Part 2: Thuja, Juniperus and Cupressus It’s important to be aware of issues in the landscape and forest, as these can become problems in the nursery or for your customers. On the flip side, problems not detected in the nursery can become big issues when planted out at the customer’s end. Cedar trees have a […]
Know thy enemy
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Expert insect pest identification resources are available in Oregon The foundations of a good integrated pest management (IPM) plan are scouting, monitoring and identification — knowing where and when you have pests, and knowing exactly who those pests are. Scouting and monitoring techniques are straightforward. One can use tools like sticky cards, traps, bait plants, […]
A tree with a peel
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Despite some pest issues, birch trees provide a distinctive, well-loved look Sales of popular birch trees in Oregon plummeted in the early 2000s when the bronze birch borer made its way across the country and began attacking susceptible plants up and down the Willamette Valley. The voracious insect had been plaguing states in the Midwest […]
Lessons from an ice storm
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Widespread tree destruction highlights the importance of proper selection and maintenance The northern Willamette Valley in Oregon was hit by a once-in-a-generation ice storm on February 12 and 13 of this year. In the small town of Silverton, where the valley meets the Cascade Range foothills, freezing rain fell for more than 30 hours. Trees […]
The grassroots of research
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The nursery industry plays an important role funding and vetting beneficial research projects Universities and colleges, in Oregon and elsewhere, don’t merely provide nurseries and greenhouses with well-trained, knowledgeable and conversant employees. They also provide research-proven knowledge and best practices, so growers can produce a better crop and run a more profitable business. These institutions […]
Silicon: the non-essential beneficial nutrient for plant defense?
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Rhododendrons and azaleas are the backbone of many ornamental landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, since 2016, a beautiful little insect has been plaguing the genus Rhododendron, causing aesthetic and physiological damage, which may lead to plant death if left unchecked (Figure 1). Preliminary studies suggest that cultivars vary in their tolerance to azalea lace […]
Managing epidemics
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Whether dealing with plant pathogens or COVID-19, common principles apply The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, threatening human health, causing disruption to our society, and resulting in economic challenges. While impacts of plant pests and diseases may pale in importance compared to COVID-19, they still cause large-scale ecological and economic damage […]
OSU and USDA Nursery Working Group
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There are many programs at Oregon State University (OSU) and the USDA-ARS- Horticulture Crops Research Laboratory that focus on nursery, greenhouse, landscape and related crops. Here are some of the people and their programs that impact the ornamental industry of Oregon. Neil Bell evaluates landscape plants for drought tolerance and cold hardiness in western Oregon. […]
USDA releases new emerald ash borer detection map
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USDA has released an updated version of its emerald ash borer (EAB) map (PDF). It shows the counties in which authorities have detected the destructive, invasive beetle that is responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of ash trees in the United States. The pest was first detected in the United States in Michigan […]
The emerald ash borers are coming (eventually)!
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An impending threat to Oregon’s urban ecosystems If it’s not on your radar yet, it will be soon: The age of ash trees (Fraxinus, sp.) in the United States is winding down as the emerald ash borer (EAB) slowly follows a western route across the country, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. EAB […]