Green Tech- October Report

Pest news reports this year in the Midwest focused on the 17-year Locust, the Gypsy Moth and Emerald Ash Borer. The Department of Agriculture, Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanic Garden have done a superb job dispersing information on these pests. Work continues on potential controls and plant removal plans for the EAB, Park Districts continue to struggle to balance the myriad of Gypsy Moth controls and we don’t have to worry about the cicada for another 17 years!

Our Green Tech program is opening our eyes to the multitude of planting conditions our customers have to face. We are trying to learn more about where plants go, so we can do a better job growing plants to thrive in their transplant sites.

Insects and diseases are part of the landscape biology. We expect to see them and try to keep them below a plant-damaging threshold level. With the exceptions mentioned above, pests have not been a major issue this year. But, the weather? Well that’s another story!

In the past few years, weather extremes have been an increasing cause of plant susceptibility to disease and insect attacks. We are still seeing damage in the Midwest from last winter frost cracking in Techny Arborvitae—a very rare occurrence due to a warm winter followed by an extreme cold snap.

This summer had unseasonably high temperatures in July followed by record-breaking rainfall in August. Now, with the delayed hard frost, plants are slow to slow down. This is the greenest Fall season we remember in 25 years. In addition, the excess rain in August created waterlogged soils, smothering roots. You may have noticed some plants’ leaves turning brown and crisping up in the late season heat, indicating the feeder roots inability to keep up with the plant top water needs.

These symptoms of water logging vary with the plant types. Other things you might have noticed would be downward curling leaves, chlorosis, stem swelling, dieback, reduced growth, leaf drop and in extreme cases plant death. Some of these symptoms may take years to show, and will depend on the subsequent weather and additional environmental stresses.

OUR GREEN TECH TEAM
If you have a concern about plant needs, pests, siting or general plant health, we can help. We offer a site-visit service for any questions about how our plants are doing in their new location.
We provide Green Tech service at no charge. To make an appointment give us a call or fill out the online form for more information.