Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Week of May 24 PEST NEWS

Click HERE for the NC PEST NEWS. Highlighted this week in the Ornamentals and Turf section is: Cottony Camellia Scales on Holly,Jaw-dropping Dobsonflies,General Comments Regarding Insects on Ornamentals and Southern Red Mites.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Just Announced! Urban Landscaping Update!


The Carolina Canopy Workshop Series just announced the Urban Landscaping Update to be held in Asheville at the NC Arboretum on August 10! Hot topics and speakers not to be missed! Join us inside on this hot summer day to learn about using edible plants in the urban landscape and integrated pest management. Hear updates about Sudden Oak Death, the honeybee situation, the proposed Landscape Contractors License and updates on the Sustainable Sites Initiative and LEEDS Certification. Landscapers, urban foresters, professional gardeners, nurserymen and plants people alike are encouraged to attend. North Carolina pesticide credits and ISA credits will be available. To register, click HERE. Early bird registration (before July 21) is $20 for members of the NC Urban Forestry Council or $30 for nonmembers.
This update is sponsored by the NC Urban Forestry Council, Asheville GreenWorks and NC Cooperative Extension.


For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

USDA Implements Tree Assistance Program

USDA Implements Tree Assistance Program

Orchardists and nursery tree growers can begin applying for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program. The signup began Monday, May 10, at Henderson-Polk-Transylvania County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The phone number is (828) 693-1406, ext. 2.

The program provides cost-share assistance to orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant and rehabilitate after natural disasters. It provides assistance for trees, bushes and vines grown for commercial purposes and covered by crop insurance or NAP. The program has been expanded to include Christmas tree and nursery tree growers that were ineligible before. Trees grown for pulp or timber or not grown for commercial purposes are

not eligible.

Eligible losses must have occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011. To qualify for TAP, there must have been actual tree, bush, vine, etc. deaths in the stand and those losses must have been in excess of 15 percent mortality (plus adjustment for normal mortality) from an eligible natural disaster for the individual stand.

The deadline to apply for losses that occurred in 2008, 2009, or in 2010 prior to May 7 is July 6, 2010.




For more information contact Kelly Springs, (828) 693-1406 ext. 2
kelly.springs@nc.usda.gov

Week of May 17 NC PEST NEWS

NC Pest News is published weekly by NC State University. NC Pest News is a great integrated pest management tool that helps you to stay informed about pests, diseases, and beneficials that are occuring in our area. For Ornamentals and Turf, these pests and beneficials are highlighted this week:Imported Willow Leaf Beetles,Cottony Cushion Scales,Fire Ants to Ignite Soon, Wheel Bugs Begin to Roll,Red Erythraeid Mites and Oak Lecanium Scales.In Western NC, we are typically about two weeks behind the Raleigh area on pest and disease emergance. So, over the next two weeks keep your eyes out for these critters.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

GreenTips Newsletter

The May/June version of Green Tips is now online at GreenTips
Of particular importance is the Pest Management Tips article referring to Hemlock Borers.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.