UMass Extension Landscape Message #1 - 2011
Scouting Information by Region
Regional Notes
Cape Cod Region (Barnstable) – General Conditions: December was a cold month overall. A low of 16° F was recorded overnight on December 9/10. During the first part of the month, the Cape received approximately 1.75 inches of rain. On December 21, the Cape got socked with12"-18” of heavy snow, with additional accumulation occurring on December 26/27, when a coastal storm started as snow, turned to rain, and finished as sleet. Evergreens were bowed by the heavy, wet snow and some broken limbs fell during periods of high winds. A gust of 80 MPH was recorded in Wellfleet on December 27. Pests/Problems: Nothing of note.
Southeast Region (Hanson) – General Conditions: We had a few days in December that were over 50 degrees, but not many. December was colder than normal and there were several days/nights with gusting winds. Approximately 2.5 inches of rain and 16 inches of snow fell in Hanson in the month of December. The blizzard of Dec. 26-27, brought varied amounts of snow and rain around the county. Many coastal areas were hit hard especially Scituate where many streets and neighborhoods were underwater. Hanson recorded 12 inches of snow, Middleboro 18 inches, while other areas saw similar or lesser amounts. Snow turned to rain in some areas near the coast. Overall, the snow was wet and heavy resulting in fallen tree branches and in some cases, the uprooting of trees. Pests/Problems: Winter moths continued to emerge on the warm days in early December. In Hanson, Winter moth numbers were high. Deer continue to browse and several reports of deer in yards have noted. Voles and vole runs were observed. Ladybugs and Western conifer seed bugs were active indoors.
East Region (Boston) – General Conditions: We received one GDD on December 1st to bring the total for 2010 to 3462. (Compared to 2748.5 GDDs in 2009 and 2815 GDDs as the 30 year average).The average temperature in Boston for the 2010 was 53.8° F, 2.1° F warmer than the historic average. We were headed toward the record of 303 consecutive days without measurable snow (set in 1999-2000) until we received 2 inches on December 20th to fall 10 days short of the record. On December 26 and 27, “The Blizzard of 2010” delivered 13 inches of snow but resulted in no significant storm damage to the grounds at the Arnold Arboretum. December 21st was a rare day astronomically: a total lunar eclipse fell on the same day as the winter solstice. The next occurrence of such an event will be in 2094. Pests/Problems: Winter moth has been observed on the grounds. Barrier tree band sampling show areas previously treated are showing reduced numbers compared to previous years. Non-treated sites have significantly higher winter moth population. Minimal to no rabbit damage was reported.
Metro West (Waltham) – General Conditions: Drifts of snow exist from the 15” of snow that was dumped on the Metro West area on December 26th. Strong gusts of wind made exact measurements difficult. Showing color in the landscape are the fruit on the Ilex veticillata (Winterberry) and the Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac) and both can be found growing along the road side and/or in gardens. Providing additional interest and more noticeable now without competing flower and foliage is bark. The young stems on the many different cultivars of the Cornus sericea (Redosier Dogwood) and C. stolonifera (Red Twigged Dogwood) can provide a splash or wave of color in shades of red, yellow and orange. The exfoliating bark on Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple), Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood), Betula nigra (River Birch), Stewartia spp., and Zelkova spp. will provide some winter interest. Pests/Problems: Now is a good time to inspect your trees for the Anoplophora glabripennis (Asian Longhorned Beetle) on the 12 host trees Acer (Maple), Betula (Birch), Aesculus (Horse Chestnut), Fraxinus (Ash), Ulmus (Elm), Salix (Willow), Albizia (Mimosa), Celtis (Hackberry), Populus (Poplar), Platanus (Sycamore), Sorbus (Mountain Ash) and Cercidiphyllum (Katsura). Deer browsing is evident on Taxus (Yew).
Central Region (Boylston) – General Conditions: Deer activity has increased significantly in the last couple of weeks, browsing is evident on unprotected plants such as apple trees.
Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions: Weather during the last month brought more rain than snow with generally seasonal temperatures. Several windy days caused soil erosion from cultivated areas.
Berkshire Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: December was a cold month with the monthly average 5° F below normal. Heavy snowfall (near blizzard) occurred on December 27. Snowfall varied with 19 inches falling in Great Barrington area. 27 inches was recorded at some higher elevations in the Berkshires. No significant damage from snow. High winds have been more of a problem with many fallen branches. The ground in most areas is frozen. In one check, depth of frost line was about four inches deep. Pests/Problems: Other than deer and rabbit browsing, and some wind damage to tree limbs, no problems were observed during the past month
Environmental Data
The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for an approximately four-week period, December 2 through January 5, 2011. Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on or about January 5, 2011. Total accumulated GDDs represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments for the 2010 calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.
| Region/Location | 2010 GROWING DEGREE DAYS | Soil Temp (°F at 4" depth) | Precipitation (4-Week Gain) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Week Gain | Total accumulation for 2010 | |||
| Cape Cod | 3 | 3193 | frozen | 2.65” rain, 18" snow |
| Southeast | 3 | 3056 | frozen | ~2.50" rain, 16" snow |
|
East |
1 | 3462 | frozen | 2.51" rain, 16.1" snow |
| Metro West | 0 | 3111 | frozen | 3.61” |
| Central | 1 | 2952 | frozen | 5.9” rain, 12" snow |
| Pioneer Valley | 7 | 3015 | frozen | 5.31” rainfall equivalent (5-6" snow) |
| Berkshires | 0 | 2806 | frozen | 3.70” rainfall eqivalent (16.3" snow) |
| AVERAGE | 2 | 3085 | frozen | - |
| n/a = information not available | ||||
- CAPE COD REGION - Roberta Clark, UMass Extension Horticulturist for Barnstable County, Barnstable.
- SOUTHEAST REGION - Deborah Swanson, UMass Extension Horticulturist for Plymouth County - Retired, Hanson.
- EAST REGION - Kit Ganshaw & Sue Pfeiffer, Horticulturists, reporting from the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain.
- METRO WEST REGION – Julie Coop, Horticulturist, reporting from Acton.
- CENTRAL REGION - Joann Vieira, Superintendent of Horticulture, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston.
- PIONEER VALLEY REGION - Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass, Amherst.
- BERKSHIRE REGION - Ron Kujawski, Horticultural Consultant, reporting from Great Barrington.
Woody Ornamentals
Insects
No significant activity to report this month.
Reported by Robert Childs, Extension Entomologist, Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences Department, UMass, Amherst.
Diseases
No significant activity to report this month.
Reported by Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, Amherst.
Weeds
No report this month.
Landscape Turf
No reports this month.
