Just off the turnpike, in the south central Pennsylvania town of Everett, stands a Civil War commemorative tree. It is the sole survivor of three such Ginkgo trees planted to honor Union volunteers from the Barndollar family. This particular Maidenhair tree has also survived attempts to have it removed, and there is a new fundraising campaign underway to guarantee its survival, by repairing root damaged sidewalks in front of the town's library. Ginkgo has the distinction of being the oldest tree species on Earth, and the only tree without any insect or disease problems.

A Newport Beach, California resident has run headlong into a battle with her community association over the artificial turf she installed in place of her lawn. OK, so maybe she should have gotten approval first, but the switch could save up to 20,000 gallons of water annually, which captures the full support of the local water authority. [lawn news]

They say it all starts with the soil in agriculture, and taking that thought one step further, it all begins with the roots of a plant. In light of that fact, and the droughty, low fertility and poor condition of many soils around the globe, Penn State researcher Jonathan Lynch has partnered with Xiaolong Yan of the South China Agricultural University.
  
Much of the Chinese research focus has been on soybean roots, and 10 million farmers in China will be planting genotypes developed by Yan in 2008. The ultimate goal of both researchers is to improve food crop production for the world's estimated 840 million undernourished people.
  
More:
Penn State press release
Phosphorus acquisition in the common bean (PDF)
Phosphorus efficiency in soybean (PDF)

Opening day of buck season in Pennsylvania is usually the top day for deer hunters, but the 2007 harvest was down more than 50% when compared to 2006. However, the daily harvest statistics for the rest of the two week rifle season remained about the same.

Estimated harvest for all of the 2007-08 deer seasons:
323,070 deer total.
109,200 antlered, down 19% from the previous year's 135,290. 
213,870 antlerless, down 5% from the previous year's 226,270.

Complete Pennsylvania Game Commission report

There's a colorful new form of tree art in Yellow Springs, Ohio; assorted knit pieces wrapped around a Bradford Pear.
  
In the accompanying photo by Corrine Bayraktaroglu, we get a glimpse of a public art project that has been fun for everyone. New pieces of knitting have appeared on the tree over time, and visitors leave poetry and photos in the pockets on some of the knit pieces.
   
On Friday March 14th the KnitKnot Tree served as maid of honor while a young couple was wed beneath its branches. We hear they made quite a Pear!

3.3.08 - Phipps gets Chihuly glass

The Dale Chihuly exhibit at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh averaged over 10,000 visitors per week during its nine month stay. Shows occurring after dark were especially popular.
   
Several glass art pieces, like the "Desert Gold Star" pictured here, were purchased by benefactors to remain on display at Phipps.

The Minister of Agriculture is taking decisive action to limit the spread of the emerald ash borer in Ontario. The invasive beetle has already killed over 20 million ash trees in the US.
 
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency lists six regulated areas in southwestern Ontario. Regulated materials (wood, logs, firewood, trees, nursery stock, rough lumber, bark, and wood chips) can be moved freely within a regulated area, but can't be moved outside a regulated area without prior permission.
  
The movement of firewood and infested ash materials poses the greatest threat of spreading the beetle. Residents are urged to notify the CFIA of any ash trees showing signs of EAB infestation, especially outside of regulated areas. The beetle (Agrilus planipennis) is native to eastern Asia and was first discovered in Michigan and Essex County, Ontario in 2002.

The move is on for green products, green roofs and green buildings, so the time was right for PLANTWALL from Green Fortune in Stockholm.
 
Over the past few years, Plantwalls have been installed in offices across the globe, automobile dealerships, and just about any place a living wall will take root and thrive. In this photo by Peter Orevi, we see interior plants growing on a wall-mounted frame, fertigated by hydroponics. Ceiling mounted spotlights provide the necessary grow light for this green wall, while other locations have taken advantage of skylights.
  
These new walls will forever change the old expression "Green side up!"

This blurb could easily be about a Steelers trip to Ireland, but instead features the old sod at Heinz Field. To the chagrin of many fans and the joy of most Steeler players, the front office announced last week they will stick with natural grass on their Pittsburgh gridiron.
  
Steelers' management has taken the high road by listening to their players' wishes and refusing to dump the roundtable of local high school playoff games played there in late November. By employing creative scheduling, they intend to minimize Pitt and Steeler home games after Thanksgiving, allowing time for the field to recover from heavy play.
   
We'll probably see a return to the 2007 Solution that almost worked, had it not been for heavy rains and leaking tarps. Watch for resodding of Heinz Field around Thanksgiving 2008, either between the hash marks or over top of the entire field like we saw in 2007. Since grass seed fails to grow following Trick or Treat in Pittsburgh, big roll sod will be the only viable option.
  
"Roll out the big roll, we'll have a barrel of fun..."
  

It's hard to say which is growing faster, Monsanto's stock price or their genetically modified organism (GMO) program. Their stock shares (MON) have been on a steady climb from $8 in 2003 to $104 in late 2007, with nearly 50% of that growth occurring in 2007. Prior to GMO, Monsanto's top profit center was the herbicide Roundup®, but loss of its patent protection in 2002 led to reduced revenues as other manufacturers began competitive production of glyphosate.
  
Genetically engineered plants -- Exciting or Scary?
Maybe both. Monsanto has focused most genetic research on four major crops: corn, soybeans, cotton and canola. Years ago we first heard of a transgenic corn that could be oversprayed with Roundup®, killing cornfield weeds but not the corn. Wow!  Now that earlier corn variety has evolved into multi-trait corn varieties which can still take a shower in Roundup® plus kill two insect pests (corn borer and rootworm) with an internal pesticide. Double Wow!! Current research is focused on development of an 8-trait corn which will go even further in enhancing corn's self-defense against weeds and insects. This entire scenario of increased yields from corn dovetails very neatly with increased use of corn as an alternative fuel source.
[Monsanto's Roundup Ready® Corn]
  
Opponents of biotech crops refer to them as Frankenfoods. Others fear that modified plants will lead to superweeds and superbugs. Anyone familiar with insecticides knows very well how insects have historically adapted to many leading pesticides, eventually developing resistance and limiting their effectiveness.
  
Dr. Allison Snow of Ohio State University lists the possible risks of Genetically Engineered Organisms (GEO's) on her Snow Lab's webpage: "Creating new or more vigorous pests and pathogens; exacerbating the effects of existing pests through hybridization with related transgenic organisms; harm to nontarget species, such as soil organisms, non-pest insects, birds, and other animals; disruption of biotic communities, including agroecosystems; and irreparable loss or changes in species diversity or genetic diversity within species."
[Full text]
  
From the Organic Consumers Association web site:
"...For the first time in history, human beings are becoming the architects of life. Bio-engineers will be creating tens of thousands of novel organisms over the next few years. The prospect is frightening. Genetic engineering poses unprecedented ethical and social concerns, as well as serious challenges to the environment, human health, animal welfare, and the future of agriculture."
[Full text]
  

Visualize the perpetual beauty of the Beaver Stadium field where they only play one football game every week or two. Now visualize Heinz Field in Pittsburgh getting pounded with the dual-play of the Steelers and Panthers, then finished-off by a series of high school championship games. "Grass doesn't grow on a playground."
  
Faced with a badly deteriorating playing surface in late November, stadium management had limited options and time. A decision was made to bury the 4-year old DD GrassMaster system (see 6/7/03 story below) and go over top of the old surface with thick-cut (1¾" thick) big roll sod from Tuckahoe Turf Farms.
  
In sharp contrast to the sod pieces used in residential projects measuring 1½ x 6 feet, big roll pieces are 4' x 62½' feet. Bigger rolls mean fewer seams to come loose. Thick-cut sod holds itself down better due to the extra soil, the disadvantage being it doesn't "knit down" to existing soil as fast as thin cut sod.
  
A machine with a 3-point attachment (that resembles a giant paper towel dispenser) rolls out the heavy sod. Among a long list of clients, Tuckahoe sod has been used at Beaver Stadium, Lambeau Field, and Gillette Stadium, just to name a few.
  
11/27/07 Update:
Unfortunately, Pittsburgh received 2-inches of heavy rain on Monday, with rainfall lasting into the second half of the Steelers - Dolphins Monday Night Football game. Due to the field tarp having a half dozen leaky seams, much of the heavy rain was channeled into several 5 yard wide swaths that quickly became quagmires. Heinz Field groundskeepers have 6 days to get the field in condition for the upcoming Sunday night game vs the Bengals.
 
When people speculate about converting Heinz Field to artificial turf, FieldTurf is the brand mentioned most often. The Steelers installed it at their practice facility in 2000. More: A list of other sports facilities using FieldTurf.

The deer herd in several southwestern Pennsylvania counties has been decimated by EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease). The virus is spread by a biting fly or gnat during late summer and early fall, with freezing temperatures ending the insect's activity and subsequent spread of the disease.
  
Whitetail deer begin showing signs of EHD one week after being infected, and die within 1 to 2 days. The disease has been called "Blue Tongue" due to one of several symptoms. It remains to be seen how successful big buck hunters will be during the primary deer hunt, which begins annually in Pennsylvania on the first Monday after Thanksgiving.
  
More:
EHD - Michigan DNR web site
Deer hunting in Pennsylvania
Big Bucks - Trophy Whitetail Deer - Photos

It won't be long before Whitetail Deer Bucks will be looking for perfect candidates on which to rub their antlers, in conjunction with their fall mating season. Rubs, the damage that a deer makes to the trunk of your ornamental tree when marking his territory, are fairly easy to prevent. 

His perfect candidate?  Your newly planted ornamental tree that's clear of branches for the first 5-feet from the ground. Case in point, the tree trunk on the right. This flowering cherry trunk had half its bark removed by a whitetail buck in rutting season. This degree of damage to the tree's live tissue may eventually kill the tree, especially if it's repeated next year. 

Donnan.com Recommendation: Protect the trunks of recently planted trees in any way possible. Steel rods driven into the ground around the tree have been known to work, as well as a 4-inch corrugated black plastic drain pipe slit vertically and placed around the trunk. Commercially made ornamental metal grates work best (and cost the most), as well as any plastic or wooden snow fence wraparound type enclosure. Anything that makes it difficult for a buck to easily rub his antlers up and down the trunk of the tree will work. More on this topic: Deer Rubs on Tree Trunks

Tiger Time Lawn Care of Memphis is a new company that proves the old adage "less is more." For an extra fee, the company sends bikini clad women to mow clients' lawns. Since adding their bikini-cut, sales have increased almost 50-percent.

A crow convention may be coming to a city near you! Just ask the residents of Lancaster, PA, where migrant crows have started appearing in November and overstaying their welcome into March. The large roosts create all the messy problems you might suspect. Penn State Researchers are studying the problem, and speculate crows like the city due to warmer temps and night lighting that aids their defense against Great Horned Owls. There has been some success moving crows out of urban areas, but the success has been only temporary. 

8/21/07 - Pennsylvania's CHEMSWEEP Wins Award

Since 1992, Pennsylvania's CHEMSWEEP program collected and safely disposed of 1.6 million pounds of unwanted pesticides. Approximately one-third of Pennsylvania counties are eligible for the program each year on a rotating basis. The Karl Mason Award recognizes outstanding environmental programs in Pennsylvania.

Ash is the wood of choice for baseball bats, but the Emerald Ash Borer would like to change all that. This small green Asian beetle has wreaked havoc with Ash trees, with its major destruction traced to Michigan about five years ago. For years, campers have been asked not to transport firewood in an effort to limit its spread, but this week it was newly discovered north of Pittsburgh.
  
More: Emerald Ash Borer information

5/9/07 - Steelers Preventing Goose Eggs

Pittsburgh, PA - Much to the chagrin of Heinz Field grounds personnel, Canada Geese have become avid Steelers fans. Their messy visits have become frequent enough to warrant a defensive game plan. Distressed goose calls are being broadcast over loudspeakers to ward the geese off.

Canada Geese, protected under federal law, have long been a problem at waterside recreational facilities while their numbers have increased annually. Various non-lethal control measures can be used to scare them off, including harassment, habitat modification, and biological and chemical controls. It requires a special permit to use lethal techniques such as egg addling, roundups and hunting.

McMurray, PA - Spring 2007 is shaping-up to be the worst spring ever for merchants in the northeastern US green industry. The bizarre combination of rain, snow, and cold temperatures has slowed retail sales in the nursery and landscape supply business to a crawl.
These colder than normal temperatures have forced nurserymen to baby sit plants instead of selling them. Most landscapers are sitting on their hands instead of their mowing equipment.
It remains to be seen if this sales gap will be filled during the remaining two months of spring. Annual landscape supply sales tend to slow after Memorial Day, when traditional summer activities take precedence over gardening activities.

Penn State professor Dr. Paul R. Heller recently released his "new emerging pest list" for 2007. The list of flies, beetles and bugs specifically includes:

• Native Crane Fly
• Asiatic Garden Beetle
• Oriental Beetle
• Hunting Billbug
• Annual Bluegrass Weevil
• Armyworm

Paul is very excited about the Native Cranefly which looks like a leather worm.

3/7/07 - Mother Earth Deja Vu

In a movement reminiscent of the mother earth 60's (which many of us knew and loved) environmental issues are on the march again.  Headlines everywhere proclaim "green-thinking" businesses will become "more profitable" businesses. In the recent past, these two concepts were strange bedfellows, rarely seen in the same sentence.
  
Could this new environmental movement be a byproduct of global warming or just the natural 40-year cycle of broader issues? Whatever the case may be, green buildings are front and center in today's news. Learn more about them on these green building web sites.

• Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

• Northwest Ecobuilding Guild

• Penn State's Center for Green Roof Research

• U.S. Green Building Council

3/2/07 - Happy Birthday to the Lawn Mower!

The lawnmower turns 175 years old in 2007.

The reel-type lawn mower was invented by an English engineer named Edward Budding in 1832. It was another 60 years before motorized lawn mowers appeared and the early 1900’s before riding mowers were developed.

More: Lawn mowing information

2/14/07 - Honey Bee Decline

The decline of bee colonies has now been given an official name; Colony Collapse Disorder. The oddest part of this latest decline is that dead bees aren't being found around their vacant hives - it's as if they flew-off somewhere to die. Current research is underway to determine if there have been more diseases present all along that made honey bees more susceptible to their better known problems such as vorroa mites. [More details with photos]

2/6/07 - "Hog Wild" or Wild Hog?

The Spring 2007 issue of Penn State Agriculture magazine reports that Pennsylvania is "going hog wild." Feral pigs, common in many southern states, now reside in at least 11 Pennsylvania counties. In addition to the mass destruction they cause to native wildlife and habitat, they can also harbor infectious diseases that could infect domestic herds.
  
Hog hunting is quite popular in many states but is currently unregulated in Pennsylvania, meaning there's no bag limit and it's open season all year long. Hunters are encouraged to hunt safely and take extra precautions when handling and cooking raw meat, due to the potential for infectious diseases.
  
The hog problem was deemed serious enough to lead to the creation of the "Pennsylvania Feral Hog Task Force" (PFHTF) in 2006.

10/11/06 - World's Tallest Tree

When you stand 379 feet tall, you even get a name. HYPERION, a Redwood in northern California, is believed to be the tallest tree in the world. The exact location isn't publicized in hopes of protecting the massive tree's ecosystem.

Lighting research continues to reveal that blue light contains special properties for human beings. A concentrated dose of blue light, for as little as 30 minutes, can aid sleep disorders and winter depression. "Blue light boxes" are commercially available, and considered more efficient than their predecessors using "white light." Could it be our primitive instinct of spending days outside under blue skies?

8/30/06 - AMAIZINGLY beyond Popcorn

Other than being triple the cost of concrete, the advantages of rubber sidewalks are numerous: no cracking from freezing temps or roots, softer on joggers' feet and legs, and less slip-and-fall lawsuits from uneven pavement. The environmental pluses include recycling old car tires to create the gray and terra cotta colored panels, as well as being much more friendly to old trees.

As population increases and global warming progresses, water will surely become a commodity more valuable than gold. In our grandparents' day, it was common practice to divert roof downspouts into rain barrels or underground cisterns. This type of water could later be used for bathing, washing clothes, and watering plants, eliminating the need to use potable well water for everything. The new buzz word for this low-tech approach is "rain harvesting" and it's now being required at several new housing developments in the southwestern United States.

Some of the 'green space' in Alabama is considered a hazard to motorists, and trees are now being removed from many roadsides. Federal and state requirements call for a 'clear zone' next to highways so that motorists leaving the roadway won't hit an immovable object. Of course lawsuits have spurred this action, namely in Huntsville and Alexander City. In some cases, trees are left in place if deemed necessary for environmental or historic reasons.

HARRISBURG -- Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty today put all 67 Pennsylvania counties under a drought watch and called on residents to voluntarily reduce water use by 5 percent.

“Despite recent rainfall, precipitation levels over the last two months are below normal in every corner of the commonwealth,” McGinty said. “Two-thirds of our counties are 50 percent or more below their normal precipitation levels. The remaining counties are reporting a deficit of at least 25 percent.

“Although conservation is a year-round responsibility, now is the time for residents to manage water resources even more carefully to avoid serious problems if precipitation levels do not return to normal in the coming weeks,” McGinty said.

In addition to below normal precipitation, groundwater and surface water levels are low in many regions of the state. Even in areas with normal or near-normal groundwater and surface water levels, those levels are declining rapidly.

The Susquehanna River is 65 percent below its normal flow. Several streams and rivers recently posted record low flows for this time of year, including: Loyalhanna Creek, Westmoreland County; the Clarion River, Clarion County; Dyberry Creek, Wayne County; the Schuylkill River, Schuylkill County; Muncy Creek, Sullivan County; and Conodoguinet Creek, Cumberland County.

Public water suppliers, businesses and industries should monitor supplies during this drought watch period. Water-intensive commercial users should try to conserve water.

A drought watch is the lowest of three levels of drought status, asking for a 5 percent reduction in water use by residents. The next stage, a drought warning, calls for a voluntary reduction of 10 percent to 15 percent. A drought emergency, the final stage, includes mandatory water use reductions of at least 15 percent. Pennsylvania’s last declared drought emergency was in 2002.

All 67 Pennsylvania counties have been in normal status since seven counties on the western edge of Pennsylvania were upgraded from a drought watch to normal on June 18, 2003. With that upgrade, it was the first time since Aug. 8, 2001, that the entire state was normal.

“There are actions that all of us can take to reduce our daily water use in and around our homes,” McGinty said. “Not only will these actions conserve water, but they also will help families save money.”

Indoor water-conservation tips include:

· Using washing machines and dishwashers only when loads are full.

· Not running water continuously while shaving, brushing teeth or washing dishes by hand.

· Refrigerating tap water to avoid running the faucet waiting for cold water.

· Taking shorter showers.

· Installing new shower heads and sink faucets equipped with water-saving devices, such as aerators or spray taps.

· Repairing leaking and dripping faucets and leaking toilets.

· Replacing older toilets with newer, low-consumption toilets.

Outdoor water-conservation tips include:

· Holding back from watering lawns, unless newly seeded (grass often goes dormant --- it does not die --- during dry conditions).

· Limiting vehicle washing.

· Sweeping sidewalks and driveways, rather than washing them.

Pennsylvania’s Drought Task Force will meet Friday, April 14 to review the current precipitation numbers and overall status of surface water and groundwater resources.

More information on drought conditions, as well as real-time monitoring of drought indicators, is available on DEP’s Web site. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Attached is a list of local Pennsylvania counties and the departure from normal precipitation level for each county over the past 60 days. The departure includes the deficit in inches and a percentage from what is normal for this time of year:

Allegheny -3.0 inches (26-50%)

Greene -3.2 inches (51-75%)

Washington -3.0 inches (26-50%)

Westmoreland -2.5 inches (26-50%)

Fertilizer is commonly referred to as N-P-K (nitrogen - phosphorus - potassium). Phosphorus is known for its ability to promote flowering and fruiting, as well as playing a key role in lawn "seed starter" fertilizers. In 2002, Minnesota legislators banned phosphorus fertilizers from a seven county area surrounding Minneapolis. Now it's believed that Ann Arbor, Michigan's city council will institute the same sort of 'P' ban to comply with federal clean water regulations which mandate cutting the amount of phosphorus in the Middle Huron River.

If you are interested  in learning about flowers and vegetable seeds, sign online and find the best garden store!  Whether you are interested in finding the best information on tree stores, or you have questions about perennial plants, sign online today!

Since 1928, Penn State's turf breeding program has created many winning varieties to include PennLawn, PennFine, and a world-class putting green bentgrass, PennCross. Plant geneticists in Happy Valley are also busy improving your future tomatoes. Their goal is to increase the lycopene content by two to three fold, since this antioxidant is credited with fighting cancer. 32,000 experimental tomato plants were cultivated in 2005 with the goal of having this new variety to market within the next 5 years.

2/4/06 - Ash trees eradicated

Other than being the favored wood for baseball bats, Ash trees have served as a hardy tree variety with many attributes, at least until now. In hopes of stopping the spread of the dreaded Emerald Ash Borer, officials in Michigan are cutting all young Ash trees within a half-mile radius of two infestation sites in Cheboygan County. Latest figures indicate the borer infestation has doubled in less than a year.

1/12/06 - Green Fuel

Keeping Penn State's 3,000 acres of farmland in Centre County productive requires a lot of fuel - close to 20,000 gallons per year. In a move to improve the environment and reduce dependence on foreign oil, this farm fuel has been switched to 'biodiesel' which includes 20% soybean oil. Equipment operators say it even smells like french fries!

A proposed bylaw in Ottawa, Canada would ban the "cosmetic use" of pesticides by 2007. At the heart of the issue is the "non-essential" use of pesticides to enhance the appearance of properties for "purely aesthetic reasons." Over 70 other Canadian cities have already passed legislation that restricts or phases out pesticide use. The anti-pesticide trend gained momentum in 2001 when the Supreme Court ruled that a city in Quebec Province could regulate "the non-essential" use of pesticides.
   

Tomato juice works fairly well, but Gary San Julian of Penn State says the following solution rinses away "eau de skunk" and other odors. In an open container, mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon liquid soap.
  
"Spray it several times on walls, structures, your dog or yourself, then wash it out," San Julian says. "Don't store this solution -- use it all up. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixed together produce a gas that can explode in a container."
  

It's official, Pennsylvania is the worst state in the US for vehicle-deer accidents, and the problem is considerably worse during deer hunting season. The most popular rifle season begins the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 28, and runs through Saturday, December 10, 2005.
  
Other deer hunting seasons include:
ARCHERY: Oct 1 - Nov 12 & Dec 26 - Jan 14
MUZZLELOADER: Oct 15 - Oct 22
ANTLERLESS: Oct. 20 - Oct 22
FLINTLOCK: Dec 26 - Jan 14
  
State Farm Insurance reports that Pennsylvania deer collisions accounted for 18,000 out of 179,000 claims received nationwide for the 12-month period ended June 30, 2005. Michigan ranked second in vehicle-deer collisions with 14,541. Third was Illinois, followed by Ohio, Georgia, Minnesota, Virginia, Indiana, Texas and Wisconsin, in that order.
  
PennDOT reports the number of annual vehicle-deer crashes between 2000 and 2004 that caused an injury, or required towing, averaged 2,500. During those same years, 41 people died in vehicle-deer crashes in Pennsylvania.
  
Deer webpage: http://www.donnan.com/deer.htm
Pennsylvania Game Commission website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us
  

We've always been told that Pittsburgh has more trees than any other city in the United States. Now we have an official number from a recently commissioned tree survey: 31,524. Ignoring the 3-percent that are merely stumps, the standing trees have an estimated value of $52 million. The figure also takes into consideration that over 1,000 trees are either dead or in critical condition, and 6,590 trees are in poor condition.
  
Pittsburgh's tree inventory includes 134 species. Thirty-percent are equally represented between red maple, callery pear and little-leaf linden. Fifteen-percent are Norway maple and eight-percent are London plane trees.
  
With an annual budget of $650,000, city forester David Jahn doesn't have enough money left over to plant new trees. The Pittsburgh shade tree commission would like to plant 600 trees a year using outside funding sources.
  

Odor is a big problem for many hog producers, especially the ones known as "Confined Animal Feeding Operations" or CAFO's. Penn State University chemist Jerzy Dec has developed a method using ground-up horseradish and hydrogen peroxide to reduce the stench of swine manure. Horseradish is full of enzymes called peroxidases and his experimental mixture has powerful oxidizing capabilities which help reduce odors.
  

The public has been asked by the Allegheny County Health Department to report dead birds and submit them for testing for the West Nile virus. Instructions will be given on how to deliver a bird safely to the health department office in Oakland. Report dead birds at (412) 687-2243 or visit www.achd.net on the Web.
  

2/24/05 - Top lawn pests of 2004

WEXFORD, PA - Penn State entomology professor, Dr. Paul Heller, listed the "Top Lawn Pests of 2004" during his presentation to green industry professionals:
Annual Bluegrass Weevil 
Bluegrass & Hunting Billbug 
Black Turfgrass Ataenius 
Fall Armyworm 
Northern Masked Chafer 
Cicada Killer Wasp 
  (due to this year's Periodic Cicada emergence) 
Cutworms 
Japanese Beetles  
Later in the seminar, Dr. Gary Moorman, Plant Pathology Specialist, Penn State, alerted professionals about Bacterial Leaf Scorch disease, which is moving westward from from the eastern part of Pennsylvania. Oddly enough, this is only an urban tree disease, and isn't seen in natural woodlands. It primarily kills Red Oaks and Pin Oaks. You'll first notice it 'scorching' leaves on the lower, interior tree branches, then moving upward and outward. 
Some interesting buzzwords heard at the conference included specificity, chemigation, and translaminar. 

In a recent study, U.S. water costs increased an average of 4.4% in 2004 to an average of $2.26 per 1,000 gallons. Denver saw one of the biggest increases with 35%. Memphis and Seattle water shot up 27%. Of the 51 water districts surveyed, Huntington, WV had the most expensive water at $5.05 per 1,000 gallons, with Greenville, MS the cheapest at 80-cents. 

Heinz Field takes a real thrashing from the dual play of Pitt and the Steelers, and the multiple late-season high school playoff games that add insult to injury. The Steelers partially renovated their gridiron at the end of 2004. This renovation called for replacing the top 1/2-inch of soil prior to overseeding with a predominantly Kentucky Bluegrass blend. The procedure mimics what the Broncos successfully did in 2003 to Invesco Field. Both fields have the synthetic fiber DDGrassMaster system installed, which combines natural grass with stitched-in artificial fibers. The hybrid system gained initial recognition with successes on European soccer fields. 
(More in 6/7/03 story below)

Unlike the song by Rush, it's not Maples that will need sunlight in tomorrow's Eastern forests, it's the Oaks. Due to a combination of shade, deer browsing and a few other factors, very few seedlings and saplings exist to replace our mature Oaks. "Failed oak regeneration," which began 40 years ago, will eventually hurt timber sales and reduce the number of acorns for insects, migrating songbirds, small mammals, deer and black bears. More about Dr. Carson's research

In early preparation as hosts of the 2006 Major League All-Star game, the Pittsburgh Pirates are resodding 2.5 acres of PNC Park. Following laser grading, the field will be established with big roll sod from Michigan.

Pennsylvania ranks 4th in the United States in the number of ornamental nurseries (3,120) and 5th in nursery acreage (31,351 acres). 

Homeowners across the country are putting away their lawnmowers by installing low-maintenance and water-wise artificial turf. The largest markets include Arizona, California, South Florida, Nevada, New Jersey and Atlanta. Three of the top companies are Synthetic Lawns International, Universal Industries and ProGreen International. 

8/23/04 - "PITT IS IT"

Congratulations to University of Pittsburgh Grounds Supervisor David Heintzinger and his grounds crew for winning the 2003 Professional Grounds Management Award. The Pitt campus includes 6.5 acres of woody ornamentals, 2 acres of display beds, 30 acres of turf, and 40 acres of pavement. Each year the crew plants 34,000 annual flowers and nearly 1,000 perennials. The grounds crew consists of 23 full-timers, 27 seasonal employees and 1 licensed pesticide applicator. For more see: www.pgms.org

Larry Steward, an assistant professor of Horticulture at Ohio State University, has been conducting studies on mulch flammability. One test involves the everyday possibility that a smoker might throw a cigarette butt into a mulched bed. Most mulches were easily ignited. The three mulches least likely to ignite are cocoa shells, medium pine bark nuggets and hardwood bark. For more details phone 330-263-3780 and request a copy of "Is Your Landscape Going Up in Smoke?" 

Commonly called the "17-year locust," this insect is due to strike in full-force very soon. Once you get past their outer-space looks and that nerve-wracking sound, their next worse feature is the damage they do to small tree branches. The female uses her ovipositor to lay a row of eggs. This notching effect is often enough to kill off the tips of small tree branches. 
[off site photo of a cicada]

The world's largest coffee chain is giving away 5-pound bags of used coffee grounds to gardeners wishing to enrich their soil. In turn, Starbucks saves on waste disposal fees. The program is particularly popular in Washington state. 
Coffee grounds have an acidic reaction in the soil, favoring acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas and evergreens, and also provide an organic source of nitrogen. 

The Pittsburgh area had more snow than normal 2003-04, but not as much as winter 2002-03. It's the two ice storms we had, compared to the normal "none to one," that people will really remember. Temperatures averaged one degree below normal. We exceeded our normal snowfall of 35.6 inches by 15.2 inches. It was a "gray winter" with very few clear days. Long range spring forecasts call for above normal temperatures and precipitation. 

The official rain statistics are in... Summer 2003 was only slightly wetter than normal, at least near Greater Pittsburgh Airport where the official rainfall for Pittsburgh is measured. However, rain did fall on 58% of the recorded days. 

It was slightly cooler than normal. Pittsburgh never broke the 90-degree mark this summer, while in 2002 our temps exceeded 90-degrees 24 times. 

Near normal temperatures and precipitation are forecast for the rest of 2003. 

After ongoing problems with the natural turf, the Steelers have decided to install a hybrid playing surface that reinforces natural grass with polypropylene fibers. These fibers are implanted approximately 8 inches deep at 0.8 inch intervals over the entire field. In proportion, the field is 100% natural grass with an additional 3% synthetic grass added to the playing surface.

Sideview of GrassMaster system
Photo: DD GrassMaster

The southern English county of Surrey will play host to the world lawnmower racing championship later this year. The sport falls under the auspices of the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLMRA), whose motto is "Per Herbam Ad Astra" -- Through Grass to the Stars.

The United States is not to be outdone, sporting its own association: The United States Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) -- www.letsmow.com 

Cloud seeding doesn't make a phenomenal increase in water content, but it is an inexpensive way to increase snowfall and water resources. Cloud seeding is a simple concept that is considered completely safe.

Ground-based generators burn a solution of silver iodide / sodium iodide and salt in acetone, to release silver chloro-iodide particles that make ice crystals, which then turn to snow.

It must be cold enough for seeding to be effective. Generators can be operated remotely by radio or cellular telephone. Sometimes a seeding aircraft is used to augment ground-seeding operations.

Each generator is effective for about 8 square miles. Cloud seeding can increase water supplies 4 to 10 percent in dry years.

See more: http://cloudseeding.dri.edu

It's now estimated that only 32 percent of Christmas trees used in America are real, with 68 percent being artificial. Sales of real Christmas trees dropped to 27.8 million trees in 2001.

12/8/02 - "Grass doesn't grow on a playground"

Whether it's the 4-season climate, high-volume play, or sand root zone, the natural grass field at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh has been a bust. In less than two playing seasons, the loose surface has changed the lives of two place kickers and worried countless others. Perpetual resodding at $100,000+ a clip hasn't helped playing conditions improve for very long. 

The ongoing field problems have the Steelers' organization looking at alternative playing surfaces. Two of the top three options are 'new generation' artificial surfaces, while the third is a hybrid of artificial and natural grass: 

• AstroPlay - Used by WVU and Steelers outdoor practice facility at Duquesne University
• FieldTurf - Used at Steelers indoor practice facility on the South Side of Pittsburgh
• GrassMaster - Denver Broncos new hybrid surface, used for a decade on European fields

Also see: Our first story from 5/4/01

11/16/02 - 2003 All-America Selections

Wave has been the rave since the mid-90's and this year is no exception. 'Blue Wave' Petunia (Petunia hybrida) has been chosen as a 2003 "All-America Selection." 

The 'wave' petunias are capable of trailing their vigorous stems 3 to 4 feet in one growing season and are covered with velvety trumpet-shaped blooms throughout the summer. 

See the AAS web site for current and past selections: 
http://www.all-americaselections.org

8/7/02 - Pennsylvania battles rabies

In an effort to combat the westward spread of rabies, Pennsylvania health department workers began scattering fishy-smelling baits, with a liquid vaccine in the center, in the hope raccoons will devour them. Coons are more likely to be rabid than most other wild animals.

11 western Pennsylvania counties will be hand-baited with the 1-inch squares, by workers on foot as well as from low-flying airplanes. Wooded areas along streams will be the primary focus of baiting activities. 

Environmental and health concerns about arsenic in CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) treated lumber are leading to a proposed phase-out by December 31, 2003. CCA lumber contains 22% pure arsenic and makes up about 80% of outdoor lumber sales.

Children are the most susceptible to arsenic poisoning.

Replacement products for decks and outdoor structures will include ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) treated lumber, Redwood & Cedar with their natural resistance to fungus and insects, and composite lumber (a blend of plastic and wood fibers) such as Trex, TimberTech, Durawood, and ChoiceDek.

During the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council conference at the Pittsburgh Expo Mart, Dr. Dave "BugDoc" Shetlar presented some interesting facts about insects.

Japanese Beetles are excellent at honing-in on moist soil when it comes egg-laying time in mid-summer. This accounts for the fact that lush green lawns usually have more grub problems than the "poorly maintained lawns" across the street. Conversely, droughty weather will reduce grub populations, as it did in Ohio during 2001. If you find active grubs in cold weather (March or December) they are probably European Chafer.

Visit the BugDoc's well illustrated web site at:
http://bugs.osu.edu/~bugdoc/

On February 12th, the Governor of Pennsylvania placed 24 counties in drought emergency status. In addition to that, 7 counties are in a drought warning and 31 are under drought watch. 

Winter droughts are much less common than summer droughts, and this pattern could lead to the worst drought in Pennsylvania history. This is a continuation of a dry weather pattern that began back in 1998.

WASHINGTON, DC - Abraham Lincoln's favorite tree, a 40-foot Copper Beech next to the US Soldiers' and Airmens' Home where Lincoln once lived, is dying due to old age according to arborists.  A destructive fungus disease, the 2001 drought, and sunscald (due to the removal of a large Maple next to the beech) may have hastened the demise of the 275 year old tree.

All is not lost though, since several lower branches rooted to the ground over the years. These living portions of the tree will permit the successful removal of cuttings to be rooted in greenhouses and nurseries. Someday the transplanted cuttings will be distributed to historical sites across America.

   
11/15/01 - Top lawn pests

WEXFORD, PA - Penn State entomology professor, Dr. Paul Heller, listed the "Top Lawn Pests of 2001" during his presentation to green industry professionals:
Annual bluegrass weevil
Armyworm
Bluegrass Billbug
Chinch Bug
Cicada Killer Wasp
Cranberry Girdler (..and yes, abundant in Cranberry Twp!)
Hunting Billbug
Northern Masked Chafer Grub

Later in the day, Penn State entomology professor, Greg Hoover, presented strategies against a variety of mites which have invaded nurseries and home landscapes in Pennsylvania:
Spruce spider mite
Hemlock rust mite
White Pine sheath mite

Professor Hoover also cautioned tree care professionals to be on the lookout for 'Elongate Hemlock Scale,' which has been moving north and west from S.E. Pennsylvania.  Look for this scale on the bottom of needles when Hemlocks become chlorotic (yellow).  He said the crawler stage of the insect first appears in Pennsylvania during late May, but insecticides may have to be re-applied once a month throughout the summer for effective control.

9/3/01 - New hope for Elm tree

Elms were very popular shade trees until Dutch Elm Disease wiped out entire boulevards of them during the 1900's.  Now, word out of Scotland says researchers have developed the first Elm trees genetically resistant to the widespread disease.  The new elm should be commercially available by 2005.

5/20/01 - Ah-Choo!

This spring has brought pollen and mold levels much higher than normal, even causing problems for people without allergies.

5/4/01 - "Here we grow Steelers, here we grow!"

Sod from Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, N.J. started getting rolled-out at the new Steelers stadium on Pittsburgh's North Side yesterday.  A dozen trucks were required to haul all 320 of the 1,300-pound rolls of "big roll sod" (4 ft x 75 ft).  The hybrid bluegrass mixture will cover 2.2 acres of field area.

The grass will be kept growing through the fall football season, due to an underground heating system.  35 miles of plastic tubing, containing a mixture of glycol and water, will be used to keep the root zone warm and prevent winter dormancy, which usually begins around late October in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

12/7/00 - Laser Lawnmower

Are you ready for a lawnmower that cuts grass with lasers?  Perhaps, but you might not be ready to pay the estimated $30,000 price.

10/27/00 - Flower Power

A recent study by Rutgers University researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones indicates that the presence of flowers heightens feelings of satisfaction by triggering happy emotions, and the emotional lift can last for several days.

9/8/00 - Breeder's bonanza!

From 1990 to 1997, breeders have developed hundreds of new turfgrass varieties.  These seven years of work include:
61 Kentucky Bluegrasses
82 Perennial Ryegrasses
66 Tall Fescues
14 Creeping Bentgrasses

8/17/00 - Weather trends favor more pests

Researchers from three US universities feel that current weather trends will favor the increase of pest populations and plant diseases in the future.  Warmer winter weather and potential flooding will favor insects and several plant pathogens.
For more info see: http://www.med.harvard.edu/chge/

8/16/00 - Adelgids threaten Pennsylvania Hemlocks

Cottony-looking deposits along the underside of branches on Hemlocks may indicate the presence of Woolly Adelgids, a destructive insect which is on a population rise in Pennsylvania.  It's estimated the insect has already killed 15% of the state's Hemlocks.

2/12/00 - Mow the lawn from your hammock!

Husqvarna has produced the battery-powered Auto Mower.  All you do is install a boundary wire (kind of like invisible dog fence to delineate the area to be mowed), turn on the unit, and then relax and watch as this short 'R2D2-like' machine mows your lawn and mulches the clippings.  It even takes itself over to the recharging station when the battery runs low.

2/11/00 - Snowman Services

An enterprising entrepreneur in Darien, CT has added 'snow-making' to his list of lawn care services.  It all began back in 1997 when a client requested snow for a holiday party.  No more just "dreaming" of a white Christmas in Jonathan Sweeney's hometown!

12/23/99 - Is it live, or is it . . .

Christmas trees.... Who got What?
Artificial - 41%     Real - 36%     No tree - 23%

12/16/99 - Tallest Christmas tree in America!

Newport Beach, California has the bragging rights with a 114-foot-tall Christmas tree weighing 8-1/2 tons, and sporting 15,000 lights and ornaments.

12/13/99 - One tree each

In the average year, each American uses enough wood and paper products to equal a 100-foot tall tree, 16 inches in diameter.

11/20/99 - Ginseng, Ginkgo and homeopathic potions...

It's estimated that Americans spend $30 billion annually on unconventional therapies. Ginkgo Biloba is derived from the Ginkgo tree, which is the oldest living tree on Earth, and has a fan-shaped "fossil-looking" leaf. Ginkgo is the only tree with NO insect or disease problems.

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