News & Updates

Connecticut Gardener Offers Discount to CMGA Members

GREENS FARMS, CT, Jan. 31, 2012 -- Members of the Connecticut Master Gardener Association (CMGA) are eligible for a 25% discount on subscriptions to Connecticut Gardener magazine. Gift subscriptions to other CMGA members also qualify. Gift subscriptions to individuals who are not CMGA members do not qualify. Call Anne at (203) 292-0711 or email her at ctgarden@optonline.net if you have any questions. We'll also be at the symposium on March 24.

UConn Seeking Associate Dean/Director

STORRS, CT, Jan. 31, 2012 -- The University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is seeking applicants for the position of Associate Dean for Extension and Associate Director for the Cooperative Extension System. Applications should be submitted electronically through the Husky Hires webpage at http://jobs.uconn.edu/. Click on "Search and Apply" and then "Continue to Husky Hire." The job posting is scheduled to close 4/15/2012.

National Wildlife Federation and Scotts Miracle-Gro End Partnership

RESTON, VA, Jan. 29, 2012 -- The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Scotts Miracle-Gro announced the end of their new partnership. NWF has posted a brief joint statement on its website. The announcement references a pending legal settlement against Scotts Miracle-Gro in a case that predates the partnership agreement. The Columbus Dispatch published a story on the case Jan. 27. The agreement was drawing criticism from wildlife lovers, environmentalists and those concerned about corporate greenwashing. Scotts Miracle-Gro is a major purveyor of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. It also has an agreement with Monsanto to distribute Roundup®; a broad-spectrum, systemic herbicide containing glyphosate.

USDA Issues New 2012 Hardiness Zone Map

WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 25, 2012 -- The new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is available at http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ You can enter your zip code to find your zone. You can also access a Connecticut/Rhode Island map and a Northeast map. Connecticut now includes zone 7a, in addition to zones 5b, 6a and 6b.

Revolutionary Garden Centers

Three establishments in Connecticut have been selected as Revolutionary 100 Garden Centers for 2012 by Today's Garden Center.
• Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses in Greenwich (www.sambridge.com)
• Natureworks in Northford (www.naturework.com)
• Van Wilgen's Garden Center in North Branford (www.vanwilgens.com)
The Revolutionary 100 Awards focus on recognizing innovative retail garden centers. Participants complete a comprehensive questionnaire from which points are awarded and winners selected. The group of 100 becomes a resource for discussing industry trends and benchmarking ideas to share within the industry throughout the year. For more information, visit www.todaysgardencenter.com

Intern Applications Being Accepted for 2012 Season at Nasami Farm Nursery

WHATELY, MASS., Jan. 11, 2012 -- New England Wild Flower Society announced today the addition of a Native Plant Intern for the staff at Nasami Farm in 2012. Application deadline is Feb. 8, 2012, for a five- to six-month internship, starting late March/April. The individual will have a 5-day workweek with Sundays required. Compensation is $240 per week (plus $100/week housing stipend).

The intern will gain hands-on experience identifying, propagating and cultivating North American native plants in a nursery setting. The individual will assist in many facets of nursery operations, including propagation of numerous species, retail plant sales, seed collection and processing, record keeping and public information duties. This is an opportunity to gain useful experience working alongside staff developing and expanding the nursery, and to help coordinate volunteers. The intern will get a chance to complete a special project of their own interest, participate in educational activities (including classes, courses and field trips), network with professionals, and attend special horticultural field trips.

This internship provides entry into both native plant studies and nursery management.

Candidates should possess some botanical understanding, familiarity with horticultural practices, an interest in native plants of the Northeast, excellent communication skills, and a strong desire to learn.

For more information on internships and fellowships, visit www.newenglandwild.org/jobs/internships

To apply, e-mail/mail a resume, cover letter, and list of three references to: Cayte McDonough, Nursery Production Manager, Nasami Farm, 128 North St., Whately, MA 01373 or cmcdonough@newenglandwild.org

APGA Searching for New Executive Director

KENNETT SQUARE, PENN., Jan. 10, 2012 -- The American Public Gardens Association is conducting a search for a new executive director.

Click here for more information.

Sullivan Farm in Search of Manager

NEW MILFORD, Jan. 2012 -- Sullivan Farm in New Milford is looking for a farm manager. Their goal is to broaden the existing teaching programs for high school kids and also to introduce adult agro-centric programs designed to educate the community at large to the importance of sustaining our farms.

The proposed start date is Feb. 1, 2012. Job Description (PDF)

2012 Winter/Spring UConn Garden Master Class Catalog Available

STORRS, Dec. 2011 -- UConn's Master Gardener classes are open to the public. Fee and registration required. For information, call (877) 486-6271, visit www.ladybug.uconn.edu or click on the following link to see a PDF of the 2012 Winter/Spring catalog.

UConn Extension Master Gardener Program Seeking Fairfield County Coordinator

STORRS, Dec. 2011 -- The UConn Extension Master Gardener Program is seeking applications for the position of Master Gardener Program Coordinator for the Fairfield County Cooperative Extension Center in Bethel. This is a part-time, 16-hours-per-week position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Job description and contact information (PDF file).

New Fungal Blight Infecting Boxwoods

NEW HAVEN, Dec. 2011 -- Scientists at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) have determined that a fungus (Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum) new to the U.S. is killing some boxwood plants in Connecticut. The fungus, first found in Connecticut, was subsequently identified in Virginia and North Carolina. It was previously identified in Europe in the 1990s and in New Zealand in 2002. CAES has posted a press release and a fact sheet with color pictures. For assistance with Boxwood blight, you can call CAES at (203) 974-8496. UConn also offers plant diagnostic services through its Home & Garden Education Center and County Extension Centers. Call (877) 486-6271 (toll free) or email ladybug@uconn.edu for more information.

Request for Information on Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

STORRS, Oct. 17, 2011 -- Your assistance is requested to help gather occurrence data on mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) in Connecticut. Please contact Donna Ellis (860-486-6448 or donna.ellis@uconn.edu) if you have photos, collection records, sightings or other information regarding mugwort in natural areas/minimally disturbed habitats, including municipal or state parks, state forests and open space or land trust parcels (public or private land).

Ellis is a senior UConn Extension Educator and co-chairman of the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG).

New Agricultural Pest Discovered in Connecticut

NEW HAVEN, Oct. 7, 2011 -- A new exotic fruit pest, called the spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), was first found on a farm in Shelton on August 19th by Dr. Richard Cowles, an entomologist at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). Experiment Station surveys have confirmed the presence of this invasive fly in 25 towns in all Connecticut counties. In August and September, it severely damaged strawberries and red raspberries, rendering all or some of these crops unmarketable. We have also documented infestations in blackberries, blueberries, grapes, and many wild fruits in the state.

Of Asian origin, the spotted wing drosophila is related to common fruit flies that hover near ripe bananas and wine. Unlike other fruit flies that attack damaged fruit, females of this invasive species have a saw-like, egg-laying organ or ovipositor, which enables them to lay eggs in firm, ripening, and otherwise healthy fruit. Feeding by spotted wing drosophila larvae can completely destroy the fruit in a few days. The adult males are distinctive because they have a single black spot on the tip of each wing. Other fruit flies can have spotted wings, but do not have a single spot on their wings. Scientists reared larvae to adults or used vinegar traps to monitor for this pest.

Found in California in 2008, this small fly has now been reported from at least 18 states ranging from the western coastal states to Michigan, Florida and the Northeast. The spotted wing drosophila can be controlled on small fruits with certain insecticide applications. Scientists at the CAES are investigating the fly's distribution and behavior, and will develop management methods.

Photo / Rose Hiskes, CAES

Photo / Katherine Dugas, CAES

Farmland ConneCTions -- A Guide for Connecticut Towns, Institutions & Land Trusts Using or Leasing Farmland

Land is an essential element of farming and, after a century of significant farmland loss around the state, access to affordable, productive farmland is one of the greatest challenges that Connecticut farmers face. Farmland owned by towns, institutions and land trusts represents an important source of land for farmers and for local food production.

Whether it's 5 acres or 100, a community's, land trust's or institution's willingness to lease land to a farmer, or to create its own community farm, can make an important contribution toward growing Connecticut's farms, food and economy. This guide is intended to help make these farmland "connections" by walking through the legal and practical considerations involved in leasing farmland and providing information and case studies of successful community farms that have been established around the state. We hope that this guide is a useful resource for both those seeking land to grow food and other agricultural products and those seeking to ensure that the farmland they own is put to productive and sustainable agricultural use.

A PDF of the Farmland ConneCtions guide is available for download at www.farmland.org/documents/CT_FarmlandConnections_low.pdf

Farmland ConneCTions is a joint project of ≈American Farmland Trust and the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System.

New Invasive Plant Disposal Guide Available

STORRS, Aug. 19, 2011 -- Gudelines for Disposal of Terrestrial Invasive Plants is now available on the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group's website at www.hort.uconn.edu/CIPWG/pdfs/Invasive_plant_disposal_guide_8-2011.pdf

The four-page guide contains information on trees, shrubs, woody vines, herbaceous plants, grasses and sedges.

It was producted by The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the University of Connecticut.

EPA Issues Stop Sale Order to DuPont on Sale and Distribution of Imprelis® Herbicide

WASHINGTON, August 11, 2011 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued an order to E.I. DuPont de Nemours (DuPont) directing the company to immediately halt the sale, use or distribution of Imprelis®, an herbicide marketed to control weeds that has been reported to be harming a large number of trees, including Norway spruce and white pine. The order, issued under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), requires DuPont to stop the sale and distribution of Imprelis® in the U.S. and outlines specific conditions to ensure that the removal of Imprelis® from the market meets legal requirements.

This action follows EPA's investigation into why a large number of evergreens and other trees have been harmed following the use of the herbicide. In its evaluation, EPA is investigating whether these incidents are the result of product misuse, inadequate warnings and use directions on the product's label, persistence in soil and plant material, uptake of the product through the root systems and absorbed into the plant tissue, environmental factors, potential runoff issues or other possible causes.

On June 17, 2011, DuPont issued a letter to professional applicators cautioning against the use of Imprelis® where Norway spruce or white pine trees are present on, or in close proximity to, the property being treated. On July 27, 2011, DuPont acknowledged to the EPA that there has been damage to trees associated with Imprelis® use and the company had developed an internet web page to provide information and updates concerning Imprelis® use.

On August 4, 2011, DuPont voluntarily suspended sales of Imprelis® and announced that it will soon conduct a product return and refund program.

FIFRA is a federal law that requires the registration of pesticide products and pesticide-production facilities, and the proper labeling of pesticides. This requirement protects public health and the environment by ensuring safe production, handling, and application of pesticides and by preventing false or misleading product claims.

Information about today's order: www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/fifra/dupontimprelis.html

Information about EPA's investigation into Imprelis® and damage to trees: www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/imprelis.html

Editor's Note: DuPont has instituted a return/refund program, a website (www.imprelis-facts.com), and a hotline (866-796-4783).

DEEP & CAES Enter Into Agreement to Combat Invasive Insects

Agreement outlines actions to be taken in the event of detection of Asian Longhorned Beetle or the Emerald Ash Borer in Connecticut

August 2, 2011 -- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) have formalized a partnership to address the threat posed by two invasive insects -- the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) and the Emerald ash borer (EAB). As part of this partnership, the two agencies have agreed to work together to closely monitor for the presence of the ALB and EAB in Connecticut and to take steps to eliminate or slow the spread of these insects if they do reach our state. The ALB has already been detected in neighboring Massachusetts and the EAB in New York.

"The arrival of either of these insects in Connecticut could be devastating to the beauty of our state forests, state and local parks and our neighborhoods," said DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty. "Additionally, Connecticut's wood product industries are a significant part of our state's economy. It is imperative we have an aggressive monitoring plan in place and are ready to take quick action if either insect is detected. Close cooperation between DEEP and CAES is crucial to our efforts to minimize the statewide impacts of these species."

"If these exotic beetles enter Connecticut, it will be a major event," according to CAES Director Louis A. Magnarelli. "I am pleased that the CAES and DEEP are taking these proactive steps to prepare for any potential infestations."

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed by DEEP Commissioner Esty and CAES Director Louis Magnarelli on July 25, 2011 establishes a legal framework for the two state agencies to work together to implement ALB and EAB quarantines restricting the movement of firewood, nursery stock and other wood items in the event either EAB or ALB is found in the state or up against the state's borders. The MOU is a pre-emptive action because neither insect has been detected in the state. The agreement specifically authorizes DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police, Solid Waste Inspectors, Pesticide Inspectors and State Forest and Park personnel to undertake necessary actions to assist the CAES in the enforcement of the state's plant protection and quarantine laws.

Background on EAB

The EAB is a small, green beetle that belongs to a large family of beetles known as the buprestids, or metallic wood boring beetles. The description is apt, as many of the buprestids appear as if their wing covers are made of polished metal. The adult EAB has green, iridescent wing covers and is approximately one-half inch in length.

The EAB is an insect that is not native to North America. It was first found in 2002 in the vicinity of Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. It is presumed to have arrived several years earlier on woody packaging materials. It is now known to be found in 12 states and was discovered in nearby Saugerties, New York (25 miles from the Connecticut border) in July 2010. EABs feed strictly on ash trees. The larvae feed just beneath the bark on the inside of the trees, while the adults feed on leaves.

Background on ALB

The ALB was first discovered attacking trees in the United States in New York City in 1996. ALB probably travelled to the United States inside solid wood packing material from China. The beetle has been intercepted at ports of entry and found in warehouses in various locations around the United States. In August 2008, the presence of ALB was confirmed in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Currently the only effective way to eradicate ALB is to remove infested trees and destroy them by chipping or burning. To prevent further spread of the insect, quarantines are established to regulate movement of articles that could carry lifestages of the pest including all firewood. Early detection of infestations and rapid response are crucial to successful eradication of the beetle.

Ways to Prevent the Spread of ALB and EAB

• DEEP and CAES urge citizens not to transport firewood. EAB and ALB can be inadvertently transported in untreated firewood and other forest products.

• Buy firewood locally at or near the campground, burn all firewood at your campsite before you leave, and never bring firewood home.

• For those who use firewood to heat their homes, your firewood should be from only a few miles away or at least in the same county.

Residents suspecting they have seen the ALB or EAB should report their findings to CAES at (203) 974-8474 or (203) 974-8485. Residents can also report sightings to APHIS via their website at www.aphis.usda.gov

Eddison is a 2011 AHS Book Award Winner

Sydney Eddison's latest book, Gardening for a Lifetime: How to Garden Wiser as You Grow Older, won an award from the American Horticultural Society. It's available from Timber Press.

State Stepping Up Efforts to Detect Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Beetles

May 19, 2011 -- The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced 940 detection traps will soon be set out across the state to monitor for the presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) in Connecticut. The traps will be placed in every Connecticut County with the exception of Windham and New London counties because they are greater than 50 miles from the nearest known detection -- about 25 miles from the Connecticut border in eastern New York.

Monitoring of the traps will be led by the University of Connecticut (UConn) Extension Service in cooperation with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), DEP Forestry and State Parks personnel, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Additionally, many landowners, wood product businesses and municipalities will also have traps placed on their property.

Speaking in Bushnell Park in Hartford where the agencies involved were displaying the traps, DEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty said, "The EAB is an extremely destructive pest and is responsible for the death and decline of over 25 million ash trees in the U. S. since June 2002." "Considering Connecticut has more than 22 million ash trees, its presence here could have a devastating effect on the beauty of our forests, state and local parks and our neighborhoods as well as the state's wood product industries."

CAES Director Louis A. Magnarelli noted that "alerting citizens about the dangers of moving firewood and early detection of EAB are of paramount importance in our efforts to prevent the further spread of this destructive insect."

Emerald Ash Borer

EAB Purple Panel (Barney) Trap

Facts About the Monitoring Traps

• The traps are nicknamed "Barney traps" due to their large size (about 3-foot by 1- foot) and purple color.

• The traps will be placed in targeted locations similar to where EAB was initially detected in other states such as private and public campgrounds, DOT rest stops, nurseries, and wood product locations.

• The traps use oil as an attractant to lure the beetles to it.

• The surface of the trap is coated with a sticky material which causes the EAB to adhere to it.

• Traps cannot bring EAB into an area that is not already infested.

• Birds and other wildlife will not become entangled in the traps.

• The detection traps are sticky, but non-toxic to humans.

More information on the 2011 Emerald Ash Borer Monitoring Program is available at the following website: The 2011 CT Emerald Ash Borer Trapping Program

Background on EAB

The EAB is an insect that is not native to North America. It was first found in 2002 in the vicinity of Detroit, Mich., and Windsor, Ontario. It is presumed to have arrived several years earlier presumably on woody packaging materials. It is now known to be found in 12 states and was discovered in nearby Saugerties, N.Y. (25 miles from the Connecticut border) in July 2010. EABs feed strictly on ash trees. The larvae feed just beneath the bark on the inside of the trees, while the adults feed on leaves.

Ways to Prevent the Spread of EAB

• DEP and CAES urge citizens not to transport firewood. EAB spreads quickly on its own and can be inadvertently transported in untreated firewood and other forest products.

• Buy firewood locally at or near the campground, burn all firewood at your campsite before you leave, and never bring firewood home.

• For those who use firewood to heat their homes, your firewood should be from only a few miles away or at least in the same county.

DEP is asking Connecticut residents to report possible EAB infestations to CAES or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS-PPQ). Early detection, although difficult, is the best defense against further infestation. Residents suspecting they have seen EAB should report their findings to CAES at (203) 974-8474 or CAES.StateEntomologist@ct.gov (digital photos of suspect insects and damage on the trees are very helpful). Residents can also report sightings to APHIS-PPQ via their website at www.beetledetectives.com

Connecticut Gardener Offers Discounts to Garden Clubs

GREENS FARMS, CT, April 23, 2011 -- Garden Clubs, with 10 or more members participating, are eligible for a 25% discount on subscriptions to Connecticut Gardener magazine. Gift subscriptions to other garden club members also qualify. Gift subscriptions to individuals who are not garden club members do not qualify. A PDF form is available for download. Call Anne at 203.292.0711 or email her at ctgarden@optonline.net if you have any questions.

UConn Pest Alert

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

March 24, 2011 -- The brown marmorated stink bug is a non-native pest new to Connecticut. It has been confirmed in all counties with the exception of Tolland. It can damage many plants and is a nuisance when it enters buildings to overwinter.

If you observe this insect indoors or out, call the UConn Home & Garden Education Center at (877) 486-6271, or sending an email to ladybug@uconn.edu

For more information on the brown marmorated stink bug, contact Joan Allen at the number listed or at joan.allen@uconn.edu

A fact sheet with pictures is available at www.ladybug.uconn.edu (under "Fact Sheets").

New Agricultural Pest Arrives in Connecticut — Dec. 2, 2010

New Haven, CT -- Entomologists at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) have confirmed that the brown marmorated stink bug, an important agricultural pest, is present in Connecticut. Single specimens of the insect, collected by state residents in Cheshire, Darien, Hamden, New London, North Haven, Norwalk, West Haven, and Windham, were submitted to the CAES for identification or verified by an Experiment Station scientist.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Of Asian origin, the adult insect is less than three-quarters of an inch, a reported pest of a wide range of fruits and vegetables, such as corn, tomato, pepper, peach, nectarine, apple, pear, soybean, and red raspberry. The insect is widely distributed in eastern United States, particularly the mid-Atlantic region. The white bands on the antennae distinguish this pest from other northeastern stink bugs that are not as economically important. The bugs, which are not beetles, will seek shelter in homes and other buildings during the fall and can be a nuisance, but they do not bite or sting people. However, if disturbed, they will release a liquid which creates a pungent odor.

Populations of this insect are currently very low but are expected to rise in the state over the next few years. "We will need to determine if our crops are being affected" said Louis A. Magnarelli, director of the CAES. "The discovery of this new pest adds to our concerns. Two exotic mosquito species, also of Asian origin, are present in the state and could play an important role in the transmission of encephalitis viruses. Two destructive forest-defoliating insects, the Asian longhorned beetle and Emerald ash borer, are within 25 miles of northeastern and northwestern Connecticut, respectively. All of these insects will require careful monitoring and the development of different management strategies."

Identification Guide to Connecticut's Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants

An Identification Guide to Connecticut's Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants, written by Gregory J. Bugbee and Martha E. Balfour, is available as a PDF at www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/invasive_aquatic_plant_program/pdf_reports/b1027.pdf

Don't Move Firewood — Sept. 7, 2010

The Connecticut DEP Division of Forestry is participating in a national program that seeks to heighten public awareness regarding the environmental dangers of moving firewood over large distances. Many insects and diseases may be carried in seemingly harmless firewood, including such potentially devastating organisms as the Asian longhorned beetle, the emerald ash borer and the fungus that causes Dutch elm disease. Please visit the Don't Move Firewood website at www.dontmovefirewood.org

USDA Publishes Organic Program Handbook — Sept. 2, 2010

AMS No. 171-10
Soo Kim (202) 720-7476
Soo.kim@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today published the first edition of a program handbook designed for those who own, manage, or certify organic operations. Prepared by the National Organic Program (NOP), the handbook provides guidance about the national organic standards and instructions that outline best program practices. It is intended to serve as a resource for the organic industry that will help participants comply with federal regulations.

"The handbook will provide guidance to the organic agricultural community to enable them to carry out production and handling processes in a consistent manner," said Miles McEvoy, NOP deputy administrator. "It will also reduce the burden on industry participants as they work to comply or verify compliance with the NOP regulations."

First proposed as a "program manual" a decade ago and more recently addressed in the March 2010 USDA Office of Inspector General audit report of the NOP, the publication of the program handbook marks an important step in NOP's efforts to ensure consistency in the application of NOP regulations.

The inaugural edition of the handbook provides guidance on the allowance of green waste in organic production systems, approval of liquid fertilizers in organic production, certification of organic yeast, processed animal manures in organic crop production, reassessed inert ingredients, and the calculation of dry matter intake for NOP's access to pasture requirements.

It also includes instructions concerning organic certification, such as recordkeeping, steps to certification, and organic certificates; accreditation procedures, such as how to apply to become an accredited certifying agent; international procedures, such as how USDA determines equivalence of foreign organic standards to those of the NOP; compliance and enforcement measures, such as how to handle complaints; and appeals procedures for certified operations or accredited agents.

Additionally, the handbook explains the difference between NOP guidance and instruction documents and outlines their purpose, legal effect, and the process by which the NOP authorizes, reviews, revises and disseminates them to the public. Future guidance documents will be issued through the notice and comment process outlined in the handbook.

The handbook is accessible at www.ams.usda.gov/NOPProgramHandbook. Printed copies can be made available upon request to Standards Division, National Organic Program, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2646-S, Ag Stop 0268, Washington, D.C. 20250-0268; telephone: (202) 720-3252; fax: (202) 205-7808. Copies can also be downloaded from the Internet.

For more information, contact Melissa Bailey, Director, Standards Division of NOP, at (202) 720-3252.

Gov. Rell: Non-Native Beetles Have Potential to Devastate State Forests — Aug. 24, 2010

Governor Urges Heightened Awareness to Prevent Infestation, Cautions Against Transporting Firewood When Camping

Gov. M. Jodi Rell reminds residents and visitors to be aware of the serious threat that non-native beetles pose to thousands of acres of Connecticut forests, particularly those with stands of maples, birches, elms and willows.

The governor urged residents to be on the lookout for the Asian Longhorned beetle (ALB) and the Emerald Ash borer (EAB). Both are highly destructive and invasive forest pests (see photos below).

Asian Longhorned Beetle

Emerald Ash Borer

ALB is a large black beetle with white spots, it ranges between an inch to 1.25 inches long. Adults can be seen from late spring to fall.

"The Asian Longhorned beetle has no natural enemies and there is no effective insecticide to control it," Gov. Rell said. "Once a tree is attacked, the only remedy is to cut it down. It has the potential for more damage than infestations by gypsy moths, Dutch elm disease and the chestnut blight combined. We must remain alert and take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of an infestation."

The Emerald Ash borer is much smaller and harder to detect. This emerald green beetle spends most of its destructive stage in larva form just under the bark of Ash trees. The insect was recently discovered 30 miles to Connecticut's west in Saugerties, N.Y. EAB adults are dark green, one-half inch in length and one-eighth inch wide, and fly only from early May until September. Visual signs or symptoms of infestation include D-shaped holes, bark splits, and crown die. White ash is most prominent in the northwest corner of Connecticut, the very southwest corner, and east central sections of Connecticut.

"With the arrival of the Emerald ash borer in New York, we are asking Connecticut residents to contact our Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station or the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) immediately if they suspect signs or symptoms of any infestations," Gov. Rell said. (The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's toll-free number is 1-877-855-2237. DEP can be reached at 860-424-3000.)

About 60 percent of Connecticut is covered in forests, approximately 1.8 million acres. The 107 state parks and 32 state forests are popular recreation destinations and the half-billion-dollar forest products industry, including lumber and maple syrup, generate thousands of jobs.

"Prevention is the key to keeping our forests and trees safe," Gov. Rell said. "A key message is 'don't move firewood.' Don't bring firewood from other states into Connecticut, because this can spread the beetle infestation. If you are headed to a campground or cabin, buy and burn all your firewood there. Do not carry it back home."

Gov. Rell last year directed the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to work with the business community to stress the importance of enforcing standards for the importation of goods.

"We must be sure unprocessed raw wood is not being used for packing material and pallets used in shipping," the governor said. "There are new international standards regarding this practice and they need to be enforced to prevent the spread of the Asian Longhorned Beetle."

Phragmites Field Guide Available as PDF — Aug. 9, 2010

"Phragmites Field Guide -- Distinguishing Native and Exotic Forms of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) in the United States" is now available as a PDF file on the Weeds Gone Wild website at www.nps.gov/plants/alien/

Connecticut Gardener Adds Online Subscription Capability — Aug. 2, 2010

You can now subscribe, renew and purchase gift subscriptions for Connecticut Gardener online at https://plus3.safe-order.net/conngardener/onlinesub.html

USDA Volunteer Forest Pest Survey — July 23, 2010

America's trees are under attack. Help track down the killer beetles.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle and Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) have destroyed millions of trees throughout the United States. The USDA and the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association and the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association are partnering to ask members of CNLA and CGGA (as well as individuals) to participate in the Volunteer EAB/ALB Forest Pest Survey. They need your help to determine if these damaging forest pests are in your community.

The EAB and ALB most likely arrived in the United States inside solid wood packing material from Asia. Since their discovery, infestations of ALB have been reported in four states and infestations of EAB in 13 states. There could be other undetected infestations in the country as well.

You can help stop the spread of the beetles -- and the devastation to our forests, parks and neighborhoods -- by searching your community for signs of both beetles. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Review the fact sheets at www.beetledetectives.com to become familiar with the EAB and ALB as well as signs of damage. Take the fact sheet for reference when you search.
2. Locate host trees in your search area. The EAB lives in ash trees and the ALB lives in hardwood trees, particularly maple, birch, horse chestnut, willow and elm. Carefully examine each tree for signs of infestation. Take notes on the following:
• Area searched
• Types of trees examined
• Descriptions of any beetles or signs of infestation detected. It is also helpful to take pictures of the insects or damage to your trees.
3. Report both positive and negative sightings online at BeetleDetectives.com. Negative sightings help confirm that the beetles were not found in your area. Make sure you indicate your organization's name on the online reporting form.

BeetleDetectives.com will rank participating organizations based on the reports their members submit. If you know other people who would like to help protect our trees, forward this to them and ask them to report their findings as individuals.

DEP and CAES Announce the Presence of Emerald Ash Borer in Saugerties, N.Y. — July 22, 2010

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) announced that federal agricultural officials have confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in nearby Saugerties, N.Y. (about 25 miles from the Connecticut border). EAB is an extremely destructive plant pest and it is responsible for the death and decline of over 25 million ash trees in the United States in urban and forested settings since June 2002. EAB should not be confused with the Asian Longhorned beetle, recently discovered in the Boston and Worcester areas of Massachusetts.

"This discovery is certainly a concern," said Christopher Martin, DEP Director of Forestry. "The close proximity to Connecticut definitely places our Ash trees at risk." Visual signs or symptoms of infestation include D-shaped holes, bark splits, and crown die. White ash is most prominent in the northwest corner, the very southwest corner, and east central sections of Connecticut."

"CAES is currently surveying for EAB, the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), and other forest pests and will intensify these efforts in northwestern Connecticut," says Kirby Stafford, vice director of CAES and state entomologist. "The State of Connecticut has quarantine regulations in place for EAB and ALB."

White ash comprises approximately 3% of all trees in Connecticut or about 22,408,000 trees. EAB disperses readily on its own, but like other exotic pests it can be spread when infested firewood is transported to new areas. EAB was found in a campground in Saugerties suggesting firewood was the most likely source. The next nearest infestation is over 200 miles west of Saugerties in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

DEP and CAES urge citizens not to transport firewood. EAB spreads quickly on its own and can be easily inadvertently transported in untreated firewood and other forest products. Buy firewood locally at or near the campground, burn all firewood at your campsite before you leave, and never bring firewood home. For those who use firewood to heat their homes, your firewood ideally should be from only a few miles away, or at least in the same county.

DEP is asking Connecticut residents to report possible EAB infestations to CAES or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS-PPQ). Early detection, although difficult, is the best defense against further infestation. Residents suspecting they have seen EAB should report their findings to CAES at (203) 974-8474, (203) 974-8485, or CAES.StateEntomologist@ct.gov (digital photos of suspect insects are very helpful). Residents can also report sightings to APHIS via their website at www.aphis.usda.gov

Trees affected include:
• White Ash
• Black Ash
• Green Ash

Previous infestations have occurred in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Canada.

Late Blight Webinar — July 2010

An informative series of short videos featuring Dr. Meg McGrath of Cornell University and Dr. Sally Miller of The Ohio State University.

Invasive Plant Voluntary Phase-Outs / Barberry Cultivars — June 8, 2010

The Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association (CNLA) made the following annoucement at the June 2010 meeting of the Connecticut Invasive Plant Council (CIPC) . . .

The Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association and its members are voluntarily imposing an industry ban state wide on the following 25 Berberis thunbergii cultivars and parent species (wild type):
• Angel Wings
• Antares
• var. atropurpurea
• 'Bailtwo' Burgundy Carousel®
• 'Monomb' Cherry Bomb™
• Crimson Velvet
• Erecta
• Gold Ring
• 'Bailsel' Golden Carousel® B. koreana x B. thunbergii hybrid
• Inermis
• 'Bailgreen' Jade Carousel®
• 'JN Redleaf' Ruby Jewel™
• 'JN Variegated' Stardust™
• Kelleris
• Kobold
• 'Anderson' Lustre Green™
• Marshall Upright
• Painter's Palette
• Pow Wow
• Red Rocket
• Rose Glow
• 'Bailone' Ruby Carousel®
• Silver Mile
• Sparkle
• 'Tara' Emerald Carousel® B. koreana x B. thunbergii hybrid
• Wild Type (parent species — green barberry)

Based on scientific research, much of which is currently being done at the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association and its members acknowledge that the above list of cultivars represents an unacceptable risk to Connecticut's environment.

It's important to note that we are removing from production and sale 13 high-seed-producing cultivars above the level of the parent species (green barberry) and another 12 cultivars that produce seed at a rate less than the green barberry. The cultivars remaining in cultivation after this ban are in the lowest 10 percent of the spectrum of viable seed production based on the research by Dr. Mark Brand at UConn.

Most of the sales and production of Berberis cultivars in Connecticut in this list are concentrated in "Rose Glow," which up to this point has been a big seller. By including this cultivar along with the others listed above, we estimate annual sales in our state of the 25 cultivars we will self-ban at $2.5 million retail, and over $5 million wholesale.

Our industry members as environmental stewards have taken this step to self-regulate, based on data now becoming available. The following details outline our voluntary phase-outs:
• CNLA will formally enact this voluntary ban starting July 1, 2010.
• As of the adoption date NO NEW production of these cultivars will take place.
• There will be a 3 year phase-out, from the adoption date, of these cultivars to allow plants currently in production to be moved out of the industry.
• An education campaign will be launched to help inform the general public of the risks associated with these cultivars.
• An effort to bring the mass merchants into honoring this agreement will be made by communicating directly with the buyers for those chain stores.
• No listed plants would be brought into the State of Connecticut from other states.
• Future efforts will be made, based on scientific data as it becomes available, and appropriate declarations will be made as necessary.

CNLA and its green industry allies have always maintained the position that self-regulating on this issue is much more effective than government regulation. It allows quicker response to future plants that may be deemed Invasive by scientific data. It preserves the incentive to responsibly develop new and improved cultivars in the future. It will not create an unfair advantage for out of state businesses. It does not impose an undue financial hardship on the businesses in the green industry in Connecticut. And with self-regulation, the industry's heart and soul is invested in making the voluntary ban work. This new policy of CNLA could also have national repercussions by encouraging growers and their Associations in other states to follow the science in making decisions to phase down invasive plants that are proven to be harmful.

UConn's nearly seven years of research on barberry confirms that every plant is different -- even cultivars within a species. Decisions to ban plants must be done after careful research when there is evidence that cultivars within a species may not be as invasive as the parent species.

State Regulations Approved for Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) has announced that state regulations have been approved to establish guidelines for survey, quarantines restricting the movement of regulated articles, and eradication of the Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer, two very destructive exotic insect pests of hardwood trees.

The director of the CAES is the chief plant regulatory official in Connecticut.

Although these insect pests have not yet been detected in Connecticut, they are spreading in other states. "It is very important for us to prepare for infestations of these insects. Both insect pests destroy a wide range of hardwood tree species, many of which are important for the nursery trade, furniture production, building materials, maple syrup production, enhancing tourism and environmental quality," said Louis Magnarelli, director of CAES.

The Asian longhorned beetle attacks maple, birch, elm, willow and chestnut trees. It was first detected in New York City in 1996, but other infestations occurred in Long Island; Chicago; New Jersey; Toronto, Canada and Worcester, Mass.

Although this insect pest has been eradicated in Chicago and Jersey City, N.J., tree removal continues in other sites. The infestation in Worcester is extensive, covering at least 74 square miles. More than 26,000 trees have been cut and chipped thus far. The southern edge of the Worcester infestation is about 13.25 miles from the Connecticut border.

The Emerald ash borer, another insect native to Asia, attacks several species of ash trees and has great dispersal potential. This pest has been detected in 13 states in midwestern and eastern United States and in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

Early detection of either insect pest is of paramount importance in preventing widespread infestations. "There has been an intensive campaign to educate arborists and other state residents on the risks of moving firewood. This activity can rapidly spread these insects to multiple locations, thereby establishing infestations in residential as well as camping areas in or near forests. There is great potential for economic losses and environmental damage if either insect pest goes undetected for extended periods of time." said Magnarelli.

For more information, visit the CAES website at www.ct.gov/caes/ and click on "Asian Longhorned Beetle" in the navigation bar on the left.