Branching Out IPM Newsletter
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Branching Out is an Integrated Pest Management newsletter for Trees and Shrubs produced by faculty and staff in Cornell's Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology section, in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension educators.
Branching Out feature articles contain information on a wide array of the most important pest management issues that plant health care professionals are likely to face in any given year. Each feature, complete with topnotch color illustrations, describes in some detail either an individual pest/pathogen, a group of closely related (by symptoms or hosts) pests/pathogens, plant problems caused by non-infectious agents, or some other important issues.
Materials provided here represent excerpts from complete issues. More information about this publication is available on the Branching Out website.
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Item Viburnum PestsDailey O'Brien, Dawn (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2016-04-29)Common insect pests of viburnums include the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) and the snowball aphid (Neoceruraphis viburnicola), Viburnum Leaf Beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni), the viburnum clearwing borer (Synanthedon viburni) and the lesser viburnum borer (S. fatifera). Common diseases of viburnums include Bacterial Leaf Spot (caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. viburni), Downy Mildew on Viburnum (caused by the water-mold Plasmopara viburni) and Powdery Mildew (caused by Erysiphe viburni).Item Wasted Woodchips? What To Do?Hudler, George (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2015-06-12)One big question that overshadows any efforts to use chips as mulch is whether or not those chips?-?if from a diseased tree?-?pose any threat to the health of the trees that are otherwise expected to benefit from the treatment. A limited number of experiments to confirm that chips infested with pathogenic fungi do, in fact, pose a threat to plant health generally support the contention that chips from diseased trees are “safe” if they are properly composted. The diseases have been studied in this context are Verticillium wilt, Armillaria root rot and Phytophthora. The term “proper” composting is discussed. After having looked at what is an admittedly thin amount of reliable data, the conclusion is that it’s probably wise to err on the side of caution with regard to use of fresh waste wood chips.Item What is Making My Spruce Tree Drop its Needles?Dailey O'Brien, Dawn (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2013-08-09)Spruce trees are susceptible to a variety of needle diseases that cause their needles to shed which can severely affect their aesthetic value and the health of the tree. Spruces can become more susceptible to diseases and pests when they become stressed. There are several common diseases found in New York which can cause spruce needles to drop including Rhizosphaera needle cast, Weir’s cushion rust, Stigmina needle blight, and Cytospora canker. Sudden needle drop disease (SNEED) is associated with Setomelanomma holmii. The chart compares and contrasts each disease.Item Consumer ‘Extended Weed Control’ Products: Nothing is Foolproof!Senesac, Andy (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2016-07-15)The study evaluated four ready-to-use products available to homeowners that offer postemergence weed control and additional ‘extended control’. In the study these extended control products were applied to the base of four tree and shrub species established for three years in the field. The treatments consisted of an application at the suggested labeled rate and at twice that rate. Results are discussed.Item Oyster-Shaped ScalesDailey O'Brien, Dawn (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2017-04-21)Some of the more common oyster-shaped scales insects seen in the New York region include Oystershell Scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi), Euonymus Scale (Unaspis euonymi) Winged Euonymus Scale (Lepidosaphes yanangicola), Japanese Maple Scale (Lopholeucaspis japonica), and Maskell Scale (Lepidosaphes pallida). Learn to differentiate among and recognize these peculiarly shaped pests based on their appearance and hosts.Item Problematic PrivetsDailey O'Brien, Dawn; Hudler, George (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2012-06-15)Privet (Ligustrum spp.) is widely used as a landscape hedge and for the most part seems to tolerate life in a wide range of sites. However, there are number of pests that are commonly seen on this host. They include privet thrips, twobanded Japanese weevil and lilac/ash borer. In addition, there are some privet diseases including alternaria leaf spot and anthracnose.Item Sudden Oak Death? Time for an updateHudler, George (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2017-05-19)A review of the history of Sudden Oak Death, caused by Phytophthora ramorum and updates of the disease.Item New Ornamental Pear Rust in the NeighborhoodDaughtrey, Margery; Hudler, George (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2012-05-18)One feature that has been in the Callery pear tree’s favor is its relative resistance (immunity?) to insects and diseases; but enthusiasm for that feature may now be dampened by the occurrence of pear trellis rust caused by Gymnosporanium sabinae. The fungus-related to the cedar-apple rust pathogen-has become widespread in western Europe, and has been reported in parts of Canada, the U.S. Pacific Northwest and in recent years, Michigan. Beginning in 2009, unusually colorful (yellow to purple-red) leaf lesions were noted on some ornamental Callery pear in scattered locations in southeastern New York.Item Rhododendron Problems: More Than Just PhytophthoraMills, Jody (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2017-07-21)Although Phytophthora can be devastating to rhododendrons there are a variety of other problems that are actually more common.Cultural and site-related problems include interveinal chlorosis and desiccation injury. Disease problems include Botryosphaeria Canker and Dieback; and leaf spot diseases caused by Cercospora, Botrytis and other fungi. The most common insect pest of rhododendrons include Rhododendron Gall Midge, Clinodiplosis rhododendri Rhododendron Borer, Synanthedon rhododendri, Black Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus; Lace Bug, Stephanitis spp.; and Azalea Bark Scale, Eriococcus azalea.Item Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula): A new invasive pest in PennsylvaniaGilrein, Dan (Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, 2015-04-17)In 2014 the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture received a report of a new pest on trees in Berks County (east of Reading), identified quickly as spotted lanternfly (SLF). Native to southeast Asia, it has been introduced to South Korea where it is reported a serious pest of grapes and damaging to ornamental trees. Description, life cycle, hosts, distribution, detection and surveys of spotted lanternfly are covered.