Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council
TREES & TURFS
Plus, Member Spotlight on HARRIS WHEELER
President’s Message
A Proactive vs. Reactive Even if You’re an Introvert
Phil Bailey, CGCS VTC President
lecture by Julie Holt, Managing Editor at Leading Edge Communications, sparked my interest when she spoke the words “Proactive vs. Reactive Involvement”. Although she spoke those words that motivated me, these are my thoughts regarding the issue. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert personality type, it is necessary in today’s world to be proactive in representing yourself, your beliefs, and your industry. Media and Technology is here today and that is a double edged sword. Social Media opens the window for us to develop a greater client base, but it can allow some people to create a derogatory image by spinning a one-sided or misunderstood concept or attack.
Therefore, it is so important to be Proactive. This is the direction the Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) took when it developed the Virginia Turfgrass CouncilEnvironmental Institute (VTC-EI). The VTC-EI now allows us to be proactive in supporting our membership by Community Involvement. Examples would include Beach Grass Restoration to sand dunes in Virginia Beach and installing erosion control features in Petersburg to reduce sediment runoff to culverts and streams. It allowed us to assist Virginia State University on an Earth Day project to correct water runoff concerns on campus. With support from Partners to the VTC-EI we have also been able to show our commitment to additional environmental concerns which include pollinator decline. Partner support has allowed us to handout 50,000 packets of pollinator seed to improve pollinator success.
Partnership with the VTC-EI has also allowed us to be Proactive in working with legislators and governmental bodies. Our government relations committee, headed up by Bruce Sheppard of Weed Man, was able to assist in setting up a meeting with Matthew Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. This allowed us to be Proactive in working together to find solutions to slow pesticide certification processing and online processing problems. We also had the opportunity to speak with State Senator Hashmi (District 10) regarding assistance to VDACS, so they have the tools needed to assist our industry in a more proficient fashion. We also were able to have a discussion relating to our pollinator program and the possibility of developing pollinator gardens in the State.
With these thoughts I give you my conclusion. What are you doing for yourself, your business, and your industry? Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert we all need to be proactive and place our best foot forward. Today’s media and instant technology almost insist we be proactive. Proactive involvement allows creative input while Reactionary involvement wastes resources and doesn’t allow for true creation to a solution.
Phil Bailey VTC President
Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of
The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989
Virginia Beach, VA 23471
Office: (757) 464-1004
Fax: (757) 282-2693
vaturf@verizon.net
PUBLISHED BY
Leading Edge Communications, LLC
206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718
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VTC OFFICERS
President
Phil Bailey, CGCS
Isle of Wight County Parks & Recreation (757) 572-1981
Vice President
Wes Bray Lawns & Gardens Plus (757) 422-2117
Secretary / Treasurer
Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools (804) 815-2779
Past President
Michael Skelton (540) 718-4133
VTC DIRECTORS
Sam Burris
Ray Funkhouser
Tony Montgomery
Bruce Sheppard
T.J. Skirsky
Harris Wheeler, CTP
Craig Zeigler
VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair)
Shawn Askew, Ph.D.
Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdiva, Ph.D.
Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D.
David McCall Ph.D.
Dan Sandor, Ph.D.
Cynthia Smith, Ph.D.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004
VIRGINIA TURFGRASS FOUNDATION
Brandyn Baty (757) 585-3058
Agronomic Lawn Management 27 www.FertilizerWithALM.com
Burlingham Seeds 13 www.burlinghamseeds.com
Buy Sod, Inc. ............................................ 29 www.buysod.com
Carolina Green Corp. 33 www.cgcfields.com
Collins Wharf Sod Farm 9 www.collinswharfsod.com
East Coast Sod & Seed 7 www.eastcoastsod.com
Fisher & Son Company, Inc. 3 www.fisherandson.com
Greene County Fertilizer Co. 33 www.greenecountyfert.com
Home Field Fertilizer / Meadowspring Turf Farm 31 www.meadowspringturf.com
Kesmac 15 www.brouwerkesmac.com
Landmark Turf & Native Seed Inside Front Cover landmarkturfandnativeseed.com
Luck Ecosystems 9 www.luckecosystems.com
McGill Premium Compost ........................... 7 www.mcgillsoilbuilder.com
Mid-Atlantic STIHL 17 www.stihldealers.com
Modern Turf, Inc. 31 www.modernturf.com
Premier Turf Farms 7 www.premierturffarms.com
Progressive Turf Equipment Inc. 21 www.progressiveturfequip.com
Rock Haven Turf Specialties 23 www.Facebook.com/RockHavenTurf
Smith Turf & Irrigation .............................. 36 www.smithturf.com
Sod Solutions 19 www.sodsolutions.com
DIGITAL MARKETPLACE
SCAN THE QR CODE: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.
Spectacular, but Achievable GOALS
In
Virginia Tech Turf Team
Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director
1961 President Kennedy set the goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the decade. He set a specific timeline, captured the imagination, and inspired action. Why all the attention? The Soviet Union had bested America in space with the launch of Sputnik and had success after success with rocket development. The President did not know it at the time of his challenge, but the next eight years would be unprecedented: The Cuban missile crisis, societal upheaval, the Vietnam War, and even his own assassination preceded Apollo 11’s manned moon landing. American people needed a focus. They needed an objective that was spectacular but also achievable. While nowhere near the significance of landing a person on the moon and bringing him safely back to Earth, our forming the Environmental Institute to be a legislative voice for the industry and serving as the bridge between environmental groups and that same industry (us), is no less a spectacular, difficult, yet achievable goal.
Objections and naysayers abound. Here are the two most common complaints: “You can’t trust them” and “Our industry and environmental groups will never agree on legislative issues.” Our simple answer is to refer back to President Kennedy: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” In the interest of space, I will leave the legislative objections for a future column. Here I want to focus on trust. No meaningful progress is possible unless mutual trust – and with it, respect – exists.
Trust, according to my working definition, is the belief that a person or organization will act in accordance with their words and statements. With that definition in mind, the biggest challenge we face is knowing individuals in environmental groups well enough to determine if their actions are in line with their promises. Preconceptions and decades of building barriers have erected unforeseen challenges to building relationships. But I am pleased to report, in two years those of us in the Environmental Institute have built many bridges and have developed mutual respect with leaders of many environmental groups. Yes, there are extremists who will always object to sound industry practices. We choose to work with those persons who have more balanced views.
During these times of polarization and segmentation, the Environmental Institute offers solutions. We reach across many divides to provide solutions that benefit the industry and environmental groups.
Tidbit: At the end of this season, we will have distributed 50,000 packets of Flowering Pollinator Seeds. Thank you TruGreen for sponsoring all 50,000!
Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director
Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D.
Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-5807
askew@vt.edu
Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdiva, Ph.D.
Virginia Tech
Hampton Roads
Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 757-363-3900
adelpozo@vt.edu
Jeffrey F. Derr, Ph.D.
Virginia Tech
Hampton Roads
Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 757-363-3912
jderr@vt.edu
Mike Goatley Jr., Ph.D. Virginia Tech 420 Smyth Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-2951
goatley@vt.edu
David McCall, Ph.D. Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-9598
dsmccall@vt.edu
Dan Sandor, Ph.D. Virginia Tech 170 Drillfield Dr. 411 Price Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-9775
dsandor@vt.edu
WITH SUPPORT FROM:
Thomas P. Kuhar, Ph.D.
Virginia Tech
Dept. of Entomology
216 Price Hall
170 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-6129
tkuhar@vt.edu
June 23, 2022
Turf and Landscape Field Day
Virginia Beach
December 6 – 8, 2022
Turf and Landscape Short Course
Henrico
January 23 – 25, 2023
Come to the Bay
Virginia Beach
February 21 – 22, 2023
Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo
Richmond
Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) 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, Virginia Turfgrass Journal, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or VTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright © 2022 by the Virginia Turfgrass Council. Virginia Turfgrass Journal is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of VTC.
POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to VTC, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Virginia Turfgrass Journal allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to VTC. 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, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064-3394, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524. Deadlines are the first of the month prior to the following month’s publication. (Example: August 1 for the September issue.)
AND TREES TURFS
By Larry Tankersley, Extension Forester, University of Tennessee Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries and Tom Samples, Ph.D., Turfgrass Science and Management, University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences
Trees and turfgrasses share the same basic requirements in order to live. Both capture energy from sunlight in order to produce carbon-containing substances that are used immediately to support growth, or can be stored in reserve. Photosynthesis, the combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light results in the formation of glucose and other sugars. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is also the source of carbon in amino acids, proteins, starch and cell walls.
Trees and turfgrasses have vascular systems (xylem and phloem), and rely on water for oxygen and hydrogen, and to move essential nutrients absorbed from the soil to leaves, and sugars produced in the leaves to roots. Fourteen mineral nutrients are essential for their survival and reproduction. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur are classified as macronutrients due to the quantity of each that is required. Due to the very small amount (usually 100 ppm or less) of each found in plant tissue, the remaining eight essential minerals, chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum and nickel, are referred to as micronutrients.
Local air temperatures, annual rainfall amounts, and soil texture and fertility levels often determine if a particular species or variety of turfgrass or tree will thrive in the landscape. Although trees and turfgrasses growing in close proximity to each other must share resources (Table 1), this does not necessarily mean that they cannot co-exist. Successful management strategies assure that the fundamental requirements of both trees and turfgrasses are being met every year, even though growing conditions for each may be less than ideal.
Light Intensity, Quality and Duration. The rate at which photosynthesis takes place within a tree or turfgrass usually increases with increasing light intensity. Light intensity is described as the amount of energy, or ‘packets’ of light referred to as photons, hitting the surface of a leaf over some time period. Light stimulates stomates to open. As a result, high light intensities are usually associated with high water transpiration rates. Only an estimated one to two percent of the solar radiation a turfgrass is receiving is absorbed and converted to chemical energy. Most of this absorbed energy is reradiated at much longer wavelengths, resulting in the release of heat. Turfgrass leaves with a horizontal orientation are more efficient absorbers of solar radiation compared to those growing more upright. The surfaces of turfgrass leaves may also reflect solar radiation. Dull and dry leaves are usually less reflective than glossy or wet leaves. Turfgrass leaves may also transmit solar radiation that may be absorbed by other leaves.
In his book “Turfgrass Science and Culture” published in 1973, Michigan State University researcher and author, Dr. James Beard, reported that an estimated 20 to 25% of maintained turfs were receiving some level of shade from trees, shrubs or buildings. The canopy height of bermudagrass plants growing under low light intensities (less than 70 percent full sunlight) often increases by more than 100 percent compared to that of plants receiving full sunlight. Leaf elongation is often about 35 percent higher when cool-season turfgrasses are growing on sites with limited light intensity compared to the same species in full sun. This is believed to be the result of shaded turfgrasses producing more of the plant growth hormone, gibberellic acid. The root-shoot ratio of turfgrasses tends to decrease as the level of shade increases, and less energy reaches the roots. The cuticle, the protective, waxy surface layer of a leaf, often thins as the level of shade increases. This may cause shaded turfgrasses to be more susceptible to injury from drought, freezing temperatures, diseases and insects. Since air movement among plants is often restricted, turfgrasses managed in shade often take longer to dry after rain or irrigation.
In addition to the intensity of light, the overall health and performance of turfs under trees also depends on the quality of light they receive. Photosynthesis cannot occur without an appropriate amount of light of specific wavelengths. The quality of light reaching turfgrasses shaded by trees is often restricted. That is, a portion of the photosynthetically active radiation, or PAR
SHARED RESOURCES:
Physical space, especially below ground
Clean air, especially oxygen and carbon dioxide, free of toxins, above and below ground
Sunlight, both enough (duration and intensity) and of the appropriate wavelengths (quality)
Water, the right amount delivered on time
Seventeen essential nutrients – carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from air and water, and 14 mineral nutrients supplied by the soil
Minimum and maximum air and soil temperatures appropriate for growth and survival of both trees and turfgrasses
TABLE 1: Fundamental Requirements of Trees and Turfgrasses.
(visible light wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers), has been intercepted and filtered by the tree canopy before reaching the leaves of turfgrasses. As sunlight reaches a tree’s canopy, it is 1) absorbed by the leaves and used for photosynthesis, 2) reflected back into the atmosphere or 3) transmitted to plants (turfgrass) below. Transmitted light is less intense and certain wavelengths, especially visible light important for photosynthesis, are filtered by tree leaves. When the tree canopy provides solid shading, turfgrasses receive only indirect light, totally depleted of many of the wavelengths that result in healthy growth. Absorption, reflection and transmittance of light as it passes through a cottonwood (Populus deltoids) tree leaf are presented in Figure 1. Notice that the dotted line or light transmitted below the tree crown, is very low. An alteration of the light spectrum directly affects turfgrass growth. Silicon photovoltaic sensors are used to estimate PAR, while other sensors predict the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of the PAR. The PPFD is the amount of photosynthetically active photons that are hitting the leaf surface per unit area per unit time. The PPFD is reported as micromoles of photons per square meter per second. These sensors are commonly used by growers to monitor and manage supplemental lighting in greenhouse plant production systems.
The intensity, photosynthetic activity and duration of light that a turf shaded by trees receives is influenced by its location in the
landscape, and the size, form and species of trees. The level of shade in areas of a landscape receiving only four to six hours of direct daily sun is considered medium. Dense or ‘heavy’ shade is cast by trees with very dense canopies. Due to their ‘open’ form, pines (Pinus spp.) tend to allow more light to reach the turf surface than shade-tolerant, deciduous trees with ‘thick’ canopies, such as oaks (Quercus spp.), sycamores (Platanus spp.) and maples (Acer spp.).
The time of day that the turf receives direct sunlight also deserves consideration. The ideal time for a turfgrass to be in direct sunlight depends on the optimum temperatures for photosynthesis for the species being managed. More specifically, turf health and performance are dependent on the length of time that plants receive light within the PAR region at an air temperature at or near the optimum for photosynthesis. For example, during hot, dry periods in the summer, cool-season turfgrasses maintained with no irrigation and in areas of the landscape receiving moving shade, most often perform better when shaded in the afternoon, rather than in the morning.
The Turfgrasses. Shade tolerance varies among cool- and warmseason turfgrass species, and varieties within species. The relative shade tolerance of chewings, strong creeping red, hard and sheep fescues is high. Yet, the performance of these cool-season turfgrasses in shade is limited by a general lack of heat tolerance.
FIGURE 1: Percentage of wavelength absorbed, reflected and transmitted through cottonwood leaves. (Adapted from Gates, David, “Energy exchange between organism and environment,” in Biometeorology, (1968, Oregon State University Press).
Perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass rank low to medium in shade tolerance while tall fescue, generally ranks medium in shade tolerance. Ranking of shade tolerance among warm-season turfgrasses is bermudagrass < centipedegrass and zoysiagrass < St. Augustinegrass. Although, as a species, bermudagrass ranks low in shade tolerance, the variety TifGrand® has demonstrated improved shade tolerance compared to several other sterile hybrid (Cynodon transvaalensis x Cynodon dactylon) varieties. Similarly, several newer, vegetative, clonal-type zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp.) including ‘Diamond’ (Z. matrella), ‘El Toro (Z. japonica x Z. matrella), ‘Geo’ (Z. japonica x Z. pacifica), ‘Palisades’ (Z. japonica x Z. matrella), ‘Royal’ (Z. japonica x Z. matrella), ‘Zeon’ (Z. japonica x Z. matrella) and ‘Zorro’ (Z. japonica x Z. matrella) have improved shade tolerance compared to ‘Meyer’. Meyer, a variety of Zoysia japonica with good cold tolerance, was released in 1951, and is still being maintained in landscapes throughout the state.
The Shaded Turfgrass Microenvironment. Shading impacts the turfgrass microenvironment in several ways. Daily and seasonal fluctuations in the air temperature of the microenvironment are often reduced.
In the top several inches of soil, trees and turfgrasses compete for water. The first plant species established is generally the most
successful absorbing water from the soil since it is the first to occupy limited growing space. A large tree with a well-established root system can often absorb water much better than a recently installed sod. Likewise, established turf will compete very effectively with a recently transplanted tree for available water.
Tree roots are opportunistic and spread well beyond the width of the crown, wherever conditions favor growth and adequate oxygen is present in soils (Figure 2). This is generally in the top one foot of soils. Some tree roots will penetrate the soil to greater depths, depending on the soil texture and bulk density. The majority of tree roots are located in the top few inches of soil. Many fine “absorbing” roots actually grow into mulch or thin turfs. As with turfgrasses, tree roots are often denser on the north (shaded) side of the tree where shade discourages rapid soil drying.
Relative humidity and carbon dioxide levels within a shaded microenvironment are generally higher, and air flow within the turfgrass canopy is often restricted, compared to those in ‘open’ areas of the landscape. When the relative humidity remains high for extended periods of time, and air flow among plants is severely restricted, turfs are generally more susceptible to disease. Due, in part, to a lack of sugars and starches, shaded turfgrasses are often less durable, and may be very slow to recover from injury.
FIGURE 2: Tree roots spread well beyond the width of the crown. Note the common terms used when discussing tree root characteristics, and how the tree’s feeder roots comingle with those of the turfgrasses. Turf management practices and surface activities will affect the tree roots in this profile.
Improving Turfgrass Performance in Shade. An annual review of the landscape management plan followed by adjustments in both tree and turf care can result in better turf quality.
Managing The Trees. The quality and intensity of light reaching turf below isolated trees may be improved with creative pruning (Figure 3). Generally, at least two-thirds of the tree’s total height should contain live branches. Regular pruning of the lower third, and removing drooping branches, is highly recommended to allow sunlight to the turf below. Crown thinning can also be helpful to reduce the crown density and leaf area of the tree allowing more sunlight to move further through the crown (Figure 4).
Another consideration is to plant trees that “naturally” allow more sunlight to pass through. For example, research indicates that maple and black walnut restrict far more radiation than honey locust (Table 2). Trees can also be selected based on shape to reduce the number of drooping branches that intercept light at lower angles. Without maintenance, most of our common trees restrict enough sunlight to stress all but the most shadetolerant turfgrasses. Instances where tree cover is multi-layered, as in a forest, may preclude the use of any turfgrasses.
Managing The Turfgrasses. Management considerations for turfs in shade include:
1. Select, establish and maintain shade-tolerant turfgrasses. Use only those turfgrass species and varieties adapted to the level of shade encountered.
2. Cutting height. Raise the cutting height within the optimum range when mowing. For fine fescues, this height is from 2 to 2½ inches or more. The increased leaf surface will provide greater potential for light absorption by turfgrasses and increased carbohydrate production.
3. Soil test. Timely fertilization and liming based on soil test results will help ensure appropriate soil fertility and pH levels, without creating overly succulent leaf tissue or causing an excessive rate of growth. Nitrogen should be applied judiciously, for example, at a rate no more than two-thirds the amount used to fertilize turf in full sun.
4. Irrigation. Regular, deep watering is very important for successful tree and turf management. Transpiration and evaporation from leaf surfaces of actively growing established trees and turfgrasses may reach 1½ inches or more of water a week. If irrigation is an option, shaded turfs should be watered infrequently and deeply (e.g. to a 6-inch soil depth). Recently transplanted trees or turfgrass will need supplemental water, at least until an adequate root system develops. For large, transplanted trees this may be necessary for several growing seasons.
TABLE 2: Radiation transmitted by selected tree species.
Black walnut Juglans
London plane / Sycamore Platanus
Yellow poplar Liriodendron
Sugar maple Acer
White oak Quercus
Northern red oak Quercus
Shagbark hickory Carya
Honey locust Gleditsia High
a Research supported ranking (McPherson, E.G. 1984. Planting design for solar control. In McPhearson, E.D. (ed.) Energy- conserving Site Design. American Society of Landscape Architects. Washington, D.C. b Low transmitted radiation = less light intensity; Medium transmitted radiation = intermediate light intensity; High transmitted radiation = more light intensity.
FIGURE 3: Pruning a tree can allow more light to reach the turf. Crown raising, as shown, is relatively easily done. It is best to start pruning early in the life of the tree, with regular removals until the tree reaches the desired height to develop on its own.
FIGURE 4: Pruning, shown here, thins excessive branching within the tree crown allowing more sun to stream through the crown to turfgrasses below.
5. Aerification and dethatching. Coring (core aerification) to a soil depth of 1½ to 2 inches, and dethatching shaded turfs on an as-needed basis during the growing season usually improves the movement of air, water and nutrients into soil without severely damaging tree roots.
6. Inter-seeding. Annual inter-seeding may be necessary to maintain turfgrass stand density in shade. Remove or recycle fallen tree leaves and pine needles as soon as possible to reduce the amount of time light is excluded from turfgrasses.
7. Fungicide(s). Fungicides can be applied as preventative or curative treatments. Powdery mildew and pink snow mold are often more common in shaded turfs.
8. Plant growth regulators (PGRs). Research has shown that some turfgrass species, especially those with marginal shade tolerance, may maintain better overall quality in shade when routinely treated with PGRs.
9. Limiting traffic. Minimize foot, turf maintenance equipment and vehicle traffic to reduce turfgrass wear injury and soil compaction.
Trees and turf can be managed successfully on the same site as long as managers understand the needs of both types of plants, and their interactions when growing together.
REFERENCES
Anonymous (Fondriest Staff). 2010. What is Photosynthetically Active Radiation? Aug. 12. Environmental Monitor. Fondriest Environmental, Inc. https://www.fondriest.com/news/photosyntheticradiation.htm
Beard, J.B. Turfgrass: Science and Culture. 1973. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. 658 pp. ISBN 0- 13-933002- X
McCarty, L.B. Golf Turf Management. 1st Ed. July 9, 2018. CRC Press. Boca Raton, FL 33487. 760 pp. ISBN-10: 1138476382. ISBN-13: 978-1138476387.
Turgeon, A.J. Turfgrass Species - Chapter 3 In Turfgrass Management. 5th Ed. 1998. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. SBN 10: 0136283489. ISBN 13: 9780136283485.
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By Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D.
P WHY DO FAIL? SOMETIMES HERBICIDES
reemergence and postemergence herbicides can be effective options for managing troublesome weed species in lawns, landscape beds, and other areas. However, sometimes herbicides do not perform as expected. Listed below are some reasons that herbicides can provide less than desired results. First I will discuss preemergence herbicides and then follow with a separate section on postemergence herbicides.
PREEMERGENCE HERBICIDES
There are application issues, weed species impacts, as well as environmental ones that can adversely impact weed control with preemergence herbicides. Keep the following in mind when developing a program utilizing preemergence herbicides.
Annual Bluegrass
Dallisgrass in Bermuda
Large Crabgrass
1. Lack of activation. All preemergence herbicides need to be activated by rain, irrigation, or mechanically to move the herbicide into the zone of weed germination in the soil. Annual weeds will predominantly be germinating in the top inch or two of soil. The activation rainfall or irrigation event should occur soon after herbicide application, ideally within a few days. If a preemergence herbicide sits on the soil surface for several weeks with no rain or irrigation, it can break down from sunlight (photodecomposition) or volatilize (leave the soil surface as a vapor). This reduces the level of herbicide in the soil such that the rate may be now too low to effectively control weeds when rains finally occur. This is especially important for herbicides with low water solubility or herbicides that are more volatile, such as trifluralin (Treflan, Preen Garden Weed Preventer, etc.). One ideally would like to irrigate immediately after application for chemicals such as trifluralin or napropamide (Devrinol) or mechanically incorporate it right after application. We would like have to a quarter to a half inch of rain for activation.
2. Excessive rainfall. While we need a rain for activation, excessive rainfall will result in deeper leaching of the herbicide, reducing the level in the top inch of soil where weed seed will predominately germinate. Higher rainfall levels will also increase microbial activity in the soil, increasing herbicide break down. Microbial degradation is an important means of herbicide break down in the soil and microbial growth increases under moist soil and warm temperatures. If we get 10 inches of rain for example in April, that crabgrass preventer you put down in March will not last long, resulting in crabgrass germinating during mid- to late-summer.
3. Wrong herbicide. Each preemergence herbicide will have a certain spectrum of annual weed species that it will control, while other weed species will not be controlled. One good example would be isoxaben (Gallery), an herbicide used for preemergence control of broadleaf weeds such as common chickweed, henbit, and prostrate knotweed. However, Gallery will not provide acceptable control of crabgrass. If one wants to use Gallery, a crabgrass preventer should be added for control of weeds like crabgrass or annual bluegrass.
4. Wrong life cycle. As a general rule, with some exceptions, preemergence herbicides control annual weeds but not established perennial weeds. One good example of this would be comparing controls for crabgrass versus that for dallisgrass. Annual grassy weeds will be controlled by a crabgrass preventer but established perennials like dallisgrass or bermudagrass will not be affected. So if a client says that your crabgrass application failed, make sure the problem isn’t dallisgrass, which will go dormant (brown) in the winter but regrow in spring. If you see a large grassy weed in March or April, it cannot be a summer annual grass like crabgrass. It will take a while for an annual grass, that must germinate from seed, to reach significant size.
5. Wrong timing. Preemergence herbicides generally do not control annual weeds once they have emerged. That is why we need to learn when annual weeds start to germinate so we can time an application a week or two before then. If annual weeds are already emerged at time of application, one often needs to apply
a postemergence herbicide or hand weed those existing plants. If one waits until May to apply prodiamine (Barricade, others), for example, established crabgrass will not be controlled. Along the same lines, a crabgrass preventer applied in March will not control annual bluegrass germinating in September. One would need to apply the crabgrass preventer in August for annual bluegrass control since this weed will start to germinate in early September.
6. Long germination period. Preemergence herbicides often last around 3 months in soil. If a weed species germinates over a period longer than 3 months, then late season breakthrough can occur. For example, crabgrass in southeastern Virginia can germinate from March through August. This is a period of over five months. So we may see crabgrass emerging in July after the March preemergence application has broken down. One way to address is through the use of split applications, applying part of the use rate in March and applying the rest in May.
7. Application errors. I sometimes am asked how much of a preemergence herbicide to mix per gallon. Preemergence herbicide rates are based on the amount of area being treated, not on a rate per gallon. The amount of herbicide to add to the spray tank is based on the spray volume. The spray volume applied per unit area depends on nozzle size, pressure, and speed. So if one guesses at how much to mix per gallon, they may be putting out too low or too high a rate, depending on the actual spray volume. Calibrate your sprayer or granular spreader to apply the correct amount of herbicide.
8. Herbicide resistance. Repeated application of the same herbicide or herbicides with the same mode of action can lead to resistance. Resistance refers to a weed species that used to be controlled very effectively but is no longer controlled due to the occurrence of a resistant biotype. One example in Virginia would be the report of oxadiazon (Ronstar) resistant goosegrass. Another example is triazine-resistant annual bluegrass, where biotypes have developed resistance to simazine and atrazine. We saved seed from a triazine-resistant annual bluegrass project from a few years ago and found that biotype is also resistant to amicarbazone (Xonerate). Learn the mode of action for herbicides you use and rotate modes of action where possible.
9. Rate too low. We use higher rates on clay soils higher in organic matter and lower rates in sandy soils low in organic matter. A low application rate to a soil high in organic matter can result in considerable adsorption, reducing the amount available for weed control. In fact, many preemergence herbicides do not provide effective weed control in muck soils, which are high in organic matter (20% or more organic matter level).
10. Applying an herbicide above mulch rather than applying it before mulching. Some of the herbicide can by tied up on bark particles if applied after mulching. Also, one is dependent on rain to move the herbicide through the mulch layer down to the soil, where weed seed is germinating. Applying the herbicide before mulching places the herbicide closer to the site of weed germination. The mulch will protect the herbicide from photodegradation if spread after herbicide application.
POSTEMERGENCE HERBICIDES
Postemergence herbicide are also affected by application issues, species impacts, and environmental conditions.
1. Applications under drought conditions. Weeds do not readily absorb and translocate herbicides when they are under drought stress. Either irrigate several days before an intended application or wait until a few days after a rainfall to ensure that the targeted weed species is actively growing under good soil moisture.
2. Rain soon after application. If a shower kicks up 15 minutes after a glyphosate application, for example, much of the herbicide could run off the weed foliage, resulting in poor weed control. Hold off spraying if there is a good chance of rain that day.
3. Applications under cold conditions. Applications when temperatures are cold, especially below 50°F can result in erratic weed control. Again, weeds do not absorb and translocate herbicide when under stress, including cold temperature stress. Ideal spraying conditions would be temperatures above 60 F with good soil moisture. We have applied certain postemergence herbicides at air temperatures in the 40’s, with acceptable weed control but control takes longer and control can be erratic.
4. Wrong herbicide. For example, applying a postemergence grass herbicide like fluazifop (Ornamec, Fusilade II) will not control sedges. So use the term nutsedge when dealing with this sedge species. Using the term nutgrass is confusing and could result in someone picking the wrong product to spray. In general, grass herbicides do not control sedges, and sedge herbicides often do not control grasses. Identify the target weed species and then choose the appropriate product.
5. Forgetting to add a surfactant. Certain products require an adjuvant for effect weed control. Reward/Diquat is a contact herbicide and a nonionic surfactant must be added to spread the spray droplets evenly across the leaf surface of weeds. Check the herbicide label to see if a surfactant, crop oil, or MSO (methylated seed oil) needs to be added. When spraying overtop ornamentals, especially during summer, we recommend use of a nonionic surfactant as oils can heat up an herbicide, possibly resulting in some contact burn.
6. Antagonism. Sometimes when certain pesticides are mixed together, antagonism can result, reducing weed control through effects on absorption and translocation. For example, we have seen reduced grass control when fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra) is mixed with postemergence broadleaf herbicides containing 2,4-D like Trimec Classic (2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba). In this case, these two products should be applied separately, first applying Acclaim Extra and then applying the Trimec Classic a week later. Read the
label when considering mixing two or more herbicides together. A small jar test can be done to test for spray tank incompatibility.
7. Incorrect spray volume. A systemic herbicide like glyphosate (Roundup, others) is best applied in low spray volumes, such as 10 to 20 gallons per acre. Thorough coverage of the leaf surface is not required for a systemic herbicide like glyphosate and uptake seems to improve with more concentrated spray droplets. For a contact herbicide like diquat, however, higher spray volumes are necessary, especially for taller vegetation, where a 100 gallons per acre spray volume may be required for thorough coverage of taller weeds.
8. Water quality issues. Muddy water with suspended clay particles can tie up herbicides like diquat, rendering the chemical ineffective. A high calcium content is a concern when applying glyphosate as it can lead to insoluble salts that are not readily absorbed. Addition of ammonium sulfate can help as it will tie up the calcium. A very high pH or a very low pH in the spray can adversely affect herbicide stability.
9. Herbicide resistance. As with preemergence herbicides, weed species can also develop resistance to postemergence herbicides. We have documented annual bluegrass biotypes resistant to the sulfonylurea class of herbicides, which includes Monument, Katana, Certainty, Revolver, and Tranxit. Another example in Virginia is the occurrence of horseweed resistant to glyphosate. To help prevent the development of herbicide resistance, rotate herbicides with different modes of action, combine herbicides with different modes of action, utilize both preemergence and postemergence herbicides, and use nonchemical measures where practical.
10. Wrong timing. Dimension (dithiopyr) will control one or two leaf crabgrass but will not provide acceptable control of well-tillered crabgrass. Drive (quinclorac) is more effective on young crabgrass plants in spring compared to multi-tillered plants in summer.
11. Wrong rate. We learned this with our evaluation of pinoxaden (Manuscript), where the spot treatment rates were much more effective than the broadcast rates. Read the label to determine the optimum rate for the target weed.
Identify the major weed species at each site you maintain and develop a plan to address those problems. Scout in the spring to identify winter weeds when they are in flower and thus easier to identify and scout in late summer to identify summer weeds when they are in bloom. These two time periods may not be the optimum time for control but will guide future management plans. Consider soil and weather conditions when scheduling herbicide treatments. If herbicide resistance is expected, let us know as we like to confirm resistance.
Jeffrey Derr is a professor of Weed Science, based at Virginia Tech ‘s Hampton Roads Ag. Research and Extension Center in Virgi nia Beach.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON HARRIS WHEELER
Founder and Owner of Grounds Maintenance Consulting and Training Services
VTC
Board member Harris Wheeler has recently been working closely with the board and leadership to advance turfgrass and landscape professionals across the state. This partnership is a piece of the larger puzzle of VTC and The Environmental Institute building bridges through service, advocacy and environmental stewardship. Harris brings a lifetime of experience and unique perspectives on building and growing the workforce. We sat down with Harris to learn more about his background and his goals for working with VTC.
How did you decide to pursue a career in the landscape and turfgrass management industry?
I really didn’t make that decision. I kind of backed into it. It all started as a youngster, I was four or five years old, and I spent a lot of time with my grandparents down in Pendleton, South Carolina. My grandfather had a farm and a big garden, so we were outside all the time. Then we moved to the city, which was Columbia, SC. My mother always had a garden and I hated it. She wanted us to work in the garden, dig up the garden, pull the weeds. I didn’t realize I was developing, I wouldn’t say a love for the outdoors, but just being acclimated to the outdoor world.
Fast forward to 1983, my teenage nephews were having some troubles, and their mother called and said she couldn’t handle them. I said, “Well, let them spend the summer with me.” I decided that we would cut some grass in the neighborhood, so we made a little flyer and went door to door, because I told them we’re going to work, they weren’t going to just sit around and watch TV all day long. We started cutting grass in the neighborhood and at the end of the summer my nephews left and the customers kept calling me. I was working an insurance job, as an adjustor for the Travelers Insurance Company, and I was just wanting to go outside. I decided to do lawn work part time and get another job working with youth. I quit my job in 1984 to work for a youth agency and found out that I had too much business coming in and I couldn’t do both. I quit that job and started cutting grass in the neighborhood, and that’s how I really got started.
You’ve been a horticulture instructor and you’ve done the actual work of running a lawncare company, but now your business has a different direction. How did that process evolve?
First of all, I was a wayward youth. I didn’t like education, and my senior year I was about to flunk out of high school. I did graduate, and when I graduated I was crying because I couldn’t believe I graduated — but then I roamed the streets for a while, then by the time I got to be 24 years old, I got married and started college, I was mature enough to handle the college world.
I got an inter-disciplinary studies degree from the University of South Carolina, but I majored in music education. But I did go into the insurance field because they offered me a good paycheck and a good job, and I did that for four years. When I started the lawn service, the education part was still in me, so that took me on a journey. I was the entrepreneur, head of business for seven years. It went from TLC Lawn Service to Turf Master, and I shut the business down in 1991 because I had a lot of challenges in the business, a lot of things I didn’t know.
I started working for the City of Richmond as a senior labor and trades crew chief, and I worked for the Housing Authority as a grounds supervisor, then back to the City of Richmond as a senior gardener, and it was during that time I began to really study the horticulture field. The guy that mentored me was a senior gardener and he would take me to the greenhouse and show me the propagation and all the systems they had, the fertilization plan and all the books. So I became really engulfed in studying this craft and that led to me volunteering at the Richmond Technical Center. They hired me as a horticulture instructor part time in 1998, and I went full time in 2000, so I taught from 2000 to 2013. It was high school students from 9th to 12th grade.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAY WITH
Some of the requirements of teaching in public schools right now have a heavy focus on testing, but you understood that was not always the right approach for your students?
I think it was around 2005 and SOLs were beginning to be a real big barometer for finding out where children were academically. It drifted over to the technical center, so they had us doing a lot of testing – NOCTI testing, OSHA testing, career-readiness testing, just one after the other. The students were doing pre-SOL test, then SOL test, then post-SOL test. I had one girl who basically had a meltdown. She said, “I’m not taking this no more!” A lot of my students felt the same way and I had reached the point that enough is enough. Because the business I’m teaching is horticulture, there is a timeframe from September to about Thanksgiving that you have to get a lot of work done. My first two and a half months, most of my kids spend in the lab taking tests. When they finished all their tests, then they could do what I’m supposed to teach them. Well by that time it’s about 30 degrees outside. That was a frustrating part, so I ended up retiring at 62 because I felt like I couldn’t give the kids what I really wanted to give them.
Let’s talk about that Consulting and Training Services portion of your company GM-CATS. Who does that involve and how does it work?
Right now I’ve got a couple of small businesses under my wing and I’m actually working with them hands-on, going out to the job site with them. There’s a lot of little things, trade secrets that you learn. At the same time I’m teaching them the different type of grasses, different type of weeds, different safety precautions they need to implement. Because I worked for insurance for three years as a claim representative, and one of the things I did all day long was to investigate accidents, that has come in handy because when I got into the lawn care industry, there were a lot of safety issues in this field.
I’m also working with a man, Mr. Bob Argabright. He has an outdoor learning center on south side. It’s called the Oak GroveBellemeade Outdoor Learning Center. He developed this himself, so it’s really an outdoor classroom and I’ve helped him and volunteered, but we’re hoping to set up an even more polished program next year at that outdoor learning center. He has primarily middle school kids coming to the outdoor learning center. And that’s where you can get the students interested. They have a garden there, about five or six chickens, a little creek where they check the water, look at the guppies, a beaver playground. Just kids enjoying the outdoors, the bird watching, that sort of thing and I’m involved in that.
When students can link theory with hands-on application, then the theory has a bigger impact. For example, I have a college degree, and that’s good, and I have academia behind me, but I end up doing blue collar work. But I truly understand how those two mesh, and really you can enjoy both of those worlds, academia versus the trades world. But I think there’s a separation in those two areas that sometimes we get mixed up in seeing how closely they are related.
What motivated you to join the VTC board?
Tom and I go back a few years. It started probably around 2005 or 2006, and one of the things I did with students was take them on field trips. I called up Tom at the spur of the moment, about the winter conference in Fredericksburg. I talked to him on the phone and he said, “Bring your kids on up, don’t worry about it, just bring them up.” I brought my kids and they had a blast. I thanked him so much because it was the last minute and he didn’t charge the kids, he didn’t charge me. I had maybe 15 kids and they got to tour all the different things. So that’s when our relationship really started, and after that from time to time we would talk.
Last year we did a project together in Petersburg, and he worked me really good. But it was a fun project and we really got to know each other more and he asked me to be on the board. I wasn’t seeking to be on any board, but he asked me. I like what they’re doing and I know some of the people on the board, and I said okay, I’ll do it.
What do you hope comes from this relationship that you have with VTC?
I think my niche as an African American is to bring that to our community. There’s very few in the field of horticulture that I know of, and I think a lot of things have happened to cause a lot of people to disdain this field. The results of what happened years ago, the “I’m not going to get my hands dirty,” sometimes even a slavery-type mentality. I think I have to be the one to show them, this is fun. It’s almost like there’s a stigma on people who get their hands dirty outside. I want to make sure that I share with people that it’s okay to get dirty. Especially to people of color – it’s okay. You don’t have to have a tie and suit and an office. You can work outside, and you can have a good living and have a lot of fun. I think that’s part of my niche. And just because you have a college degree or don’t have a college degree, you can still do this kind of work. I just finished the professional turfgrass manager program at Virginia Tech, and that was the hardest course I’ve taken, even in all my college courses. I want people to know that it’s not about getting somebody who can just grab a lawn mower and pull it and that’s it. It’s a lot more involved. I go back to wanting to help educate the public that there are so many careers and advantages of going into this agriculture or horticulture field.
What do you do outside of work?
I’ve got a lovely wife of 47 years and I have two grown children, ages 40 and 38. I have three grandchildren, ages 3, 4, and 7 and I have a blast with them.
I’m always picking at my wife. I just pick and we have a lot of fun back and forth. Besides that, I spend a lot of time in church, I’m a Sunday School teacher. I taught ages 6–10 for probably the last ten years. I enjoy the church and the spiritual part of my life.
I am preparing now to take a lifeguard certification. I enjoy swimming, that’s something that I hadn’t planned on doing but I enjoy swimming now. I just learned how to do the flip turn not too long ago. I’ve got a certification coming up in May – it’s a physical challenge for me to do some of the things they ask me to do. I’m still involved in music. I have an instrumental ensemble I’m in charge of at my church. I play a lot of table tennis, I’ve been a part of the Virginia Senior Games for the last ten years or so.
Right before the pandemic, I found a good deal on a pool table, put it in my basement and I love it. If I were teaching math, I would work with my kids on different angles and different things that I’ve learned about math through pool. One of my teachers said, “It’s not what you do in life as your real job, it’s what you do in your leisure time.” What she was basically saying was how your leisure time is going to determine really a big part of the quality of your life. Certainly I am fulfilled, I love those things and I take time out for them, for swimming and ping pong and just having
some fun. Don’t just work, work, work, work. I think that’s very important. And family time is extremely important to me.
What would your advice be for younger people in the industry?
One of the things that changed my life was a scripture, it’s Matthew 6:33 in the Bible. It says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” I didn’t really understand that scripture for a while, but I began to look at that and what does that really mean? Because life, if you’re not careful, can be a rat race. You’re just running, running, trying to climb the ladder of success. I had to put the brakes on a lot of things and say what does this mean? I began to study the Bible and get some understanding. I grew up in the church and I began to get some understanding of life and the things that are important. I began to set some priorities and my relationship with the Lord, with understanding the Bible and implementing and then having a strong relationship with my wife was so important, my family. You can have success in business and all these things and you lose out on family, it’s tough.
Now at 70, I’m having a blast with my wife, my kids, my grandkids. My mother will be 100 this year, I’m at her house right now. It’s fulfillment. As I get older, it’s not like, “Oh my goodness, I’m getting older.” I want to make sure that I pass on the lessons I’ve learned in life.
The other thing I’ll say is America has become, if we’re not careful, the racial divide and tensions we’ve seen the last few years – people just need to talk. We integrated the schools in 1964. There’s an article that was in the state paper down in South Carolina that says, “South Carolina Schools Integrate Quietly.” It had a picture of my dad, my brother and myself with one other person on the front page of the paper. I remember those days. I learned a lot; it was tough, but I learned a lot about people and that has helped me now in dealing with people, no matter what color, religion, you deal with people. And if you size up people and you don’t really know them, you don’t know what you’re missing. I think that life has it’s challenges, but if you’re open to learn and be accepting of new ideas, you can have a great time.
WORKERS WHAT’S WITH THESE DAYS?
By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM
ore and more managers are questioning why it seems the labor force is so different than it used to be. While some want to blame generational shifts in thinking, the reality is far more a product of our current economy. Here’s why workers today are more demanding and what they really want in a job.
To start, workers can afford to be much more selective in where they choose to work. As of August 2021, there are 10.1 million open jobs and only 8.7 million people on unemployment in the United States. With more jobs than people, there is very little risk with choosing to look elsewhere for a job if workers don’t feel valued or don’t see a future with an organization. Quite simply, the days of workers gratefully working for a paycheck to meet their needs are long gone when competition for employees is so dire.
Workers also are seeking more money because it has become increasingly expensive to live. Since 2015, there has been a cumulative price increase of over 15% in consumer goods, and it’s on the rise. And a livable wage, that is the wage required to cover all basic necessities like housing, food, healthcare, and other essentials, is often two to three times the minimum wage in a given county, depending on the number of dependents supported. If employees are supposed to be grateful for a paycheck, then that paycheck needs to be enough to provide for them to live comfortably.
But paying enough money for employees to afford to live is not a competitive advantage. Whereas previous generations found meaning in their communities and families, today’s workforce is seeking purpose in their jobs. They want to feel like they are contributing positively and making a difference through the work they do every day. And yet, only 34% of employees have even heard a story about how their company impacted a customer to improve their business or life.
When I used to hire hundreds of seasonal workers to shovel snow in New England, I found success not by offering more pay or benefits than competitors but by inspiring my people with purpose. We shoveled snow at utility providers to ensure that our entire community had heat and electricity despite the worst winters on record. We cleared supermarkets and pharmacies so that the people in our communities could get the groceries and medication they needed to survive. We knew that successfully doing our job meant saving lives and enabling society to function no matter what Mother Nature had in store.
In addition, we focused on growth and development opportunities because it’s currently the number one factor when choosing a job for employees today. The best recruiters are those who had risen through the ranks of the organization themselves. Their story became an inspiration for employees who wanted to achieve their own dreams. Whatever their purpose – buying a home, having a family they could provide for, finding respect of their colleagues, or achieving mastery of their craft – they could achieve through the opportunities provided.
Yet the most critical desire of workers today is a manager who makes them feel valued. More than just a seat on the bus, employees want to have their ideas heard and considered. The best organizations provide opportunities for employees to voice opinions and then honestly consider, refine, and utilize them. It should be no surprise that at least 70% of a worker’s engagement is directly based on their manager.
If you’re trying to hire and retain staff, it’s time to consider having more conversations with your employees about why your organization exists, how they can play a role in success, what their future could look like, and how it can be achieved as a team. I prefer to have weekly coaching conversations with the people I manage and set formal goals with them quarterly. It’s a collaborative, and time-consuming, process, but it’s also the top reason people want to and continue work for me. In fact, my employees often tell me that our coaching conversations are their favorite part of the job. And I know you can do it too.
After one test drive on this incredibly agile, yet power packed tractor, there is no doubt that you will discover the value the Ventrac 4520 has to offer you. If your grounds require year round maintenance, then you need equipment that can work year round. Ventrac is uniquely designed to be the one tool that can do many seasonal tasks, with results that meet the highest expectations.
After one test drive on this incredibly agile, yet power packed tractor, there is no doubt that you will discover the value the Ventrac 4520 has to offer you. If your grounds require year round maintenance, then you need equipment that can work year round. Ventrac is uniquely designed to be the one tool that can do many seasonal tasks, with results that meet the highest expectations.
