New Jersey Department of Agriculture today confirmed that the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees, has been found in Somerset County by a landscaper investigating unhealthy trees in a Bridgewater retail area last week. Inspectors sent insect larvae samples to the USDA where the specimens were confirmed. [Read more…]
May 21, 2014 Richard Buckley
Golf Turf Disease of the Week: Brown Ring Patch
Moderate spring temperatures and regular rainfall over the last week or two have brought a bunch of brown ring patch (aka: Waitea Patch), which is caused by the fungus Waitea circinata, into Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory.
Brown ring patch on Poa annua. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL
May 20, 2014 Richard Buckley
Attention Christmas Tree Growers!
Buds of many confiers, including Douglas-fir, are in the process of breaking around the state. Every spring around this time, the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory starts to get samples with suspect needlecast, and as usual, we have indeed seen our share of needlecast so far this spring.
Needlecast. Photo: Marty McMekin, Mt. Bethel Tree Farm
May 19, 2014 Richard Buckley
Fly, Boxwood Leafminers Fly!
If you haven’t noticed, spring has sprung in earnest. Spring flowering trees and shrubs have popped and are already fading. The buds of many other plants are breaking everywhere. Right along with the plants come the critters.
Freshly emerged Boxwood leafminer adult and pupal exuviae. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutges PDL
May 7, 2014 Richard Buckley
Why are There Holes in My Cheese?
Do you ever wonder what is causing your cherrylaurel to look like Swiss cheese? Clearly, it’s not because Anatole has been hanging around. More than likely the shothole symptoms you see are caused by one of several pathogens and abiotic stresses common to other species of Prunus.
Shothole symptoms in cherrylaurel. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL
April 27, 2014 Richard Buckley
Got Plans for Monday Morning?
If you are managing high value turf areas, like a golf course putting green, I hope you are watching the weather. By most accounts, we are in for some cold rain next week. High temperatures in the low 50s and a 90% chance of rain from Tuesday through Thursday are imminent. Crummy cycling weather, but perfect for pink snow mold!
Pink snow mold. Photo: Todd Clift, Country Club of Ithaca
