Visit The University of Massachusetts Amherst Apply Give Search UMass.edu (/) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources from UMass Extension and the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment: ag.umass.edu/coronavirus (/coronavirus) LNUF Home (/landscape) About (/landscape/about) Newsletters & Updates (/landscape/newsletters-updates) Publications & Resources (/landscape/publications-resources) Services (/landscape/services) Education & Events (/landscape/upcoming-events) Make a Gift (https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1640/alumni/index.aspx?sid=1640&gid=2&pgid=443&cid=1121&dids=2540) Landscape Message: Jun 12, 2020 Jun 12, 2020 Issue: 9 UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed (/landscape) reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The Search CAFE following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional Search this site news and environmental data. Search UMass Extension has developed a listing of resources for commercial horticulture operations in Massachusetts to help keep you informed and aware of relevant policies and best practices for landscapers, turf managers, arborists, nurseries, garden centers, and Newsletters & greenhouse producers. Updates For our COVID-19 Information and Support for Landscapers, Nurseries, Turf Managers, Garden Centers, Arborists, and Greenhouse Operations in Massachusetts, go Landscape Message to https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/news/covid-19-information-support-for-landscapers- (/landscape/landscape-message) nurseries-turf-managers-garden-centers (/landscape/news/covid-19-information-support- Archived Landscape Messages (/landscape/landscape- for-landscapers-nurseries-turf-managers-garden-centers). message-archive) The Landscape Message will be updated weekly in June. The next message will be posted on June 19. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Hort Notes (/landscape/newsletters- Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list (/landscape/email-list). updates/hort-notes-clippings- from-garden) To read individual sections of the message, click on the section headings below to Archived Hort Notes expand the content: (/landscape/newsletters- updates/hort-notes-archive) Garden Clippings Scouting Information by Region (/landscape/newsletters- updates/garden-clippings) Environmental Data The following data was collected on or about June 10, 2020. Total accumulated growing Subscribe to degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected GreenInfo Mailing List » via our instruments for the 2020 calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning (/landscape/email-list) management strategies accordingly. Connect with UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Soil Temp Forestry Program: GDD (°F at 4" Precipitation MA depth) Time/Date of Region/Location Readings 1-Week (1-Week Gain) 2020 Total Sun Shade (https://www.facebook.com/UMassExtLandscape) Gain CAPE 111 335 65 61 0.47 12:00 PM 6/10 (https://twitter.com/umasslandscape) SOUTHEAST 125 392 80 67 0.55 5:30 PM 6/10 NORTH SHORE 123 407.5 62 60 0.13 8:30 AM 6/11 EAST 126.5 451.5 76 68 0.98 6:00 PM 6/10 METRO 127 426.5 64 59 0.41 6:00 AM 6/10 CENTRAL 125 414.5 60 56 0.25 7:15 AM 6/10 PIONEER VALLEY 134 436.5 74 60 0.35 4:00 PM 6/10 BERKSHIRES 118.5 391 65 61 0.62 8:00AM 6/10 AVERAGE 124 407 68 62 0.04 _ n/a = information not available Updated on 6/11, this map of MA shows "Abnormally Dry" (D0) conditions exist in 8.5 of our 14 counties: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA) Phenology INDICATOR PLANTS - STAGES OF FLOWERING (BEGIN, BEGIN/FULL, FULL, FULL/END, END) PLANT CAPE SE NS EAST METRO CENT PV Kalmia latifolia Begin Full Full Begin Begin Begin Begin/Full (mountain laurel) Cornus kousa Begin Full Begin Begin/Full Begin Begin/Full Full (Kousa dogwood) Chionanthus Begin/Full Full Full Full Full Full Full virginicus (fringe tree) Robinia Full Full/End Full/End Full/End Full/End Full End pseudoacacia (black locust) Deutzia spp. Full Full Full Full Full Full Full (Deutzia species) Weigela florida Full/End Full Full Full Full Full Full (old fashioned Weigela) Aesculus Full/End Full/End End Full/End Full/End Full/End Full/End hippocastanum (common horsechestnut) Enkianthus * * * Full * End End campanulatus (redvein Enkianthus) Rhododendron End * Full/End Full/End Full/End Full/End Full/End carolinianum (Carolina Rhododendron) Rhododendron Full/End Full Full/End Full/End Full/End Full/End Full/End catawbiense (Catawba Rhododendron) * = no activity to report/information not available Regional Notes Cape Cod Region (Barnstable) General Conditions: The average temperature during the period from June 3 – June 10 was 66˚F with a high of 81˚F on June 4 and low of 52˚F on June 8. The period was dominated by partly cloudy days with high relative humidity. Precipitation occurred primarily on June 6 with most areas receiving just under a half inch. More rain is needed as topsoil moisture is short. Tree pollen is still abundant, primarily pine at this time. Pests/Problems: Lecanium scale females have grown into their distinctive hemispherical shape. The female scales are producing eggs and if you pop the scales off a twig a whitish powder of eggs can be seen. Some white oaks with heavy populations are showing symptoms of branch and twig dieback. A couple of small areas of defoliation on oak can still be seen in the upper Cape. The primary culprit appears to be cankerworm but there is also some winter moth damage. Winter moth appears to be done feeding. Other insect pests or damage noted over the period include black turpentine beetle damage on pitch pine, Viburnum leaf beetle defoliation on arrowwood Viburnum, rose slug sawfly larvae on rose, dogwood sawfly larvae on alternate leaf dogwood, elder shoot borer moth damage on elderberry, eriophyid mites on cherry and linden, and the first Asiatic beetle adults have been seen. Disease symptoms or signs observed over the period include sycamore anthracnose, maple anthracnose, brown rot on ornamental cherry, holly leaf spot (also natural leaf drop on holly), Exobasidium gall on Rhododendron, black spot on rose, and red thread on turf. White pine needle disease (other stresses also likely) is causing extensive needle loss on white pine. Weeds in bloom include black medic (Medicago lupulina), cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias), chickweed (Stellaria media), white clover (Trifolium repens), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), and Oriental bittersweet flowers are just about to open. If possible, remove Oriental bittersweet vines and roots before this invasive can offer countless berries to birds who innocently spread it everywhere. Other pests or pest damage seen include slugs on Hosta, rabbits on annuals and lots of dog ticks. Southeast Region (Dighton) General Conditions: Massive yellow clouds of white pine pollen, as well as copious quantities of sticky sap dripping on patio furniture and cars from male strobili, aiming to pollinate receptive female cones, makes one appreciate the evolution of flowering plants even more. It's well to remind frustrated clients that this season too shall pass and that pine sap can be removed with similar solvents. Cottonwood seeds are blowing on the wind, accumulating in now fluffy corners. Hay fields are getting their first mow resulting in the sweet smell of freshly cut fodder in the air. Soils are dusty dry after yet another meager rainfall total. Drought stress from the lack of rainfall can already be noticed on unirrigated turf. The first heat wave will be devastating. Where present, Poa annua already is becoming senescent and turning yellow. Despite the dry soils, humidity has remained high enough that sycamore trees have yet to fully leaf out due to anthracnose. Only the terminal leaves have emerged. The insects and other arthropods are starting to gain in numbers evidenced by the windshield test, although nothing like years ago before the use of insecticides decimated populations. Spicebush swallowtails, black swallowtails, hairstreaks, craneflies, syrphid flies and company are in the garden. Ruby throated hummingbirds can be seen feeding on columbine and catmint. The following plants are among those in flower: Medicado lupulina (black medic), Trifolium repens (white clover), T. pratense (pink clover), Silene latifolia (white campion), Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental bittersweet), Hypericum perforatum (Saint John's wort), Dianthus deltoides (maiden pinks), Salvia nemorosa (perennial Salvia), Iris germanica (German Iris), I. siberica (Siberian Iris), I. pseudacorus (Yellow Flag), Cornus kousa (Kousa dogwood), Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood), V. plicatum (Japanese snowbell), Rhododendron spp. (Catawba Rhododendron and Delaware Valley white azalea), Chionanthus virginicus (American fringe tree), Cotinus coggygria (smoke bush), Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark), Linnaea amabilis, synonym Kolkwitzia amabilis (beauty bush), Weigela florida (Weigela), Deutzia spp. (Deutzia), Rosa spp., R. multiflora (the invasive Asian rambler rose), R. 'Knockout', R. virginiana (Virgina rose), R. rugosa (beach rose), Aesculus