Winter Moth Update for 5/18/2012
Winter Moth caterpillars are quickly nearing pupation in the greater Boston area, North and South Shores. Cape Cod remains a bit behind.
Registration Now Open For UMass Extension's 2012 Green School
Green School is a bi-annual certificate short course for Green Industry and agricultural professionals. The next session will be held in the fall of 2012. Click here for complete program information and registration instructions.
USDA Celebrates 150th Anniversary
On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Department of Agriculture Act to establish United States Department of Agriculture.
Winter Moth Update for 5/10/2012
Winter Moth caterpillars remain actively feeding but areas of high infestation appear to be randomly dispersed.
Winter Moth Update for 5/3/2012
Winter Moth remain actively feeding in the second and third instar stages. Host plant foliage is now abundant for this voracious feeder.
Winter Moth Update for 4/26/2012
Winter Moth caterpillars remain active but it now appears that in many cases, the early hatch, cold weather, and lack of food has lead to the demise of many caterpillars.
Emerald Ash Borer Closer to New England
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been recently discovered to be even closer to New England than previously thought, just 25 miles from the western borders of MA and CT.
Winter Moth Update for 4/18/12
Winter Moth caterpillars remain active and many are now in the second instar stage. There are many caterpillars actively feeding right now.
Dry, Dry, Dry...
Most parts of the state and region have experienced rainfall deficits of 6 to 8 inches or more since the beginning of the calendar year. This lack of rainfall, coupled with above normal temperatures, is particularly problematic at the at the start of the growing season
Winter Moth Update for 4/10/12
Winter Moth caterpillars remain active but growth rate has been slowed by the much cooler temperatures of the past week. Larvae are either first or second instars and therefore still quite small.
Warm Weather and White Grub Management
With the unseasonably warm weather we have experienced this month, many are concerned about white grub development. Furthermore, some are seeing turf damage already and are unsure about what to do. Click for answers to some of the most common grub questions that we have received so far this season.
Pachysandra Identified as Boxwood Blight Host
Plant pathologists at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station recently identified Pachysandra terminalis (common names: pachysandra, Japanese spurge) as a new host of Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum, the fungus that causes Boxwood Blight. Read more at http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?Q=500388&A=3756
Latest Winter Moth Information
Winter Moth remains the top insect of interest at this time in MA for the landscape, nursery, and forest, as well as for blueberry and apple growers. The caterpillars have now virtually all hatched on the North Shore, greater Boston area, South Shore and Rhode Island.
The Warm Winter of 2012 and What to Expect From Winter Moth in Massachusetts
As of the second week in March 2012, here in MA, we cannot say for sure what the outcome will be this spring for winter moth damage to plants. However, there is some speculation as to what may unfold in the coming weeks.
UMass Extension Announces Invasive Plant Certification Program
This 4-day program has been designed to help participants meet the unique challenges of invasive plant management. Learn more...
Boxwood Blight Found in Massachusetts
In December 2011, the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab working with samples collected by MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) inspectors positively identified boxwood blight (Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum) in Massachusetts.
Tree Inspection Following Halloween Weekend Snow Storm
Learn the details of the process involved in effectively inspecting and assessing storm-damaged trees.
Welcome to the New UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program Web Site!
We are excited to introduce our completely redesigned and revised web site! Please take a few moments to explore.
