New Pest Infesting Yellow Poplars

Check out these posts from my colleague and our Ornamental Entomologist; Dr. Steven Frank:

http://ecoipm.org/2015/06/26/yellow-poplar-weevil-outbreak-in-some-mountain-areas/


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

Asheville Carolina Canopy Training Opportunity

“SRT (Single Rope Technique) Climbing for Tree Workers”

June 26th, 2015
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
                   

This will be a day long workshop (with lunch provided) covering the basics as well as the mechanics, safety elements, and some more advanced concepts used in SRT climbing.

Instructors:

Kevin Bingham, Singing Tree in Detroit (inventor of the Rope Wrench and Rope Runner)
Nich Maidment, Asheville Arborists
Andrew Wagner, Asheville Arborists

Topics covered:
History
Tree climbing Tools
Terminology
DRT vs SRT Advantages of each Differences
Tie in methods Basal and canopy anchors
Ascent techniques
Work positioning
Redirects
Redundancies
Tree route planning
Safety



 ISA Certified Arborists may receive up to 6.5 education credits. SAF education credits have been applied for.

Click Here for workshop details and online registration.

Protecting Pollinators in Ornamental Landscapes Conference

Protecting Pollinators in Ornamental Landscapes Conference–REGISTRATION OPEN

A lot of talk and concern has been going on about protecting pollinators from bees to butterflies.  Some discussion has already be made in the recent news about the use of Neonic- insecticides.  This conference is one you don't want to miss.  Get your registration in by July 1 for a whopping $60 savings.  There are limited seats and growing more limited as the days pass.  Since it is at the Kanuga Conference Center between Brevard and Hendersonville-  it is practically in the back door of most of you receiving this blog.   For those of you out side of the WNC region,  the timing is close to being perfect for leaf color on the Blue Ridge Parkway and a long weekend.  

Link to Registration materials- below:

Ornamental Pollinators Conference

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

Job Opening

Landscape Gardener Position Open

Brevard landscape company seeks a landscape gardener who enjoys working on a team and meeting with clients. Knowledge of proper planting, pruning, and disease identification required. NC pesticide license preferred. Some light mowing, trimming and blowing should be expected. Must be able to lift 50 lbs as needed. Applicants should have valid driver's license, clean driving and criminal background checks, and dependable transportation.  Full-time, $12 per hour and up based on skill level.    Contact Charlie Landreth at  clandreth@35-n.com  35-N Landscape Services



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

Landscape Management Wworkshop

Landscape Management Workshop

This will be the 5th year that we have offered the Landscape Management Workshop with direct hands-on involvement in site evaluation that has helped attendees in the past learn how to make collaborative assessments of landscape sites.  If you have not had a chance in the past to attend this is your opportunity.  If attendance is like the last few classes we have offered this year it will fill up quickly.  As with most of our classes (that include lab activities) space is limited.  So I urge you to print the registration form off and get it back in ASAP.  The workshop is on April 24th in Jackson Park!


http://buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Landscape-Management-2015.pdf



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

Commercial Pesticide School

Commercial Pesticide School

Just a reminder, if you or a staff member need to obtain a pesticide license then you need to get registered for the next class NOW.  The next class and exam in Western North Carolina is April 14th and 15th.  Follow the link below to register and buy books on-line;

http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/pesticides/exam.htm



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

Job Postings

LANDSCAPE JOB POSTING

35° North Landscape Services is seeking applicants for the following positions. To apply, visit www.35-n.com, select CONTACT at the top right, then click APPLY.

Grounds Management Crew Leader

Experienced (2 year minimum) grounds maintenance crew leader skilled in customer relations, crew leadership, turf disease and plant identification, pruning, and safe operation of zero turn mowers and small engine equipment, Valid drivers license and good driving record required. NC pesticide license preferred. Full time. 40 hours a week. Pay based on experience.

Gardening Crew Leader

Experienced (2 year minimum) garden maintenance crew leader skilled in customer relations, crew leadership, plant and disease identification, pruning, and safe operation of landscape equipment. Valid drivers license and good driving record required. NC pesticide license required. Full time. 40 hours a week. Pay based on experience.

Office Manager

Full service landscape company seeks office manager to implement new procedures and systems. At least 2 years of previous office experience required. Applicants must have working knowledge  of business software including Quickbooks, basic HR and accounting skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to work independently and with consistent and accuracy. Part-time or Full-time. 

Shop Foreman

Part-time shop foreman to perform preventative maintenance for trucks and commercial landscape equipment such as mowers, blowers, trimmers, and other 2-cycle equipment. Duties include ensuring all equipment and trucks are prepared for daily production and maintaining a clean and well-organized shop of equipment, tools and supplies.

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

WNC Turfgrass Conference

Turf Conference

Whether you manage turf at a golf course, on a soccer field, or in a home lawn, this conference is one that you do not want to miss:  Go to the following link to register:

WNC Turfgrass Conference

We have had limited seating in the past so be sure to get registered early. If you wait to register on site there may not be any room left.

For all of you that are members on the Turfgrass Council of NC be sure to register with this code for the discount that you qualify for: TCNC2015

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

Pruning Program

Pruning Program Announced

The WNC Green has announced a pruning program dubbed Pruning as an IPM Tool for the region.  This half day workshop will be held on March 20th at the NC Arboretum and participants will be able to view a pre-class power-point before coming to class.  Participants needing pesticide credits will be glad to know that 2 hours of credits will be awarded for the class.  ISA credits are pending and expected to be given as well.  

See the attached flier!    

Green Industry Pruning Flier

Gate fees at the Arboretum have been waived but parking is limited. You will be directed to park at the production greenhouse.  Please dress according to the weather and bring your own hand tools. Water will be provided.

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

NC Landcape Contractor's Licensing Law

NC Landscape Contractor's Licensing Law- Some Questions Answered!

Many of you have gotten letters from the NC Landscape Contractor's Licensing Board regarding the new law.  If so perhaps the letter has raised questions.  The following link is to site that will answer some of those questions:  http://nclclb.com/licensing-2/licensing/.

Questions that you as a pesticide applicator may have that may not be answered in the above web site include:

• Q-  If I am a licensed pesticide applicator do I need to become a Licensed Landscape Contractor?
• A- No, not necessarily!  Many pesticide applicators are employed by another entity- landscape company, public agency, golf course, or other establishment.  If so there's no legal reason for you to become a Licensed Landscape Contractor.  As indicated in the legal language of the new law,  only those individuals/landscape companies that perform landscape work where the price of all contracts on a given site exceed $30,000 for any consecutive 12 month period of time.

• Q- Do I need to take an exam?  
• A-  Right now if you qualify to be grandfathered in,  the answer is no.  If you fail to follow through with the grandfathering process before August 1 of this year, or did not meet the criteria required at the end of December 2014 then yes if you wish to become a Licensed Landscape Contractor you will need to take a series of exams.  No new exams will be held until after August of 2015.  The new training manual and exams are due to come out sometime this summer.  Visit the following site to see if you qualify to be "Grandfathered" in: http://nclclb.com/licensing-2/license-application/

• Q-  There's been discussion of continuing education being required. Will there be classes offered nearby or will I need to travel to Raleigh or Charlotte to get these credits?
• A-  Yes, there is a requirement of Licensed Landscape Contractor's to obtain 7 hours of  CEUs- (Continuing Education Units).  Currently, team of NC State faculty, (including extension agent), industry professionals, and community college instructors are working to develop a list of approved classes and content for obtaining CEUs or credits.   These should be readily available regionally through your local Cooperative Extension Center, an area Community College, or on-line.   If you have been maintaining credits on your pesticide licenses, chances are that you have had classes that would have met the criteria of the new license. 

• Q- My business only manages small landscape accounts and never installs landscaping at the $30,000 level; should I get the license?  
• A-  While you are not legally required to get the license and would likely be exempt- see this site to determine exemption:   http://nclclb.com/faq-hold/exemptions/  getting the license under the currently "Grandfathering" period will allow you to bid on projects that require the license and help you avoid taking the exam at a later date.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the  Commercial Horticulture Agent.  You may also send your questions to licensing@nclclb.com