Ornamental and Shade Tree PEST MANAGEMENT

Pesticide Education Program A Study Guide for Ornamental and Shade Tree Pest Management

Acknowledgments The following Penn State Extension publications Department of Agriculture; Maryland Pesticide were used as resources: A Field Guide to Tree Fruit Applicator Training Manual – Wildlife Control Disorders, Pests, and Beneficials by the Pesticide Category 7C by Richard D. Kramer, Maryland Education Program and Tree Fruit Team; Creating Department of Agriculture; Protecting Bees and Healthy Landscapes series by Stevie Daniels, Gregory Pollinators from Pesticides in Home Gardens and Hoover, Gary Moorman, Robert Nuss, David Landscapes, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Suchanic, and Emelie Swackhamer; Entomology Repellents and Wildlife Damage Control by Michael Fact Sheets by Gregory A. Hoover; Plant Disease T. Mengak, University of Georgia Extension; Using Information Sheets by Gary W. Moorman; Scouting Commercial Deer Repellents to Manage Deer Browsing and Controlling Woody Ornamental Diseases in in the Landscape by Doug Tregoning and Jonathan Landscapes and Nurseries by Gary W. Moorman; Kays, University of Maryland; and Weeds of the Woody Ornamental Insect, Mite, and Disease Northeast by Richard A. Uva, Joseph C. Neal, and Management by Gregory A. Hoover, Gary W. Joseph M. DiTomaso, Cornell University Press. Moorman, and Kerry M. Richards; Pollinator Health Photographs provided by Timothy Abbey, Rob and Pesticides web page by Bill Riden; and Wildlife Crassweller, Ed Crow, Sandy Feather, Garo Goodrow, Nuisance and Damage Information Sheets by Margaret Larry Hull, Gary Moorman, Bill Riden, and Nancy Brittingham. Werner of the Pennsylvania State University; These additional resources were also used: A Study ArborSystems; Bugwood.org; DollarPhotoClub. Guide for Commercial Turfgrass Applicators by Joanne com; Tom Lupp and Christopher Firme of the Forest Kick-Raack, The Ohio State University; Bacterial Pest Management Section, Maryland Department of Leaf Scorch of Shade Trees Information Sheet by Agriculture; Nu-Arbor Products; Pesticide Regulation Jo-Ann Bentz, Qi Huang, and Roman Jordan, Section of the Maryland Department of Agriculture; United States Department of Agriculture - National Dave Shetlar of The Ohio State University; Chris Arboretum; EPA Actions to Protect Pollinators Forth and I. Love of TruGreen; United States Website, United States Environmental Protection Environmental Protection Agency; and Urban Forest Agency; Forest Facts – Getting Chemicals Into Trees Management Program of Fairfax County Virginia. Without Spraying by Michael Kuhns, Utah State This manual was produced by the Pesticide Education University; Information Sheets on Mole Control, Program of The Pennsylvania State University with Repellents for Nuisance Wildlife, and Understanding financial support from the Pennsylvania Department the Strengths and Weaknesses of Repellents Before you of Agriculture. The primary purpose of this manual Buy the Hype, and Vole Control by the Internet Center is to help those preparing to take the Category 06: for Wildlife Damage; Integrated Pest Management Ornamental and Shade Trees pesticide applicator in Schools - Integrated Pest Management in Schools certification exam in Pennsylvania. Questions about - IPM Training Manual for Grounds Maintenance by this manual should be directed to: Kerry Richards, Michael Raupp, University of Maryland, and John Ph.D., Director, at [email protected]. Davidson, Maryland Department of Agriculture; IPM in Maryland Schools: Plant Selection and Health For more information about the Penn State Pesticide Care by Paula Shrewsberry and Michael Raupp, Education Program, visit their website at: University of Maryland, and Ed Crow, Maryland extension.psu.edu/pesticide-education

1 Manual Coordinator Ed Crow, Regulatory Education Specialist The Pennsylvania State University

Technical Advisors/Reviewers Timothy Abbey, Extension Educator The Pennsylvania State University Ruth Benner, Extension Educator The Pennsylvania State University Tom Butzler, Extension Educator The Pennsylvania State University Tanner Delvalle, Extension Educator The Pennsylvania State University Sandy Feather, Extension Educator The Pennsylvania State University Tom Ford, Extension Educator The Pennsylvania State University Chris Forth, Technical Training Manager TruGreen Stanton Gill, Principal Agent and Regional Extension Specialist Nursery and Greenhouse Management, University of Maryland Jessica Lenker, Certification and Licensing Specialist Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Gary Moorman, Professor Emeritus Ornamental Plant Pathology The Pennsylvania State University Emelie Swackhamer, Extension Educator The Pennsylvania State University

Editorial Services and Graphic Design Garo Goodrow, Multimedia Specialist, The Pennsylvania State University Sharon Gripp, Information Specialist, The Pennsylvania State University Jan Hygnstrom, Project Manager, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Whittney Gould, Editor, The Pennsylvania State University

2 Introduction Purpose/Objectives This study guide is designed to help potential pesticide applicators prepare for the state certification exam in ornamental and shade trees to meet the certification requirements listed in the state and federal guidelines. How to Use This Study Guide For best results, follow the steps listed below: 1. Read the objectives listed at the beginning of each chapter. 2. Read the chapter and underline key facts and concepts. 3. Take notes on key ideas and list questions you may have. 4. Write answers to the self-help questions found within each chapter. 5. Check for correct answers and explanations. This study guide reviews the basics of pest management and control. As a professional applicator, you may have training and experience beyond the basic materials presented here. After studying the pesticide applicator core manual and this manual, you should be prepared to take the core exam and the category exam to become a certified public or commercial pesticide applicator for ornamentals and shade trees.

3 Contents Ornamental and Shade Tree Pest Management: Chapter 1: Managing Ornamentals in the Landscape...... 5 Part 1: Pesticide Applicator Certification...... 6 Part 2: Maintaining Healthy Landscapes...... 8 Part 3: Plant with Care...... 12 Chapter 2: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)...... 19 Part 1: Integrated pest Management for Landscapes...... 20 Part 2: The Diagnostic Process: Problem-solving in the Landscape...... 21 Chapter 3: Weed Management...... 37 Part 1: Controlling Weeds...... 38 Part 2: Weed Types...... 39 Part 3: Weed Life Cycles...... 41 Part 4: How Herbicides Control Weeds...... 46 Chapter 4: Insect and Mite Management...... 59 Part 1: Invasion of the Insects...... 60 Part 2: Chewing Insects: Foliar (Leaf) Feeding...... 62 Part 3: Chewing Insects: Borers...... 67 Part 4: Chewing Insects: Root-feeding...... 68 Part 5: Piercing or Sucking Insects: Foliar (Leaf) Feeding...... 72 Part 6: Piercing or Sucking Insects: Stem and Trunk Feeding...... 75 Part 7: Gall-making Insects...... 76 Part 8: Beneficial Insects...... 77 Part 9: IPM for Ornamental Insects...... 80 Part 10: Resistance Management...... 85 Part 11: Pollinator Protection...... 86 Chapter 5: Disease Management...... 91 Part 1: Disease Management...... 92 Part 2: Diagnosing Plant Diseases...... 98 Chapter 6: Nuisance Wildlife...... 111 Part 1: Dealing with Wildlife in the Landscape...... 112 Chapter 7: Traditional Application Methods...... 119 Part 1: Application Methods in Ornamental Landscapes...... 120 Part 2: Calculating Granular and Soil Applications...... 124 Part 3: Calibrating Application Equipment...... 128 Part 4: Calculating Foliar Applications...... 131 Part 5: Tank Troubleshooting and Precautions...... 132 Chapter 8: Specialized Application Methods...... 137 Part 1: Specialized Application Methods in Ornamental Landscapes...... 138 Glossary...... 151

4 Chapter 1 Managing Ornamentals in the Landscape

Learning Objectives Key Terms and Concepts After studying this chapter, you will be able to: 1. Describe why pest management is important in the You should be able to discuss landscape each term or concept after 2. Define a pesticide applicator’s role in caring for the studying this chapter. landscape Cultural practices 3. Describe why the role and selection of disease- and Integrated Pest insect-resistant plant material is important Management (IPM) 4. Identify environmental factors of the landscape that Microclimate influence a plant’s health Pest 5. Match plant material with the best growing Pest resistance conditions Plant hardiness 6. List cultural practices to maintain ornamental plants

5 Part 1: Pesticide Applicator Certification This study guide is designed for people preparing to take the pesticide applicator certification exam for ornamental plants. Commercial and public applicators who need this category primarily make applications to trees, shrubs, ornamental plants, and flower beds in an outdoor landscape. Applications within this category may be for weeds, insects, or disease control. Examples of landscapes under this category are those associated with: • Residences • Apartment complexes • Commercial buildings • Office buildings • Schools • Hospitals and medical centers • Colleges and universities • Government buildings • Parks Commercial and public applicators can only make pesticide applications for the categories in which they are certified. If you begin to apply pesticides to other types of sites beyond ornamental plants and plant beds, you may need to take additional category exams. For example, to make applications to residential lawns, athletic fields, Landscapes are complex systems made up of trees, shrubs, and flower beds. These plants are or commercial lawns, you must be affected by pests (weeds, insects, and diseases) that can damage them. The goal is to maintain a healthy, vigorous, attractive landscape with minimal pest problems. certified in the category relating to Photo: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University turf management. Also, you may need to be certified in the category that covers right-of-way and indus- trial weed control if you are making pesticide applications for controlling weeds to commercial parking lots, along roadsides, curbs, sidewalks, and other similar locations.

6 Your Job Situation commercial setting, or a park, requires the long-term use of a Applicators in the ornamental combination of reliable control category have varied job assignments. methods. Because there are such a wide variety of applicator jobs, this study manual It is important to monitor the pest will contain generalities that might populations and determine if and not apply to individual job situa- when control is necessary. Successful tions. The study manual is designed landscape management requires a to help you prepare for taking the professional who has the knowledge certification exam for ornamental and skills to carry out a number of plants and will focus on safety, pest key tasks: identification and management, • Maintain the landscape environmental stewardship, and properly following pesticide label directions. • Identify problems correctly More information about ornamental • Decide when action is required and landscape management is by developing an aesthetic available through your county threshold extension office, or by visiting the university’s website. If you have • Select the appropriate control questions about which category method(s) and time to act you should be certified in, or what • Use the control method(s) type of applications are covered properly by a category, contact your state’s Department of Agriculture. Pest Management in the Landscape In this study manual, the term pest will refer to unwanted plants (weeds), insects, and diseases found in the landscape, including verte- brates causing damage to ornamental plants. Take grass for instance: we want it in the lawn, but consider it a weed in the flower bed. Landscapes with trees, shrubs, and flower beds are important to environmental health and also improve the aesthetics of the surrounding areas. Trees in urban and suburban settings can save energy, promote healthy communities, increase property values, and protect watersheds. The Pesticide Applicator’s Role Your goal is to achieve and maintain a healthy, vigorous, attractive landscape with a minimum of pest Weeds are a pest in the landscape and can make the landscape look unsightly. They compete with ornamental plants for water, light, and nutrients. Generally the weed wins, because they are problems. Achieving this goal, hardier and reproduce easily. whether in a home landscape, Photo: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University

7 Part 2: Plant Stress Maintaining Healthy As you work in landscapes, you will discover that plants sometimes Landscapes experience stress. When a plant is Even though you may be working stressed, it becomes unhealthy and with established landscapes, it is more vulnerable to pests such as important to understand the funda- weeds, or certain insects, or diseases. mentals of creating a landscape. Being able to identify these condi- Landscapes usually have a variety tions is essential in order to prevent of ornamental plantings, including or alleviate these stresses. The flowers, ground covers, vines, shrubs, following are some of the stresses and trees. In general, shrubs are that can impact plants found in the woody plants with one or more stems landscape: that can grow to a height of 15 feet • Compacted or poorly drained The best way to keep plants healthy is to start or less with foliage extending to the soils with healthy plants. Healthy plants are less ground. Trees typically grow more vulnerable to plant pathogens (infectious • Nutrient imbalances or organisms, or those that cause diseases) and than 15 feet tall. excessive levels of nutrients, insects. Some of the problems that you Photo: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University as is often the case with some may encounter in an established micronutrients (nutrients landscape are not always caused required for plant growth in by pests. They could be the result only small quantities) of poor planting practices in the • Unsuitable soil pH original landscape, or the plant not being well suited to the growing • Air pollution conditions of the site. • Limited air circulation Healthy Plants • Plant crowding Common sense tells us that the best • Road salt injury way to keep plants healthy is to • Improper plant installation start with healthy plants! Healthy • Inappropriate amounts of light plants are less vulnerable to certain insects and plant pathogens (infec- • Poor irrigation practices tious organisms, or those that cause • Drought disease). As with the human body, • Extreme cold or heat preventing a problem may be easier than finding a cure when it comes • Wind storms to having healthy, thriving plants in • Hail storms the landscape. As we go through this • Mechanical damage chapter, we will look at a number of Some problems in the landscape are not important factors, such as: caused by pests. They could be the result of How the Site Influences poor planting practices, plants not suited for • How the site influences plant Plant Health the site, or mechanical damage caused by health mowers (pictured above) or weed eaters. Problems in the landscape are Photo: Ed Crow, The Pennsylvania State University • How cultural practices not always caused by pests. An influence plant health important part of creating and This information forms the foundation maintaining a healthy landscape is on which you can build a strong, to choose plants that are suited to effective plant management program the conditions of each site. Plants to help you make informed, sound placed in a site that meets their needs decisions about whether a pesticide is usually thrive without requiring a lot necessary to solve a problem. of attention, while plants planted in a site that does not suit them will be

8 stressed, vulnerable to attack from pests, and probably require more care. The environment can, and will, affect the health of the plant. Know the conditions of the landscape. How cold does it get during the coldest winters? How hot does it get in the summer? What is the average rainfall in the area? Observe how many hours of sunlight each particular site receives and the direction of the prevailing winds. Another consideration is the soil’s texture and drainage. Does the soil have a sandy texture that drains quickly, or a clay texture that holds water and may drain very slowly? Have the soil tested to determine its nutrient important that you take these factors level and pH (a measure of acidity Hardiness is a plant’s ability to survive into consideration when evaluating or alkalinity). Does the plant require cold temperatures. Hardiness is based the existing plants in a landscape, sites with soils that have a narrow on the average minimum temperature or when selecting new plants for the at which a plant will survive. The United pH range? The growth habits of the landscape. States Department of Agriculture plant are also an important consid- (USDA) has developed this Plant Hardiness Zone map which is the eration. When mature, how much Temperature primary guide for determining plant space will the plant require? What Matching the plant’s needs with site hardiness zones. type of root system does it have? conditions is important. Plants can The northern part of the continental Knowing the requirements and United States is in zone 3a (-40 to -35 only grow and thrive within certain specific needs of the plants in the degrees Fahrenheit) while the southern temperature ranges. When selecting part of the United States is in zone 11a landscape is important. plants, consider both the lowest and (40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit). Pennsyl- For example, rhododendrons are vania is primarily made up of zones 5 highest temperatures for the region and 6, as shown in the Northeastern popular landscape plants because where they will be planted. A plant’s United States Plant Hardiness Zone map they are evergreen and offer a ability to survive cold temperatures on page 16. spectacular display of flowers in the is known as cold hardiness, while its spring. Most rhododendrons require ability to survive high temperatures is good soil drainage, some shade, known as heat tolerance. Hardiness and acid soil conditions. However, is based on the average minimum if planted in a poorly drained area, temperatures in which a particular they are likely to be vulnerable to species of plant will survive. The plant pathogens that cause root primary guide for determining plant rot diseases. In full sun, they often hardiness zones in the United States become infested with lace bugs and is the U.S. Department of Agricul- other insects. If they are planted in ture’s (USDA) Hardiness Zone an alkaline soil, they are likely to map. A plant is considered suitable weaken and die. If the conditions for a particular area (zone) if it can are not right for rhododendrons, tolerate the lowest average tempera- consider using another plant. If the tures that usually occur in a zone. rhododendron is already in a poor Plants used outside their hardiness site, be prepared to monitor for and zones will be under stress, making manage pests associated with it. them more susceptible to pests. The following environmental factors Information about plant heat play a big role in the health of the tolerance is harder to obtain. The plants found in the landscape. It is American Horticultural Society

9 (AHS) has developed a Plant Heat light, temperature, and water are Zone map based on the number of closely related. For instance, woody days that temperatures rise above plants that prefer partial shade may 86°F. tolerate more sun if temperatures are Based on the information from moderate and adequate water and the USDA Hardiness Zone map mulch are provided. and the AHS Heat Zone map, you Soil Conditions can accurately predict how a plant variety will tolerate the temperatures Poorly drained soil will retain a lot common to a particular area. of moisture and can lead to soil saturation. When a soil is saturated, Microclimates water fills all pore spaces between In addition to the regional climate, the soil particles, leaving no space for plants also are affected by micro- oxygen. The lack of oxygen can stunt climate conditions. A microclimate a plant’s growth and over time, could is a small area in the immediate kill it. Root rot caused by certain vicinity of a plant where the climate fungi can be a problem in water- is different from the main climate logged soils, as well. of the landscape. For example, the While most plants need to dry out microclimate under a tree canopy slightly between waterings, they can be several degrees cooler in the cannot tolerate drought for extended summer than in an open area away periods of time. The amount of from the tree. Plants in a sheltered time varies with each plant. Many area beneath the overhang of a hollies, azaleas, dogwoods, yews, and roof might get little rain compared junipers die because the soil has poor to other parts of the landscape. drainage and insufficient oxygen. In addition, materials like brick, Clay soils are more prone to poor concrete, or stones may retain heat drainage because they tend to hold overnight, keeping surrounding more water and drain more slowly Microclimates are small areas within landscapes where the climate is different from plants warmer. than sandy soils. the overall landscape. A type of microclimate For poorly drained sites, either are areas with buildings and concrete where Sunlight and Shade select plants that are tolerant of wet heat is retained keeping conditions warmer Plants vary in the amount of light for plants. conditions or improve the drainage. they require. Before choosing plants Photo: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University Drainage can be improved through for a landscape, observe how many the use of raised beds, drainage tile, hours of sun and shade a specific and/or organic matter. site receives during the day. Plants requiring full sun need at least 6 Soil pH hours of direct sun. Many shade- The pH level of the soil is another loving plants can tolerate exposure important factor since it greatly to early morning sun, but putting affects the soil’s fertility and the sun-loving plants in a lightly shaded plant’s growth potential. Soil pH is a area will delay and reduce their measure of the acidity or alkalinity flowering production. Pest problems of a soil on a numeric scale. The pH can be caused by placing a plant scale goes from 0 to 14 with a pH in a site that does not provide level of 7.0 considered neutral. Soils adequate sun. For example, roses with a pH level below 7.0 are acidic growing in the shade are vulnerable while those above 7.0 are alkaline. to the fungus that causes black spot The soil pH for most bedding plants because the fungus needs moisture should be between 5.5 and 6.5 while on the leaves in order to infect the most woody plants will grow in a pH plant. range of 6.0 to 7.0. Plants such as The environmental conditions of azalea, blueberry, mountain laurel,

10 and rhododendron grow best in soils with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5. Air Quality and Movement Cultural Practices for Plant Health Air pollution and limited air circulation also can have a significant impact on plant health. A landscape • Use deep and infrequent waterings located near a busy highway may • Be careful not to overwater or underwater be affected by exhaust fumes. Watering plants Some landscapes may be exposed • Water in the early morning to frequent, strong winds. Overly delicate plants might not survive in such conditions. On a hot day, wind can wick moisture away from • Test soil to determine nutrients needed plants, causing dehydration and Fertilizing • Avoid overfertilizing; the result is long, leggy wilting. A similar situation happens roots that are easily damaged by storms and to evergreens in the winter where cold weather they are exposed to cold winds in combination with warm and sunny days. This causes winter burn that • Plant in the early spring or fall is a result of the loss of moisture through the needles, or leaves, and • Plant to the proper depth the roots inability to take up water Planting • Make sure the hole is the appropriate size from the frozen ground. • Check root ball for encircling roots or to see Limited air circulation in the if the plant is rootbound landscape is created by tightly clustering plants together or by pruning the tops of plant material to create an artificially dense crown. Resistant • Choose plants bred to tolerate or resist Available Space Varieties insects and diseases Overcrowding can stress a plant. A plant needs enough space for its roots to expand, and for the plant to grow to its maximum height • Remove infested and diseased plant parts without restrictions. Be aware of any • Use approved pruning methods obstacles in the landscape that might Pruning hinder the plants as they grow, such • Allow better air movement and light as sidewalks, driveways, decks, power penetration lines, or other structures. How Cultural Practice weather, and pest problems. Influences Plant Health Cultural practices are just one tool Cultural practices use environmental of an Integrated Pest Management modifications to help manage pests. (IPM) program. IPM uses a combi- Some of the cultural practices nation of various pest management needed to maintain a healthy methods to develop a program landscape are watering, fertilization, that is both effective and ecologi- pruning, and planting resistant cally responsible. An IPM program varieties. These practices help keep is tailored to suit each specific plants healthy so they are more landscape and its environmental tolerant of stress and can better conditions. Cultural practices are survive through drought, adverse used as part of IPM to keep plants

11 healthy so they will not be vulnerable be free of defects, splits, or soft to insects or disease. See box (on areas. The soil surrounding the roots page 11) for common cultural should be moist but well drained, practices to promote plant health. and the roots should not be growing in circles around the root ball or Resistant Varieties and Plant protrude from the drainage holes. Selection The root ball should be big enough Select pest resistant varieties. Plant to support the plant. breeders have developed many disease-resistant varieties. For Part 3: example, the flowering crabapple Plant with Care (Malus spp.) is a popular small tree for residential landscapes, mainly One of the most important steps you because few other trees or shrubs can take to ensure the health and approach its beauty when in full long life of the plants used in the flower. This species is plagued with landscape is to plant them correctly. disease problems such as scab, fire The best time to plant is either early blight, cedar-apple rust, and powdery spring or early fall when the days mildew. Fortunately, disease-resistant are relatively short, air tempera- varieties of flowering crabapples tures are cool, and the soil remains are available. Information about moist. Poor plant growth and death disease resistant plant material can are most often caused by the failure be obtained from county extension to follow recommended planting offices or through their website. procedures. Exotic plants often are used in the How to Plant Trees landscape. They are plants that are not native to the area and are intro- and Shrubs duced from another area. Before Although this section describes tree choosing an exotic plant, make sure planting, these principles can be your growing conditions will meet applied to any ornamental plant. the plant’s requirements and that it When planting a tree, first examine is not an invasive species that will the soil at the site. The soil quality crowd out native plants. Sometimes, will determine the diameter of the exotic plants are more resistant to planting hole. If the soil is rich and pests than are their native relatives. well drained, the hole only needs to For example, Cornus kousa, an exotic be wide enough to allow for shifting dogwood that was introduced from the plant and getting it properly the Far East, is less susceptible to oriented. In most cases, this is about infestation by the dogwood borer six inches beyond the sides of the and less susceptible to anthracnose root ball. If the soil is hard to dig, and powdery mildew than is the contains lots of rocks and stones, or native Cornus florida, the flowering clumps together, prepare a hole two dogwood. to four times the diameter of the root The selection of high-quality plant ball. When digging in sticky, clay material is another important consid- soils, you might compress or glaze eration. Use healthy, robust, thriving the sides of the hole with the shovel. plants. They will become established Scratch the glazed surface with the more easily and will be less likely to shovel or a hand rake before planting Select high quality plant material and introduce a pest or disease problem to loosen soil so new roots can grow pest resistant varieties. Use healthy, into the soil. thriving plants because they will into your landscape. Choose healthy become established faster and are less plants that have no signs of harmful Place the soil from the hole, called likely to introduce pest problems. insects or their damage. In the case backfill, to the side. After setting Illustration: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University of woody plants, the bark should the plant in the hole (later in the

12 process), you will refill the hole with still very dense, tease some of the this backfill soil. New roots should roots out of the ball to encourage have no trouble growing from this outward growth. backfill into the soil beyond the hole. If the plant is balled and burlapped, If the backfill is amended with an remove all twine from around the abundance of organic matter, roots base of the trunk, and then check sometimes circle around within the for the type of burlap. Two types amended soil, rather than penetrate are commonly used: synthetic and into the less hospitable “native” natural. Synthetic burlap is made of soil outside. Consider adding some plastic; it will not decay in the soil organic matter to the backfill soil and will prevent outward growth only if the soil quality is very poor, of the roots. If you are not certain contains a lot of clay or clumps, or is the burlap is made of natural fibers, very sandy. In that case, add no more carefully use a match to burn a than one part well-rotted organic little piece of it. Natural burlap will matter to three parts existing soil. turn to ash, while plastic types will Next, make sure the planting hole is melt and form a shiny bead. Use a no deeper than the depth of the root sharp knife to cut plastic burlap and system of the plant. Find the “root flare,” the part of the trunk that widens out just above the first roots. When a tree is planted correctly, the root flare will be at the level of Trees planted too shallow will have reduced the surrounding soil. All trees and growth. shrubs should rest on solid soil in the Illustration: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University bottom of the hole. This will prevent the plant from settling too deeply into the hole over time. When a plant settles into a planting hole, the roots may be deprived of oxygen needed for growth. When planting bare-root plants, shape the hole to fit the form of the root system. Never bend or twist roots to fit the hole. It is best Root flare to prune the root to fit the hole, or better still, to make the hole larger. Inspect the plants before setting it into the hole. Check bare-root plants for evidence of split or broken roots, and trim any damaged roots with sharp shears in order to make a clean cut. The root system of container-grown plants is usually dense and often circles the inside of the container. Roots that are left in this circular pattern when planted will continue to grow in that direction and eventually could strangle the plant. One of the most important steps for plant health care is proper planting. The hole should Disrupt this circling pattern by Planting to deeply will stunt the growth and not be any deeper than the depth of the eventually kill the tree. The roots are deprived making several vertical cuts in plants’ root system. Make sure that the root of oxygen suffocating them, along with the sides of the root ball and an flare is at the same level as the surrounding causing the bark at the base of the trunk to soil. X-shaped cut across the bottom with rot. Illustration: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University Illustration: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University a sharp knife. If the root system is

13 remove as much of it as possible, insufficient water even when other being careful not to break up the root established plants in the landscape ball. Natural burlap can be removed, are thriving. Commercial watering or the top portion can be folded bags are available that can be placed down along the sides of the root ball around trees and shrubs. These bags and left under the soil in the planting hold a reservoir of water and have hole, where it will decompose. small holes in the bottom of the bag If the plant has a wire basket around to provide a slow release watering the root ball, cut the top row or system. two of the basket’s squares, so the Pruning wire does not strangle the plant as it grows. Leave the bottom part of Correct pruning may help stop the wire basket intact and in place to the spread of pests. Pruning out protect the root ball from damage. and destroying the twigs damaged by pests can help control the next Set the plant in the hole so the generation of certain pests. For root flare is visible at the top of the example, the twigs of trees with surrounding soil level. Make certain viable egg masses of the Eastern the plant is upright and correctly tent caterpillar can be pruned positioned. Stabilize the plant by from December through March Roots systems in containers are usually dense placing a small amount of backfill and often circle inside the container. Roots before the eggs hatch. Pruning out around the bottom of the root ball. left with these circular patterns when planted infected plant parts can help control will continue to grow in that direction and After setting the plant in the hole, diseases, as well. For example, eventually strangle the plant. add more backfill and tamp or Photo: Ed Crow, The Pennsylvania State University fire blight is a disease that affects pack it firmly with your foot. Avoid apples, crabapples, and pears. The packing the soil too tightly because pathogens initially infect small twigs you do not want to destroy the pore but then grow into the main stem. space between soil particles. Prune during dry weather, preferably Watering New Plants in the winter, making the cut 6 to 12 inches below the infected area. Water the plant weekly during the Disinfect cutting blades between first year, except during weeks when each cut to prevent further spread it rains enough to wet the top six of the pathogen that causes this inches of soil. When you water, be disease. Alcohol wipes or household sure to soak the soil by allowing a disinfectants can be used. Some hose to trickle slowly at the base plant diseases can be controlled by of the plant and at the edges of pinching off diseased parts such as the backfill soil. Move the hose flowers or leaves. around a tree or shrub bed to assure uniform water application. Avoid When pruning to control the size shallow, frequent watering because or shape of trees and shrubs, where it will encourage the growth of you make the pruning cut has a shallow surface roots, which will be direct effect on plant health. Prune vulnerable to drying out. Be careful a branch to just outside the branch not to overwater. In general, apply collar, which is the swelling at the 1 gallon of water per square foot of base of a branch where the bark root zone once per week. Frequent from the branch and trunk meet. The saturation of the surrounding soil in collar contains protective chemicals poor drainage areas could smother that guard the tree trunk from micro- When watering make sure to soak the soil. organisms that cause decay. When Avoid shallow, frequent watering because it the root system. Water only when promotes shallow root growth that will be the soil under the surface is dry to making pruning cuts do not injure vulnerable to drying out. Watering bags, as the touch. Continue to monitor new the branch collar because that is shown above, are available that provide a slow where the wood can heal itself. release watering system. trees for drought stress into their Photo: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University third season. They may suffer from

14 If you must prune tree branches more than 2 inches in diameter, Proper Pruning make a series of three cuts to reduce the weight of the limb and avoid Dead Branch Live Branch tearing the bark. Make the first cut Pruning Pruning on the underside of the limb approx- imately ¼ to 1/3 of the way through the branch. The second cut is made Branch bark ridge a short distance above the first cut Branch bark ridge removing the limb, and the third cut Cut B is made below the first cut outside Cut B the branch bark ridge, removing the stub. Remember to make the third cut just outside the branch collar. The same process is used for pruning dead branches. If you leave a long stub, fungi will begin to rot the stub and eventually could enter the trunk. Cut A Wounds treated with a wound Cut A dressing do not heal any faster than those left untreated. In fact, wound dressings are not recommended Cut C as they may favor the devel- opment of certain decay-causing Cut C microorganisms. Importance of Plant Selection Branch Collar Branch Collar Identify key plants in the landscape that are susceptible to pest problems. Also, identify key pests that can cause serious damage, or plant loss. When pruning tree branches more than 2 inches in diameter make a series of three cuts For instance, in a landscape that has to reduce the weight of the branch to prevent tearing the bark. white birches, it is important to know Step 1 (Cut A): Make a cut on the underside of the limb about ¼ to 1/3 of the way that most of them are very suscep- through the limb. tible to bronze birch borer. Often Step 2 (Cut B): This cut is made a short distance above the first cut removing the limb. crabapples are susceptible to a disease Step 3 (Cut C): The final cut is made below the first cut (A) outside the branch collar called apple scab. Know how to to remove the stub. properly identify plants and learn the Illustration: Garo Goodrow, The Pennsylvania State University key pests that are likely to damage those plants, so you can anticipate when control actions will be needed. Being familiar with the common plants and pests in your area is important for a landscape manager. You should be able to identify the plant and the pest at the same time— each influences the other. We will further explore these concepts more in the next chapter, which focuses on diagnosing landscape problems.

15 This is a more detailed Plant Hardiness Zone map for the Northeastern United States. Pennsylvania ranges in plant hardiness from zone 5a (-20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit) in McKean county to zone 7b (5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Philadelphia area.

16 Putting It Together Exercise 1.1 Case Studies 1. You have a new client who is giving you a tour of her yard. She is very upset about some shrubs that always seem to have diseases. The shrubs look overgrown and have not been pruned in a long time.

Why would it be beneficial to prune the shrubs? ______

2. Your client decides to renovate a portion of his landscape. He asks for your input on what plants to install. You recommend some resistant varieties of plants.

Why would this recommendation be beneficial for the landscape? ______

3. You have a client who is giving you a tour of her yard following a winter with normal average temperatures for the area. She is very upset that the gardenias she planted last year are now dead. She lives in USDA Zone 6 and the planting recommendations for gardenias are for up to Zone 8.

Why didn’t the gardenias survive the winter? ______

See answers on page 18.

17 Exercise 1.1 Answers 1. Pruning the bushes opens up the canopy and allows air to circulate around the leaves. This will help dry the leaves more quickly after rain and dews, which will help reduce favorable conditions for diseases to develop. 2. Resistant varieties are designed to help reduce insect and disease pressure on a plant. Having resistant varieties in the landscape will help reduce the number of stressed plants and encourage healthier ornamentals. 3. The USDA has established Hardiness Zones based on the average winter temperature for a given area and a plant’s ability to survive the winter at these temperatures. Zone 8 has a much warmer average winter temperature than Zone 6 so the gardenias were killed as a result of being planted in an area that is too cold for them to survive the winter. In the future, this client needs to select plants that are rated for Zone 6 or lower.

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