Tennessee Greentimes - Summer 2007

VOL. 8/ NO. 2

Summer 2007

Managing Brown Patch in Tall Fescue Lawns

Training Shrubs into Small Landscape Trees

TN Green Industry Field Day, August 21

Tennessee

GREENTIMES The Official Publication of The Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association

Table of Contents

cover story No-Spray Rose Trials at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson, TN

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VOL. 8/ NO. 2

summer 2007

pests in the spotlight 13 Tips for Managing Brown Patch Disease in Tall Fescue Lawns

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more features green gatherings –

Upcoming Events TN Green Industry Field Day, August 21 .............................................................. 8

green gatherings –

Recent Events Tennessee’s Nursery & Landscape Industry Receives Statewide Attention ................................................................................ 24

departments From the President, Steve Bennett ................................................................................ 6 Industry News .................................................................................................................. 26 TNLA New Members .................................................................................................... 29 Calendar of Events .......................................................................................................... 30 Index of Advertisers ........................................................................................................ 30

in the nursery Carve a Market Niche

by Training Shrubs into Small Landscape Trees

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The Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation.

The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Tennessee Green Times, or its editors.

Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication.

Copyright ©2007 by the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association. Tennessee Green Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association, 115 Lyon Street, McMinnville, TN 37110. Postage guaranteed.

Third-class postage is paid at McMinnville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Green Times allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.

Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 7903718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

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f rom t h e p r e s i d e n t Steve Bennett

from Challenges c om e l e s s o n s

Wow!

For my first “From the President” message I wrote for the Spring 2007 edition of the Tennessee GreenTimes, I gave it the title “A Big Year Ahead!” So far, we indeed have had quite the year, but in a much different fashion than I was thinking at the time.

The winter was milder than normal, followed by temperatures in the mid 80’s in March.

Plants started growing all over Tennessee, and we all were extremely busy planting, spacing, pruning and mowing. And then WHAM!! The temperature plummeted as far down as the mid-teens in some areas, sending everything into a tailspin. Actively growing plants burst like unopened soda cans left in the freezer too long.

We thought we had seen just how much stress plants could take, and then a high pressure system settled in over Tennessee, allowing no rain for weeks — then we really saw some tremendous plant stress. And not only plant stress, but also business, financial and emotional stress inflicted on all of us. It is simply human nature to try to avoid problems that come our way. But, most of the time, it is how we react to the problem that makes us who we are, just like the hot refiner’s fire that is required to purify precious metals. I know it is hard to see any good out of a disaster such as this, but I hope that through all of this season’s tribulations, we will learn many important lessons and that we will look back in a few years and more clearly see a positive twist to this situation.

Immigration reform continues to be in the spotlight across the country. Several delegates from TNLA are visiting Washington, D.C., on July 23–25 to participate in the ANLA Legislative Conference. This is a great opportunity for us to meet face to face with our elected officials and continue dialogue on this and other important issues we face.

Mark this date on your calendar — Tuesday, August 21, 2007. The Tennessee Green Industry Field Day is fast approaching at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center, conveniently located near I-65 and I-840 south of Franklin, TN. We will have ample room outside for demonstration purposes and plenty of AIR-CONDITIONED space inside for booths and education.

If I can be of assistance, feel free to contact me at any time at steve.bennett@tnla.com.

Have a great summer!

Steve

m a r k yo u r c a l e n da r TNLA Business Meeting Friday, August 10, 2007 8 a.m.

Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, GA 6

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The Tennessee Greentimes is the official publication of The Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association 115 Lyon Street McMinnville, Tennessee 37110 (931) 473-3951 Fax (931) 473-5883 www.tnla.com Email: mail@tnla.com Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editors Bill Klingeman, Ph.D. Bob Trigiano, Ph.D. Associate Editors Dr. Donna Fare Dr. Nick Gawel Mr. Mark Halcomb Dr. Frank Hale Mr. Gray Haun Dr. Sandy Reed Dr. John Sorochan TNLA Officers President Steve Bennett Riverbend Nurseries, LLC 1st Vice President Aaron Swafford Swafford Nursery, Inc. 2nd Vice President Marshall Allen Allen Landscape Management, LLC 3rd Vice President Tim Gallagher Heather Farms Nursery, Inc. Secretary-Treasurer Randall Walker Randall Walker Farms Associate Director Mary Strong Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Mix, Inc. Ex-Officio Kim Whiston Rock House Enterprises Executive Director Louree Walker Administrative Assistant Pam Stern

g r e e n g at h e r i n g s Upcoming Events

2007 Tennessee Green Industry Field Day

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August 21, 2007 Williamson County Ag Expo Center l Franklin, TN

C

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

COMMERCIAL EXHI BITS Arena Exhibit Area There will be a 30-minute break between presentations for attendees to visit exhibitors.

8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

FI RE ANT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER INF ORMATION F OR COMMERCIAL NURSERIES AND LANDSCAPE SET TINGS Presentation Room Presenter: Dr. Jason Oliver, Tennessee State University Keeping your employees and your business safe from fire ants, as well as regulatory and treatment information.

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

PPE AND PESTICIDE STORAGE — ARE YOUR WORKERS SAF E? Arena Exhibit Area Exhibit will be staffed with employees from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to answer questions about the proper use of personal protective equipment and proper pesticide safety and storage techniques to ensure that your workers and work place are safe.

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

ASK THE EXPERTS Arena Exhibit Area Exhibit will be staffed with insect, disease and weed experts to answer your questions.

ADMISSION AND PARKING ARE FREE.

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9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

ADVANCES IN T URF G RASS C ULT URE AND CHEMISTRY Presentation Room Presenter: Dr. Tom Samples, University of Tennessee Keep customers happy with the best and safest turf-maintenance techniques and products.

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

ARTF UL SCREENING: STRUCT URE, PLANTS OR BOTH? Presentation Room Presenter: Ms. Carol Reese, University of Tennessee See some innovative solutions for creating lovely screens that are durable and attractive, even on adverse sites or where space is limited.

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

ARBORIC ULT URE TECHNIQUES F OR KEEPING TREES HEALTH Y Presentation Room Presenter: Dr. Douglas Airhart, Tennessee Technological University What you should do to correctly shape trees and keep them free of insects and disease.

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

GORGEOUS ANNUALS F OR DURABLE SEASONAL COLOR Presentation Room Presenter: Dr. Sue Hamilton, University of Tennessee Make your seasonal beds dazzle with these spectacular and durable performers.

continued

H RI TNLA Golf Classic Monday, August 20, 2007 Forrest Crossing Golf Course Franklin, TN

Shotgun Scramble 9:00 a.m.

The following Pesticide Recertification Points have been assigned: C3 – 4 C10 – 4 C12 – 4

Food and drink will be available for purchase on-site.

Tennessee Certified Nursery Professionals, please sign the TCNP registration form at the TNLA booth in the front lobby to receive one certification credit for education.

For more information, contact: 931-473-3951 Fax: 931-473-5883 Email: mail@tnla.com www.tnla.com

2007 Field Day Exhibitors Alley-Cassety Truck Center Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Blair & Douglas Agency BWI of Memphis Caretree Systems, Inc. Classic Groundcovers, Inc. D & D Agri Dickens Turf & Landscape Supply Ewing Irrigation Florikan Flower City Nurseries General Equipment Company Grass Roots Sales Great Western Bag Company H & H Farm Machine Co., Inc. Hayes Nursery Enterprises International Insurance Brokerage, LLC John Deere Landscapes Nursery & Ag Irrigation Jones Nursery Company Laser Sales & Manufacturing, LLC Pleasant Cove Nursery, Inc. Randall Walker Farms Riverbend Nurseries Rock & Earth Technologies, Inc. Syngenta T&O Products Vermeer of Tennessee Walker Gardens

Participating Educational Institutions, Government Agencies and Organizations Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Professional Landscape Association of Nashville Tennessee Department of Agriculture Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Tennessee Flower Growers Association Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association Tennessee State University Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Turfgrass Association Tennessee Urban Forestry Council United States Department of Agriculture University of Tennessee

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cover story

No-Spray

Rose Trials for Tennessee

By Jimmy Mynes and Mark T. Windham, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee

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D

uring the summer of 2006, visitors were pleasantly surprised to find a veritable ocean of color on their left as they looked for a parking spot at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center (WTRES) in Jackson, TN. That first eye-catching color is provided by the ongoing no-spray rose trial at the station; the rest of the fantastic scenery is provided by the beautiful trial gardens at the station.

The rose trial accommodates approximately four plants of each of 65 cultivars. Everything from the ultra-domesticated hybrid tea roses to the nearly wild species rose is included in the evaluation.

Individual cultivars of roses are included in the trial because of claims for disease resistance and low-maintenance requirements in commercial catalogs, as well as current availability in retail markets. Roses that are listed in catalogs of the major retailers and have claims such as “superior disease resistance” or “excellent disease resistance” were collected and grown in our fields in Tennessee. The plants do not receive fungicide sprays (no-spray conditions) to see how they actually perform in the very humid conditions of the southeastern U.S. Not surprisingly, many of these roses have little-to-no resistance to the pathogens they encounter here in Tennessee.

The lack of resistance can be attributed to the roses being bred for disease resistance in very arid climates, such as California and Arizona, and while they may be bulletproof there with an ambient humidity of 15% or less, when grown here in the Mid-South, with its typical 70% humidity, they have little or no resistance.

diseases in Tennessee and the Mid-South. This is the third year for the overall trial, which includes the first rose field located at the Plateau Research and Education Center (in Crossville, Tennessee), but this is only the second year (2007) for the roses in West Tennessee. The Crossville field includes about 55 cultivars. Currently, a total of about 120 cultivars are included in the trials, and we expect to add about 50 to 60 or more in the spring of 2007.

The roses will be evaluated bi-weekly during the summer from the first onset of disease until the first hard frost. They are rated for the following three diseases: black spot, powdery mildew and Cercospora leaf spot. These are the primary maladies responsible for poor rose performance here in the Southeast. The roses are also rated for percent defoliation, since a rose can have nearly no disease present due to the fact it has no leaves, which is often the case on the more susceptible roses. The roses will probably be grown for an additional two to three years, giving us ample opportunity to evaluate their performances.

Results from 2006 The roses were awesome at WTRES, with even mostsusceptible cultivars looking great for a large part of the 2006 summer. The apparently superior performance was due to many factors. Probably among the most important reasons was that the roses were planted in the middle of May, which substantially shortened the growing season.

At this time, the roses were completely free of diseases, and this translated into about a six-week period of “good times”

Our research

Top left: ‘Belinda’s Dream’ has very large flowers (4" to 5" across), with a very full fragrance.

This trial has been initiated to help determine which rose cultivars are resistant and which are susceptible to various

Top right: The vigorous habit and eye-catching flower display of ‘About Face’ make this rose a favorite among visitors to the trial. tennessee greentimes

SUMMER 2007

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continued

before the pathogens were blown onto the plants and caused disease. This experience is very common among homeowners and casual rose growers, who can’t seem to figure out what happened when their roses looked so good for about a month and a half, then started looking bad.

Furthermore, since the roses in our trial didn’t get diseased until the beginning of August 2006, it was difficult to separate disease-resistant from susceptible cultivars. Since the diseases were established last year, we expect that in the second year (2007) of the trial, the results will most likely be very different.

This coming season, there should be a very distinct separation among the highly resistant and susceptible, with the cultivars most prone to the diseases possibly dying during the second winter.

On a more positive note, many of the roses will survive and even thrive in this trial. Proven winners, such as ‘Knockout’ and the sports of the ‘The Fairy’, will flourish in such a situation.

Exceptional cultivars for our climate The ‘Knockout’ series has flowers that are red, two different pinks and, this coming year, a faded pink with a yellow eye. They are fantastic landscape plants due to their propensity for prospering in today’s “walk-away” approach to gardening. They require minimal care in the first growing season, and after that, they are resistant to both disease and drought.

New to the line of ‘Knockouts’ is a hybrid with another rose, the ‘Homerun’ rose. ‘Homerun’ combines the near-perfect foliage of ‘Knockout’ with a much more stunning flower. Instead of a mundane red or pink, the ‘Homerun’ plants have a vibrant red flower, often with a purple eye and striking yellow stamens.

Top: Black spot (Diplocarpon rosae) on rose.

Left: Cercospora leaf spot on rose.

continued

‘The Fairy’ has been around for ages, first appearing in 1932, but only recently have new cultivars of ‘The Fairy’ been developed. Three new sports of ‘The Fairy’ provide new color choices including red, white and a new pink. ‘Crystal Fairy’, ‘Lovely Fairy’ and ‘Fairy Queen’ have somewhat less-vigorous growing habits than ‘The Fairy’ and are more compact and lower to the ground. All of these horticultural traits make them an ideal replacement for ‘The Fairy’ in the landscape as groundcovers or accents.

In addition to the established favorites, there were some unexpected surprises; ‘Belinda’s Dream’ and ‘Baby Love’ were extraordinary in 2006. ‘Belinda’s Dream’ has very large flowers (4" to 5" across), with a very full fragrance. The blooms are borne on stems that are perfect for cutting, and the bush itself has glossy green leaves.

‘Belinda’s Dream’ is a rose that will definitely bear watching closely to see how it fares this summer.

‘Baby Love’ is a miniature rose with single yellow flowers and very prominent yellow stamens. ‘Baby Love’ had better disease resistance than even the famed ‘Knockout’.

We are eagerly waiting this second summer to see how this tiny dynamo of disease resistance will do.

2007

August 23-25 Portland, Oregon Produced by

Better-than-average cultivars Many fabulous roses fell somewhere in between “really good” and “really bad.”

Though they may not be disease resistant enough to simply walk away after planting, many of these middle-ground roses are Above left: A grandiflora rose, ‘Tournament of Roses’ has deep pink flowers that fade to nearly white on the bush.

Above right: The no-spray rose trial at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson, TN.

• Visit more than 850 exhibitors, including 450+ growers • Tour Oregon nurseries • Enjoy Oregon’s scenery and beautiful summer weather • Attend educational seminars for garden centers, growers and landscape professionals • See the latest plant offerings at the New Varieties Showcase

Register online at

www.farwestshow.com For exhibitor or visitor information call

800.342.6401

continued

more than durable, providing quality blooms throughout the summer despite the presence of diseases.

For instance, ‘Tournament of Roses’ is a grandiflora rose with medium-sized (3" to 4") pink flowers. One of the largest assets of this rose is the way its blooms fade from deep pink to nearly white on the bush. With many of these flowers present at the same time, there is often a series of colors.

The flowers of ‘About Face’ have brilliant orange petals that fade to a soft pink on the edges. Its vigorous habit and eye-catching flower display make this rose a favorite among visitors to the trial.

A resource for you Rose trials, like the ones located at the Research and Education Centers of the University of Tennessee, help rose sellers and breeders get a real feel for how their products will do in a given region. It also helps home gardeners decide which roses are best for them. It is the goal of this project to help educate breeders, retailers and consumers to make more-informed choices about roses. C

‘Homerun’ combines the near-perfect foliage of ‘Knockout’ with a stunning red flower.

Starting from the extreme left and moving clockwise: ‘Red Knockout’, ‘Crystal Fairy’, ‘Ballerina’ and ‘Fairy Queen’.

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pests in the spotlight

MANAGING Brown Patch Disease IN Tall Fescue Lawns

By Alan Windham, Ph.D., Entomology & Plant Pathology Department, University of Tennessee Extension

W

ith brown patch weather upon us, below are answers to 13 frequently asked questions about brown patch — the most common disease in tall fescue lawns — as well as sound management strategies to common customer complaints. Landscapers and grounds-management professionals can share these solutions to keep clients happy.

1. “I had a beautiful tall fescue lawn last fall and this spring, but by mid-summer it looked terrible. What is causing this disaster?” A fungal disease called brown patch is the most common disease of tall fescue in the Upper South.

Brown patch looks like circular patches of brown grass

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from 6" to 3' in diameter (Photo 1). As these patches become more numerous and increase in size, large areas of turf may die.

2. “How do I identify brown patch?” It’s really pretty simple. Go out early in the morning while the dew is still on the leaf blades. Look for cobweb-like strands of fungus growing from the leaf blades of infected grass.

Patches of diseased turf often have what is called a “smoke ring” of fungal growth at the margin of the patch (Photo 2). Also, look for large lesions on the blades of grass. These lesions are bluish-gray when the disease is active, and they are bleached when weather conditions are not favorable for disease development.

continued

3. “What causes brown patch? Was my seed contaminated?”

Brown patch is caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia solani, which is commonly found in nearly all soils and does not occur on turf seed.

4. “What environmental conditions favor brown patch?”

Hot, humid weather is ideal for the development of brown patch, which often develops when temperatures approach 90° F during the day and 70° F at night.

Generally, late May to July is prime brown patch season in Middle Tennessee. Cooler temperatures and low humidity stop the disease temporarily.

5. “How does shade influence brown patch?” Common sense tells us that grass growing in shade is slower to dry each morning and thus has more brown patch. Right? Well, this is one time when common sense is wrong. Brown patch development has more to do with turf density. In general, since there are more tall fescue shoots per square foot in full sun, you are more likely to have severe brown patch in full-sun turf areas than in shade. Conditions within the turf canopy are simply more favorable for disease development in full sun.

Photo 1: Severe brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani) affecting a tall fescue lawn in June. Photo credit courtesy of A. Windham.

6. “How does mowing height affect brown patch?” Research tells us that brown patch is less severe at lower mowing heights. Does this mean that we should be growing tall fescue at 1"? No! Although lower mowing does reduce brown patch, it is not really practical or healthy for turf. You would have to shorten your mowing frequency (to two to three times per week) to prevent scalping.

Also, shoot height is directly proportional to root growth. A tall fescue lawn mowed at 3" will have a deeper root system than a lawn mowed at 1".

7. “Does irrigation affect brown patch development?”

Watering frequently at night increases the risk of brown patch. Lawns should be irrigated infrequently and only to a depth of 6". Irrigation during the day is preferred to irrigation at night.

Photo 2: Smoke ring (mycelium) of Rhizoctonia visible at discolored patch edge. Photo credit courtesy of A. Windham.

8. “Does fertilization timing affect brown patch?” Absolutely!

Fertilization in late spring and summer almost guarantees that brown patch will be a problem.If you intend to fertilize your tall fescue lawn only once a year, do it in October. If you must fertilize your lawn more than once, try to complete these activities by October and early spring. Avoid fertilizing your lawn after April 15.

9. “Why is fall seeding preferred to spring seeding for coolseason grasses?” Fall seeding is preferred for several reasons. First, seeding in the fall allows for two seasons of rapid growth prior to the heat and drought stress of summer. Also, fall seeding allows tall fescue seedlings to mature and survive a moderate amount of brown patch.

Photo 3: Untreated tall fescue (left) and healthy fescue treated with azoxystrobin (i.e., Heritage®, right) at a 28-day interval in 2006 at the UT Plant Sciences Farm. Photo credit courtesy of A. Windham and J. Parham.

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continued

10. “Are fungicides available that will help control brown patch?” Yes. Myclobutanil (Immunox®) or propiconazole (Banner MAXX®) applied as a foliar spray prior to hot, humid weather can prevent brown patch development. Granular fungicides should be applied with a rotary spreader when the turf is wet.

Generally, though, foliar sprays are more efficacious than granular fungicides. Results with fungicides are not as satisfactory if the disease has already caused significant damage.

Most fungicides must be applied at 14-day intervals when conditions favor disease development. Fungicides such as azoxystrobin (Heritage®) have longer use intervals, up to 28 days of protection (Photo 3).

11. “If I don't want to apply fungicides, what options do I have to speed the recovery of my lawn?” Save your money on fungicide applications, and buy turftype tall fescue seed. Simply overseed your damaged lawn in early fall, and fertilize according to soil test recommendations. The amount of recovery is often amazing.

12. “Are any turf-type tall fescue cultivars highly resistant to brown patch?” No, researchers are looking for cultivars that are resistance to brown patch. I would stay away from the ultra-dwarf cultivars, as they are slower to recover from brown patch damage. Choose a good turf-type cultivar or a mixture of several cultivars.

13. “Why do I have brown patch in my lawn when I have a lawn service? My neighbor cares for his own lawn and doesn't have problems with this disease.”

Unfortunately, brown patch is a disease found in well-maintained turf areas.

Brown patch is generally found attacking pure stands of tall fescue, basically a monoculture of one tall fescue cultivar.

Your neighbor probably has a mixture of tall fescue, bermudagrass, summer annual weeds such as crabgrass and goose grass, and broadleaf weeds.

Also, soil fertility plays a role in brown patch development. C

Crimson Dale Nursery I N C O R P O R A T E D

P.O. Drawer 709 Winchester, Tennessee 37398 Email: crimsondale@united.net 1-800-251-3590 • Fax 866-967-2599

“Dogwoods and Hollies - Our Specialty” 18

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in the nursery

Carve a Market Niche

by Training Shrubs into Small Landscape Trees

By Hubert P. Conlon, UT Extension Area Specialist, The University of Tennessee

P

erhaps nursery growers and landscapers can meet a homeowner’s challenge and make some money at the same time. Over the past decade, the size of residential homes has increased, while the dimension of home lots has been declining. In addition, utility companies and municipalities have written landscape ordinances that regulate the height and choice of trees that can be planted under power lines. This reduction in the amount of plantable green space around new residential properties, combined with restrictions in urban settings, has opened a creative new marketing niche.

Our palette of recommended small landscape trees has always been very limited because Mother Nature has provided very few options. For the purpose of this article, a small tree is defined as a plant that forms, whether naturally or through judicious pruning and training, a single or multi-stemmed trunk to mature heights ranging from 15' to 25'. The six most common small landscape trees in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 7 are flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa), crabapple (Malus spp.), redbud (Cercis canadensis), crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x L. fauriei) and Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). A more extensive list is found in Table 1.

A number of dwarf tree selections also fit into today’s smaller landscapes. Notable selections include ‘Tina’ crabapple (Malus x ‘Tina’), ‘Wolf Eyes’ Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Wolf Eyes’), pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) and thornless cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli ‘Inermis’).

Several superior large shrubs, however, can also be pruned and shaped into small trees. Creative nursery growers can create new opportunities and offer a wider selection of small trees to their urban and suburban customers.

Suitable candidates Photo 1. Physocarpus ‘Diabolo’ ninebark can make a stunning small tree if trained while young and if suckers are regularly pruned to maintain a clean trunk. Photo courtesy of Hugh Conlon.

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A survey of several nursery catalogs finds a number of large shrubs, like Physocarpus ‘Diabolo’ (Photo 1), that are being transformed into saleable small trees. Likely, nursery growers and landscapers first discovered many of these “shrub-to-tree” plants by observing creative home gardeners.

continued

Photo 2. Like ‘Tonto’, ‘Pecos’ and ‘Acoma’ are semi-dwarfsized crape myrtles with attractive bark. Too often, these shrub forms of crape myrtles are not pruned (limbed) up to three to five stems to accent their bark. Photo courtesy of Hugh Conlon.

Many shrubs possess structurally sound branches and attractive bark (Photo 2). Through personal experience and observation, I have identified 22 shrub species that are well suited for small-tree conversion, as well as several trees that frequently yield shrub-form growth, listed in Table 2. Many fine shrubs that may develop into excellent small trees are found among the Acer, Cornus, Hydrangea (Photos 3a and 3b), Magnolia, Spiraea and Viburnum genera. In addition, many hollies, hydrangeas, butterfly bush (Buddleia spp.), crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) and dwarf evergreen conifers make good patio trees in large containers and planters.

Winter hardiness for crape myrtles has improved significantly, with over 30 hardy cultivars now available.

Several tree-form crape myrtles are already common as small landscape trees in the southeastern U.S., but several intermediate shrub types may also fit into the same role.

Other plants benefit by being grafted onto a superior rootstock variety. When deciding if a particular shrub species is a good candidate for conversion to “tree-dom,” it is best to avoid (1) any types that have a hollow pith or pitted wood, (2) plant species or cultivars that are only marginally cold hardy, (3) those that produce large flower trusses and (4) plants that develop excessive numbers of adventitious shoots or root suckers.

Bear in mind that, in some instances, the life expectancy for some patio trees may be short, averaging two to three years. This may be from a number of reasons: their wood is structurally weak, graft incompatibilities can develop, and roots may not be winter hardy in above-ground containers and planters. Inexperienced gardeners may also destroy the tree framework through improper pruning. This disadvantage can be turned into an advantage if a savvy retailer promotes limited plant longevity as an opportunity to “redecorate” the client’s outdoor living space.

During nursery training, shrub limbs are trained on 6' to 12' stakes in the field or in containers. Ties should be soft and loosened periodically or removed so that expanding young stems are not girdled. Developing and maintaining a central leader is often the most difficult challenge. Root systems of some shrub species may not provide adequate support and anchorage in the early years, requiring additional staking of the plant being trained. Main stem or trunk structure may also need strong vertical staking until the trunk diameter is large enough to support the canopy.

Some species, including clethras, viburnums, hydrangeas or particular plant cultivars, may require frequent maintenance to maintain a tree-like form. Like Lagerstroemia spp., these plants and others can have a high propensity to root sucker.

Training techniques Growers and homeowners are advised to exercise caution when training shrubs of the following genera into small trees. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), common buckthorn (Rhamnus spp.), mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) and beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) are suspected to have invasive tendencies in USDA zones 7 and 8; thus, they may not be politically good choices for maintaining the green industry’s reputation as being environmentally “green.”

Some shrubs grow well on their own roots and can simply be limbed up and configured into 1 to 3 stems or trunks with a 6' to 10' finished height, making ideal small trees planted in containers for patio and deck areas.

Photos 3a and 3b. Many hydrangeas, like this tree-form H. paniculata, can be trained into attractive small-tree standards with careful pruning. Photo courtesy of Hugh Conlon.

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continued

Photo 4. These junipers will require active staking and pruning to achieve good tree form. Photo courtesy of Hugh Conlon.

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Contact Your BWI Representative

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Species may also benefit from improved plant growth or anchorage when grafted onto another species’ understock. For example, some compact-growing lilacs, such as Syringa x meyeri and dwarf willows (Salix spp.), are grafted onto 4' to 6' seedling standards of a more vigorous species.

In order to build stem girth and strong straight trunks and branches while in production, it is best to remove large, heavily weighted flowers. To efficiently remove the large flowers, or trusses, some shrubs can be sprayed either with a growth regulator or de-blossomed by hand. FlorelÂŽ, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and ethylene derivative chemicals have been used successfully to de-bud some species. Additional research is needed on the growth regulators and rates that will reduce the hand labor and production time required to remove flower buds and to retard root suckering.

Obviously, a grower who must pay extra attention to staking (Photo 4), control of root suckers and water sprouts, flower abscission and other pruning steps will incur greater labor costs. However, the additional production costs of meticulous handwork and employee training can readily be passed along to the buyer due to the uniqueness of the product line. C

Table 1. Small Trees for Tennessee Landscapes Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) Sarvis or downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) Ironwood or musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana) Redbud (Cercis canadensis) — several cultivars Dogwood (Cornus florida) Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa) Winter King Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis) ‘Winter King’ Carolina Silverbell (Halesia diptera) Seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides) Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x L. fauriei) Crabapple (Malus spp) Ornamental plum (Prunus cerasifera) — several cultivars Flowering peach (Prunus persica) Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonica) — USDA hardiness zone 7

Table 2. Shrubs That Can Be Trained into Small Trees Amur maple (Acer ginnala) Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) Asiatic fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) Native fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) Harlequin glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum) Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis) American hazelnut (Corylus americana) Smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x L. fauriei) Intermediate and semi-dwarf types: ‘Acoma’, ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Sioux,’ ‘Lipan’, ‘Osage’, ‘Tonto’, ‘Zuni’ Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) Epaulette tree (Pterostyrax hispida) Fragrant snowbell (Styrax obassia) — USDA hardiness zone 7 Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) or as a rootstock for S. meyeri and S. patula ‘Miss Kim’ Siebold viburnum (Viburnum sieboldii) — one of several viburnums that are small-tree candidates Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

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green gatherings

Tennessee’s Nursery & Landscape Industry Receives Statewide Attention in March

T

his past March, the nursery and landscape industry in Tennessee garnered recognition and increased awareness among the state’s government leaders and legislators through two different events.

First, on March 14, 2007, several members of the TNLA board of directors and staff joined Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen on the steps of the state capitol in Nashville for Governor Bredesen’s official proclamation of March 14, 2007, as Nursery and Landscape Day in Tennessee. The proclamation declared, in part: “Whereas the Tennessee Department of Agriculture works with TNLA in protecting and promoting the state’s nursery and greenhouse products, which are the third leading agricultural commodity, generating more than $272.6 million in farm cash receipts annually; Now, therefore, I, Phil Bredesen, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby declare Wednesday, March 14, 2007, as Nursery and Landscape Day in Tennessee and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.”

Top: Shown in front row (left to right, front row): Mary Strong, TNLA associate director; Louree Walker, TNLA executive director; Governor Phil Bredesen; Steve Bennett, TNLA president; Pam Stern, TNLA administrative assistant; and Jay West, lobbyist for TNLA. Back row (left to right): Tim Gallagher, TNLA 3rd vice president, and Aaron Swafford, TNLA 1st vice president.

Above, Marshall Allen (TNLA 2nd vice president) stands ready to answer questions from state legislators at the TNLA exhibit booth at Ag Day, March 20, 2007.

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The following week, on March 20, representatives from TNLA (including Steve Bennett, TNLA president; Marshall Allen, TNLA 2nd vice president; Louree Walker, TNLA executive director; and Pam Stern, TNLA administrative assistant) participated in Tennessee Ag Day, also held at the state capitol. During Ag Day, representatives

Above: Ozle Allen, John Pelham and Steve Bennett at the TNLA exhibit booth at Ag Day

Bio-diesel vehicle at Tennessee Ag Day.

from various components of the agriculture industry were invited to exhibit products and distribute information for state leaders to review during their legislative breaks.

TNLA’s exhibit booth promoted the nursery and landscape industry’s economic and labor impact on Tennessee. C

industry news

Steve Newton Named SNA Executive Vice President

SNA

President Skeetter McCorkle announced in early March that, after a threemonth nationwide search, Steve Newton has been named executive vice president of the Southern Nursery Association. “SNA has found the right leader for our ever-changing market place,” says Skeetter. “Steve will build on the platform of our past leaders and take SNA to new levels as we serve our members in this great industry. With Steve’s skill set and experience, we can expect to see SNA fulfill its mission of becoming an industry-leading forum for commerce, innovation and professionalism.”

Since 2002, Newton had served as state executive director of the Georgia Farm Service Agency and, most recently, as special assistant to the administrator in Washington, D.C. As state executive director, Steve had oversight responsibility for over one billion dollars in annual federal program payments to Georgia farmers through a network of 82 local offices and 350 FSA employees.

From 1994–2002, Newton served as the executive vice president of the Forest Landowners Association (FLA) in Atlanta, where he coordinated all aspects of the association’s membership development, strategic planning, financial management, personnel and key project initiatives. During his time as the executive vice president, the FLA increased its membership from 3,200 to over 11,000, expanded its scope to the national scene and strengthened its local services by reorganizing state organizations.

Make plans to meet Steve Newton at the SNA Forum 2007, which will take place on August 9–11 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Financial Record-Keeping Workshops for Nurseries and Small Businesses The

University of Tennessee Extension will sponsor two financial record-keeping workshops for nurseries and small businesses. These workshops will cover topics such as basic bookkeeping practices, payroll preparation, inventory management, invoicing and accounts receivable, accounts payable and marketing-information management.

These workshops will be held at the TSU Nursery Crop Research Station in McMinnville on July 24–26 and at the Grundy Extension Office in Coalmont on August 7–9, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The workshops will be hands-on in nature, with each company having the use of a computer during the workshop.

This will allow participants to enter and analyze transactions for financial management and marketing purposes. Participants will receive a workbook detailing the procedures for company setup and entering the various transactions commonly used in a small business.

The record-keeping system used for the workshop will be QuickBooks Premier 2007. This is also an opportunity 26

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for people to learn about Quickbooks Pro, since both of these software programs are similar. However, QuickBooks Premier has some advanced inventory features that can improve inventory management. Some of the inventory features that will be discussed in the workshop are (1) taking advance sales off inventory before an invoice is written, (2) tracking backorders and (3) using purchase orders.

Due to the attention given to individual companies, space will be limited, and participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of the workshop will be $175 per company (for one representative) and an additional $90 for a second company participant.

For further information about the Warren County workshop or to make reservations, contact the Warren County Extension Service at (931) 473-8484. For further information about the Grundy County workshop or to make reservations, call (931) 592-3971.

continued

Tennessee Researchers Receive H RI Grants

The

executive committee of the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) considered 100 applications for research funding in 2007 and granted $350,000 to 24 projects — including 2 in Tennessee — and 4 scholarships. The committee selected research projects focusing on industry priority issues and resulting in problem-solving solutions and techniques. The two Tennessee projects selected for funding were: • “Pyrethroid Band Treatments to Certify Field Nursery Stock Against Imported Fire Ant,” conducted by Drs. Sam Ochieng and Jason B. Oliver at Tennessee State University, for $20,000 • “Use of Controlled-Release Aluminum Sulfate in Container Substrate for Controlling Flower Color of Bigleaf Hydrangea,”

conducted by Drs. Donna Fare and Sandra Reed of the US National Arboretum, USDA-ARS and Tennessee State University, for $6,500 Each year, TNLA contributes the proceeds from its annual HRI/TNLA Golf Tournament to HRI’s research funding. This year’s tournament is scheduled for August 20, at Forrest Crossing Golf Course in Franklin, TN.

continued

Grant Opportunity — TN Ag. Enhancement Program (TAEP)

By Rob Beets, Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture

For

the third consecutive year, the Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture will have cost-share grants available for qualified producers. The purpose of this program is to increase farm income in Tennessee by encouraging producers to expand and improve their operations. Nursery and greenhouse producers can apply for reimbursement of 35 percent cost share, up to the maximum of $10,000 per fiscal year. Producers may submit only one application per fiscal year.

Proposed activities for cost share must demonstrate significant potential for increasing farm income through the improvement or expansion of farm or agri-business operations involving the production of diversified agricultural products.

Proposed activities must: • Be market driven and have a viable marketing plan.

• Establish something new, not substitute for ongoing projects.

• Meet all state and local food safety and regulatory requirements.

• Produce long-term benefits.

Cost-share funds are available in three categories: Farm Infrastructure — Installations that facilitate the production of diversified agricultural products. Activities must have a life span of at least three years. Labor is reimbursable only if conducted by a professional. Examples include greenhouses, retail shelters and public-use considerations such as handicap accessibility, lighting, parking areas, restroom facilities and safe way areas. Ineligible — fencing, clearing of land and general landscaping, general maintenance/ renovations, major construction (barns, storage buildings, show facilities), watersource creation (i.e., pond or well).

Marketing — Promotional efforts that benefit the expansion or improvement of diversified agricultural operations.

Emphasis is placed on activities that are innovative to the operation and/or have long-term benefits. It is recommended that marketing activities involve professional agencies/services.

Tradeshows are not eligible for funding unless they are part of a TDA program.

Examples include advertising, brochures, direct promotions, e-commerce and website development, maps and signs. Ineligible — annual meetings, community festivals, give-a-way promotional items and general office equipment and supplies.

Specialty Equipment — Specialized tool or equipment that aids in the production of diversified agricultural products.

Items must have a life span of at least

three years. Examples include automated harvesters, chilling units, custom crushers, heaters, planters and spray and irrigation equipment. Ineligible — general motorized equipment (mowers, tractors, trucks) and inputs (fertilizers, gasoline, operational supplies, pesticides, seed stock).

We will be accepting applications July 2 through August 31, 2007. Applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis by industry sector.

Only applications that are complete and include sufficient information will be considered for evaluation. The application must merit financial support and demonstrate that the proposed activity has clearly stated objectives and a sound work plan, and that the applicant has necessary expertise to successfully complete the project. As part of the evaluation process, a meeting with the applicant and/or a visit to the applicant’s enterprise may be required. You will be informed October 1 if your application is approved. You will then have until June 30, 2008, to complete your project, For more information about the program and to print an application, go to http://www.state.tn.us/agriculture/ enhancement/growth.html or call (615) 837-5160. If you have a project in mind but are not sure if it would be eligible, or if you have any questions, please contact Rob Beets at (615) 837-5517, or email Robert.beets@state.tn.us.

Welcome,TNLA New Members!

ACTIVE MEMBERS Brent Florida Landscape Company Brent Florida 1810 Jones Boulevard Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Elite Landscape Company Taylor Milliken 695 Nashville Pike, Box 315 Gallatin, TN 37066

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Greenville Turf & Tractor Lon Fleming 701 Sandy Springs Rd. Piedmont, SC 29673 International Insurance Brokerage, LLC Tim Kearns 504 Autumn Springs Ct., Suite A-9 Franklin, TN 37067

Immigration Law Offices of Sean Lewis, PLLC Sean Lewis 144 Second Ave. North, Suite 150 Nashville, TN 37201 Sester Farms, Inc. Mike Kemple 33205 SE Oxbow Drive Gresham, OR 97080 Wyld West Annuals, Inc. Dave Self P.O.Box 1145 Loxahatchee, FL 33470

AFFILIATE MEMBERS Steve Powell Ellington Agricultural Center, Division of Reg. Services Box 40627 Nashville, TN 37204

calendar of events

JULY 24–26

AUGUST 21

FEBRUARY 4–5, 2008

Penn-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (PANTS) Atlantic City Convention Center Contact: 800-898-3411 www.PLNA.com

Tennessee Green Industry Field Day Williamson County Ag Expo Center Franklin, TN Contact: 931-473-3951 Fax: 931-473-5883 Email: mail@tnla.com www.tnla.com

TNLA Winter Education & Exhibits Music Road Convention Center Pigeon Forge, TN Contact: 931-473-3951 Fax: 931-473-5883 Email: mail@tnla.com www.tnla.com

AUGUST 5–12, 2007 Perennial Plant Symposium & Tradeshow Hilliard, OH Contact: 615-771-8431 www.perennialplant.org

AUGUST 9–1 1, 2007 SNA Trade Show Atlanta, GA Contact: 770-953-3311 www.sna.org

AUGUST 23-25 Farwest Show Portland, OR Contact: 800-342-640 www.farwestshow.com

OCTOBER 5-6

AUGUST 15–17 Summer Green Show (North Carolina Assn. of Nurserymen) Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC Contact: 919-816-9119 www.ncan.com

AUGUST 20 TNLA/HRI Golf Tournament Forrest Crossing Golf Course Franklin, TN Contact: 931-473-3951 Fax: 931-473-5883 Email: mail@tnla.com www.tnla.com

MTNA Trade Show McMinnville Civic Center McMinnville, TN Contact: 931-668-7322 Email: mtna@blomand.net www.mnta.com

JANUARY 3-4, 2008 Mid-States Horticultural Expo (a partnership of TNLA, KNLA and SNA) Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY Contact: 770-953-3311 Fax: 770-953-4411 Email: midstates2006@sna.org www.mshe.org

classified

Hayes Nursery Enterprises 1474 Old Well Road Morrison, Tennessee 37357 Trudie or James Hayes, 931-939-7945 Liners to Landscape. classified

McHutchison HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIERS Supplying: Knockout Roses, Proven Winners, Perennials, Unrooted Cuttings, Ground Covers, Grasses Nursery Stock, Japanese Maples, Taxus, "Otto Luyken” Cherry Laurel

Call with questions!

Adam Clapp • (662) 587-2515 Michie, TN

index of advertisers Armstrong Garden Centers of California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 www.armstronggarden.com Baker West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.robertbaker.com Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Mix, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 www.barkybeaver.com

Florida Pine Straw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.floridapinestraw.com Forest Nursery Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Forrest Keeling Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 www.fknursery.com Hayes Nursery Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Braun Horticulture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.braungroup.com

Heather Farms Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 www.heatherfarmsnursery.com

BWI Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 22 www.bwicompanies.com

Hunter Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.hunterindustries.com

Carolina Nurseries Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover www.carolinanurseries.com

John Deere Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover www.johndeerelandscapes.com

Central Landscape Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.centrallandscape.com

Larry A. Gribble Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Cherry Springs Nursery / Speer & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 www.speernursery.com Crimson Dale Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 www.crimsondalenursery.com

Lashbrooke Nursery / Pope’s Garden Center . . . . . . . . . . 18 www.lashbrooke.com Little Creek Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 www.littlecreeknursery.com

D & D Agri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

McHutchison Horticultural . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 www.mchutchison.cm

Dutchman Industries Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 www.dutchmantreespade.com

Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 www.midtennturf.com

Farwest Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 www.farwestshow.com

Poland Creek Nursery Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.polandcreeknursery.com

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Randall Walker Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 www.rwfarms.com Riverdale Nursery on the French Broad River . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sherman Nursery Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.shermannursery.com Stowers Rents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover Surface Nursery Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.surfacenursery.com Swafford Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover www.swaffordnursery.com Syngenta Turf & Ornamental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com Totherow, Haile & Welch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 www.thwcpa.com Tree Equipment Design, Inc. www.treeequip.com

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.turfmountain.com Vis Seed Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.visseed.com Walker Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3