toxic. Considering the low Botanic Garden Research Center, who better (see page 14). concentration that I am using and the

4. American Horticulturist· November 1989 dramatic results I have obtained, do products, we are happy to pass the Root Record you think that I am "heading for a word along when our members find fall?" If so, which substance would you that a procedure or product has made The September article "How Small is recommend? I might add that I also gardening easier. Small" gave the numbers of various occasionally give each tree a light organisms in a pound of soil, but did sprinkling of a granular iron sulphate Defending 'Striped Moss' not mention the amount of roots that (MAGNO soil acidifier). may be present. The Guinness Book The subject of pH is seldom men­ I write to you to defend the honor of the of World R ecords gives the record for tioned, much less emphasized, in the old garden rose, 'Striped Moss'. This densest root growth as 387 miles of literature, particularly for plants in charming rose has had bad fortune­ root in 1.83 cubic feet of soil or 12 small containers. I have had the devil and bad press-at the hands of Graham kilometers per liter. The record is for of a time in convincing other bonsaiists Stuart Thomas, who simply did not like a single winter rye plant grown for but once they try it, they are this rose. Thomas is deeply respected four months in a greenhouse at the dumbfounded. More attention and and his opinion is very persuasive; I University of Iowa during the winter emphasis should be given to it. notice that Roses of Yesterday and of 1935-36. Any information that you can give me Today has stopped offering this rose. David R. Hershey concerning the use of vinegar, in low Over a period of many years, I have Assistant Professor concentrations, will be most sincerely owned two bushes of 'Striped Moss'. Department of Horticulture appreciated. I shall be hoping to hear Both bushes were my favorites. My University of Maryland from you. present 'Striped Moss' is grandly happy William L. Wilie Jr. on its trellis. It can and does act as a Feeding Bananas Beaumont, Texas climber for me. It provides exquisite bouquets, charming garden ornament, With respect to your answer on banana Ascetic acid (vinegar) is a very acidic and reliable good health. fertilizing (September) you might want solution with an extremely low pH level Jacquelyn W. Trimble to be aware that more potassium is -and, by itself, would be toxic for plants. Olympia, Washington required of trees that are intended for Diluting vinegar with water, however, fruiting. You do not need the high is recommended for increasing the pH Whether or not it's the fault of Thomas's phosphorus of a 20-20-20 fertilizer, and level to a non-toxic solution for plants. writing, 'Striped Moss' has not been a big even nitrogen can be lower. If you think ofpH as the relative con­ seller for Roses of Yesterday and Today, K. Criley centration of hydrogen ions in a which announced six years ago that it University of Hawaii at Manoa solution, then adding water (H20) would stop selling the rose, said owner would increase the amount of hydrogen Patricia Stemler Wiley. They make such ions, thus increasing the pH level to an announcements two years before they only slightly acid solution. It isn't the discontinue a rose, to give customers a vinegar that is harmful, it is the pH last chance to buy it, she said. level or relative concentration of Wiley only partially agrees with AHS CALENDAR hydrogen ions in the soil. You have hit Thomas. She said the rose was a strong upon an excellent and cheap method of grower for them with good fragrance changing the soil's pH to benefit the and foliage, but that its two-inch bloom bonsai- keep using it! is fairly insignificant compared to And please let us know the results you striped cultivars ofgallic as or hybrid obtain by using Nutri-Link. Although perpetuals. AHS does not evaluate or recommend Heritage Rosarium of Brookville, Maryland, still grows 'Striped Moss' on a custom basis, which means that it takes about two years to obtain a plant. Publications Write them at 211 Haviland Mill Road, Search Brookville, MD 20833, (301) 774-2806. Extra Large IO%"xI4" Format! o Member single copy price, $8 .50 Deer Fear (Non·member $995) . . .. $_ _ _ The North Carolina Arboretl:lm is o Member quantity price (3 or more mailed seeking the foliowiAg issues of Your September issue gives two plans to sallieaddr ess), $7. 75 each. . $__ _ American Horticulturist magazine. for deer-proof fences. These seem to me '""' Please contact Clara Curtis, The like a lot of work. Please add postage & handling charge ...... $~ North Carolina Arboretum, Route 3, We have had excellent success using VA residents add 4.5% sales tax ...... $_ _ _ Box 1249-B, Asheville, NC 28806, ''bird-scaring tape," obtainable from (704) 665-2492 if you have available Brookstone and elsewhere. A couple TOTAL: $__ copies of: lengths of this between steel posts Please enclose check or charge to: produces strange noises when the wind o Visa 0 MasterCard Exp. Date _ ____ 1974, Vol. 53, No.5 (Winter) blows and the deer won't come near it. Acc!. # ______1978, Vol. 57, No.5 (Winter) It works too well. We no longer have Signature ______1979, Vol. 58, No.1 (Late Winter) deer in the field behind the house, a Name _ _ ....:...-______February sight we used to enjoy. The deer are 1979, Vol. 58, No.2 (Early Spring) still around, however; I keep startling Address ______April them in the woods and they ate rose City ______State __ Zip ___ _ 1979, Vol. 58, No.3 June/July buds in our (unprotected) front garden. MAIL ORDERS TO : AHS/Calendar, 7931 East Boulevard Dr, 1988, Vol. 67, No.9 September Sam Bowne Alexandria, VA22308. Allow four weeks for de livery. Make Edinboro, Pennsylvania checks paya ble to American Horticultural Society/Calendar.

American Horticulturist • November 1989 • 5 Saving an American Giant

There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray; It'll be the perfect ending to the perfect day. We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop, At the fireplace where we watch the chestnuts pop-pop, pop, pop.

From "Sleigh Ride" by Mitchell Parish and Leroy Anderson, ©1959, Mills Music, Inc., New York.

he image of chestnuts has long been associated with the holidays. But while most of us have heard Johnny MathisT warbling about chestnuts roasting on an open fire, that smell and taste-like the exhilaration of a sleigh ride-is something that few of us have a chance to experience. In colonial times, a quarter or more of all the trees in America's Eastern forests were chestnuts. But in 1904, the effects of a chestnut blight imported from Asia were spotted in a New York park, and by 1940, the American species (Castanea dentata) was all but destroyed. Chestnuts can still be had for roast­ ing-at an exorbitant price. Inferior Chinese chestnut trees are widely available. It's also possible to grow your own American chestnuts from seed: in five years, compared to 15 for an oak tree, you will be gathering your own nuts. But only through severe pruning and babying will the seedling be kept alive for very long. No longer can we see chestnuts 90 feet tall and five or six feet in diameter. But there is some hope on the horizon. In 1983, a group of scientists at the University of Minnesota formed the American Chestnut Foundation. Geneti­ The American chestnut stars in this 1878 etching, "Scenes in Fairmont Park." cist Charles Burnham was convinced that the tree could be saved, in spite of the skepticism of other scientists. Why bother to bring back the lightweight, long-lived, straight­ There are several approaches that chestnut? Rutter is sometimes asked. grained hardwood, "sturdy as oak, as show promise: cross-breeding the There are abstract considerations of easy to work as pine, and as rot-resis­ American chestnut with resistant beauty and heritage. Rutter explained tant as redwood." An acre of chestnut Oriental chestnuts; using a less that the above lyrics from the seedlings was capable of producing two virulent, or hypovirulent strain of the Christmas pop tune, "Sleigh Ride," tons of the tasty, protein-rich nuts as a Endothyia fungus to weaken the refer to a spin-the-bottle-type kissing cash crop for Appalachian families, virulent strain so that the chestnut game, in which the teenager whose he added. trees can survive even though infected; chestnut pops first when tossed into The Chestnut Foundation notes that and, in the future, genetic engineering. the fire gets to buss the partner of his everything in the forest-from mouse The cause is now being led by then­ or her choice. to bear to wild turkey and once, the graduate student Philip A. Rutter, But the chestnut has many practical passenger pigeon-ate the chestnuts. whose determination is akin to that of virtues. In a spring 1988 article in IThe fact that a fourth offorest trees his distant cousin, John (Johnny Forest World, author Loyal D. Rue reliably produced one-to-three bushels Appleseed) Chapman. called it a "super tree"-a fast-growing, of nuts each fall may have accounted

6 + American Horticulturist • November 1989 for the abundant wildlife noted by will continue to fruit, and the roots will called plasmids. The area then needs early explorers and settlers. continue to send up suckers. to be wrapped with an "earth The blight did not completely kill the The truly determined go through bandage"-a black plastic bandage trees, only their tops. Stump sprouts what Rutter called a somewhat "nasty" filled with dirt-for about three still go through cycles of growth and process, in which affected areas are in­ months; the treatment will not cure then, after as long as 25 years, renewed jected with the weakened form of the cankers elsewhere on the chestnut. epidemic. It is rare for new seedlings to fungus, containing viruslike particles take hold in the forest, however. Last April, groundbreaking took place for the first scientific research facility entirely devoted to the American chestnut tree. Meadowview Farm near Seed, Seedlings, and Support Abingdon, Virginia, will be the collec­ tion and breeding point for chestnut Through the following organizations, ..Louis Lipovsky, RFD, Brunswick, trees that have shown a resistance to you can support professional research ME 04011 (seedlings). the fungus. on the American chestnut, participate .. Benhart Rajala, 3030 Isleview Operations will be supervised by Fred in efforts to identify surviving trees, or Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (seed). Hebard, formerly of the University of cooperate in raising and reporting on .. Donald Rudisuhle, Rt. 3, Box 216, Kentucky. The first trees were planted the progress of new seedlings. Any of Caladonia, MN 55921 (seed). this year. The chestnut foundation has the groups can also offer tips for grow­ been guaranteed use of the land for 30 ing chestnuts from seed and keeping years, and hopes to raise enough funds, seedlings alive: through public donations, to eventually ..The American Chestnut Founda­ buy the land outright. tion, College of Agriculture and Eucalyptus The breeding program used by Rutter Forestry, 401 Brooks Hall, P.O. Box in Minnesota (which will be used by 6057, West Virginia University, Susceptible Hebard in Virginia) uses a technique Morgantown, WV 26506-6057. called successive backcrossing, in which ..American Chestnut Cooperators Studies in Japan have shown that a desirable trait is transmitted through Foundation, 2100 J efferson St., some eucalyptus species are a series of generations. A blight­ Bluefield, WV 2470l. susceptible to the chestnut blight resistant gene can be retained in one ..The American Chestnut Revival, fungus, according to a report in generation, by crossing an American c/o Carol Klinger, Rt. 1, Dowelltown, American Nurseryman. Australian chestnut with a Chinese chestnut, but TN 37059. agriculture officials are concerned the Chinese tree is scrubby and short­ For those interested in trying to that the fungus may wreak ecologi­ lived, and a first-generation offspring grow their own American chestnuts, cal havoc there if the fungus would be unable to compete in the following are potential sources: comes to their country on imported American forests. It takes about four ..Bear Creek Nursery, P.O. Drawer nursery stock. Introduced years for a backcross to flower; about 411, Northport, WA 99157 (seedlings eucalyptus on America's West one-fourth ofthe trees from the first and grafted trees). Coast could also be decimated if backcross are expected to be worthy of ..Wexford Soil and Water the fungus were to slide through selection for a second cycle. Rutter Conservation District, 200 West 13th quarantine regulations. estimates that a blight-resistant and St., Cadillac, MI 49601 (seedlings). truly American strain could be produced by the third backcross, so that reforestation could begin to take place sometime after the year 2000. New Patented Chestnuts This fall, Rutter was going to China, where he was promised a trip into the Chestnut lovers take heart! If you don't 28 per pound), very sweet, glossy dark original range of wild-growing have the patience to experiment with chocolate brown nuts. It is an excellent chestnuts. The Chinese chestnuts now the American chestnut or wait for a tree for planting with 'Revival' growing in the United States came disease resistant backcross, you can (genetically related to both 'Heritage' from orchard stock, he explained. If purchase an Asian-American cross. and 'Carolina' and the first chestnut to researchers could use genetic material Two new Dunstan hybrids have receive a U.S. plant patent) as a from the wild trees, it may allow received U.s. plant patents (only the pollinizer and is Sbitable for both disease resistance to evolve sooner. second and third chestnuts to hold commercial nut production and as an In the meantime, there are a number patents) and are available for planting. ornamental landscape tree. of "tricks" that can be used by those Both are resistant to blight, produce Both new trees are available from who want to keep the American high quality nuts and timber, and Chestnut Hill Nursery, Inc., who chestnut alive on their own property, begin to bear in three to five years. points out that chestnuts are high in Rutter said. The trees should be .. 'Heritage' is a tall, straight-boled, carbohydrates and protein; unlike planted in full sun and away from any timber form tree similar to the original other nuts, very low in fat; and are weeds or sod. No attempt should be American chestnut. It has deeply delicious roasted, steamed, dried as made to grow what looks like a tree. dentate, lustrous green leaves and flour, or pureed and candied. For more The seedling should be pruned into the produces medium-sized (45 per pound) information and some chestnut recipes, form of a multiple stemmed bush and nuts with the sweet, rich flavor of the contact the Chestnut Hill Nursery, kept to about 15 feet tall. American nut and chinkapin. It is said Route 1, Box 341, Alachua, FL 32615, Even with these precautions, blight to be a superb landscape or timber tree. (904) 462-2820. will eventually occur. If the bush is cut .. 'Carolina' chestnut is an upright, back to even one or two stems, they spreading tree bearing very large (24 to

American Horticulturist • November 1989 • 7 Cuttings a Flop? Try a Mist Bench

ovember may find many gardeners confined inside Plant Light with nothing to do but dream of that faraway Nspring garden. But not to despair! Here's a do-it-yourself project that may help dispel those gray weather doldrums. If you're ready to get more serious about propagating your own plants, you may have longed for the type of Humidifier misting bench that many commercial greenhouses and arboreta use to start cuttings. Home gardeners can take a similar approach on a smaller scale, using materials that are readily avail­ able in hardware and department stores. Ken Asplund, curator of living collections at The Arboretum at Flag-staff, Arizona, has devised some simple directions for constructing a rooting chamber similar to the one the arboretum uses. According to Asplund, "This method is recommended for those where mold is a problem because it .. Prepare the rooting medium using who've had modest success in propagat­ moves more air. A vaporizer is not sand, vermiculite, perlite, or some ing stem cuttings and want to improve recommended because it creates steam combination of these. (The arboretum their odds. It's a notch above the poly­ and doesn't circulate the air. Both usually prepares a mixture of half bag-over-a-clay-pot method." types of humidifiers are available at sand and half perlite.) Although you can't take cuttings until hardware and general stores. .. Take three- to five-inch cuttings in next spring or summer, of course, the Plug the humidifier into one of the the spring or early summer, depending winter months are a great time to build timers. This timer should be set to run on the plant's life cycle. the chamber and test its timing devices the humidifier for 30 minutes every .. Nip the leaves, along with any so the apparatus will be ready when two hours or 15 minutes every hour flower buds or growing tips, from the you need it. during daylight hours. lower half of the cutting. Suspend the light fixture so that it .. Dampen the lower half and dip it in What You'll Need will be no more than 10 inches above a rooting hormone such as "Rootone" or your rooting trays. Plug the fixture "Hormex" according to the package Gather the following equipment: into the second timer. Lights should be instructions. 1. PVC plastic pipe or wood strips on for at least 14 hours per day. Note: .. Wet the rooting medium and punch 2. Clear "poly" plastic film do not suspend the lights inside the holes in it, then firm the prepared 3. Clear plastic packaging tape tent since the moisture could destroy cuttings into the holes. 4. Fluorescent light fixture the fixture. .. Place the finished trays of cuttings 5. Two four-inch plant lights Plug the humidifier timer into the in the tent and wait for the new plants 6. Two programmable appliance light timer and the chamber is ready to to sprout. Rootings may take three to timers begin its duties. Ordinary room six weeks or longer. 7. Two skyhooks temperatures are ideal for the rooting When new leaves begin to grow, lift 8. Humidifier chamber; it should not be placed in up one or two cuttings to check the With the plastic pipe or wooden direct sunlight. roots. Plants can be repotted when the strips, construct a square or rectan­ A rooting chamber such as this works new roots begin to grow. Generally gular frame that resembles the outline well with greenwood cuttings such as these new roots are fibrous and don't of a box. The frame can be any size and pyracantha and herbaceous to semi­ break easily. To transplant the cut­ made of almost any sturdy material­ woody perennials. Asplund hasn't tried tings gently lift each one with a fork plastic pipe will result in the most long­ this method with a large range of cut­ along with a small ball of the rooting lasting chamber. Wood that has been tings. He suggests that it probably medium and place them in an ordinary treated to resist moisture is also a good wouldn't work well with hardwood cut­ potting mix. choice. Drape the plastic film over the tings, "although heating cables could Newly planted pots should be frame to make a tent. Gather one end be added to increase the odds of hardened off in a spot out of direct ofthe film and attach it securely over propagating more difficult cuttings." sunlight for one to two weeks. the mouth of the humidifier with clear plastic packaging tape. Ready to Root It's best to use a sonic humidifier. An The arboretum is located 3.8 miles south atomizing humidifier will also work, The Flagstaff arboretum follows the ofFlagstaff on Woody Mountain Road. and may be a better choice if the following procedure for new softwood Hours are Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. to chamber will be used in a humid area tip cuttings: 3 p.m. Call (602) 774-1441.

8 + American Horticulturist· November 1989 ''IThen we move across the country or Overwatering, on the other hand, may •• even across town, it usually takes kill roots by suffocation or disease; us some time to adjust to our new sur­ Is Your plants that wilt because their roots are roundings. Likewise, plants need to dying rarely recover. adjust to new environments. Moving To help plants acclimatize, gradually plants from outdoors to indoors, green­ House decrease the light level by moving the house to home, room to room, or even plant to an interim location with less window to window requires a "settling light than its previous position, but in" period. Since plants can't move, they Plant more light than its final destination. must change to meet the existing condi­ Using a grow light to make light avail­ tions, a process called acclimatization. able 12 to 15 hours a day will also help Plants exhibit their greatest response Feeling the plant adjust by allowing it to to change several weeks after being reduce its use of food reserves and moved from bright to poorer light; this decreasing stress. change is greatest when they are at Home? Relocation can be difficult, but moved from the outdoors or a green­ gradual changes in environment house into a home. should ensure a healthy life for our House plants that were returned to light from nearby windows. While house plants and encourage their their winter homes or newly purchased plants may still drop leaves, the drop adaptation to a new home. in early fall are still undergoing ac­ should be minimal. climatization, according to Ray Rothen­ Some growers may acclimatize plants berger, Missouri's state horticulture in the greenhouse by increasing the specialist. But if the change in environ­ amount of shade over them as they ment has been too abrupt, leaves may grow, bringing plants near the inten­ yellow, begin to drop, turn brown around sity oflight they might be exposed to in PEONIES the edges, or exhibit other changes, the average home. Plants grown this depending on the environmental condi­ DAYLILIES way will probably cost a little more, but 92-page catalog from world-famous tions and the kind of plants involved. will perform better once they have Wild's gardens. Sensational values on The key to successful acclimatization been moved into a new environment. more than 1300 varieties. $2 is deductible on first catalog order. is maintaining a balance in the plant's The best way to determine if a plant "compensation point." At this point the has been acclimatized is to ask the GILBERT H. WILD & SON, INC. AH-ll89 Joplin 51/881 SaJcoxle, MO 64862 amount of sugars and carbohydrates grower. Learn as much as possible produced by the plant for food- from about the growth process of the plant­ water, carbon dioxide, soil nutrients, include questions about the light levels and light- are equal to the sugars and used and the plant's fertilization carbohydrates burned up by the plant program. Not only the leaves, but also during respiration. When food is avail­ the root system, need to acclimatize. TROPICAL HUMIDITY! able the plant grows, but when there is That process can be helped along by a deficiency offood the plant loses reducing food and water. • A Humid Climate for Healthier Plants leaves, stops growing, or, if the condi­ • A Size for Every Greenhouse Fertilizer should be cut to about half • Professional Quality, Dependable tion persists, it dies. that needed for normal production in Performance You can avoid such damage by ensur­ bright light. This reduces top growth • Fully Assembled -- Easy to Install ing that acclimatization takes place while the roots continue to grow. • Completely Automatic Ope ration gradually. Slow changes over several Less water helps harden the foliage • New, Improved Design weeks will result in the development of so it will be less sensitive to the lower Grow beautiful tropical pla nts, new leaves that are able to utilize humidity found indoors. Even if conser­ flowers, orchids with Standard poorer light to make food more efficient­ vative watering causes plants to wilt Humidifier's uniform, fog-like ly. Other leaves will gradually turn slightly, they will almost always vapor. Wall bracket, ceiling toward the light source to catch more recover once watered a bit more. hung or free-standing models install quickly, operate on house current a nd water supply. The Scientific Explanation Dependa ble 24- '" hour opera tion Acclimatization helps transform leaves that were formed in or exposed to with newly high light levels to low-light leaves. These leaves are more efficient "light improved automatic catchers" on two different levels. controls. Compact, In high-light leaves, the chloroplasts, which form starch through photosyn­ lightweight, trouble­ thesis, are pOSitioned near vertical cell walls. As plants are acclimatized, the free. Write or call chloroplasts disperse throughout the cell in order to capture more light, with greenhouse which in turn increases food production. size for a free illustrated bro­ Within the chloroplasts are grana-stacks of parallel membranes that chure, prices a nd contain chlorophyll pigments. Light energy reacts with chlorophyll in the recomm e ndation ~. grana. In high-light leaves, grana are stacked in an upright position to reduce captured light intensity. During acclimatization, grana spread througl'lout the STANDARD HUMIDIFIER chloroplasts, creating a greater surface area to intercept light energy. As a Division ofHumi-Temp, Inc. plant is acclimatized to low light, chlorophyll levels expand, further increasing 87 Tiogue Avenue, West Warwick, RI 02893 the plant's ability to produce food. Tele: (401) 823-1776 FAX: (401) 823-3111

American Horticulturist· November 1989.9 , • • • "..-" - 'J'VJ..'-, ...... "!.... ? -;.; ...... ·""''''I:'·,\'::~·.r ..... ',l' -, I' " Regional Notes

Colorful Succulents Rare Orchid Blooms Winter is the most colorful season for The Huntington Botanical Garden in An endangered Ecuadorian orchid, the San Marino, California, where more Huntleya wallisii, recently bloomed than 12 acres of cacti begin to bloom for the first time in the Fuqua around the end of the year. Especially Conservatory at the Atlanta Botanical spectacular around New Year's, says Garden. It was cloned in a test tube by Joe Clements, curator of the Susan Determann in the tissue culture Huntington's succulent garden, are the lab at the Marie Selby Botanical aloes, which bloom in red, yellow, orange, and occasionally white. Garden in Florida. Her husband, Ron Determann, superintendent of the In January, Clements and John Trager Fuqua Conservatory, has nurtured the of the Huntington Desert Garden staff will be conducting a workshop on grow­ plant for five years, and sees this success as an indication of the value ing succulents, followed, as are most of of tissue culture as a means of their lectures, by sale of the featured protecting and propagating plants plants. Clements said the most frequent­ that are disappearing from the Wild. ly asked question about succulents is how often to water them. As is the case with any plant, water needs will vary a great deal. 'We usually water about once Horticulturist Rich Owings said the Reciprocal Agreement a week in summer, and cut down on that 7,000-square foot greenhouse will in winter," he said. include a fog propagation system that The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical During the growing season, will enable rooting of difficult plants Garden has entered into a reciprocal succulents should be fertilized three or such as rhododendrons, which can take agreement with 58 other arboreta and four times full strength, or better yet, so long to root that the humidity to gardens in the United States, Australia, fed at one-fourth or one-third strength which they are exposed leaches most of Canada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. with each watering. the nutrients from their leaves. The agreement allows members of Succulents are no different from other The head house will be the site of any of those gardens free general plants in needing organic matter in much of their research, including admission, plus other member benefits, their soil. The Huntington amends its tissue culture, micro-propagation, and when visiting another participating beds with redwood compost, "although isozyme analysis. The latter is a type of garden or arboretum. For more you have to be somewhat cautious"­ DNA staining that will be useful in the information call (214) 327-8263. uncomposted redwood steals nitrogen, arboretum's conservation work, said Clements said. Other possibilities are Owings. It will enable them to deter­ Name Change in Toledo oak leafmold and peat moss. A good mine if a wild plant is a pure species, mix is one-third coarse builders sand, or has been genetically compromised Crosby Gardens in Toledo, Ohio, is now one-third pumice or perlite, and by hybridization with other species. officially the Toledo Botanical Gardens. one-third composted organic matter. The grounds maintenance portion of Garden officials believe the name It's not hard to get succulents to the building will house facilities for change will make the garden's location bloom if you can grow them outdoors, welding, plumbing, carpentry, and more immediately recognizable. said Clements, who feels that they electrical work, in a courtyard concept The name of George Crosby, who require too much sun to make good designed for minimal aesthetic impact donated the first 20 acres that even­ house plants. on the natural surroundings. tually became the Crosby Gardens, will Also in bloom at the Huntington this The arboretum, purchased in 1986, continue to be connected to the garden: winter will be cup-of-milk vine, has no public display gardens as yet. a new conference center, a new lake crassulas, floss silk trees, Himalayan Longterm goals include education, system, and the garden's annual arts cherry, Hume's coral tree, iceland display, research, and conservation of festival will all bear his name. poppies, mallee eucalyptus, poinsettias, plants native to the southern roses, and sasanqua camellias. For Appalachians. Led by director George Rose Garden Honored more information call (818) 405-2160. Briggs, they also hope to support the green industry in their area, and to aid Kansas City, Missouri's, Laura Conyers New Facilities in North Carolina the region economically through Smith Municipal Rose Garden won the tourism of the facility. 1989 All-America Rose Selections One ofthe nation's newest gardens, the They are affiliated with the 16- Bronze Achievement Award for an North Carolina Arboretum, expects to campus North Carolina University. The outstanding public garden. dedicate its education center this 424-acre arboretum is located just out­ The 58-year-<>ld garden, located in Jacob month, and will soon be constructing a side Asheville in the Pisgah National L. Loose Memorial Park, contains some state-of-the-art support facility to Forest, with an entrance off the Blue 4,000 roses of 100 varieties. It is maintain­ include a greenhouse complex, head Ridge Parkway. For more information ed by the Kansas City Rose Society and the house, and grounds maintenance area. call (704) 665-2492. city's parks and recreation department.

10 • American Horticulturist • November 1989 University of Arkansas under a U.S. Department of Energy grant to build a Growing Sod on Sludge system for processing municipal waste. They used a technique developed by Gulf Oil Co. to produce ethanol, while Provides Double Benefit extracting the approximately 30 per­ cent of every ton of waste that can't be Research aimed at producing healthier he speculates, because it is not very recycled. The byproduct that contains sod is also benefiting the environment successful at producing bluegrass sods. vegetative matter, wood fragments, and by using up municipal waste. His most remarkable results have been bits of paper is dubbed the heavy Two men who have pioneered in achieved with tall fescues. Bluegrass is organic fraction. producing sod on treated sludge began more popular among homeowners, but the experiment as a result of very dif­ on any growing medium, it tends to Lucky Accident ferent goals. One wanted to grow sod grow more slowly and less vigorously, faster and cheaper by sowing it on top is more disease-prone, not as drought­ One day, he said, "we accidentally of an impermeable plastic base, and tolerant, and requires cooler tempera­ dropped a seed on it." Its potential as a needed a plentiful and inexpensive tures than most other grasses. "A hot growing medium was immediately growing medium. The other began growing sod by accident, when he dropped some seeds on some sludge residue he was processing. Henry Decker, president of Buckeye Bluegrass Farms of Ostrander, Ohio, estimates that if the sod-growing method he has developed were used for only five percent of the country's annual cultivated sod production, it could use up all the dry sludge produced by Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Chicago combined. The greatest clifference between tradi­ tional sod-growing and the method used by Decker is that his sod is started on a one-sixth millimeter-thick sheet of poly­ ethylene. By being grown on the plastic, the grasses' primary roots rapidly form a fibrous mass that binds the sod, allowing it to be harvested in only a few weeks, rather than the more usual one to two years. And because the sod is harvested with the root system intact, rather than being severed with a sod cutter, the sod also binds and roots rapidly to the new After only five weeks, tall fescue sod grown on municipal sludge on top of plastic site where it is laid, Decker says. sheeting is ready to be rolled up and transplanted.

summer on plastic is probably asking apparent. Because it holds water like a Production Advantages too much of bluegrass," he says. sponge, he said, it stops run-off and is Tall fescues may become more popular ideal for erosive soils. It is also high in When the sod is harvested, the plastic if drought continues to be a problem for nutrients, and analysis has found only is left in place, ready for the next crop; much of the nation. However, Decker a small trace of the heavy metals that, thus, the sod production requires con­ and his colleagues have been studying in the infancy of sludge processing, siderably less growing surface. The the effects on bluegrass seedlings of made it unusable fo, food crops. speed of the process means that the deep, intermittent well-watering, and Kidwell said the nutritional value of sod needs less water, fertilizer, and will be looking for bluegrass cultivars high organic fraction should benefit mowing than in conventional methods. that offer more of fescue's advantages. nurseries growing container stock. He And because the roots aren't bound He adds that the economic feasibility of would like to extend its use beyond sod around heavy topsoil, it's easier to the approach has also been hindered by to growing agricultural crops such as move; it is usually harvested and laid the need for machinery that will cut the small grains and corn, but has found in rolls that are five feet wide and 45 sod without cutting the plastic, and the that farmers and others remain feet long, th:us saving much hand labor. difficulty of transporting the composted concerned about what the high organic Decker, an adjunct professor at Ohio sludge long distances. fraction might contain. Farmers' reluc­ Wesleyan University who began Virginian Jack Kidwell is among those tance is understandable, he said, since experimenting with growing grasses on helping to make treated municipal sludge they have to pay to ship the material an impermeable medium in the 1960s, more widely available, but he agrees that and may not see its full benefits for says progress has been slow partly transporting it is one deterrent to using it three years. He plans to establish five­ because composted sludge was not more widely for sod and other crops. to 10-acre demonstration plots of widely available until this decade. The Kidwell, as head of United Bio-Fuel different crops to demonstrate the method has not caught on commercially, Industries, had joined with the payoff of the investment and the wait.

American Horticulturist • November 1989 • 11 Ten AAS Winners for 1990

All-America Selections (AAS) has chosen four vegetables and six flowers as award winners for 1990. For more than 50 years, the nonprofit organization has been evaluating new seed-grown flowers and vegetables from around the world for home and garden performance. The 10 cultivars found to exhibit superior qualities in this year's trials represent a total of 70 to 100 years of breeding and research. AAS awards are given in three categories: bedding plant flowers (grown only in the greenhouse); flowers (started in the greenhouse then moved outdoors); and vegetables. Flowers in either category are judged for color, blossom form, fragrance, and resistance to insects and disease. Vegetable judging is based on flavor, Above: Petunia 'Polo Salmon'. Above texture, disease and heat resistance, right: Petunia 'Polo Burgundy Star'. Below: yield, and space efficiency. Achillea 'Summer Pastels'. Bottom, left to right: Pansy 'Jolly Joker', Celosia 'Pink Bedding Plant Performers Castle', Zinnia 'Scarlet Splendor'. All photographs courtesy of All-America • Petunia 'Polo Salmon', a multiflora Selections. petunia, is tolerant of heat, drought, and summer storms. Plants do not require cutting back or deadheading to Flower Winners encourage continuous bloom. The cool salmon blooms completely cover the • Achillea 'Summer Pastels' creates a foliage and blend beautifully with flowering hedge only two feet tall, and shades of blue or white. Petunia lovers requires only 18 inches of space per will find this selection at most local plant. This is an improvement over garden centers come spring. other Achillea millefolium plants that can reach three to four feet in height • Petunia 'Polo Burgundy Star' was and may need staking. Flower highly rated by judges for its uniform arrangers should appreciate the habit pattern of stars bordered in deep burgun­ and variety of these perennials, which dy as well as its outstanding garden bloom in shades of pink, apricot, beige, • Pansy 'Jolly Joker', with its rich, performance. Plants provide continuous blue, and red to pure white. 'Summer velvety purple flower and orange face, bloom without pinching, pruning, or Pastels' thrives in full sun, is drought­ should be a real attention grabber. The deadheading and tolerate heat, drought, tolerant, and requires little unique flower faces are held upright on and severe weather. Plants should be maintenance. Plants can be grown short stems. Judged highly for its available at local garden centers. from seed by novice gardeners. above average heat and weather

12. American Horticulturist· November 1989 Top, left: Squash 'Cream of the Crop'. Top right: Squash 'Sun Drops'. Bottom left: Pepper 'Super Cayenne'. Bottom right: Bean 'Derby'.

tolerance, 'Jolly Joker' requires little garden care once established, needing only water and possibly fertilizer for maintenance. 'Jolly Joker' can be grown from seed; bedding plants may be available from local garden centers in the spring.

• Celosia 'Pink Castle' offers gar­ deners cool, pastel pink plumes in a semi-dwarf plant. A seven- to eight­ inch central plume is surrounded by secondary plumes that work well in fresh flower bouquets. This reliable compact bush that can be spaced 20 to production. The pods slip easily from garden annual is heat- and drought­ 24 inches apart and grown using the the stem without the pedicel. Seed will tolerant, requiring only minimal water same cultural procedures as any be available in mail order catalogs and and possibly fertilizer for summer-long summer squash. Seeds and bedding in seed packets sold by retail stores. flowering performance. 'Pink Castle' plants are available. can be grown from seed or purchased The All-America trials were launched as bedding plants. • Pepper 'Super Cayenne' reaches in 1932 by Southern seedman, W. Ray only two feet in the garden, and is per­ Hastings, who felt that a series of • Zinnia 'Scarlet Splendor' is a scaled fect in patio containers surrounded by national seed trials would invigorate down plant with huge four- to five-inch flowering annuals. These peppers were the seed industry. His vision included blooms. The mature plant needs only judged highly for their superior yield of most aspects of the trials today: testing two feet of garden space and reaches long (three- to four-inch), thin peppers new introductions; promoting winners only two feet tall. In full sun the plants that can be harvested while green or nationally; and awarding gold, silver, create a flowering hedge filled with left to mature to red. 'Super Cayenne' and bronze medals to truly exceptional semi-ruilled scarlet blooms. The strong is easily grown from seed or bedding new plants. Medals are not awarded stems are long enough for cut flower plants. Judges say that these beauties every year; none of the 1990 selections displays and, as the flowers are cut, are equally good fresh or dried, but not was a medal winner. new flowers are produced. Plants can for the faint-hearted-one bite will This year's trials began last spring, easily be grown from seed planted send the tender-mouthed scurrying for when 36 flower and 26 vegetable trial directly in the garden or started a cold drink! grounds received seed. Judges are indoors about four weeks before the required to observe the plants and take last frost date. • Bean 'Derby's' long, thin pods are notes on the plants' performance through­ ready for picking in approximately 57 out the growing season. Plants are then Vegetable Victors days. A green bean with improved bush scored on a scale of zero to 10; winners plant habit, its tender pods are enhanced are those with the highest average scores • Squash 'Cream of the Crop' is the due to slow seed development. 'Derby' is a from all the judges. Once the winners are first creamy white acorn squash to be strong, upright plant resistant to lodging determined they are sent to approximate­ honored as an AAS winner. The com­ and common bean mosaic virus. It is ly 220 display gardens across North pact bush habit ofthis winter squash easily grown from seed sown directly into America. Gardeners can locate them by requires less garden space than most warm garden soil and requires only water the red and blue AAS emblem on seed squashes and the creamy skin color and possibly fertilizer for sustained bean packets and plant markers. makes it easy to locate among the leafY greens. The two- to three-pound squash is ready to harvest in about 85 days. It can be grown easily from seed; bedding plants also may be available. 'Cream of the Crop' stores well, has a nutty flavor, and is excellent when baked (especially with brown sugar and butter or maple syrup).

• Squash 'Sun Drops' is the first oval summer squash available to North American gardeners. The yellow squash matures in about 50 to 55 days and can be harvested when three to four inches in diameter; however, immature squash can also be gathered for a gourmet vegetable dish. Perfect for smaller size gardens, the plant is a

American Horticulturist· November 1989 • 13 Shiitakes: Plant Competition: Rules Changing?

A Tasty The changes in the earth's atmosphere known as the greenhouse effect have been blamed largely on increased carbon Challenge dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. The assumption is that this trend toward Fall is a good time to make the prepara­ warmer temperatures will be harmful to tions for growing a popular new crop: plants and people in the long run. shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes). But in the meantime, the increased Widely used in oriental cooking, they're C02 levels may give some plants an high in nutrition, and currently sell for increased ability to compete for water about $8 a pound. and minerals. Most plants of interest Shiitake-growing is becoming increas­ to gardeners should benefit, but ingly attractive as a small business, !l ranchers may have cause for worry. and can also be a challenging project ~ Hyrum Johnson, a U.S. Department for a home gardener who enjoys exotic ~ of Agriculture range ecologist in produce. A major requirement for ~ Temple, Texas, believes that trouble­ growing shiitakes is a supply of fresh ~ some rangeland brush is proliferating hardwood. Oak of any species is the il at the expense of prairie grasses most reliable growing medium; some & because the brush benefits more from growers, concerned that consumers will £ the higher carbon dioxide levels. "Most be put off by the name shiitake (she­ 1; plants do better with higher carbon TAR-key) refer to them as oak mush­ l dioxide levels if they are alone," says rooms. The mushrooms are grown from g Johnson. "But in a competitive a spawn placed in holes drilled into the U situation, those who get the biggest fresh-cut logs. boost will compete most successfully. If Paul and Nan Goland, owners of Uniform fruiting of shiitake mushrooms. you give a cotton plant twice as much Hardscrabble Enterprises in Cherry carbon dioxide, it will grow almost Grove, West Virginia, say the logs twice as fast, but bluestem won't. So should be a standard length, from 30 to the United States that receive that we're almost obligated to say that if 60 inches long, for easy stacking. The much rain." A relatively inexpensive there's a change in the carbon dioxide oak trees should be young and healthy, moisture content scale can be the key concentration, that will change the mix preferably with bark less than a to success, he said. of species present." quarter inch thick. The trees will need He suggested that gardeners without Johnson said the plants that benefit to be inoculated at least 15 days after access to oak logs may be able to obtain most from higher C02 levels are those cutting, but no more than 90 days. reliably fresh wood from state agen­ that use a photosynthesis process Fall is the best time to cut the trees cies, or they may want to experiment known as C3. These include most because the sap is down; cutting in the with other types of wood. Deden is broad-leafed plants, including trees summer makes the bark fall off and affiliated with the Forest Resource and shrubs, and what he called the reduces the log's useful life, which is Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota, which "showy" wildflowers. Plants that seem usually five to six years. Logs should conducts research and disseminates to benefit less use a C4 photosynthesis be inoculated while the temperature is information on shiitakes. In one study, process; these include corn, sorghum, above freezing. they evaluated 50 different spawns and the warm season grasses that The spawn is commonly available in that are available commercially, and grow in the West. Over the next three two forms: wooden plugs that are found a 700 percent difference in years, he will be checking his theory by tapped into the holes in the logs; and a production from the best to the worst. comparing how mesquite, a C3 brush, sawdust and grain based paste, which They then took the five best producers fares compared to little bluestem, a C4 is pushed into the holes. and inoculated 10 different types of grass, at today's C02 levels and at the The mushroom does best in partial logs. They had success not only with level that existed in 1860. shade, say the Golands. After inocula­ oak, but also ironwood and hard maple; Past C02 levels were estimated by tion, logs need to be sprinkled every four sweetgum might work well for extracting air trapped between ice or five days, and occasional restacking of Southern growers, he added. layers that have formed over the logs seems to "shock" the fungus into thousands of years in Greenland and fruiting more consistently. A first Antarctica. In 1860, the carbon dioxide harvest can be expected in about six The Forest Resource Center publishes a level was 26 percent lower than today. months; the spawn will continue to newsletter, Shiitake News. To sub­ Johnson says if he confirms that produce for three to six years. scribe, or for more information, write carbon dioxide levels are significantly Minnesota shiitake-grower Joe Deden Route 2, Box 156 A, Lanesboro, MN related to vegetational change, people said that the most difficult variable in 55949, or call (507) 467-2437. The who use the past to predict the future shiitake growing is moisture control. Golands can provide more detailed must take that into account. "Rainfall, The moisture content of the log is what growing information, including the temperature, and light are not the only causes the mushrooms to fruit. In Harris "box method" for inoculation in things we have to look at," he says. Japan, where they occur naturally, seasons other than spring. Contact "And this research affects almost all rainfall is 60 inches a year and more, them at Route 6, Box 42, Cherry Grove, ecological theory as to what we can ex­ he noted. "There are very few areas of WV 26804, (304) 567-2727. pect in the future."

14 • American Horticulturist· November 1989 Gardener's Q&A

Crisis? Curious? Our . I am growing the blackberry Q • lily for the first time and I staff horticulturists love the flowers and seed pods. Plants Wanted Can I save the seeds and grow are happy to help. more plants from my originals? • Clivia miniata (kaffir liIy-a -S.L .F., Erie, Pennsylvania yellow-flowered form). Kaffir lilies have fleshy roots with long, strap­ shaped green leaves growing . I have creeping thyme directly out of the root in a fan . Blackberry lilies produce beauti­ pattern. Would like a yellow­ Q • growing in the cracks of my • ful, shiny black seeds similar to flagstone walk and a friend of mine A flowered form, not the red or blackberry fruits. They self-sow readily orange-red-flowered species. Anne said I could use this thyme in my and are easy to germinate. Collect and cooking just like one would use Gehin, 223 Forest Ave., Lake Pine, save the seeds in the fall; place in a cool, Medford, NJ 08055. common culinary thyme. Is this true? dry place where they will not collect -S.C., San Diego, California moisture. In the spring, plant the seeds • Danae racemosa (Alexandrian in flats inside and supply them with a laurel). A member of the lily family, temperature range of about 70 to 85" F. this evergreen shrub grows to four . Creeping thyme is a true thyme You can start seeds directly outside feet and has slender, smooth, (where you would like to establish them) A• and all thymes are edible; evergreen stems. The flowers are however, the flavor of creeping thyme is but wait to do this until early summer tiny, yellowish white, and borne on considered inferior to that of culinary when the weather has warmed up. terminal racemes. Fruits are small thyme. You can certainly experiment Although you shouldn't have any red berries. Georgia B. Orr, Rt. 2, with creeping thyme, but just to be on problems germinating blackberry illy Box 408, High Point, NC 27260. the safe side, experiment when you are seeds, you may have to wait about three not expecting company. Remember that weeks to see any signs of life. Plants that • Ferula sambul (musk root). A chemical sprays may have been used on are grown from seed usually don't flower member of the carrot family, this or near the creeping thyme, which would until the second year of growth. genus is known for its fragrant make it unsafe to eat until the spray roots. Would appreciate seeds, decomposes or until it is washed off. . I have been gardening for plants, or information on other Q • years and I read many species of Ferula. Elizabeth Gates, . I am new to this area and the gardening books but I always come 41 N. Delaware Ave., Yardley, PA Q • local nurseryman recommend­ across conflicting information 19067. ed a Chinese pistache tree for my concerning the best time to cut yard but I have never heard of it. Can back asparagus and rhubarb. • Heliopsis species. These are you give me any information on it? When do you recommend that I cut sunflowerlike, herbaceous -B. W., Fairfax, Virginia these plants back? perennials that are erect, loosely -H.J.G., Kansas City, Missouri branched, and have opposite, toothed leaves with three main . The Chinese pistache, Pistacia veins. Would like seeds or plants of A• chinensis, is one of those hidden . The ferny growth ofthe aspara­ any of the species but most inter­ treasures waiting to be discovered by A• gus plant should be cut down in ested in Heliopsis brachactis, H. par­ homeowners, landscapers, and gar­ the fall after the first frost and after the viceps, H. parviflora, and H. rubra. deners. This tree offers the combination leaves have turned brown. You want the Denny Schrock, 1421 S.E. 3rd Ave., of vibrant fall color and minimal disease tops to stay green and active as long as Rochester, MN 55904. and insect problems. The Chinese possible so that they can produce food pistache has a medium growth habit, and energy to strengthen the roots for • Robinia kelseyi, R. boynton ii, R. oval to round outline and reaches about next year. As it gets colder they will die hartwigii, R. elliottii. These shrubs 35 feet high at maturity. The leaves are back. When you see this dieback and are typical members of the pea pinnately compound and deciduous. The browning, cut them off to the ground. family: butterfly flowers, flattened flowers are insignificant and the fruits The same goes for the rhubarb. You pods, and alternate, pinnate leaves. are about a quarter of an inch long, want the leaves to produce as much food Please send seeds, plants, or fleshy, with a single seed. They are red as possible so don't cut the leaves back if information to Brian Pearson, at first and then turn a robin's egg blue. they are still green. Rhubarb leaves W3452 Peters Rd., Marinette, WI In the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant should be removed in the late fall or early 54143. crimson making it a good fall color tree winter after they have turned brown. for the South. They are remarkably insect- and pest-free and can withstand poor, dry soils and urban conditions. -Peggy Lytton They are hardy to Zone 7. Assistant Editor

American Horticulturist· November 1989 + 15 Gardener's Bookshelf I

A Proper Garden Gardeners who have followed Elisabeth Sheldon's articles in American Horticulturist, Flower and Garden, and Horticulture will enjoy PLANTS FOR more of the same in this collection on perennial gardening. Using her upstate SUNNY New York garden as background, Shel­ don guides us toward creating English WINDOWS cottage gardens and formal mixed bor­ Proper ders in areas with less than ideal­ "even manic-depressive"- weather. A Garden Proper Garden contains a bushel of ON information on achieving harmony PERENNIALS through color, shape, and texture; IN THE gaining control; and creating a balance BORDER of color throughout the seasons, along with everything we need to know about ~ lavenders, geraniums, windflowers, sal­ Foreword by vias, campanulas, dianthus, veronicas, Allen yarrows, and asters. Sheldon extols the Paterson virtues of garden planning, but also en­ courages us to leave room for surprises. ~ "Unexpected things happen .. . (a) ELISABETH poppy may unfold its crimson-magenta Sf-IELDON cup over a little patch of 'Silver Carpet' lamb's ears- a combination so good the gardener wonders why he hadn't 1989. 157 pages. Color photos. Wild and Wonderful Flowers planned it." By Elisabeth Sheldon. Publisher's price: softcover, $12.95. for Your Home Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsyl­ AHS member price: $10.35. vania, 1989. 224 pages. Black and This book recognizes wildflowers as white drawings and color photos. A Year of Flowers flowers in their own right, suitable for Publisher's price: hardcover, $19.95. both formal and informal arrange­ AHS member price: $15.95. Fans of Peter Loewer, another frequent ments in the home. Using native flora, American Horticulturist contributor, authors Irma Fleck and Marcia Easy Care Perennials will enjoy this account of his year­ Stevens create striking designs with round adventures in gardening. Packed vases and containers found in River­ This book's breezy style and fundamen­ with information, this book is a month­ dale, New York, homes. The book tal message makes it an excellent choice by-month description of annuals, peren­ begins with basics such as condition­ for the beginning gardener. According to nials, bulbs, wildflowers, trees, and ing, preserving, line, color, form, and Patricia Taylor, "It is written for people shrubs that can be grown indoors and balance and moves on to more who want the simple joys of gardening out. Each month contains a "flower elaborate efforts such as wreaths, without complicated challenges." The 50 feature" (orchid cactus for April, bridal bouquets, and seasonal features. plants reviewed here were chosen be­ Ligularias for September) and a Many color photographs are used to cause they don't need rich soil, fertilizer, garden plan. The latter range from illustrate the effectiveness of simple or pesticides. Plants are divided (one per windowsills of flowering bulbs and flowers against formal furnishings. The page) into seasonal subheadings. Each houseplants (January and December), book does raise one major concern in listing includes the botanical and com­ to a wildflower garden (May), to a cut­ that the authors have used only New mon name, temperature range, plant! ting garden (August). A bit of plant lore York native flora. However, many of bulb/seed sources, a full-color photo, is thrown in with recommendations for these species are found in other parts potential pests, bloom period, and the planting and growing, landscape plans, ofthe country, and the photographs are author's experiences growing the plant, and directions for constructing various only examples of how native plants can with an occasional bit of history and window greenhouses. An abundance of be used as effectively as florist-shop folklore. A section entitled ''Putting It All Loewer's black and white drawings blooms. By Irma Fleck and Marcia Together" contains photos of the first spill across the pages. By Peter Stevens. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, three years of a garden, along with Loewer. Rodale Press, Emmaus, Penn­ Oregon, 1989. 172 pages. Black and design, foliage, and flower suggestions by sylvania, 1989.254 pages. Black and white and color photographs. Publish­ season for three gardens: shade, semi­ white drawings and color photographs. er's price: hardcover, $39.95. AHS shade, and full sun. By Patricia A. Publisher's price: hardcover, $21.95. member price: $33.95. Taylor. A Fireside Book, Simon and AHS member price: $17.55. Schuster, Inc., New York, New York, -Mary Beth Wiesner

16. American Horticulturist· November 1989 Lawns and Landscaping: 1001 Gardening Questions Book Order Form Answered An excellent book for the neophyte, Please send me the following books at the special AHS member prices. Lawns and Landscaping details the o A PROPER GARDEN . . .. $15.95 0 Enclosed is my ch eck for $ _~_ mechanics of creating a lawn and STA659 o EASY CARE PERENNIALS $10.35 0 Charge to: landscape for the average suburban SIM660 0 Visa 0 MasterCard Exp. Date _ _ _ home. While the format is primarily o A YEAR OF FLOWERS ... $17.55 question and answer, informative ROD661 Acct. # ______o WILD AND WONDERFUL sidebars and charts are provided for al­ Signature ______most every topic and technical points are FLOWERS . • ...... • $33.95 TIM662 clearly illustrated with line drawings and o LAWNS AND LANDSCAPING $13.55 Ship to ______color photographs. The first part of the GAR663 book covers the basics of starting a lawn o HOUSEPLANT LffiRARY Street______(either by seed or sod), year-round care, (for each book) ...... $6.45 City ______HAR664 and taking care of the inevitable weeds, State ______-Zip ___ diseases, and pests. The second part I would like to order books. helps the reader build on the foundation Daytime phone number ______of a good lawn: planning the landscape, Please add $2.50 per book for postage and choosing appropriate trees, shrubs, and handling. Virginia residents add 4112% sales tax. Please allow six weeks for delivery. MAIL TO: AHS Books, 7931 East groundcovers, and utilizing typical gar­ Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. den structures such as fences and path­ Prices are subject to change without notice. ways. A hardiness zone map, glossary, index, and a list of books for further read­ ing are included. By the editors of Garden least you will know that, yes Virginia, for Sunny Windows, Plants for Warm Way Publishing. Storey Communications, there are still exciting new house Rooms, Plants for Shady Corners, and Inc., Pownal, Vermont, 1989. 149 pages. plants to grow. Plants are presented in Fragrant Plants. By Kenneth A. Black and white drawings and color alphabetical order of the botanical Beckett. Salem House Publishers, photos. Publisher's price: hardcover, name with color photos and symbols for Topsfield, Massachusetts, 1989. $16.95. AHS member price: $13.55. cultural requirements; there is also a Publisher's price for each book: $8.95. short glossary. The Houseplant Library AHS member price: $6.45. The Houseplant Library consists offou r 64-page books: Plants -Peggy Lytton For the American reader, The Houseplant Library will prove to be a pleasant deviation from most house LEYLAND CYPRESS TREES plant books. Not only do the plants hail Long-living, fast-growing evergreens from all parts ofthe world, but many of what we typically grow outdoors­ Specially grown for thick, fle·x ible foliage and extra wide­ Gomphrena, Gerbera, and Passiflora­ shape. Trees retain their branches to the ground and grow are suggested for indoor use. For 3 to 5 feet a year. Ideal windbreak when planted 8 feet apart. "sunny rooms," suggestions Trees are in pots and can be planted now. Instructions include unfamiliar but beautiful plants such as Lapeirousia laxa, Lotus ber­ • Will grow in marshy or dry soil thelotii, and, my favorite, Anigozanthos • Not. affected by salt spray manglesii or Mangle's kangaroo paw. The challenge will be in trying to 00 obtain these foreign beauties, but at Prices. From 55 lots of 100 or more: $4 ea. Need a Book List? larger Quantities & Prices Upon Request "\ MAIL ORDERS: Six trees (20") A list of all the books currently offered UPS Delivered $51.00 at a discount to AHS members was printed in the September issue. If you Rated for Zone 7 lost yours or need an extra copy, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope We Accept VISAIMastercharge to: Book List, AHS, 7931 East t ~- f Toll Free: 1-800-673-8514 Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. ~15 " ea IP- Correction ,·l ( ~~h~a~URSERY P.o . Box 159 9 East on. Md. 2 160 1 The hardcover price of Successful 301-822-0242 Southern Gardening by Sandra WE'VE MOVED! Ladendorf, reviewed in September NEW ADDRESS - Same Road - New Location: U.S. Rt. 50 to Easton By-Pass (Rt. 322) should have been listed as $21.95. to Oxford via Rt. 333. Nursery located 5 mi. from By-Pass.

American Horticulturist· November 1989 • 17 Gardener's Dateline

• Through Nov. 26. Japanese • Nov. 2·4. Fall Plant Festival. • Nov. 4. Annual Native Plant Chrysanthemum Display. Brook­ Overseers' Room & Garden Terrace. Sale. Information: Rebecca Coleman, side Gardens. Information: 1500 Information: Catherine Babcock, The Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902, Huntington, 1151 Oxford Rd., San 1500 North College Ave., Claremont, (301) 949-8230 . Marino, CA 91108, (818) 405-2147. CA 91711, (714) 625-8767.

• Nov. 1, 16, Dec. 6. Professional • Nov. 2·22. Landmark Show of • Nov. 4·5. Ikebana Show. Tree Care Courses. Morris 19th Century French Flower Paint· Descanso Gardens. Los Angeles Arboretum. Information: Jan ings. Didier Aaron, Inc., '32 East 67th Chapter of Ikebana International. McFarlan, Morris Arboretum of the St., New York, NY 10021. Information: Information: LuAnn Munns, (818) University of Pennsylvania, 9414 Deborah Semel, Harriet Weintraub & 446-8251. Meadowbrook Ave., Philadelphia, PA Assoc., (212) 935-1033. 19118, (215) 247-5777. Beyond Boughs of Holly

While there's nothing wrong with common house plant, or non-plant pumpkins and gourds, pine cones and material, such as statuary. sleigh bells for holiday centerpieces One of his favorite materials for and mantle trim, American Horticul­ Christmas is juniper, both branches tural Society "arranger-in-residence" and berries. Coxcomb is a flower that Leonard Tharp encourages decorators dries well and adds the traditional red to reach for materials less prosaic. in a surprising way. In an Any arrangement of Tharp's is apt to arrangement done while living in contain non-floral material, such as Houston, Tharp constructed a wreath fruits, vegetables, and dried grasses. of coxcombs, bromeliads, and huge What could be more appropriate for white toadstools that grow in that area. Thanksgiving than a cornucopia spill­ He makes extensive use of native plant ing over with the sensuous shapes and material. For one mantlepiece arrange­ colors of peppers, squashes, ears of ment in Texas, he gathered armloads of corn, and garlands of beans or berries? Chinese tallow berries, which are ram­ A wreath of coxcombs, bromeliads, and "When things begin to berry in the pant throughout the Gulf Coast, shucked huge white toadstools adorns a front door fall," he says, "I think you begin to them to reveal their white interior. He in Houston. have one of the most appealing times formed them into a huge wreath that to gather materials. So many of the was tied with a ribbon with a botanical decorating. "Just don't be afraid to berrying branches you can swipe from print and hung with a long tendril of ivy. gather and use a lot of it," he advises. just outside your car window are On each side of the wreath, he filled things you can use months later." green cachepots with more tallow berries Tharp is likely to include dried and another sprig of ivy. Leonard Tharp and his partner Tom materials in an arrangement any time He employs fruit extensively at Stovall will be conducting six classes at of year, but they seem especially right Christmas, too-not only apples and River Farm in November. Classes on in autumn, when Nature is drying all oranges, but peaches, crab apples, and Nov. 7 and 8 will fo cus on fresh and her own designs. "Particularly with the pomegranates. In his book, An dried materials for autumn arrange­ grasses and weeds you find just by American Style ofFlower Arrangement, ments. Classes on Nov. 17, 18, 27, and plugging along a country road- you he notes that pomegranates are a sym­ 28 will offer ideas for wreaths, wind up with wonderfully big arrange­ bol offertility. A Christmas rangement garlands, and swags. The three-and-a­ ments that can dazzle even though in that book features pomegranates that half hour classes include lunch. For they're no longer fresh," Tharp notes. have been torn open to reveal their more information, call (800) 777-7931. In addition to grasses and dried seeds, paired with sprigs of various On November 30, Tharp will conduct flowers, Tharp employs branches of berries, and a rope of elaborate beading a class on floral art for the holidays autumn leaves, bark, lichens, mush­ from a formal gown. aboard the Annabel Lee, a paddle boat rooms and toadstools, vines, seed In another Christmas display, he has that sails the James River near heads, alliums, ornamental kale, and surrounded a creche with boughs of fir, Richmond, Virginia. Students will be dried berries. He uses grasses to create berried juniper and holly, garlands of served a Southern plantation brunch, the look of "containerless" arrange­ brussels sprouts, and baskets offruits then disembark at historic Westover ments by wrapping the grasses vertical­ and baby vegetables. The effect is one Plantation, from which they will be ly around a cylindrical container, and of an offering to the newborn Jesus. transported to Evelynton Plantation, tying them with more grass. In the Tharp's philosophy is that there is no a manor house designed by Duncan midst of this dry material, he may put limit to the plant-and non-plant­ Lee. For more information, call (804) tropical blooms or leaves from a material that can be used for holiday 829-5075.

18 + American Horticulturist • November 1989 .. Nov. 4 and 11. Courses on Winter .. Nov. 19. Lecture on positive .. Dec. 2·3. Camellia Show. Pacific Protection of Landscape Plants, proof that plants clean the air . Bill Camellia Society. Information: LuAnn Propagating Trees and Shrubs. Wolverton, NASA scientist. Informa­ Munns, (818) 446-8251. Holden Arboretwn. Information: 9500 tion: Lisa Frank, Atlanta Botanical Sperry Rd., Mentor, OH 44060, (216) Garden, Piedmont Park at The Prado, .. Dec. 4·6. Annual Missouri Lawn 946-4400 or (216) 256-1110. Box 77246, Atlanta, GA 30357, (404) and Turf Conference. Clarion Hotel, 876-5859 . St. Louis. Information: (314) 882-4087. .. Nov. 4·19. Mums on Stage. Gage Park, Hamilton. Information: Parks .. Nov. 19. African Violet Care and .. Dec. 13·15. Desert Turfgrass/ Division, Dept. of Public Works, City Culture. Display by the South Coast Landscape Conference and Show. Hall, 71 Main St., W. Hamilton, African Violet Society. South Coast "Water in the Future-Bridging the Gap." Ontario L8N 3T4, (416) 526-4212. Botanic Garden. Palos Verdes Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. Infor­ Peninsula, California. Information: mation: Linn Mills, Nevada Cooperative .. Nov. 5,12,19. Workshops on a LuAnn Munns, (818) 446-8251. Extension, 953 East Sahara Ave., Suite Garden for Hummingbirds, New 207, Las Vegas, NV 89104, (702) 731-3130. Landscaping Design, and Holiday Wreaths and Topiary Decorations. Botanical Garden, New Orleans City Park, New Orleans, LA 70119. Information: Ann Spicer, Director of Public Relations, (504) 482-4888 .

.. Nov. 6·9. Professional Lawn Care Association of America's 10th Annual Conference and Show. Las Vegas. Information: (800) 458-3466 .

.. Nov. 10·11. Lecture and Workshop on Winter Care of Trees and Shrubs. Boyce, Virginia. Sponsored by the Friends of the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm. Information: (703) 837-1758 .

.. Nov. 11·12. Green Team Trade Show, "Gateway to the '90s." Cervantes Convention Center, St. Louis, Missouri. Information: (301) 667-1833 . Lilypons Water Gardens .. Nov. 12. Fruits of Fall Walk. Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, !BE.9in :jO U ~ watH 9au/en todCUJ '!7ith a 1!iC!Jponi C!a tai09UE. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Informa­ featu~in9 p~E. aftE.~ pa9E. of beautiful watE.~ [iCiE.i, [O tUi, b09 tion: Laurie Jeffers, (215) 328-8025. p[ant1., {Lih, i t a t ua~, and thE. E.Hwtiaii fo~ kE.E.Pin9 it ai[ wo~kin9 .. Nov. 12·15. The 1989 Interna· t 09E.thE.~ . tional Irrigation Exposition and Technical Conference. "40 JVo /200[? (!hOOiE. a fi bE.~9 [aH O~ gJ

.. Nov. 16·18. Landscape o 1500 Amhort Road 0 1500 Lilypons Road o 1500 LilYPolls Way Maintenance Association's Second ~ Q B~ 10 ~ Q B~ 1 ~ P.O. Box 1130 Annual Meeting and Equipment Lilypons, ~1D 2 1717 Brookshire, TX 77423·01 88 ll1ermal, CA 92274 (301) 874·5133 (713) 934·8525 Demonstrations. Orlando, Florida. Information: Charles E. Bingaman, P.O. Box 728, Largo, FL 34649-0728, (813) 584-2312. Kame Address

.. Nov. 18·19. Bonsai Show. Los I C ity State Zip Angeles State and County Arboretum. Information: LuAnn Munns, (818) I_~ ____ ------~ 446-8251

American Horticulturist · November 1989 + 19 AHS Bulletin

River Fann had Dear Santa ... another tree loss in September-an AHS may be 67 years old, but it's just especially sad one. A a kid at heart. And were you to get its hard rainstonn top­ caretakers on Kris Kringle's knee, we'd pled a black walnut admit there are a few things we would believed to have like to find in our stockings this year to been planted by make River Farm more beautiful and George Washington. enjoyable for our members to visit. Two remain farther down the river bank, Main House but this was a favorite because it Large refrigerator for storage of shaded picnic flowers and seeds. tables-one of which A clothes washer and dryer. the tree took with it Repairs to our freight elevator. when it fell. Repairs to ceilings in the drawing Pat Connaughton room, foyer, back hall, and ballroom. Roof replacement. background includes two years as Interior painting. New Staff publications coordinator at the Ohio Luncheon and dinner china for 30. Historical Foundation in Columbus, China coffee service for 30. where she was editor of the quarterly Silver coffee and tea service with If you've called AHS for assistance or ad­ newsletter and developed special fund­ creamer and sugar bowl. vice in recent months, you may have run raising projects, including a wildflower Silver-plated coffee urn. into a number of new names and voices. and butterfly cross-stitch series. Her Silver and brass candlesticks. Our new director of marketing and skills at desktop publishing are largely Linen tableclothes and napkins. programs, Joseph M. Keyser, has been responsible for the new look of this Porcelain vases, bowls, and tureens. a conservation writer in the issue of your News Edition. Washington, D.C., area for the past 15 Library, Carriage House years. His most recent experience was at the American Forestry Association, Library table and chairs. where he worked to develop community Columns Restored Card catalog stands. tree-planting programs. He is also Books. currently conservation chairman of the Thanks to Mrs. Harry Van de Kamp of Historical items. Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Paso Robles, California, our former Prints relating to the history of leading major reforestation efforts first vice president, restoration is horticulture. along 700 miles oftrail in Maryland nearly complete on the 10 columns Rewiring. and Virginia. around the side portico ofthe main Water tank, plumbing repairs. Our new membership director is house at River Farm. Two of the Interior and exterior painting. Kathleen B. Amberger, who also comes to columns no longer had caps and three Air conditioning condenser. AHS from the American Forestry other caps had crumbled badly and Association. Amberger has more than 16 were being held together with putty. Grounds years of experience in membership develop­ Of greater concern, some of the oak ment and member services. She is a spacers between the concrete columns Medium-sized truck or van. Washington, D.C., native currently living and the steel beams holding up the Truckster. in VIrginia, where she gardens as often as portico roof were disintegrating so that Front-deck mower. her new AHS schedule permits. the roof had begun to sag from the Weedeaters. A. Renee Blondin, director of pressure. The porch was jacked up, the Utility cart. communications, was public relations spacers replaced, and the elaborate Hand tools. assistant at the Society of American Scamozzi-style caps are being replaced Soaker hoses. Foresters in Bethesda, Maryland, by a specialty company in Philadelphia. Pruning equipment. before joining AHS in early August. The column repair follows exterior Push mowers. Blondin's experience includes working painting and minor structural repair to Plant collections. with Keyser to promote the American the exterior of the main building last Garden furniture. Forestry Association's Global ReLeaf fall, donated by Mrs. Ellice McDonald initiative, an urban tree-planting Jr. of Montchanin, Delaware. In addition, several areas in all of project aimed at countering the green­ A big thank you to both of these our buildings need new carpeting. house effect. AHS is a major supporter members for helping to keep our head­ Remember, all donations to AHS are of the Global ReLeaf effort. quarters beautiful for all the rest of our tax-deductible. New to the publications staff is assis­ friends and visitors! tant editor Mary Beth Wiesner. Her

20 + American Horticulturist • November 1989 Our New Look A Festive Affair and Size River Farm's annual holiday open If the News Edition looks different to house will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. you this month, it's because it's the December 9. As usual, we'll have first issue typeset and produced holiday decorations to buy, punch to in-house at River Farm on our new drink, and goodies to eat. There will desktop publishing equipment. The also be entertainment and a chance change will not only make our to see our parlor dressed to the production process more cost­ nines for the season. effective, but will allow us to bring you news and events on a more timely basis. 1990 Meeting Dates Our September issue also marked a change, from a 16-page format to a The dates for the 1990 AHS meeting in 24-page format. Ordinarily, the Seattle, Washington have been decision to publish more pages is changed to Tuesday, June 19 (when based on advertising. That's not the registration will start) through Friday, case with us. We felt strongly that our June 22. This will leave the weekend members deserved a substantial open for members to join optional tours publication once a month, and our or see the beautiful and fascinating Board of Directors gave us the go­ Northwestern United States and ahead for more room for more news: ~ Canada on their own. This year's more gardening tips, more features, :§ meeting will include fewer lectures but more horticultural research that you ~ more tours; including the world-famous can use, and more space for members .§ private garden of Mrs. Pendleton to talk to each other. Miller, the Rhododendron Species' You'll notice some changes in our Foundation grounds, and several public AHS President Carolyn Marsh Lindsay regular columns and features. gardens. Local coordinator of the congratulates Liberty Hyde Bailey medal Regional Notes, which has been a com­ meeting is Glenn Youell of Bellevue, winner John Creech at last year's meeting pendium of seasonal gardening remind­ who will help plan activities and solicit in Minneapolis. ers, will become a place to find news of community support. botanical gardens and arboreta around the country. There will still be some tips from the experts at those gardens, AHS Sponsors Steele Exhibit but we'll also bring you news of garden expansion, new services, research The AHS traveling exhibit featuring Thirty-five black and white photo­ breakthroughs, and other happenings. the work oflandscape architect graphs, representing these and other Our letters column is now the Fletcher Steele will open January 18 at gardens deemed Steele's best work, Members' Forum, where you can com­ the PaineWebber Gallery in Manhat­ were chosen as a two-dimensional ment on articles, ask for clarification tan with a gala celebration. On exploration of his artistic a'pproach to or more information, offer tips to other January 19, PaineWebber will be the landscaping. The collection was taken members, or ask for their advice and site of a symposium on Steele's work. from the State University of New observations. Most of the pieces in the exhibit first York's School of Environmental Our tight space had persuaded us to appeared last April at the Memorial Science and Forestry in Syracuse, shorten our Gardener's Dateline Art Gallery in Rochester , New York, in New York. column, so that we were only listing conjunction with an AHS-sponsored Also in the exhibit is a series of color horticultural events of wide regional symposium on the eminent designer, photos that capture the poetry and interest and had eliminated listings of who practiced his art for six decades color ofthese gardens. Enlarged professional meetings. We are now beginning early in this century. images help to explain various design restoring listings for events of more Several supplemental pieces can be methods that Steele used. Seven localized interest and trade meetings, seen in New York. These include pieces didactic panels illustrate design since a proportion of our members are of original art, including drawings, problems that confronted him, and professionals, and many trade sketches, watercolors, and sculpture, their subsequent solutions. meetings are also open to amateur as well as three-dimensional objects­ The exhibit will be at the Paine­ gardeners. In upcoming issues, we furniture, architectural remnants, and Webber Gallery from January 18 plan to regionalize those listings so it ornaments-from Steele-designed through March 30. It then travels to will be easier for you to find events gardens. the Wave Hill Gallery in the Bronx, occurring in your area. Steele designed more than 500 New York, where it can be seen from We have also added a short index to gardens between 1914 and 1968. Those May 6 through July 29. our front page, so that it will be easier featured in the exhibit include the An article on Fletcher Steele for you to find regular columns and Charlotte Allen Whitney Garden in appeared in the October 1988 other items of interest. Rochester; the Standish Backus Garden AmericanHorticulturist. A review of If there are other changes or other in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan; the Robin Karson's book, Fletcher S teele, types of information you'd like to see in Gardens at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Landscape Architect: An Account of the the News Edition, please let us know! Massachusetts; and the Camden Gardenmaker's Life, 1885-1971, was in That's what we're here for. Library Theater in Camden, Maine. the October 1989 issue.

American Horticulturist · November 1989 • 21 TravellStudy Trips for the Classifieds AHS Gardener Classified Ad Rates: $1 per word; CAROL DIDRICK'S LITTLE RED BOOK ON minimum $20 per insertion. 10% discount OLD GARDEN ROSES. Where to get them for three consecutive ads using same and where to plant them. An introduction to January 14-21 and copy, provided each insertion meets the OLD GARDEN ROSES. Each book signed and January 21-28, 1990 $20 minimum after taking discount. Copy numbered. Send $14.95 post paid. CAROL must be received on the first day of the DIDRICK, 1535 Willard Drive, Orrville, OH Gardens of the Caribbean month two months prior to publication 44667. *Please add $2 out of country mailing. date. Send orders to: American Windward Islands Horticultural Society Advertising Depart­ BOTANICAL CRAFTS Explore tropical orchid collections, ment, 80 South Early Street, Alexandria, DRIED FLOWERS FOR ARRANGEMENTS. magnificent rain forests, historical Virginia 22304. Or call (703) 823-6966. sugar plantations, sparkling beaches, Pressed flowers. Potpourris. 400 items for and beautiful Caribbean homes. HIgh­ herbal crafting. Catalog $1 (refundable). lights are the oldest botanical garden in AFRICAN VIOLETS Herbal Crafts Quarterly Newsletter $141year. the Western Hemisphere in Kingstown, TOM THUMB WORKSHOPS-AH, Mapps­ America's Finest-177 best violets and ges­ ville, VA 23407-0357. St. Vincent (1765) and Jean-Philippe neriads. Color Catalog and Growing "Tips" Thoze's Balata Gardens in Martinque.· $.50. FISCHER GREENHOUSES, Box H, BROMEblADS Linwood, NJ 08221. TILLANDSIAS-EASY TO GROW WITH­ March 28-April 8, 1990 THE AVANT GARDENER OUT SOIL! Large selection available on our retail and wholesale lists. HOLLADAY Botanical Paradise of Costa Rica DIFFERENT, EXCITING, GREAT FUN TO Stops include the National Museum of JUNGLE, Dept. B, P.O. Box 5727, Fresno, CA READ- for the gardener who wants to get 93755. (209) 229-9858. Costa Rica; CATIE, the largest tropical more out of gardening! Subscribe to THE research center in Latin America; Guayabo AVANT GARDENER, the most useful, most BULBS National Monument, a major archaeologi­ quoted of all gardening publications. Every Bulbous Plant Journal, HERBERTIA and cal site dating back to BOO A.D.; Oaude month this unique news service brings you the Hope's Linda Vista; Monteverde Ooud Quarterly Newsletter. Color-filled articles on newest and most practical on-going informa­ bulbs, corms and tubers of Amaryllidaceae Forest Reserve, where you can see a tion-new plants, products, techniques, with volcano and rare, exotic birds; and and related families. $20/yr. APLS-AH, P.O. sources, plus feature articles, special issues. Box 985, National City, CA 92050-0241. Corcovado National Park.' 20th year. Awarded Garden Club of America and Massachusetts Horticultural Society CARNIVOROUS PLANTS April 21-May 6, 1990 Medals for outstanding contributions to hor­ Carnivorous and woodland terrarium plants Belgium and Holland ticulture. Curious? Sample copy $1. Serious? and supplies. Catalog FREE. PETER PAULS $10 full year (reg. $15). THE AVANT GAR­ NURSERIES, Canandaigua, NY 14424. This repeat of an exciting 1985 tour DENER, Box 489M, New York, NY 10028. will include the Floralies in Ghent, DAYLILIES Belgium, and barge trips along canals BONSAI Tetraploid Hybrids, Rebloomirlg Miniatures, in Holland. Conard-Pyle's Richard BONSAI TREES, pottery, books, tools, trays, Dwarfs and Eyed varieties. All are hardy dor­ Hutton will guide the tour. supplies, and soils. Catalog $2.50. BONSAI Passages Unlimited, 2 Oliver St., Eighth Floor, mant homegrown in central Illinois' rich Boston, MA 02109, (800) 232-2939 CREATIONS, P.O. Box 751IAH, Ft. Lauderdale, prairie soils. All orders are freshly dug and FL33338. well packaged. Send $4 (fully refundable) for BONSAI PLANTS, INDOOR AND OUT­ your 1989 Color Perennial Catalog. KLEHM June 23-July 3,1990 DOOR, IMPORTED POTS AND TOOLS, NURSERY, Rt. 5, Box 197 Penny Road, Bar­ Natural Gardens of Alaska BOOKS, SUPPLIES, CATALOG $1. BONSAI rington, IL 60010-9555. (1-800-553-3715). Cruise aboard the Yorktown Clipper in FARM, BOX 130W, LAVERNIA, TX 78121. THE KING OF PERENNIALS! New color search of natural wonders including BONSAI, dwarfed conifers, pines, maples, catalog $2 (refundable). DAYLILY DIS­ wildlife, spruce forests, fields of tropicals, stock, and cuttings. Catalog $2. COUNTERS, Rt. 2, Box 24, Dept. AH8, lupines, and giant ferns. See, up close, MATSU-MOMIJI NURSERIES, P.O. Box Alachua, FL 32615. VISNMASTERCARD. Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay, and Le Conte 11414, Philadelphia, PA 19111. (215) 722-6286. (904) 462-1539. Experts recommend fall Bay as you cruise along the sheltered planting! inside passage of Alaska. Then enjoy a BOOKS GARDENING ACCESSORIES post-cruise stay in Vancouver to visit 1985 Edition EXOTICA 4, with 16,300 photos, NitobeJapaneseGardens, Van Dusen 405 irl color, 2,600 pages in 2 volumes, with GOATSKIN GLOVES. Tough, lightweight, Botanical Garden and the famed Addenda of 1,000 Updates, by Dr. A.B. Graf, napa goatskirl stretches and becomes form-fit­ Buschart Gardens on Victoria Island.' $187. TROPICA 3, revised 1986, 7,000 color ting, giving wearer ultimate in fit, grip, dex­ photos, now 1,156 pages, $125. Exotic House terity. Natural lanolin irlleather keeps hands September 12-23, 1990 Plants, 1,200 photos, $8.95. Circulars gladly sent. soft. Sizes 7-10 or send outline of hand. $9.50 ROEHRS, Box 125, E. Rutherford, NJ 07073. postpaid. PUTNAM'S, Box 295-AH, Wilton, Castles and Gardens of Scotland NH03086. See Culzen Park Castle and Crarae Out of print, scarce, and antiquarian garden­ Woodland Gardens in Argyll; the Clan ing and botanical books. Catalogs issued GREENHOUSE ACCESSORIES Donald Center Woodland Gardens on regularly. Write to WHEELBARROW COMPLETE MIST PROPAGATION SYS­ the Isle of Skye; and the highland BOOKS, 22, Brangwyn Avenue, Brighton, TEMS. Get phenomenal propagation results, gardens at Inverness and Edinburgh. Sussex, BNl 8XG, England. irldoors-outdoors. Environment sensitive COIl­ You'll be guided by Everitt Miller, FINE BOOKS. Out-of-prirlt, antiquarian­ trolled. FREE BROCHURES. AQUA­ former Longwood Gardens director. bought and sold. Landscaping, design, history, MONITOR, Dept. 4, Box 327, Huntirlgton, NY Passages Unlimited, 2 Oliver St., Eighth Floor, Boston, MA 02109, (800) 232-2939 horticulture. Catalog 891: $2. QUEST RARE 11743. (516) 427-5664. ' Leonard Haertter Travel Company, 7922 Bon­ BOOKS, 774 Santa Ynez, Stanford, CA 94305. homme Ave. St. Louis, MO 63105, (800) 942-6666

22 .. American Horticulturist· November 1989 GROUND COVERS The one and only Indoor Gardening Society of RHODODENDRONS America, Inc. Bi-Monthly Bulletin, Round QUALITY GROUND COVERS AND PEREN­ RHODODENDRONS for Eastern Gardens. Robins, Seeds, Literature. For all who grow NIALS. Aegopodium, European Ginger, Ivies, Free descriptive listing. CARDINAL NURS­ indoors. Send check for dues, only $15 to Mr. Lamiums, Hardy Cactus, Plumbago, Sweet ERY, Rt. 1, Box 316M, State Road, NC 28676. Robert Morrison, 5305 S.W. Hamilton Street , Woodruff, Sedums, Vincas. Over 100 (919) 874-2027. Portland, OR 97221. varieties. GILSON GARDENS, INC., Dept. H, ROCK GARDEN PLANTS P.O. Box 277, Perry, OH 44081. PEONIES Rare Alpines, Wildflowers, Dwarf Conifers, HELP WANTED Also, HOSTAS, JAPANESE AND SIBERIAN IRISES, AND DA YLILIES. Current catalog Ground Covers, colorful Rock Plants, hardy We at the American Horticultural Society are Rhododendrons, Bonsai Books. Catalog $2. $1 refundable. CAPRICE FARM NURSERY­ often asked to refer individuals for significant RICE CREEK GARDENS, 1315 66th Avenue AR, 15425 SW Pleasant Hill, Sherwood, OR horticultural positions around the country. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432. (612) 574-1197. 97140. (503) 625-7241. We are not in a position to offer full placement SEEDS services to candidates or employers. However, Estate, Hybrid, and Tree Peonies. High as a service to our members, both individuals quality plants, freshly handled and expertly THE WORLD'S LARGEST and most famous and employers alike, we would be very glad to packed. Family owned company for 137 years. seed catalog. Over 225 pages, 4,000 varieties, receive resumes and cover letters of in­ Send $4 (fully refundable) for your 1989 Color 1,000 color pictures. A major book ofreference. dividuals seeking job changes and employers Perennial Catalog. KLEHM NURSERY, Rt. 5, The Encyclopedia of how and what to grow seeking candidates. 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Many varieties to American Horticultural Society, 7931 East TREES Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. choose from, including new and exciting sun­ loving dwarf varieties. HORTIGIFTS, Box Trees, shrubs, perennials. Container grown, HERBS 31073, #300-AR, Tampa, FL 33631-3073. outdoors. Catalog $2. OWEN FARMS, Route 3, Box 158-AAH, Ripley, TN 38063-9420. HERBS-Annual/perennial; extensive collec­ POSITIONS AVAILABLE tion. Perennials-Large selection for sun/shade. Sedum-Tall, medium, carpeting; GENERAL MANAGERIHORTICULTURIST many varieties. Visit Living Room Gift Shop -Manufacture/sales of agricultural nutri­ for herbal treats. Display gardens. Retail tional biostimulants; requires product design, catalog $1.50; Wholesale list (Business adapting European products to regional SASE). 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American Horticulturist· November 1989 • 23 spread through many trees in one area. as they are diagnosed. If trees are Move Over Dutch The fungus can also be spread by wounded or pruned for emergency insects, such as sap beetles. reasons, they should paint over the Elm; Here Comes In spite of a high mortality rate among wound immediately. If an oak displays oak trees in Texas for many years, it symptoms of wilt, it should be tested Oak Wilt wasn't until recently that by a trained arborist or county researchers pinned the blame 011 oak extension agent to make sure the cause What is smaller than an acorn but wilt. David N. Appel, forest pathologist is fungal disease and not just drought. powerful enough to kill a red oak in with the Department of Plant You may lose your tree, but you will be less than two months? Oak wilt, a Pathology and Microbiology of the Texas able to prevent the fungus from fungal, systemic disease that attacks Agricultural Experiment Station, said spreading to other neighborhoods. all oak species, especially in the North they are developing a fungicide that Central, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest ''looks promising." Genetically resistant regions of the country. species and biological controls are a more Volunteers Needed First described in the 1940s, oak wilt distant hope. has been observed in 21 states. Con­ Currently, the only way to control Eager gardeners and plant lovers are cern about the disease grew in the spread of the disease is through quick needed to provide data on plants and 1960s, when it began causing consider­ diagnosis and removal of diseased their geographic hardiness for the U.S. able damage to the forest economy and trees. Texas has such a management Plant Performance Guide project-a in residential areas. It has been program to hold down the incidence of computer database capable of helping especially prevalent in Texas and the oak wilt, Appel said, ''but it requires a nursery personnel select the best Great Lakes states. lot of cooperation and research." plants for particular geographic areas. Symptoms differ on different oak In Minnesota, rapid expansion of The guide will become part of the U.S. species. The red oak group, which is urban areas is causing the disease to Department of Agriculture's (USDA) the most susceptible, displays a rapid spread more rapidly than it might Current Research Information System. bronzing of foliage, wilt at the leaf otherwise. As lots are cleared in the The first phase of the project was the petiole, and loss ofleaves from the spring and trees are either cut or creation of a new USDA hardiness map, crown. In just four to five weeks, the damaged by construction, sap beetles which has now been completed. With entire crown will appear dead or carrying the fungal spores enter the the help of volunteers the database defoliated and within a year the tree tree's vascular system through the should be ready in two to three years. usually dies; few recover. fresh wounds and infect the trees. According to Dr. Henry M. Cathey, Live oaks, endemic to Texas, exhibit There are now more trees dying there director of the U.s. National veinal chlorosis and may defoliate but because of the oak wilt fungus than Arboretum, "Anyone who is comfort­ seem to persist for several years. The because of Dutch Elm disease. able identifying plants" can help with fungus can spread through root grafts, Homeowners can help prevent the the project. To become a data volunteer which occur naturally when the root of spread of oak wilt by not pruning (i.e., or for more information about the one tree rubs against another. Live wounding) the trees in the spring, not project write: Plant Performance oaks frequently have common root moving firewood from diseased areas, Guide, U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 systems that enable the fungus to and eradicating diseased oaks as soon New York Ave., Washington, DC 20002.

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