Tree Fruit Phenology: Tree Fruit Phenology remains advanced in peach, but development is slowing. In southern counties all peach orchards are late bloom to petal fall. Redhaven was at approximately full bloom on April 4. Plums are at shuck off. Pears are at petal fall. Red Delicious is just past full bloom. Sweet cherries are at late bloom depending on variety. [Read more…]
March 21, 2023 Dave Schmitt
Tree Fruit IPM Report for March 22, 2023
Tree Fruit Phenology:
Tree fruit phenology is advanced based on historical observations. In southern counties some early blooming varieties are 5-10% bloom. Redhaven was at bud swell on March 9, about 3 weeks earlier than the median observation date. Red Delicious was at silver tip on March 9, about 12 days earlier than the median observation date. Plums are in bloom and Pears are at green tip. The recent cold weather has helped slow things down. Peach phenology is about 2 weeks earlier than normal and apple phenology is about normal. [Read more…]
March 2, 2023 Dave Schmitt
Early Season Tree Fruit Pest Control for 2023
- Dormant season oil sprays
- Dormant season copper sprays
- Dormant season urea sprays
September 16, 2022 Tim Waller
Welcome to the Christmas Tree PPA – Pest Scouting Guide Resources
Over the coming season we will be adding timely posts about pests, diseases, pesticides, and related agriculture updates that may need to be acted upon urgently. Additionally, we will be adding detailed information about particular issues to facilitate a better understanding moving forward. Please reach out to Tim Waller, Bill Errickson, or your local county agent if there are topics you would like to see covered through this system.
- Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu – 856-451-2800 ext.1
- Bill Errickson – william.errickson@njaes.rutgers.edu – 732-431-7260 ext. 7273
Pest Scouting
We have been working to develop pest scouting guides that utilize growing degree-days to help you better schedule and implement your IPM, scouting, and spray schedules.
If you are unfamiliar with growing degree-days (aka GDD or GDD50) Refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days” for additional information (click here!)
Please download or print the Conifer Pest Scouting Guide and supplement below
- Complete – Conifer Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF
- Supplement – Conifer Pest Scouting Guide by Insect Group – chart PDF
Thank you all very much for your continued support of Rutgers Cooperative Extension
June 1, 2022 Tim Waller
Bagworm hatch & Boxwood Blight potential now through Friday
Boxwood Blight (BWB) Alert – Infection Potential (Now – FRIDAY)
There is a potential for new boxwood blight infections throughout much of NJ. The end of week rains coupled with more mild temperatures, cloud cover, and prolonged periods of leaf wetness will contribute to the spread or worsening of boxwood blight infections.
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It is time to begin or continue protective fungicide applications in high value areas if you have not already done so!
- My BWB alerts will be less frequent over the summer, given the importance of other issues, and the availability of the Boxwood Blight Risk Model that will give you hyper localized predictions. CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL BWB PREDICTIONS (takes 2 minutes and can save a crop or installation)
| Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 5/24/2022 | ||||||||
| Region | Location | CODE | 1-June | 2-June | 3-June | 4-June | 5-June | 6-June |
| Southern | Upper Deerfield | NJ50 | Very Low | Infection Risk | Infection Risk | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| Central | Howell / Freehold | NJ10 | Infection Risk | Infection Risk | Infection Risk | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| Northern | High Point | NJ59 | Infection Risk | Infection Risk | Infection Risk | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| Check local boxwood blight risk here (CLICK HERE – input your area code – select closest weather station – check 7-14 prediction – click on graph / table) | ||||||||
ALSO: Volutella Blight is extremely common and readily mis-diagnosed as boxwood blight or vise-versa.
- There is a free / open to the public seminar June 23, 2022 about this important disease. Boxwood International Seminar on Biology and Management of Boxwood Volutella Blight by Prof. Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Registration Link: Click here to register
Pest Scouting – Please refer to these documents for a full listing of insects pests for your area corresponding to growing degree-days (GDDs).
- Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF (note this contains conifer pests as well)
- Conifer Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF
Bagworm hatch is upon us in Southern NJ and will soon be /already the case throughout NJ. Please be ready to control these insects during the VERY SHORT treatment window.
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| BAGWORMS (600-900 GDD) (Bagworm hatch prediction as of 6/1/22) | ||||||
| Crop type | Common Name | Scientific Name | GDD Min (50F) | GDD Max (95F) | Reference | Developmental / Target Stage |
| Conifer mostly, many minor hosts | Bagworm | Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis | 600 | 900 | RU | Larvae (early instars) – ONLY CONTROL WINDOW |
| Region | Location | Station | Date (600 GDD) | Date (900 GDD) | Treatment window | Bagworm Hatch – Predictions only, SCOUTING is critical! Treat as soon as larvae detected. |
| South | Upper Deerfield | NJ50 | 30-May | 12-Jun | 13 days | |
| Central | Howell / Freehold | NJ10 | 3-Jun | 18-Jun | 15 days | |
| North | High Point | NJ59 | 14-Jun | 30-Jun | 16 days | |
April 26, 2022 Dave Schmitt
Tree Fruit IPM Report for April 27, 2022
Tree Fruit Phenology: Tree Fruit Phenology is about normal. In southern counties all peach orchards are nearing Shuck Split. Pears are at Petal Fall. Red Delicious is just past Full Bloom. Sweet cherries are at about nearing Petal Fall. [Read more…]
