BYGL October 6, 2011

Posted by Ohio State University Extension educators, specialists and other contributors in Ohio Thursday, 6 October 2011 10:00

This is the 27th 2011 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL). BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension Educators, Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio.

***BYGL NOTICE. As the days shorten, so will the BYGL…in frequency, not length. There will be NO BYGL next week (October 13, 2011). The BYGL will return the following week (October 20, 2011) for one final fall howl, and then it will retreat to its doghouse for a long winter nap.

However, the much anticipated, always exciting, annual BYGL survey will arrive in late October or early November. We hope you will spend a little time helping us by answering our survey questions. We look forward to the comments and appreciate everyone's suggestions for improvements. There is one point we're sure we all agree on: the 2011 BYGL season went too fast, doggone it!

In This Issue:

1. PLANTS OF THE WEEK: Annual (Mecardonia); Perennial (Toad Lily); Woody (Sweetgum); Vegetable (Potato); and Weed (Common Burdock).
2. HORT SHORTS: What is a Weed?; and 1Home Orchard Sanitation Measures can Help Reduce Pest Problems.
3. BUG BYTES: Crane Flies Emerging; Cedar Beetles Cluster on Trees; and Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update.
4. DISEASE DIGEST: Squish Squash go Rotten Pumpkins (Black Rot, Phytophthora Blight, Anthracnose, and Sclerotinia White Mold).
5. TURF TIPS: Fall Herbicide Application.
6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) Update; and Highlights from the Bluegrass-Buckeye BYGLive!
7. WEATHERWATCH.
8. COMING ATTRACTIONS: Cincinnati Area Professional Green Infrastructure Network October Meeting; 6th Annual Why Trees Matter Forum; Bucking Urban Logs; 2012 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences Set; and Save the Date – Ohio State University Nursery Short Course (NSC) and Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association CENTS in Columbus.
9. BYGLOSOPHY.

APPENDIX – ADDITIONAL WEBSITE RESOURCES.

1. PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

*ANNUAL – MECARDONIA (Mecardonia hybrids).

Mecardonia is relatively new plant that is not well-known or respected; however, it is a plant that definitely deserves more use! This low-growing mounding plant has outstanding, vibrant yellow colors that show off all summer long and are still shining in the Gateway Learning Garden Field Trials in October. These heat tolerant plants can be used in the rock garden, as a groundcover, border or in containers and take full sun and light shade. The bright yellow, petite bell-shaped flowers cover the entire plant, drawing the eye to the garden. These plants are extremely low maintenance and deserve a spot in the garden. 'Gold Dust', a new introduction, is 5" tall and about 1' wide. 'Goldflake' is another cultivar that grows 4" tall and 6-12" wide.

For more information, see:

• Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening information on Mecardonia 'Goldflake'
• Cornell University Department of Horticulture information on Annual Flower Trials

*PERENNIAL – TOAD LILY (Trycertis formosana).

When looking for something interesting for the fall gardeners, people are surprised to see this delicate flower in full bloom in October in central Ohio. Toad lily has small, unique, lily-like flowers with 6 showy sepals. The flowers are white with deep reddish-purple spots and yellow throats and are found primarily at the end of the stems. They bloom from late summer to early fall. The plants grow about 2-3' tall with lance-shaped leaves that look good all summer. These plants colonize a garden spot with their rhizomatous growth. They prefer shade and well-drained, slightly moist soil. Don't allow the soil to dry out completely.

For more information, see:

• Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening information on Trycertis formosana

*WOODY – SWEETGUM (Liquidambar styraciflua).

This deciduous tree which is cold hardy to zone 5, is native to the Eastern United States. Sweetgum is a medium to large tree, which reaches up to 80' tall with a straight main stem and a pyramidal crown when young. This tree is well known for its combination of rich yellow, purple, and red leaf colors in the fall. The leaves of this tree are alternate, simple, and 4-6" across with 5 to 7 star-shaped lobes. Its monoecious flowers are not showy and appear in early to mid-spring. They are small, bright yellow-green, and tinged with red. Its fruits are spiny "gumballs"; woody brown spherical cluster of capsules which hold 2 seeds and mature in the fall. Sweetgum prefers acidic and well-drained soil. It has few insect or disease problems, which is one reason it is widely planted in the landscape.

For more information, see:

• Ohio Department of atural Resources
• Virginia Tech

*VEGETABLE – POTATO (Solanum tuberosum).

The common potato is a staple and comfort food in many homes around the world. This potato, unlike the SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatas), is a true tuber. This means that it is actually a stem. If one examines the potato closely it is apparent that the eyes are arranged spirally around the tuber and are actually buds on an underground storage stem.

Potatoes are planted in early spring. Overwintered potatoes are cut into pieces, each containing at least two eyes (buds). These seed pieces are planted about 4-6" deep. As the vines emerge, more soil, compost, mulch (or a combination of them) is piled up around the vines to encourage tuber development.

Examine vines throughout the summer for insects, diseases and to re-cover any potatoes peeking through the ground. Tubers exposed to sunlight will turn green which may indicate a buildup of glykoalkaloids under the skin of the tuber. These compounds can be toxic in large quantities so most people cut off any green portions of the tuber.

New potatoes can be harvested just after vines finish flowering. The bulk of the harvest, however, should be delayed until after the vines have died. These will yield the largest and best storing tubers. The tubers can also be left in the ground and harvested through the fall. A thick mulch of straw will protect the ground from frost and freezes. However, potatoes left in the ground under mulch are also a target for insects and mice looking for a warm home with a built-in fully stocked pantry.

For more information, see:

• University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet

*WEED – COMMON BURDOCK (Arctium minus).

According to the OSU OARDC "Perennial & Weed Guide", "Common burdock originated in Europe and was likely brought to North America by early French and English colonists. By 1663, it was so widespread in the US that a botanist mistakenly referred to it as a native species. Common burdock can be found throughout the US, with the exception of a few states along the southern border, and in southern Canada. In Ohio, the weed is most common in the eastern 2/3 of the state where it inhabits uncultivated areas such as roadsides, stream banks, waste places, abandoned farmsteads, and pastures. Common burdock grows in a wide range of soils from sandy clay to moist loam. The species prefers nitrogen-rich soils."

"This plant is a biennial that grows as a rosette of leaves the first year and then produces a 5-foot-tall, erect, bushy flowering stem. Rosette leaves are distinctive due to their large size, heart-shaped base, wooly undersurface, and hollow leaf stalks (petioles). Stem leaves are similar to but smaller than rosette leaves. Located at the ends of branches or at leaf axils on the flower stem are flower heads comprised of a bur with hooked bristles beneath a closely packed cluster of tubular, purplish flowers. This weed is best known for the hooked bristles on its burs that stick to fur and clothing. The only means by which common burdock reproduces are its seeds." For more information on this plant please refer to the OSU OARDC "Perennial & Weed Guide" http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=900 .

For more information, see:

• Ohio Perennial and Biennial Weed Guide – Common Burdock

2. HORT SHORTS.

A. WHAT IS A WEED?

That question arose when a reader sent us a nice note last week in response to our "Weed of the Week" article on LATE BONESET asking us to please not call that, and other plants, weeds unless they were "invasive, alien species that are extremely harmful to our native ecosystems."

We believe that limiting the use of the term "weed" in our "Weed of the Week" section to just those plants that fit the reader's description would provide a definition that is far too limiting and outside the normal use of the term. The Webster's definition of a weed is: (1) a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth; especially : one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants (2) a weedy growth of plants. The Oxford Online Dictionary defines a weed as: "a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants. "The U.S. Bureau of Land Management defines a weed as follows: "In the broadest sense, it is any plant growing where it is not wanted. Weeds can be native or non-native, invasive or non invasive, and noxious or not noxious."

Our general description of a weed is simply a plant that is growing where it is not wanted. Joe Boggs offered the following example during this week's BYGL conference call: "Individual TALL FESCUE plants growing within a KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS lawn are considered weeds."

We believe it is important for people to be able to identify plants and be knowledgeable of their positive and negative attributes. We often try to point out the benefits of plants, whether in our "Weed of the Week" or in other discussions. We also, of course, encourage the wise and proper use of plant materials and pesticides. If we only talked about weeds that fit our reader's definition, we would in all likelihood, never even discuss Bonesets or most other herbaceous plants in the landscape that are not commonly listed as an annual or perennial. That could be a loss for all concerned…not knowing the identity of a plant and its positive attributes might very well lead to an increased chance that a home owner would not be able to fairly evaluate it and unnecessarily attempt to eradicate the unfortunate specimen when it showed up in his/her landscape.

B. HOME ORCHARD SANITATION MEASURES CAN HELP REDUCE PEST PROBLEMS.

Many fruit diseases overwinter on diseased plant tissue. It is important to pick up diseased leaf, stem, and fruit. These sanitation measures can help reduce disease problems.

Apple scab, pear scab and pear leaf spot overwinter on old dead leaves on the ground. Collect and destroy all leaves in the fall, including those from nearby flowering crabapples.

Cedar apple rust spores that infect apple trees come from galls produced by the fungus on cedars (junipers). Where cedar apple rust is a problem, do not plant susceptible apple varieties near red cedars (junipers). Where cedars are part of an established landscape, remove and destroy all galls caused by the rust fungus on cedars in the late fall. Inspect the cedars again in the early spring during or just after a rain when the orange, gelatinous fungus growth from any remaining galls is highly visible, and remove them.

With stone fruits, such as peaches and cherries, the brown rot fungus overwinters on old mummified fruit left hanging on the tree or on the ground. After harvest or in the spring before the buds open, collect and destroy all mummified fruits beneath the trees and any still hanging on the trees. Do the same for any fruits that fall prematurely or show symptoms of brown rot during the season. Never allow rotting fruit to remain on or under the trees.

BYGLers also would like to remind our readers that peach leaf curl, a fungal disease on peaches, is best control with one fungicide spray after leaf drop, but before bud break. For more information on cultural management techniques and spray schedules of home fruit plantings, please refer to OSU Extension Bulletin 780, "Controlling Insects and Diseases in Home Fruit Plantings."

For more information, see:

• OSU Extension Bulletin 780: "Controlling Insects and Diseases in Home Fruit Plantings"

3. BUG BYTES.

A. CRANE FLIES EMERGING.

Curtis Young and Joe Boggs reported encountering clouds of crane flies billowing from turfgrass in western and southwestern Ohio, respectively. Crane fly adults usually appear in Ohio landscapes during two peak periods; some species emerge as adults in the spring and others in the fall. Walking on turfgrass where a mass crane fly emergence is occurring can be an interesting experience. The flies may look like a flock of miniature birds flittering up from the turf and flying a short distance to alight again.

Crane flies look like mosquitoes on steroids; fortunately they do not possess the mouth parts to bite or suck blood. Some larvae of crane flies, called leatherjackets, develop in the soil beneath turfgrass. The larvae of most species of crane flies found in Ohio feed on organic matter in the soil and thatch layer, especially in moist to wet areas in lawns. They are only considered nuisance pests.

However, larvae of the EUROPEAN CRANE FLY (Tipula palodusa) can cause considerable damage by feeding directly on grass blades and crowns. Thus far, this crane fly has not been found in Ohio, but it has been found in Michigan and New York with both states now having established populations. Thus, it may only be a matter of time before this crane fly finds its way into the Buckeye State.

For more information, see:

• OSU Extension Fact Sheet
• Texas A&M Entomology Fact Sheet

B. CEDAR BEETLES CLUSTER ON TREES.

Several BYGLers reported receiving calls about large (1" in length and 3/8" in width) black or brown beetles clustering on trunks of trees. These calls are coming in up and down the western half of the state (e.g. Auglaize, Butler, Hamilton, Miami, and Van Wert Counties). Dave Shetlar also reported on this occurrence in his most recent issue of the Pest Evaluation and Suppression Techniques (P.E.S.T.) Newsletter. The beetle causing all of the excitement is the CEDAR BEETLE (Sandalus niger) that is possibly more appropriately also called the CICADA PARASITE BEETLE. These beetles typically emerge in September and this year, are still around in October. What most likely draws people's attention to the beetle is that the beetle gathers in mating clusters of 3 or 4 on the trunks of trees and in some cases, 40-50 or more. The beetles also fly around just under the canopy of the tree where the mating frenzy is occurring

The beetle is relatively easy to identify, especially the male of the species. The males have very large "lamellate" antennae which means the antennae consist of a group of flat plates that fit together. As one client aptly described the male beetles, they look like they have Groucho Marx bushy eyebrows. The females on the other hand, have short, club-like antennae that are not nearly as showy as the males. Since the beetles are found in mating clusters where there is usually only one or a couple of females and numerous males, the females most likely give off a sex pheromone (a chemical to attract the opposite sex) that is scooped up by the large lamellate antennae of the males. The females usually have distended abdomens and are often so heavy with eggs, they can't really fly well. However, when they do spread their wings, a bright orange to yellow-orange abdomen is revealed.

After mating, the females creep around on the bark of trees and lay hundreds of eggs in crevices. This egg laying activity could make one think that the beetle is attacking the tree. However, as the one common name of this beetle implies, cicada parasite beetle, the beetle does no harm to the tree. When the eggs hatch, the larvae (grubs) drop to the ground where they dig in and search for cicada nymphs (most likely one of the annual cicada species) which should be about a half-inch long by this time of the year. If the beetle grub finds a cicada nymph, it apparently becomes an ectoparasite. It basically chews a hole through the cicada shell and sucks out body fluids. The cicada nymph continues to feed, but doesn't grow well. Eventually, the parasite will kill the nymph and transform into another adult beetle.

Why are they seemingly so abundant this year? Potentially the cicada populations from last year and the year before were robust providing an ample food supply for the cicada parasite beetle to easily find and utilize.

For more information, see: Bug Guide Web Page Fontenelle Nature Association Web Page

C. EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB) UPDATE.

The United States Department of Agriculture/Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) recently distributed an updated regional EAB map. Additions to the version include the expansion of the Federal EAB Quarantine to Claiborne County, Tennessee; Winona County, Minnesota; and La Crosse County, Wisconsin. Maps can be found on the AshAlert website at http://ashalert.osu.edu by clicking underneath the state map on the right side of the website.

While there were some expansions on the national level, questions from residents across Ohio indicate expanding infestations and the spread of the insect is becoming more obvious. BYGL readers are reminded that if your management options include insecticide treatments, treating trees prior to heavy pest pressure can directly impact the effectiveness.

If you would like to share your EAB experiences, or pose a question that you may be wondering, contact BYGL writer Amy Stone at stone.91@cfaes.osu.edu . Questions could be used to update a FAQ FactSheet.

For more information, see:

• OSU Extension's EAB Website
• EAB Regional Website

4. DISEASE DIGEST.

A. SQUISH SQUASH GO ROTTEN PUMPKINS.

Tim Malinich reported pumpkin growers in Northeast Ohio are lamenting the effects of the extended cold, wet weather on pumpkins. Tim indicated that he had seen pumpkin fruits beginning to rot and collapse in the field. Some of the more common fruit rots include: BLACK ROT (Didymella bryoniae), PHYTOPHTHORA BLIGHT (Phytophthora capsici), ANTHRACNOSE (Colletotrichum orbiculare) and SCLEROTINIA WHITE MOLD (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). These fungal rots arise from infections which originally occurred as the pumpkins were growing in the field. Unfortunately, the weather conditions of Northeast Ohio were perfect for additional secondary pathogens to also invade the damaged tissue, resulting in the rapid decay and collapse of infected pumpkin fruits.

The real key to success is to allow the pumpkins to harden-off their rind. Ideally, the fruit doesn't sit out in the direct sun or on wet soils or in puddles, but are harvested from the fields and placed in an open, dry area to cure the rind. When picking and transporting the pumpkins, take extra precautions to avoid wounding or injuring the rind because the wound creates an entryway for infections to occur. Thankfully, with the proper environmental conditions during curing, these wounded areas can heal by producing a corky tissue to seal-off minor wounds. Ideal curing conditions consist of no direct sunlight, temperatures of 65-80F, relative humidity around 70-85% and good air circulation around the pumpkins for 10-14 days. This will cure or harden the rind and some of the slightly immature pumpkins may even ripen or color up too! Once the rinds have been cured properly, as long as the rind doesn't freeze, pumpkins can remain eerily appealing for about 2-3 months.

For more information, see:

• Bacterial Spot of Pumpkin- M. Babadoost

5. TURF TIPS.

A. FALL HERBICIDE APPLICATION.

Fall is not only the time for leaf removal and fertilizer, but also for broadleaf herbicide application. Herbicides applied now will cleanup broadleaf perennial weeds that germinated throughout late spring and summer.

For fall applications of herbicides, be sure the weather will be frost-free for 2 days before and after application. As long as temperatures are above 45F plants will effectively absorb the herbicide as they prepare for dormancy. Frosted plants will not absorb the herbicides overly well, and it takes a couple of days for plants to recover, even from a light frost.

6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS.

A. ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE (ALB) UPDATE.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has opened an Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) office in Amelia, Ohio in Clermont County. The ALB Hotline number remains the same. Residents who suspect they have an infested tree or insect specimen are urged to call 855-252-6450 or go online to http://beetlebusters.info .

Numbers reported in the October 3, 2011 Media Update included the following: 3,475 infested trees confirmed; 42,630 trees surveyed since 07/05/2011; and 56 square-miles under regulation.

ODA has begun to hire staff to work on the ALB project in SW Ohio. They anticipate being at full staff by the middle to the end of October. A fourth public meeting will be held prior to tree removal. More information to come – stay tuned to BYGL and the ODA website.

For more information, see:

• USDA ALB Beetle Busters
• ODA ALB Website

B. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLUEGRASS-BUCKEYE BYGLIVE!

Joe Boggs provided highlights from the 14th Annual Bluegrass-Buckeye BYGLive! held this past Monday at Gainesway Horse Farm in Lexington, KY. At the top of the list was recognition for the program's co-hosts: Larry Hanks (Pampered Properties, Lexington, KY) and Ryan Martin (Director of Horticulture, Gainesway). Kudos to Larry and Ryan!

The day was divided into three educational events: a tour of the farm and a horticulture overview lead by Ryan; a viewing of thoroughbred horses lead by James Cannon, Assistant Stallion Manager; and research updates provided by University of Kentucky researchers, graduate students, and diagnosticians. It was a full day packed with lots of information!

Gainesway was established in 1962 by John R. Gaines of Gaines Pet food fame who is credited with founding the Breeders' Cup race. Gaines also founded the National Thoroughbred Association, a precursor to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. The farm was purchased in 1989 by South African winemaker Graham J. Beck who continued to build upon Gaines' legacy to make Gainesway a world leader in thoroughbred breeding. Beck passed away in 2010 and leadership for the farm is now in the able hands of his son, Antony Beck.

Currently, Gainesway encompasses over 1,500 acres and is the largest contiguous horse farm in the Lexington area. Coupled with guiding a very successful horse farm, the Beck family also has an intense interest in horticulture. This was evident by the stunning landscapes and diversity of plant materials. Indeed, in 1998 Gainesway became the first thoroughbred horse farm in the world to earn Arboretum status with the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, now the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). Ryan and his staff continue to expand the gardens with around 1,600 new trees and shrubs planted each year. Notable plantings include a Magnolia Collection, Azalea Collection, Conifer Collection, and Oak Collection which is one of the largest in the U.S. with 52 oak species represented by 430 trees.

Of course, Gainesway remains a premier Kentucky horse farm, and it has been and continues to be the home of an impressive collection of thoroughbred stallions. Notable stallions viewed by the group included Tapit, America's second leading sire in 2011. He commands a stud fee of $80,000 and became "acquainted" with 157 mares in 2010. BYGLive! participants learned that his fee is not paid until the resulting foul "stands and nurses" which happened 95% of the time in 2010.

Next in the parade of thoroughbred champions was Afleet Alex, a true horse racing legend. This horse won two of the three legs of the Triple Crown in 2005: he placed 3rd in the Kentucky Derby, 1st in the Preakness Stakes, and 1st in the Belmont Stakes. Horse racing aficionados may recall that Afleet Alex's running of the 130th Preakness was the stuff of legends; he stumbled at the top of the stretch almost losing his jockey but raced on to win by five lengths! Afleet Alex garnered over $2.7 million in his racing career.

Birdstone, another racing legend, was introduced by James Cannon as "the most hated thoroughbred in Kentucky!" Why such strong words? Participants at the 2005 Bluegrass-Buckeye BYGLive! held at Three Chimneys Horse Farm were treated to an up-close look at Smarty Jones, the farm's best known resident. In 2004, Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. He was on his way to becoming a Triple Crown winner until he met Birdstone at Belmont…or Birdstone's tail! At the end of the race, it was Birdstone 1st, and Smarty Jones 2nd. Birdstone turned and "smiled" at the participants as if on cue as his spoiler story was being told.

The group moved from awe inspiring thoroughbred horses to the cutting edge of turf and landscape research. Participants heard many research updates from UK Extension Specialists and graduate students including:

• Jonathan Larsin (Ph.D. candidate) summarized his M.S. research with Dan Potter (UK Entomology) on the ecotoxicology of the insecticide chlorantraniliprole (e.g. Acelepryn). The insecticide represents a new class of pesticide chemistry. The chemical binds to one of the receptors (the ryanodine receptor) that regulates the movement of calcium during muscle contractions and locks the calcium channel in a partially opened state. This results in an uncontrolled release of calcium and the subsequent disruption of muscle contractions. Jonathan found that chlorantraniliprole is virtually nontoxic to beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids), turf-inhabiting non-pest arthropods, and non-arthropods such as earthworms.

• Dan Potter provided a fascinating overview of his research results aimed at reducing earthworm castings on golf courses. Although earthworms are highly beneficial to the overall health of soils, excessive castings on top of the grass on tees and greens can play havoc with golf course play. Dan's research focused on reducing earthworm populations using a by-product of the process used to produce cooking oil from seeds of the Chinese tea oil plant (Camellia oleifera) . Although related, the species used for oil is not the same as the plant used to make black tea (C. sinensis). Tea oil is the main cooking oil used in China's southern provinces. It is also used to make soaps and shampoos because the oil is rich in saponins which are natural soaps or surfactants.

Oil is extracted by crushing the seeds. This leaves behind the seed shells (meal) which are also high in saponin. Applying the tea seed meal to turfgrass and then watering releases the natural soaps. The soaps are lethal to earthworms by destroying their mucus covering; as Dan noted, the affected earthworms crawl to the surface, dehydrate, and become "earthworm jerky." A fertilizer product called "Early Bird" that contains composted chicken manure and tea seed meal is now available through Ocean Organics Corporation (Ann Arbor, Michigan/Waldoboro, Maine). Although not specifically an earthworm control product, as Dan noted, it is a "fertilizer with benefits."

• Julie Beale (Plant Diagnostician/Research Specialist, UK Department of Plant Pathology) provided an overview of some of the top plant diseases seen in Kentucky this season based on samples sent to the UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories. She noted that diseases of spruces seemed particularly prevalent this season with Rhizosphaera Needlecast topping the list. On an interesting side-note, Julie reported that when she first started at UK in 1996, 40% of all samples sent to the Lab were from tobacco production; in 2011, 40% of the samples were from woody ornamental trees and shrubs. Her report highlighted the shift in agriculture in Kentucky.

• Bill Fountain (UK, Horticulture) lead the group in a discussion of the impacts on trees of the almost yearly rainfall challenges experienced in Kentucky. He noted that negative effects are usually enhanced by poor horticultural practices such as poor pruning, root damage, and failures to diagnose and address tree structural defects.

Next year's 15th Annual Bluegrass-Buckeye BYGLive! will be held on Monday, October 1, 2012, in Lexington, KY. So, mark your calendars!

7. WEATHERWATCH.

The following weather information summarizes data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) Weather Stations spanning the dates from January 1-September 30, 2011, with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 6:05 a.m.

Wet, wetter, wettest summarizes this week's weather reports from BYGL callers. But, the severity of rainfall depended upon the area of the state. Most regions had days of continual rainfall but heavier and longer periods of showers seemed to occur in Northeast Ohio. Even the Cincinnati area, dry for most of summer, is experiencing substantial rain, green growing lawns, and gray dreary skies.

For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, visit: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm

8. COMING ATTRACTIONS.

A. CINCINNATI AREA PROFESSIONAL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK OCTOBER MEETING.

The Cincinnati Area Professional Green Infrastructure Network (CAPGIN) is to hold its next meeting on October 12, 2011 from 2:45-5:00 p.m. at the Clark Montessori Junior and Senior High School, 3030 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208.

Clark is a brand new LEED silver school that is a showcase of the latest in green infrastructure – very extensive rain gardens, permeable paving, and green roofs. The meeting will be hosted by Pam Simmons and Rose Seeger, Green City Resources, 5912 Kellogg Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45230.

All those professionally involved with landscape stormwater management are invited to attend and to consider joining CAPGIN. For more information, go to http://capgin.osu.edu/ or contact Dave Dyke at dyke.15@cfaes.osu.edu or 513 505-1202.

B. 6th ANNUAL WHY TREES MATTER FORUM.

This program will be held in Wooster, Ohio on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Hilton Garden Inn adjacent to OSU's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster and in OSU's Secrest Arboretum from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The program will include:

• OSU Extension Why Trees Matter and Tree Campus USA Programs
• Keynote: The Politics of Urban Forestry: Real World Perspectives – Ralph Sievert, Minneapolis, MN
• Keynote: Planting Trees, Growing People – Maureen Austin, OSUE
• Urban Coyotes Living in the Urban Forest – Stan Gehrt, OSUE
• Invasive Species: From Asian Longhorned Beetle to Thousand Cankers Disease
• Secrest Arboretum: Growing for the Future
• Early registration will be $60 if registered by October 7, 2011. Registration after October 7, 2011 is $70. Registration deadline is October 14, 2011.

C. BUCKING URBAN LOGS.

This fall, the Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) offered Bucking Urban Logs in three locations across Ohio. Just in case you missed it, a fourth program will be held on November 15, 2011 in Bowling Green, Ohio. The registration cost is $30.00

The main objective of the session is to explore wood utilization opportunities, especially with sometimes under-utilized urban trees. A working lunch will provide for additional sharing and networking opportunities. The program is geared for arborists, urban foresters, tree commission members, and others who want to learn more about the applications of traditional forestry in our communities.

For more information, see:

• Ohio Woodland Stewards

D. 2012 OHIO COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION CONFERENCES SET.

Next year's conference dates have been set. While the events are 6 months out, take the opportunity to get them in your calendar today. Here are the dates: January 31, 2012, Kalahari Conference Center, Sandusky; February 8, 2012, John S. Knight Center, Akron; February 15, 2012, Dayton Convention Center; and March 8, 2012, Columbus Convention Center.

E. SAVE THE DATE – OHIO STATE UNIVERISTY NURSERY SHORT COURSE (NSC) AND OHIO NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION CENTS IN COLUMBUS.

The winter months provide an excellent opportunity for professional development and there is no better program than this one in the country because of the partnership between OSU and ONLA. The NSC is held in conjunction with the CENTS trade show at the Columbus Convention Center, January 23-25, 2012. These 3 days are filled with opportunities for networking, learning, ordering materials and supplies, and much more. Registration information will be available in November at the ONLA website: [ http://onla.org ]. The cost for the 3 day program is $189.00 and has been reduced this year in lieu of today's tough economy in order to encourage companies to bring employees. The benefits gained from attending the NSC and CENTS far outweighs this cost. See you in January.

9. BYGLOSOPHY.

"For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad." – Edwin Way Teale

APPENDIX – ADDITIONAL WEBSITE RESOURCES:

• Buckeye Turf
• Emerald Ash Borer Information
• Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science Plantfacts
• Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program
• The C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)
• USDA APHIS Beetle Buster Website (Asian Longhorned Beetle)
• USDA APHIS Beetle Detective Website (Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer)

Following were the participants in the October 4th conference call: Pam Bennett (Clark); Joe Boggs (Hamilton); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (OSU South Centers); Tim Malinich (Lorain); Cindy Meyer (Butler); Curtis Young (Van Wert); and Randy Zondag (Lake).

BYGL is available via email, contact Cheryl Fischnich  fischnich.1@cfaes.osu.edu to subscribe. Additional fact sheet information on any of these articles may be found through the OSU FactSheet database  http://plantfacts.osu.edu/ .

BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by support from the ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) http://onla.org/ ; http://buckeyegardening.com/  to the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT). Any materials in this newsletter may be reproduced for educational purposes providing the source is credited.

BYGL is available online at:  http://bygl.osu.edu, a website sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences (HCS) as part of the "Horticulture in Virtual Perspective." The online version of BYGL has images associated with the articles and links to additional information.

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.