Japanese tree lilac
Syringa reticulata
Japanese tree lilac is a small tree with a mature height of 20 to 30 feet with a spread of 15 to 25 feet. This tree is appropriate for small to large yards, parks, and street side plantings. The specie does best on acidic, well-drained soil. It prefers a relatively sunny site. Susceptible to all of the common lilac malidies, it is resistant to powdery mildew, scale, and lilac borer. The flowers are grouped in large, terminal panicles. The flower color is white, but I have been told there are now other colors available. The fruit is a non-showy long capsule. The leaves are dark green, opposite, simple, entire, broad-ovate to ovate and 2 to 5.5 inches long. Fall color is poor. Cultivars to consider are ‘Ivory Silk’ for heavy flowering at an early age, and ‘Summer Snow’ for profuse large panicles of flowers and cherry-like bark. Native to northern Japan, this specie is suitable to plant in all of Missouri.
Plant illustration by Jenny M. Lyverse, from Landscape Plants for Eastern North America, 2nd Edition, Harrison L. Flint Author
Formosan Termite Fallacy
An incorrect email / rumor has been going around about Formosan termites. The email states the termites are possibly being shipped around the country from southern Louisiana hurricane areas in mulch created from the wood debris. Reality is very different.
Formosan termites are an aggressive exotic specie that will attack live trees as well as processed wood. They can be transported in untreated wood from infested to uninfested areas. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has quarantined all infested parishes in southern Louisiana. All woody material leaving the area, or re-used in the area must be properly treated for termites and inspected by qualified personnel.
Additionally, entomologist do not believe Formosan termites can reproduce north of 35 degrees north latitude which is to the south nearly half way through Arkansas. For more information visit the Snopes.com web site www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/termites.asp
EPA Hosts Stormwater Phase II Workshops
| Trees will REDUCE stormwater runoff |
EPA is hosting workshops aimed to provide state and local stormwater program managers with innovative tools and real-world examples that can be used to address the six minimum control measures called for by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program Phase II requirements. For more information visit the web site: http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/courses.cfm?program_id=0&outreach_id=200&o_type=1
Chainsaw Recalls
Chainsaws are powerful tools. They also are dangerous, especially when a manufacturing defect occurs. Three companies have issued recalls in recent months for various reasons.
Stihl has been the most straight forward by announcing their recall on their web site. The “MS 192 T” model with serial numbers between 264371702 - 266087005 is affected. Visit www.stihlusa.com/recalls/recall_MS192T.html for detailed information.
Makita has recalled model “DCS6401” with serial numbers 41915 through 45612 and 81722 through 82057 and model “DCS7901” with serials numbers 31182 through 31491. Visit www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05265.html for detailed information.
Dolmar, a sub-unit of Makita, has recalled model “PS6400” with serial numbers 71998 through 79250 and model “PS7900” with serial numbers 40156 through 43009. Visit www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05264.html for detailed information.
ISA's 82nd Annual Conference and Trade Show
|
The 2006 International Society of Arboriculture's Annual Conference and Trade Show will be held in Minneapolis on July 29 - August 2. This Conference is a great opportunity to learn, earn CEU's (at least 25 are available), get solutions to problems, see the International Tree Climbing Championship, visit with equipment vendors, and network with others.
The conference is themed around preparing for and responding to natural disasters and invasive species. Two separate tracks of Utility and Municipal are available. Both tracks covers various topics about the theme issues.
The Early Bird Registration deadline date is June 9. To find out more about the conference and to register visit www.isa-arbor.com/conference/.
Tree Identification Workshop - June 6, 2006
What kind of tree is that? I am certain you get this question a lot. Tree care is often specie dependent. You need to know what that tree is for proper diagnoses of problems; how much and the style of pruning; if it is appropriate for the site it is on or planned for; and others.
To assist you and co-workers, whether commercial arborist, nurserymen, city employee, or interested citizen, I will hold a Tree Identification Workshop on June 6, 2006 at 6PM in Ewert Park in Joplin. Ewert Park is at the intersection of 7th St and Illinois Ave / Murphy Blvd.
The Workshop is free, open to everyone, and has 2 ISA CEU's available for it. No registration is needed, just show up.