Tennessee Greentimes - Fall 2010

VOL. 11/ NO. 3

Fall 2010

The Camphor Shot Borer...

Tennessee’s New Invasive Ambrosia Beetle

Highlights from TNLA’s Golf Tournament and TN Green Industry Field Day

Tennessee

GREENTIMES The Official Publication of The Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association

Table of Contents

p e s t s i n t h e S p otlight The Camphor Shot Borer...

Tennessee’s New Invasive Ambrosia Beetle

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VOL. 11/ NO. 3

Fall 2010

Nursery Notes New Oakleaf Hydrangeas Released by the U.S. National Arboretum

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departments From the President, Tim Gallagher................................................................................ 6 TNLA New Members ...................................................................................................... 7 News from The University of Tennessee ....................................................................17 Calendar of Events .......................................................................................................... 18 Index of Advertisers ........................................................................................................ 18

Recent Events Highlights from TNLA’s Golf Tournament and TN Green Industry Field Day

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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 ©2010 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 Nashville, 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.

f rom t h e p r e s i d e n t Tim Gallagher

B

It’s Time to Plant!

Fall Is Here Mark Your Calendar

A

b

fter a long, hot summer, fall is finally here, offering hope of rain and some cooler temperatures. Keep in mind that fall is the time to plant. The temperature relief has significantly stimulated the work environment for landscapers, both local and out of state, and market activity is picking up conclusive to the digging and shipping season being upon us.

The summer trade shows proved promising for spring orders, as well as producing a good number of requests for bid submissions. Along with winter shows being just around the corner, the Mid-States Horticultural Expo will follow closely along, at the newly scheduled date of January 28–29 in Louisville, Kentucky. This show offers a wonderful opportunity to secure late orders and orders from garden centers that must stock inventory for spring and summer sales.

Our economic concerns continue to grow, and questions continue to mount as new laws governing small businesses are elaborated upon in Congress. We all have an obligation to our profession to stay informed and write to our congressional representatives, explaining our position as American ag-based businessmen and women and to voice our opinions and concerns as business owners and employers. Adolf Hitler once said, “What luck for leaders that men do not think.” We must be educated and prepared for what lies ahead and do what we can to hold our position.

and Save These Dates!

JANUARY 28–29, 2011 Mid-States Horticultural Expo NEW LOCATION! Kentucky International Convention Center Downtown Louisville, KY For advertising, contact: 502-695-0106 For a booth, contact: 931-473-3951

FEBRUARY 14–15, 2011

Tim Gallagher 2010 TNLA President

TNLA Winter Education and Exhibits

TNLA Would like to Thank the following companies for being Membership Sponsors

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

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Gold Membership Sponsors

Silver Membership Sponsors

Oldcastle Adams Products / Belgard Randall Walker Farms Swafford Nursery, Inc.

Allen Landscape Management American National Insurance Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Mix, Inc. Common Grounds Dutchman Tree Spade Nashville Landscape Systems, Inc. Packs Nursery Tennessee 811

New TNLA Members The Tennessee Greentimes is the official publication of The Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 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 Dr. Bill Klingeman Dr. Bob Trigiano 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 Tim Gallagher Heather Farms Nursery, Inc. 1st Vice President John Watson, CLP Common Grounds Landscape Mgmt.

2nd Vice President Michael Kassees Forest Nursery Co., Inc. 3rd Vice President Jim Webster The Barn Nursery, Inc. Secretary-Treasurer Randall Walker Randall Walker Farms Associate Director Dwight Burch BWI of Memphis Ex-Officio Marshall Allen Allen Landscape Management, LLC Executive Director Louree Walker Administrative Assistant Pam Stern

Welcome, TNLA New Members!

ACTIVE MEMBERS Argo Nursery Jay Argo 1324 Gap Road Altamont, TN 37301 Holden Nursery Kim Holden 3615 Strong Road Mascot, TN 37806 Thomas Nursery Scott Thomas 461 Wilson Newby Road McMinnville, TN 37110 TLC Lawn Care Services Will Jellicorse 5023 Cattail Lane Corryton, TN 37721 Transplants, Inc. Camile Monroe 1004 Wanamaker Road McMinnville, TN 37110 TruGreen LandCare Bill Seaton/ Scott Ragsdale 3312 Northpark Blvd.

Alcoa, TN 37701

Weed Man of Knoxville Brian Light 619 Barbrow Lane Knoxville, TN 37932

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Airitech Tools Terry Raby 8351 Highway 127N Crossville, TN 38571 Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc. Janna Powell P.O. Box 610 Abbeville, AL 36310 J.R. Transportation, Inc. Timothy Dunn P.O. Box 1500 Vincennes, IN 47591 Plant Health Care, Inc. Stephen Camp P.O. Box 1090 Dacula, GA 30019

Ritchie Tractor Co. Brad Webster 1746 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy.

Maryville, TN 37801 Tippah County Growers, Inc. James E. Wohlfarth 3351 CR 301 Tiplersville, MS 38674

AFFILIATE MEMBERS Casey Neal Chattanooga State Community College 4501 Amnicola Hwy. Chattanooga, TN 37406 U.T. Gardens Sue Hamilton 252 Ellington 2431 Joe Johnson Drive Knoxville, TN 37996

Pests In the Spotlight

THE CAMPHOR SHOT BORER… Tennessee’s New Invasive Ambrosia Beetle A PEST WITH POTENTIAL TO AFFECT OUR NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE INDUSTRIES

By Jason Oliver, Nadeer Youssef and Joshua Basham, Tennessee State University, Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center; Kenneth Copley, USDA-APHIS-PPQ; Mark Halcomb and Frank Hale, University of Tennessee Extension; and Walker Haun, Tennessee Department of Agriculture Plant Certification, Ellington Agricultural Center

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The

camphor shot borer (Xylosandrus mutilatus [Blandford]) (CSB) was first detected in the United States in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, in 1999 and is known to occur in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Texas.

A native to Asia, the CSB probably entered the U.S. by transport in some type of wood product, similar to other ambrosia beetle introductions.

Nursery stock and firewood are other potential routes for CSB movement.

The CSB was first detected in Wayne County, Tennessee on April 25, 2008, and in Dickson County on May 5, 2008.

During follow-up trap studies in 2009, the CSB was recovered in Coffee, Hardin, Hickman, Macon, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Putnam, Shelby and Williamson counties. The borer was found in Davidson County during spring 2010. We discovered the CSB attacking sweet bay magnolia at the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center on April 15, 2010, which is the first report of CSB in Warren County.

CSB plant susceptibility The CSB is a member of the genus Xylosandrus, which is notorious for its nursery-attacking species. The other Xylosandrus species found in Middle Tennessee include the granulate ambrosia beetle (formerly Asian ambrosia beetle) (X. crassiusculus) and the black stem borer (X. germanus). Granulate ambrosia beetle and black stem borer frequently damage nursery crops in Middle Tennessee and have proven difficult to manage. It is unclear at this time if the CSB will become problematic for Tennessee nursery growers.

CSB has many reported plant hosts (see Table 1). Sweetgum appears to be highly susceptible to attacks. In Alabama and Mississippi, CSB attacks occurred on stressed plants with crown dieback, herbicide injury, growing in poorly drained soil, nursery containers, damage from prescribed burns or deliberate trunk

girdling by researchers. Any condition that stresses plants could make them susceptible to CSB attack, including attacks by other ambrosia beetles.

Many ambrosia beetle species are attracted to ethanol (i.e., drinking alcohol), which is often used to bait ambrosia beetle traps. Researchers believe ethanol is released when trees undergo stress. CSB was first detected at the Nursery Research Center attacking sweet bay magnolia that had been deliberately injected with ethanol, and the borer was also found attacking other ethanol-injected tree species in early May (Table 1), which suggests this species is attracted to stressed trees.

CSB biology The biology of the CSB is similar to other ambrosia beetles. Female borers fly to new hosts and bore into the trunk, creating a “shot hole” on the surface (Photo 1e). Unlike the granulate and black stem borer, which often bore straight into the trunk, the CSB usually bores a short horizontal tunnel and then creates a long (0.4" to 1.6") vertical tunnel (Photo 1f). The chambers formed by these tunnels are also called “galleries.”

Adult borers inoculate the chamber with ambrosia fungi, which serves as food for the female and her developing progeny. New borers develop from egg to adult in about five to six weeks.

Males typically die in the gallery, while females may remain in the gallery to over-winter or emerge and begin attacking new plants.

In Mississippi, CSB flight began in March, was high from April to June (peaking in April), had a second smaller peak in August, and ended in September. In Tennessee, based on timing of CSB attacks in spring 2010, we know CSB definitely flies in April and May.

Identifying CSB tree attacks Symptoms of CSB attacks are similar to those of other ambrosia beetles and may include wilting and branch dieback.

Camphor shot borer images showing: (1a) adult borer side profile; (1b) side profile with thorax and abdomen measurements; (1c) adult borer top view; (1d) adult boring into a tree; (1e) gallery entrance size; (1f) an infested branch cut in half, revealing a short horizontal entrance and a long vertical gallery; (1g) inserting a 5/64" drill bit into a gallery entrance (the black ring has been added for visual reference and is not an identifying mark associated with the camphor shot borer); and (1h) gallery opening with borer blocking the entrance with its abdomen tip.

The CSB is one of the largest ambrosia beetles in North America; therefore it produces a large shot hole (0.078"). A 5/64" drill bit will fit into the entrance of a CSB gallery and is a quick way to check for approximate hole-size in the field (Photo 1g). The next largest drill bit size (i.e., 3/32") did not fit into the CSB galleries we checked.

The CSB is not reported to produce toothpick-like strands of frass from the trunk, which are commonly seen with granulate ambrosia beetle and black stem borer. The tree may also have sap stains from the site of attack, and the gallery inside the tree may have dark stains from the ambrosia fungi. CSB will often plug the entrance hole with their body, possibly to defend developing larvae from natural enemies (Photo 1h).

Although CSB is a large ambrosia beetle, it prefers to attack small-diameter tree branches (0.79" or less) and higher on the tree (above 1.6'). The trees we have seen attacked at the Nursery Research Center have been hit at about chest height. The preference of CSB for smaller-diameter stems increases the concern that CSB could be a pest of both nursery and landscape trees.

It is also conceivable that CSB may be attacking the branch tips of larger forest and landscape trees, but this has not been proven. When scouting nursery stock for new CSB galleries, especially susceptible hosts like sweetgum, you should focus your search on smaller branches near chest-level height.

Identifying CSB To determine if CSB is attacking your trees, use a knife to carefully whittle the beetle from the gallery. Lopping the branch near the gallery entrance may facilitate CSB extraction with a knife.

Unlike other ambrosia beetles, adult female CSB have an unusually squashed abdomen (Photos 1a–c). The borer’s abdomen is shorter in length than the thorax (Photo 1b). Depending on your eyesight, the compressed abdomen can be seen without the aid of a hand lens.

Members of the genus Xylosandrus, like CSB, have a gap between the base of the front pair of legs, which can be viewed with a microscope (take the borer to your county Extension office for assistance). If the borer is large tennessee greentimes

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Pests In the Spotlight Table 1. Reported host plants of the camphor shot borer.a

SPECIESb Acer spp.

Acer rubrum L. Acer palmatum Thunb.

Acer saccharum Marshall Acer sieboldianum Miq. Albizia spp.

Benzoin spp.

Calamus spp.

Camellia spp.

Carpinus laxiflora (Siebold & Zucc.) Blume Carya spp.

Castanea spp.

Castanea mollissima Blume Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl.

Cornus spp.

Cornus florida L. Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don. Fagus crenata Blume Fagus grandifolia Ehrhart Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. ex R. Br. Juglans nigra L. Koelreuteria paniculata Laxmann Lindera erythrocarpa Makino Lindera praecox (Siebold & Zucc.) Blume Lindera triloba (Siebold & Zucc.) Blume Liquidambar styraciflua L. Liriodendron tulipifera L. Magnolia virginiana L. Melia azedarach L. Ormosia hosiei Hemsley & E.H. Wilson Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb.) Lour Ostrya virginiana (Miller) K. Koch.

Parabenzoin praecox (Siebold & Zucc.) Nakai Persea [Machilus] thunbergii (Siebold & Zucc.) Kosterm Pinus taeda L. Platycarya strobilacea Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus americana Marshall Prunus serotina Ehrhart Quercus alba L. Quercus shumardii Buckley Swietenia macrophylla King Ulmus alata Michaux Vitis rotundifolia Michaux

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COMMON NAME

FAMILY

REF. NO.c

Maple Red maple Japanese maple Sugar maple Siebold’s maple Mimosa Spicebush Rattan palm Camellias Hornbeam or ironwood Hickory Chestnut Chinese chestnut Camphor tree Dogwood Flowering dogwood Japanese cedar Japanese beech Beech Australian silver-oak Black walnut Golden rain tree Unnamed spicebush Unnamed spicebush Unnamed spicebush Sweetgum Tulip poplar or tulip tree Sweet bay magnolia Chinaberry or umbrella tree Unnamed tree Fragrant olive Hop hornbeam

Aceraceae Aceraceae Aceraceae Aceraceae Aceraceae Fabaceae Lauraceae Aceraceae Theaceae Betulaceae Juglandaceae Fagaceae Fagaceae Lauraceae Cornaceae Cornaceae Taxodiaceae Fagaceae Fagaceae Proteaceae Juglandaceae Sapindaceae Lauraceae Lauraceae Lauraceae Hamamelidaceae Magnoliaceae Magnoliaceae Meliaceae Fabaceae Oleaceae Betulaceae

2, 3 7, TN 7 7 4 2, 3, 4 2, 3 4 2, 3, 4 2, 3, 4 7 2, 3, 4 6 2, 3, 4 2, 3 4, 7 2, 3, 4 2, 3, 4 7 6 2 TN 2, 3, 4 4 4 7 7, TN TN 7 2, 3, 4 2, 3, 4 7

Unnamed shrub / small tree

Lauraceae

2, 3

Unnamed tree

Lauraceae

2, 3, 4

Loblolly pine Unnamed tree Wild plum Black cherry White oak Shumard or swamp red oak Big-leaf mahogany Winged elm Muscadine grape

Pinaceae Juglandaceae Rosaceae Rosaceae Fagaceae Fagaceae Meliaceae Ulmaceae Vitaceae

7 2, 3, 4 7 7 TN 7 2, 3, 4 7 7

a

The camphor shot borer, like other Xylosandrus species, has a broad host range, which undoubtedly includes more plant species than listed in this table.

b

Some of these plant species may not occur in the U.S. However, other plants in the same genus or family that do occur in the U.S. could be susceptible to the camphor shot borer.

c

Plants labeled with ‘TN’ were attacked

by CSB at the Nursery Research Center. These plants were injected with ethanol, and therefore, may not be normal CSB hosts. However, CSB is willing to attack them following ethanol injection.

Reference Sources (and in Table right) 1. Copley, K. 2009. Camphor shot borer Xylosandrus mutilatus in Tennessee.

(Unpublished report of a trapping survey for 2008 and 2009). USDAAPHIS-PPQ. 6 May 2009.

2. Global Invasive Species Database.

2010. Xylosandrus mutilatus (insect).

Available: http://www.invasivespecies. net/database/welcome/ 3. Rabaglia, R. 2003. Xylosandrus mutilatus. North American Forest Commission Exotic Forest Pest Information System (NAFC-ExFor).

Available:http://spfnic.fs.fed.us/exfor/d ata/pestreports.cfm?pestidval=149& langdisplay=english [Accessed 5 May 2010].

4. Schiefer, T.L and D.E. Bright. 2004.

Xylosandrus mutilatus (Blandford), an exotic ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) new to North America. The Coleopterist Bull. 58: 431-438.

5. Six, D.L., W.D. Stone, Z. Wilhelm de Beer, and S.W. Woolfolk. 2009.

Ambrosiella beaveri, sp. nov., associated with an exotic ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus mutilatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), in Mississippi, USA. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 96: 17-29.

6. Stone, W.D. and T.E. Nebeker. 2007.

Distribution and seasonal abundance of Xylosandrus mutilatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Entomol. Sci. Note.

42: 409-412.

7. Stone, W.D., T.E. Nebeker, and P.D. Gerard. 2007. Host plants of Xylosandrus mutilatus in Mississippi.

Florida Entomol. 90: 191-195.

for an ambrosia beetle, has a compressed abdomen, black color and a gap between the base of the front legs, it is most likely CSB.

CSB management It is presently unknown if insecticides will effectively manage CSB. Few treatments are likely to be effective after CSB have entered the tree. Preventative sprays may provide some benefit. Permethrin has been the most effective treatment for other problem ambrosia beetles, but it has not been tested against CSB. Spray treatments should be thoroughly applied to the upper trunk and branches where CSB prefers to attack.

Destruction of plants shortly after infestations are detected may reduce future CSB emergence at the nursery site.

However, the CSB can reportedly fly about one to two miles per year, so local destruction of infested plants may have little effect at preventing attacks from surrounding areas. Destruction of infested plant materials, however, is important for preventing the human-assisted spread of CSB with nursery and landscape materials. C

Nursery Notes

(Below) Photo 1. The inflorescenses of ‘Ruby Slippers’ quickly deepen to rose pink.

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(Above) Photo 2. ‘Munchkin’ matures to a medium-size shrub (3' high and 4-1/2' wide).

The

U.S. National Arboretum recently released two new oakleaf hydrangea cultivars. ‘Ruby Slippers’ and ‘Munchkin’ are the first releases of the hydrangea-improvement program at the U.S. National Arboretum’s McMinnville (Tennessee) worksite, which is located at the Tennessee State University Otis Floyd Nursery Crop Research Center.

Both cultivars are well suited for use as specimen plants, in mass plantings or in the shrub border. Because of their small size, they are particularly useful in small residential landscapes.

‘Ruby Slippers’ originated from a controlled hybridization between ‘Pee Wee’ and ‘Snow Queen’. In 7 years, it has grown to 3-1/2' high and 5' wide. In early summer, ‘Ruby Slippers’ is covered with 9" long inflorescences that are held upright above the foliage. Flowers open white, but quickly turn pale pink and then deepen to rose.

‘Munchkin’ originated from openpollinated seed of ‘Sikes Dwarf’. In 9 years, it has grown to 3' high and 4-1/2' wide. In early summer, ‘Munchkin’ produces abundant, 6-1/2" long inflorescences that are held upright above the foliage. Flowers open white and gradually turn medium pink.

Both cultivars are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8 and can be grown in full sun or light shade. Plants are readily propagated in the nursery from softwood cuttings using 4000 ppm IBA, with rooting occurring within four to six weeks. Prior to their release, ‘Ruby Slippers’ and ‘Munchkin’ were both evaluated by cooperators in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Plants were distributed to cooperating nurseries for evaluation in 2006 and 2007, and for stock increase in 2008. The U.S. National Arboretum does not have stock plants of ‘Ruby Slippers’ or ‘Munchkin’ available for general distribution, but can provide a limited number of cuttings to interested propagating nurseries. The U.S. National Arboretum can also provide a list of propagating nurseries offering these plants for sale. Requests for this list should be addressed to: Dr. Sandra Reed, U.S. National Arboretum, 472 Cadillac Lane, McMinnville, TN 37110, or sandra.reed@ ars.usda.gov. Supplies of both cultivars are very limited at this time, but should increase in the next year or so. C

Recent Event

TNLA/HRI Memorial Golf Tournament at McMinnville Country Club on August 9, 2010 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GOLF WINNERS!

First Place Team

Second Place Team

Stan E. Hillis, Dale Cathey, Bennie Sheperd, Stan E.W. Hillis

Doug Hill, Alan Hitchcock, Bobby Morton, Junior Medley (not in photo)

Third Place Team

Closest to the Pin

Dwight Burch, David Crowe, Keith Guthrie, Jack Crowe (not in photo)

Fred Greene

David Crowe

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! Botanico, Inc. Bouldin's Gateway Tire Co. BWI Memphis Cherry Springs Nursery Dayton Bag & Burlap Dealer Consulting Services Denning & Cantrell, CPAs, PLLC General Equipment Co. Great Western Bag H Company, LLC

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Hale & Hines Nursery, Inc. Haviland Plastic Products Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits Huff & Puff Trucking John Holmlund Nursery, LLC Kidd Ford Lincoln Mercury L & H Distributing Nursery Supplies, Inc. Pleasant Cove Nursery Rogers Group, Inc.

Security Federal Savings Bank Shady Valley Nursery Southern Insurance Group Surface Nursery The Scotts Co. Totherow, Haile and Welch, PLLC Vaughn Nursery Walker Nursery Co. Womack Printing Company, Inc.

Snapshots from the 2010 Tennessee Green Industry Field Day, August 10 in McMinnville A special thanks to Tennessee State University’s Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center for hosting our event!

THANKS TO OUR FIELD DAY EXHIBITORS Airitech Tools Alley-Cassetty Truck Center Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Blankenship Farms Bobcat of Nashville Bottoms Brothers Nursery BWI of Memphis D&D Agri Dickens Turf & Landscape Supply

Farm Credit Services General Equipment Co. Great Western Bag Co. Griffin Greenhouse & Nursery Supplies Hayes Nursery Enterprises Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Pleasant Cove Nursery, Inc. Randall Walker Farms

Riverbend Nurseries Samara Farms Stowers Cat Syngenta Tennessee State University TN Urban Forestry Council TRICKL-EEZ Walker Nursery Co. Warren County Kubota

Meet Amy Fulcher, Nursery Crop Specialist Coming Soon to the University of Tennessee!

H

ello, Tennessee! I have recently been hired as a faculty member in the Department of Plant Sciences in the Sustainable Ornamental Plant Production and Landscape Management position at the University of Tennessee. My official start date is November 1, 2010.

For the past 20 years, I have worked in some segment of the green industry, holding positions in retail, nursery and greenhouse operations, and even a part-time stint in urban forestry.

Most of my professional experience has been with the Cooperative Extension Service in Kentucky. Since 2002, I have been an Extension Associate for Nursery Crops, focusing on woody plant production, which is my main area of expertise.

When I arrive in Knoxville, I am looking forward to getting to know the members of the industry, better understanding the issues and constraints the Tennessee green industry is facing, and then developing and securing funding for an Extension and applied-research program that addresses those

issues. I enjoy working collaboratively and hope to work with UT Extension Specialists, as well as professionals researching nursery crop issues in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast. Learning about the Extension needs of Tennessee’s green industry will be one of my biggest priorities.

From my years of experience, I have developed a fairly broad-based applied-research program. For instance, I have investigated (among others) compost and alternative substrates for container production, pot-in-pot production, host-plant resistance to diseases and insects and developing irrigation technology that can reduce water consumption without sacrificing plant growth or crop quality.

These projects developed from my interaction with growers and a common philosophy of working together to solve an industry challenge. Probably the most important thing to know about me is that I enjoy working with plants, but I enjoy helping growers with their plant problems even more! C

Index of Advertisers

Calendar of Events October 28–30

February 14–15, 2011

GIE Expo Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY Contact: 800-558-8767 Email: info@gieexpo.com www.gieexpo.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

January 28–29, 2011 Mid-States Horticultural Expo (a partnership of TNLA and KNLA) NEW LOCATION! Kentucky International Convention Center Downtown Louisville, KY For advertising, contact: Betsie A. Taylor, 502-695-0106 or mail.knla@gmail.com; http://www.knla.org For booth information, contact: Pam Stern, 931-473-3951 or pam@tnla.com

Braun Horticulture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.braungroup.com D & D Agri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Ewing Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.ewing1.com Farm Credit Services of Mid America . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 www.farmcredit.com Gowan Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover www.gowanco.com Griffin Greenhouse & Nursery Supplies . . Inside Back Cover www.griffins.com Hayes Nursery Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits . . Inside Front Cover www.hortica-insurance.com JG Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 John Deere Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 www.johndeerelandscapes.com Larry A. Gribble Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Low Falls Wholesale Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 www.lowfallsnursery.com Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.midtennturf.com Motz & Son Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Pack’s Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 www.packsnursery.com Southern Growers Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.southerngrowers.com Surface Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.surfacenursery.com Swafford Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover www.swaffordnursery.com Tennessee 811 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 www.tennessee811.com Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 www.turfmountain.com

classified

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