2018 Jan/Feb Groundwork

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

GROUNDWORK A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E L A N D S C A P E C O N T R A C T O R S A S S O C I A T I O N M D •D C •V A

Support Biological Lake and Pond Management With "Probiotics" Hiring and Training Lawn Care Employees Crapemyrtle—Great Plant, But Insects Are Adapting

contents

January /February 2018 5

President’s Message

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Plant of the Month—Yuletide Camellia

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Excellence in Landscape Profile—The National Museum of African American History and Culture

10 Support Biological Lake and Pond Management With "Probiotics" 13 Hiring and Training Lawn Care Employees 17 Crapemyrtle—Great Plant, But Insects Are Adapting 21 Did You Know? Fun Facts About Plants 22 Advertising Information

Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification Conference Thursday, February 15, 2018

Everything you need to know from the experts.

More information on page 15 On the cover

The National Museum of African American History and Culture

Plant of the Month

Ruppert Landscape Commercial Landscape Installation

—GRAND AWARD— GROUNDWORK

Yuletide Camellia “Feature” and “Plant of the Month” articles can also be found online for LCA Members under the GROUNDWORK link in your Profile Home page at www.lcamddcva.org

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CALENDAR OF

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Josh Kane, CLT—President Kane Landscapes, Inc.—(703) 803-3146 Kevin O’Neill—Immediate Past President Great American Landscapes, Inc.—(301) 972-5681 Aaron Raines—Vice President Live Green Landscape Associates, LLC —(410) 833-9640

FEBRUARY 15

Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification Conference (see p. 15)

The Universities at Shady Grove Conference Center, Rockville, MD

Paul Jester

LCA Mini-Workshop: State of the Industry Panel (see p. 12)

Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus, Rockville, MD

McHale Landscape Sponsored Meeting: New Trends in HighEnd Residential Landscape Architecture, Frank Mariani Presenting (see p. 12)

McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, MD

Joseph W. McCartin Insurance, Inc.—(301) 937-0400 Barry Schneider

Surrounds, Inc.—(703) 430-6001 Jeff Topley

Certification Classroom Training

Agricultural History Farm Park, Derwood, MD

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Certification Hands-on Training

Agricultural History Farm Park, Derwood, MD

BrightView—(443) 766-1360 Chris Vedrani, CLT

Planted Earth Landscaping, Inc.—(410) 857-4744 Jeff Waters

JULY

SiteOne Landscape Supply—(301) 421-1220

Certification Written Test

Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus, Rockville, MD

AUGUST 4

Certification Field Test

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LCA 2018 Excellence in Landscape Awards: Entry Submission Deadline

Agricultural History Farm Park, Derwood, MD

SEPTEMBER Ruppert Landscape Sponsored Meeting (see p. 12)

Ruppert Landscape, Laytonsville, MD

OCTOBER TBD

Michael J. McCartin

McHale Landscape Design, Inc.—(301) 599-8300

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TBD

Colin Jones

Kevin McHale

JUNE

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J&G Landscape Design, Inc.—(301) 476-7600 Manor View Farm, Inc.—(410) 771-4700

MAY 30

Wray Brothers Landscapes—(301) 654-5845 DIRECTORS

MARCH 21

Matt Glover, CLT—Secretary/Treasurer

LCA Mini-Workshop: 10 x 10 Designs (see p. 12)

Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus, Rockville, MD

SAV E TH E DATES

Landscape Industry Certified Technician—Exterior Written Test

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Field Test

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G R O U N D W O R K , the official publication of the Landscape Contractors Association, MD•DC•VA, is published bimonthly by LCA, 9707 Key West Avenue, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.

P: (301) 948-0810 F: (301) 990-9771 E: lca@mgmtsol.com W: www.lcamddcva.org.

Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5 pm (EST).

LCA is not responsible for opinions expressed and facts presented by contributing authors.

Certification 2018

Training Sessions 1 and 2

LCA STAFF Thérèse Clemens, CAE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lynn Turner SENIOR MEMBER SERVICES MANAGER / OPERATIONS Julie Hill MARKETING DIRECTOR Dawn Rosenfeld ACCOUNTANT Lynne Agoston DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL SERVICES Kristen Jones, CMP MEETING PLANNER Barbara Bienkowski, CEM EXHIBITS/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Brandon Lawrence EXHIBIT COORDINATOR Jeyin Lee MARKETING COORDINATOR

JAN/FEB 2018

Editorial Deadline: The deadline to submit copy is the first of the month for the following bimonthly issue and is on a space­­­– available basis.

Advertising & Classifieds: All ads must be high-resolution PDF and pre‑paid. Contact Barbara Bienkowski at bbienkowski@mgmtsol.com for more information and the deadline schedule.

Copyright © 2018: Landscape Contractors Association, MD•DC•VA. Reproduction of any material allowed only with prior written permission from LCA. LCA’s core purpose is to advance the success of its members and provide a community for green industry professionals.

President’s Message Happy New Year!

Josh Kane, CLT 2018 President

On behalf of the LCA board of directors and staff, I want to wish everyone a very happy and successful 2018!

The start of a new year is exciting and packed with possibility. Filled with that hope, everyone proclaims ambitious personal and professional goals for the new year, only to fall back into old habits. Studies show that people who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to change their behavior than those who don’t, but that short-term urges can trump long-term plans. Over 50% of people give up on their resolutions within six months, and less than 10% succeed in fulfilling their goals by the end of the year. The key to achieving resolutions, however, is quite simple.

Experts say there are four ways to help accomplish any resolution: 1. Work on one thing at a time.

More is not better when it comes to resolutions.

2. Break down your resolution into specific behaviors, and put them on a timetable. Most tasks are easier to understand and complete when the big idea is broken into the separate smaller steps needed to make the big happen.

3. Practice resolutions every day.

Don’t allow “skip” days that promote falling back into old habits.

4. Have an accountability partner— someone that can be counted on to point out when behaviors are not living up to goals.

As far as Groundwork is concerned, I have just given you the keys to make 2018 a year of fulfilled potential.

members’ facilities. Our goal is for participants to get the chance to learn from one another, share ideas, and see what some of the industry leaders are doing.

To make 2018 LCA’s best year yet, below is a brief lineup of the magnificent events we have planned for 2018: •

February 15—Pesticide Recertification Conference

Now I want to share LCA’s resolution for 2018 and beyond: To provide our members with excellent learning opportunities that will help with their careers, no matter if they work with one of our industry giants or are a one-man operation just starting out.

•

March 21—State of the Industry Panel

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M a y 3 0 — N e w Tr e n d s i n High-End Residential Landscape Architecture at McHale Landscapes (Fran k Mariani presenting)

Last year, we spent a lot of time listening to our members about what is important to them and how they want to learn from LCA. We received some excellent feedback. People want to be outside more, build camaraderie, and give back to the community. With these wonderful ideas in mind, we made the resolution to change things up in 2018. We are retaining the great certification events that LCA has become known for, but we are reducing the number of mini-seminars, opting instead for “onsite events” at several of the

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July/August—Certification Written and Field Tests

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September—Sponsored Meeting at Ruppert Landscape

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October—10 x 10 Design Panel

•

Novemb er—LC A Ceremony

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Happy New Year!

Josh Kane, CLT LCA President

Aw a rd s

The Perennial Farm Phone: 410-592-6106 - eFax 410-558-6659 www.PerennialFarm.com Celebra�ng 38 years in business

Over 2000 Varie�es available

Perennials - Ornamental Grasses Hardy Ferns - Na�ve Plants

Roses - Flowering Shrubs - Flowering Vines - Ground Covers Succulents - Tropicals - Pansies, Viola, Cabbage & Kale

Plant of the Month

Yuletide Camellia

By Emily McHale Pike, McHale Landscape Design Camellia sasanqua

Winter is upon us once again, and landscapes are desperate for color.

Camellias are a perfect addition to any setting. In particular, the Yuletide Camellia—Camellia sasanqua, ‘Yuletide’ is a colorful choice. This evergreen shrub blooms beautiful red flowers with a golden center just in time for the holidays. The blooms generally begin in September and can last through January.

Its hardiness ranges from zones 7- 9, stretching from northern California to the East Coast. Once established, the shrub can handle most everything Mother Nature throws at it. It has a moderate growth habit and is very drought tolerant. The Yuletide Camellia can reach a height of 8–10 feet and a width of 6–8 feet. If you are not savvy with pruning, have no fear, because these plants are virtually maintenance free. Although if you do choose to prune, expect a rewarding double bloom the follow-

ing year. They can handle full to partial sun, making it very versatile.

This shrub can be used as a foundation plant, evergreen border, or specimen. Although they can be used in many places, as an accent plant is most common. One factor to keep in mind when cho osi ng a spot for your Camellia is wind. When d i re c t ly e x p o s e d to wind, Camellias have a tendency to defoliate.

I have recently discovered that their leaves make a great accent to w i nter arrangements. The g l o s s y, s e r r a t e d leaves are add a texture like no other.

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When looking for a little color during the drab winter months, just remember Yuletide Camellia will bring a little unexpected sunshine to your landscape.

2017 Grand Award

The National Museum of African American History and Culture Ruppert Landscape | Commercial Landscape Installation

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Occupying the last available space on the National Mall, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture was completed in spring 2016. The landscape links the 5-acre site into the larger composition of the National Mall, serving as a critical component of the museum experience. We were contracted to install over 100 trees; plant over 400,000 blue crocus bulbs, 4,000 shrubs, and 550 peren-

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nials, grasses, and groundcover; and install 12,000 square feet of mulch.

Additionally, our scope of work included irrigation, soils, site amenities, stone curb, concrete flatwork, concrete walls, pavers, and water features. These and many other features of the site reinforce the overall theme of the museum and will encourage visitors to extend their experience outside.

Support Biological Lake and Pond Management With “Probiotics”

By Erin Stewart, SOLitude Lake Management Many sustainable options exist for the management of lakes and ponds, so it can be difficult to determine which direction to turn when a water quality issue occurs. This is especially true for waterbodies used for recreational activity, irrigation, and stormwater runoff—or any location

where pesticides or other traditional management methods may be less desirable or restricted. However, all aquatic resources can benefit from proactive applications of natural and biological products. Beneficial bacteria-based products can be used as pesticide alternatives, or used in

conjunction with other products and methods to enhance the efficiency of the treatment.

Bacteria may sound like a bad word in some situations, but these organisms are the foundation of most biological processes within an aquatic

Over time, organic runoff builds up as muck at the bottom of lakes and ponds. As part of a proactive management plan, biological augmentation can be used to naturally and sustainably limit the accumulation of materials while improving the water quality and beauty of the waterbody.

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Probiotics continued resource. Think of them as probiotics or yogurt for your lake or pond—they are responsible for breaking down and processing organic material in a process called biological augmentation.

Beneficial bacteria acts much like a natural probiotic for your lake or pond, aiding with the efficient decomposition of organic materials and excessive nutrients, which can help prevent the development of nuisance algae and vegetation and facilitate the growth of healthy organisms.

When properly introduced, biological augmentation can help limit the impact of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which tend to enter waterbodies through runoff containing fertilizers, animal waste, and other organic materials. Without proper management, these materials may accumulate as sludge at the bottom of your waterbody, causing noxious odors, promoting nuisance algae and weed growth, and expediting the waterbody’s rate of aging. Over time, costly dredging will be required to restore the health and overall volume of the aquatic resource. When beneficial bacteria are in place, they convert nutrients to forms that cannot fuel nuisance plant growth, thereby promoting efficient decomposition and preventing the accumulation of organic materials. This, in turn, can help diversify the biological community structure by facilitating the development of “good” algae, diatoms, zooplankton, and healthy fish.

Regular applications of these biologicals can be incredibly favorable and help keep beneficial bacteria concentrations and activity high throughout the year. Depending on the particular water quality or vegetation issues within your waterbody, a professional may recommend dif-

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Probiotics continued ferent forms of probiotic bacteria, including liquid, pellet, or powdered applications.

Liquid bacteria blends are considered high-performance due to their ability to rapidly neutralize excessive nutrients that are located within the water column. Liquid blends can help to quickly enhance water clarity and quality. Pellet or granular beneficial bacteria applications contain bacteria that naturally settle to the bottom of a lake or pond to reduce organic materials that cause bottom sludge. In moderate or warm climates, the resulting reduction in accumulated sediment can be significant.

Beneficial bacteria are an excellent solution for the reduction of excessive nutrient-rich organic matter that causes bottom sludge and nui-

sance vegetation, but they don’t have to be utilized independently. When applied by a licensed professional, some biological products can also be used in conjunction with herbicides to aid in the decomposition process of submerged and emergent vegetation.

A professional will determine the rate and frequency of beneficial bacteria and/or herbicide applications by conducting water chemistry tests or considering the targeted issue.

However, the best way to achieve your overall lake or pond goals is to ensure the proper products are being utilized. There are many selections available on the market, so it is very important to choose a quality option with field data and science supporting the claims. Always rely on your lake and pond management company for beneficial bacteria recommenda-

tions as well as guidance on strategies to improve aeration, beneficial buffers, water quality, and native wildlife populations. Your water will thank you.

Erin Stewart is an experienced aquatic biologist with SOLitude Lake Management, an environmental firm providing a full array of superior lake, pond, wetland, and fisheries management services and solutions. She can be reached through the website www.solitudelakemanagement.com.

Events You Won’t Want to Miss This Year LCA MINI-WORKSHOP— STATE OF THE INDUSTRY March 21, 2018 | 9:30 am–Noon (Networking lunch at noon included)

Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus, 9605 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 LCA is gathering together leaders from many facets of the landscape industry to share how the market has changed their business and strategies for success in the future. This will be a great opportunity for you to pick up some new ideas and strategies to take your company to the next level. Confirmed panelists include Don Smedberg, Site One Landscape Supply; Mark Gionet, ASLA, AICP, LSG Landscape Architecture; Michael Martin, Live Green Landscapes Associates LLC; Kevin McHale, McHale Landscape Design, Inc.; Tom Barry, Ruppert Landscape; and others.

NEW TRENDS IN HIGH-END RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

LCA MINI-WORKSHOP— 10 X 10 DESIGNS

Frank Mariani, Mariani Landscape, Inc. May 30, 2018 | 5:30 pm–8:00 pm

(Networking lunch at noon included)

Sponsored by and held at McHale Landscape Design, Inc. 6212 Leapley Road Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

RUPPERT LANDSCAPE SPONSORED MEETING September 2018 (date and speaker TBD) Sponsored by and held at Ruppert Landscape 23601 Laytonsville Road Laytonsville, MD 20882

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October 2018 (date TBD) | 9:30 am–Noon Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus, 9605 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 Award-winning landscape architects, designers, and design/build contractors will showcase their most inspirational work in what is known as a 10 x 10 design presentation format. Professionals from various landscape design disciplines will present 10 photos in 10 minutes, covering both residential and commercial projects.

Hiring and Training Lawn Care Employees

By Meta L. Levin Hiring lawn care employees to meet the demand is a never-ending process, but it doesn’t necessarily mean coveting your competition’s best people. It means, say those in the business, keeping an eye out for the kind of people who have the aptitude and can be taught the skills.

conditions on that piece of property.”

In other words, flexible and able to think outside of the proverbial box.

One of Enger’s high priorities is reliability. For example, the clerk he sees daily at a local convenience store. “To me, he’s a good guy, because he is reliable,” he says.

employees. They tend to be reliable and trustworthy.”

Both Enger and Orwig suggest looking at multiple approaches to finding employees—even putting signs on the back of their trucks when they need someone.

Orwig also is looking for someone “I look for people who have the ability w ith good communito do things,” says Jorcation skills, because, dan Orwig, assistant “What motivates you? The answer I’m looking after all, he or she must director of ser vice for is money, as petty as that may sound. I ta l k w it h customers, lines for SaveATree in Northbrook. Orwig want people to understand that what we are a n s wer i ng quest ion s and imparting informawas talking about hirdoing here is a business.” tion. He is wary, he says, ing new employees for of carefully rehearsed SavATree/SavALawn.

In practice, however, Enger gets answers to his questions, because Two years ago, when Harold Enger of some of his best employees as refer- that often tells him little about the Spring Green Lawn Care celebrated rals from current ones. They know job candidate’s real communication 37 years in the industry by reminisc- what the job entails, and they usu- skills. ing about his early days, he admit- ally recommend people with whom ted that when he initially applied they’d like to work. Enger offers a He’s also looking for those who can for a job in lawn care, he knew very no-caveats bonus. In other words, work independently. “I need people little about it, attributing his hir- the referral does not have to stay who can be on their own,” he says. ing to “fate.” Now, he keeps an eye for a certain amount of time for the out wherever he goes for people he employee to earn the bonus. “In the His favorite question? “What motithinks might be good hires. “I’m end, it’s my decision to hire,” he says. vates you,” says Orwig. “The answer I’m looking for is money, as petty as always looking for the next good perHe also seeks job applicants in that may sound.” It tells Orwig that son,” he says. community colleges and churches, the job candidate is aware that this Although both Orwig and Enger because often people there know is a business, with the necessity to agree that their next good hire who is looking for work. Nor does he control expenses. “I want people to doesn’t necessarily have to come limit his hires to males. “I ask if they understand that what we are doing from the green industry, they both can pick up a 50-pound bag,” he says. here is a business.” have some requirements. Orwig, for “That’s the same as a small child. instance, needs someone who “is able A lot of franchisees have female When starting the interview process, Enger always begins with a phone to tweak his knowledge based on the GROUNDWORK

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Hiring and Training continued call. He never puts the address on advertisements, flyers or signs— just a telephone number. And his first two screening questions? “Are you at least 18 years old and do you have a valid state driver’s license?”

These are the same first questions he remembers getting when he first called about a job.

Second interviews often are held at a neutral place, such as a coffee house or restaurant and Enger makes it a point to turn off his cell phone, so that there will be no distractions.

He asks open ended questions, such as asking the candidate about a time on his last job when he or she had to convince the boss to do something or what he or she would do at the last job to make the work environment better. Then he listens just as much to the answer, as to how it is answered.

He wants to know what the person does in his free time and, of course, can he or she lift a 50-pound bag? Is there a problem walking on uneven ground or something that would make it difficult to communicate with a customer; can he or she understand and read a map and can he or she write legibly, whether in cursive or print. If there is a disability that requires an accommodation to do the job, what is it?

Training

The first day on the job at SpringGreen, Enger asks new hires to come in after everyone else has left for assignments for the day. This gives him uninterrupted time to concentrate on the person. “When training a new person, the manager should spend a day with him or her,” he says.

During that time, he should make it clear what he wants out of the

new hire, as well as to get the new employee into the right mindset.

He then can get him or her set up, explain the rules, complete any paperwork, and go through some online training. He does send links to much of the online training to the new hires, but sometimes they do not have access to a computer.

For many, they can use their smart phones, which have data plans and Internet access.

He also takes advantage of what is available through ILCA and NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals). “They have great quality and consistency,” he says.

But Enger emphasizes what he considers “the simplest thing to train: The Golden Rule. Treat each lawn and landscape as if it was your own.”

And “treat each customer as you want to be treated.” He also explains his 80/20 rule: Eighty percent of the customers will give you 20 percent of the problems, but 20 percent of the clients will give you 80 percent of your problems.

At SavATree/SavALawn, there is a carefully structured training program for new hires. Each region of the franchise has a master trainer who oversees the program. The new employees are expected to be properly licensed to drive a truck as well as to get a medical card that indicates they are medically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle.

Each new hire is assigned a mentor, an experienced employee who makes certain that he or she is operating the truck properly, learns how to operate the spray systems, and is mentored through other aspects of the job.

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The training is a two-year process, advancing through two levels the first year and levels three and four, which involves diagnosis and analysis, during the second. Once an employee gets to level four, the master trainers administer a field exam that includes questions on diagnosing and treating various problems.

Training doesn’t end there. Every Wednesday, each franchise schedules a 20-minute plant health care session with all lawn care specialists.

In addition, the manager conducts regular crew safety audits. He or she randomly shows up at a job site, looking for compliance with safety rules, but also to have some one-on-one time with employees. “It tends to be a positive experience,” says Orwig.

“We encourage them to do the right thing, because they will get results, not because someone is watching.

We get more buy-in when they understand how the business works.”

The emphasis on continuing education is corporate wide. Orwig recently attended and presented at a “Liquid University.” Held in Connecticut, the three to four-day program is aimed at liquid service specialists, and the Northbrook SavALawn/SavATree regularly sends some of its people.

When choosing a mentor for a new hire, Enger believes it is important to make sure he or she knows how to train. That kind of education is “well worth it,” he says. “You are investing in that person.”

Training, Enger and Orwig agree, is an ongoing process, but it is well worth the time and effort.

Reprinted from The Landscape Contractor, April 2017

Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification Conference

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Everything you need to know from the experts.

7:00 am–4:30 pm

Registration and Tabletop Exhibits

7:30 am–8:10 am

Organic and Reduced Risk Alternatives for IPM in Landscapes Michael J. Raupp, Ph.D.—University of Maryland

8:15 am–8:55 am

Dormant Applications in Landscape Beds?

Why They Make Sense Hannah M. Mathers, Ph.D.

9:00 am–9:40 am

Disease Consequences in Low Input Turf Rich Buckley, Ph.D.—Rutgers University

9:40 am–9:50 am

Break

9:50 am–10:50 am

New Tools for Dealing With Armored and Soft Scales Stanton Gill—University of Maryland Extension

10:55 am–11:35 am

Seven Really Bad Weeds!!

Hannah M. Mathers, Ph.D.

11:35 am–12:20 pm

Lunch

The Universities at Shady Grove Conference Center 9630 Gudelsky Drive • Building II, Room II-1400 Rockville, MD 20850

www.lcamddcva.org/event/pesticide

11:20 am–1:05 pm

Recognizing and Managing Unanticipated Consequences in the Right of Way Rich Buckley, Ph.D.—Rutgers University

1:10 pm–1:55 pm

Understanding Nutrient Release Rates for Turf Applications—EEF and Other Methods of Supplying Nutrients Chuck Schuster—University of Maryland Extension

2:00 pm–2:10 pm

Break

2:10 pm–2:55 pm

Update on Fertilizer Applicator Regulations Kelly Love—Maryland Department of Agriculture

3:00 pm–3:40 pm

Technological and Ecological Advances in Lake and Pond Management John Phelps—SOLitude Lake Management

3:45 pm–4:30 pm

Pesticide Regulations Update for 2018 Veronica Johnson—Maryland Department of Agriculture Baldwin Williams—District of Columbia Department of the Environment

2018 Pesticide Recertification Categories Maryland Core 2 Forest 3A Ornamental Exterior 3B Ornamental Interior 3C Turf 5 Aquatic 6 Right of Way Control 7A General Pest 10 Demonstration and Research Delaware 03 Ornamental & Turf (4 credits) 5A Aquatic (1 credit) 06 Right of Way (1 credit)

District of Columbia 3A Ornamental Exterior 3B Ornamental Interior 3C Turf 5 Aquatic 6 Right of Way 9 Regulatory 10 Demonstration and Research

West Virginia 3 Forest Pest Control (2 credits) 4A Ornamental & Turf (10 credits) 6 Aquatic (2 credits) 7 Right of Way/Industrial Weed (4 credits) 11 Demonstration & Research (14 credits) 12 Pesticide Storage & Distribution (14 credits) 13C Hardwood Tree Release (2 credits)

Virginia 3A Ornamental Pest Control 3B Turf Pest Control 5A Aquatic Pest Control 6 Right of Way 10 Demonstration and Research 60 Registered Technician

Pennsylvania 00 Core PC Private Category 05 Forest Pest Control 06 Ornamental and Shade Tree 07 Lawn & Turf 09 Aquatic Pest Control 10 Right of Way and Weeds 18 Demonstration and Research

Thank you to our exhibitors (as of 1/5/18): Country Springs Wholesale Nursery, JK Enterprise Landscape Supply, Aquarius Supply, Newsom Seed, Bartlett Tree Experts, SynaTek, HARVEST, and Chief Mountain Farms.

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Over 1,500 choices delivered to you. perennials, natives, ferns, grasses, vines, herbs, ground covers, pansies, dahlias, cannas, green roof and environmental planning material.

www.cavanos.com • 410-592-8077

Crapemyrtle—Great Plant, But Insects Are Adapting

By Stanton Gill, Extension Specialist in Nursery and Greenhouse IPM, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Extension; Professor with the Landscape Technology Program, Montgomery College W hen the National A rboretum released hybrid crapemyrtles, they were being planted everywhere.

Then something happened; we had two extremely cold winters, and most of the crapemyrtles died. People lost interest in this plant for several years after that. This was in the last decade, prior to the year 2000.

But, in the last 17 years, crapemyrtles have made a comeback in Maryland and Northern Virginia. We had seven consecutive mild winters, and the crapemyrtles seemed to flourish. In 2014 and 2015, the temperatures dropped into the minus double digit range, and many crapemyrtles suffered but managed to struggle through. Crapemyrtles seem to recoup very quickly during the heat of summer, and you can barely see any damage in 2017.

viding way too many opportunities for pest complexes to develop.

Alternative to Crapemyrtle?

If your customers are looking for a plant equal to or even better than crapemyrtle, then consider the seven-son flower, Heptacodium miconiodes. In Chinese culture, according to my Chinese friends, the seventh son is considered the lucky son. This plant is cold hardy to Zone 5, has great exfoliating bark as it matures, can be trained to a tree form, and flowers in late August to early September. In October, the bracts turn pink to bright red, and it appears like it is back in bloom again. I have grown this plant for the last 15 years, and it is a great replacement for crapemyrtles.

What Pests Are Problems for Crapemyrtles?

Before I get into the insect problems, let me say, we have tested a couple of decent new products for dealing with at least one of these pests. This is the good news. The bad news is these products are not inexpensive.

Let’s focus on a couple of insect pests. Both of these insect pests are unintended gifts from Asia.

With increasing numbers of crapemyrtle samples coming into our CMREC lab over the last couple of years, I would say that one of the biggest pests of crapemyrtles in Maryland is the crapemyrtle aphid, Sarucallis kahawaluokalani. Although native to Southeast Asia, the crapemyrtle aphid was described by

Crapemyrtle aphids and cast skins, sooty mold, and chlorosis

Why is this plant so popular in the D.C. metro area? It is being used heavily in cityscapes, where it is hot and dry and they seem to perform pretty well. In Maryland nurseries, crapemyrtle liners are planted out with increasing frequency, and nursery managers tell me they cannot keep enough big crapemyrtles in stock to meet market demand. Many crapemyrtles are being shipped in from southern nurseries to fill the demand from landscapers. I have said time and again, if you start overplanting any species, you will find an insect that will adapt to that popular plant. Some people are proGROUNDWORK

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Crapemyrtle continued in having black spots and two large black tubercles on the dorsal surface of the abdomen.

Aphid on crapemyrtle

Kirkaldy from specimens collected in Hawaii. In the U.S., crapemyrtle aphids are monophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on crapemyrtle and do not attack or damage other plant species. In 2017, we had reports from several landscapers of heavy infestations of crapemyrtle aphids causing cosmetic damage, mainly from the honeydew and sooty mold that detracts from the visual aesthetics of crapemyrtle. The good news is that feeding has not been shown to have long-term effects on plant health or vigor.

Crapemyrtle Aphid—Not the Typical Aphid

Most aphid species only produce winged stages (alates) when they want to disseminate the populations, or else there is environmental stress on the plant on which it is feeding. Not so with the crapemyrtle aphid. All adult crapemyrtle aphids bear wings that are mottled with black markings and held roof-like over the body. Adults can take flight whenever they want and spread to a new plant.

Nymphal stages of the crapemyrtle aphid are pale to bright yellow with black spike or hair-like projections on their abdomen. Adults are also yellow in color but differ from nymphs

Eg g s overwinter on the stem s. Some dormant applications of oil are an option for controlling crapemyrtle aphids.

You can make a 3–4% horticultural oil application in November if the temperature remains above 55 °F for several days in a row. You want the temperature up so that the aphid respiration rate is high enough.

If you miss the fall application, you still have the spring—maybe. I say maybe because the spring of 2017 was rainy and cool and left very few opportunities to apply oil. 2018 could be different, but who knows?

Since crapemyrtles leaf out late, you have plenty of time in the spring to apply dormant rates of oil. Eggs hatch in early spring when leaf buds break, and all aphids that emerge from these eggs are female (fundatrix). After developing into an adult, the fundatrix reproduces through a form of asexual reproduction known as parthenogenesis and gives live birth to female nymphs (virginoparae). For the rest of the summer, the multiple generations of aphids are also referred to as virginoparae and produce all female offspring through parthenogenesis during spring and summer.

When the photoperiod and temperatures decrease in the October, virginoparae give birth to a generation of aphids that produce both male and GROUNDWORK

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female aphids (sexuparae). Female offspring of sexuparae (oviparae) mate with males and produce eggs.

Oviparae produce four to six eggs, which they place in crevices located on the bark of crapemyrtle stems.

Overwintering eggs will hatch the following spring in response to temperature and photoperiod stimuli.

If populations are heavy, sooty mold will be very noticeable. Black sooty molds are fungi that grow on honeydew produced by the aphids. Capnodium is a genus of fungus that has a species associated exclusively with crapemyrtle aphid honeydew. This fungus species is not yet described and therefore is known only as Capnodium sp. Black sooty mold can turn the entire plant an unsightly black color, detracting from the visual aesthetics of crapemyrtle. When aphid infestations are severe, thick carpets of black sooty mold interfere with photosynthesis and may cause early leaf drop or complete defoliation of affected plants.

So, if branches were killed back this winter and you need to prune back branches, at least you will be getting rid of overwintering eggs of the crapemyrtle aphid. Remember, this aphid has adult winged stages, so infestations can fly in from other crapemyrtles to re-infest your plants.

You might have to make repeated applications of summer rate oils to keep this aphid suppressed. I would try to avoid applying a neonicotinoid as a soil drench since this may accumulate in the pollen and be picked up by pollinators in July and August when the plant blooms.

So, onto the new materials we have tested. The first one is Altus from Bayer Company. This came onto the market in May 2017. This is a sys-

Crapemyrtle continued temic insecticide that blocks the stylet of the aphid. We found foliar applications worked best. We are still seeing if some applications have the desired impact. More on this in 2018.

The other two materials are Mainspring and Acelepyrn. Both are systemic insecticides. Again, we found the best control using foliar sprays.

Some application gave a level of control, but foliar is still best. The rate we used is 8 oz. in 100 gallons of water.

The second pest that should be watched for—Eriococcus lagerostroemia—is being found in the South and not in Maryland or Virginia at this point. Eriococcus lagerostroemia is common on the timber tree Lagerostroemia indica in Japan and China.

In 2004, a report was received in at the lab of Dr. Mike Merchant of Texas A&M from a local landscape maintenance company concerning an unusual pest insect on crapemyrtle that was proving exceptionally difficult to control. This initial infestation was located on a commercial property in Richardson, Texas. Ini-

tially, this insect was identified as an Eriococcid scale (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), most likely the azalea bark scale, Eriococcus azalea. A sample of the scale was collected by Dr. Merchant in 2008 and submitted for ID, and it was still thought be azalea bark scale. Because of the fact that azalea bark scale had never before been recorded from crapemyrtle, and they learned of a very similar species of Eriococcid scale that feeds on crapemyrtle from China and Japan, they resubmitted scale samples in 2010 to Dr. Doug Miller (now retired), systematic taxonomist for scale insects with the USDA in Washington, D.C. He concluded that it was very likely that this scale insect is a new introduction of Eriococcus lagerostroemia, the scale previously known only from Asia, because he was unable to detect any physical differences between the crapemyrtle scale and the azalea bark scale. To tell the two species apart requires DNA analysis.

Since the beginning of 2014, the crapemyrtle bark scale has been observed infesting crapemyrtles throughout the Dallas-Fort WorthDenton-Rockwall area in Texas, as well as in Tyler, Texas. In 2012 the

scale was confirmed in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and in 2013–2014, it was confirmed in Houma and Shreveport, Louisiana; Germantown, Tennessee; and Little Rock, Arkansas.

In 2017, this pest spread to most of the southern states. None have been found so far in Virginia or Maryland.

In Texas, Dr. Merchant had a chance to test out several materials to try to control this new invasive scale. In addition to testing some newer neonicotinoid insecticides, he looked at applications of horticultural oil and of malathion. The latter two treatments provided no significant suppression of scale activity; however, he did see significant control with acetamiprid, clothianidan, and dinotefuran. If this pest shows up in Maryland, I would certainly set up trials with Altus, Mainspring, and Acelepyrn.

When applied with a drench treatment to the plant root zone, Dr. Merchant concluded that these products provide significant control of this scale, although additional work needs to be done regarding the longevity of control and the consumer satisfaction associated with using these products.

Because so much plant material is shipped up from the South, you need to be careful not to bring in this pest. If you detect this scale on crapemyrtle, please contact me at Sgill@umd.edu, or the Maryland Department of Agriculture in Annapolis, Maryland.

Crapemyrtle aphids and heavy sooty mold

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Did You Know?

Fun facts about plants

By John Shorb, Shorb Landscaping, Inc.

English Walnuts

Tulips

English walnuts originated in Persia and were believed to have been imported by the Romans.

The name “tulip” comes from the old French word for turban. Perhaps this was a mistranslation from Turkish to French, for the tulip was used to decorate turbans by Muslim Turks of wealth and power.

In typical botanical nomenclature, its name is a hat tip to its history—Juglans is the contracted Latin name "Jovisglans" meaning “Jupiter’s Glands,” which is an appropriate name for two reasons:

Originally from the steppes of Afghanistan, tulips were one of the first plants used exclusively for ornamental use—first by the Persians in 1000 AD and then by Western Europeans in the late 1500s.

1. Jupiter was the God of the Sky, known to hurl thunderbolts, perhaps not unlike the arboreal cannonballs dispatched by the tree.

They were brought to Anatolia (present day Turkey) by the Seljuk Turks in 1095 as the Byzantium Empire was fading away. Tulips represented love, caring and compassion in the Turk society. Fittingly, a stylized tulip is part of Turkish Airlines logo and is the national flower of Turkey.

2. There is an obvious correlation between these massive nuts and the anatomy of Jupiter (the largest and most uber-male of all the Roman gods) Juglans regia has been known as the English walnut ever since it was imported by the early colonists, to differentiate it from the American black walnut (Juglans nigra).

Black walnuts contain 21% protein, surpassing all meats except chicken. Most of the walnuts we eat today are actually English walnuts, which have a milder taste and broader appeal. They also have thinner, easier-to-crack shells. California is the largest producer of walnuts in the world.

Just before the 13-year war, the tulip made its way into the graces of Western European society via a botanical garden in Vienna at the University of Leiden. The head curator, searching for medicinal herbs in Constantinople, was greeted by the Sultan and given some of these Central Asian bulbs. Having no culinary or medicinal value, the tulip became one of Western European’s original players of the newly developing floral trade. Representing the trappings of wealth and power, in Dutch society it also became the first commodity with its own trading market, leading to “tulipmania,” where certain varieties were fetching prices equal to $1,500 per bulb in current U.S dollars. The crash of this market left many Dutchmen broke, and some fled to the New World to escape their debts. Some historians hypothesize that without the tulip and it’s market crash, the Dutch may never had settled to the New World, giving us New Amsterdam, now known as New York City.

In medieval times, medicines that were derived from plants were prescribed based on their resemblances to human anatomy. Accordingly, the walnut, with its skull like shell and brain like kernel, was prescribed for head ailments—ground walnut shells for head injuries and walnut meats for mental illness. Ergo, it's not hard to use one’s "nut" to understand the etymology of a "nut case" who is committed to a "nut house."

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