The Scoop Online - January 2018 by Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association

Your Website’s Homepage Success at Town Halls

Also Inside

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

Scholarship Recipients 2018 Policy Survey MDA Update

The History and Management of the

JAPANESE BEETLE

Vol: 41 No: 01 Jan 2018 january 18 MNLA .biz 1 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I N N E S O TA N U R S E R Y & L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

Volume 41 No. 01 Jan 2018

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

CONTENTS 16

46 31 IN THIS ISSUE 8

Events

10 Thank you President Herman Roerick thanks members for their support during his years in leadership.

24 2018 Policy Survey Review highlights of the 2018 Policy Survey with MNLA Government Affairs Director Larry Johnson.

13 16 Words I Don’t Want to See on Your Website’s Homepage Chris Heiler explains why the primary objective of your website should be to convert visitors into sales leads.  16

Landscapes and Crops Walloped by Japanese Beetles

26 MNLA Foundation Contribution Report Thank you to all those who supported the MNLA Foundation in 2017. 38 MDA Update Read the 2017 Nursery Inspection Summary report. 46 Scholarship Recipients

Learn from Dr. Vera Krischik solutions for this increasingly prevalent pest in

The future of the industry is bright — learn

Minnesota.    

about the 2017–2018 MNLA Foundation Scholarship recipients.

31 Hardscape Selection Derek Tweten explores the considerations for including hardscape in landscape projects. 

35 Running to Stand Still Mature trees are removed from building sites and “replacement” trees often go in afterwards. Will they have the same benefit?   

Eight Simple Rules for Success at a Town Hall Meeting Larry Johnson gives tips on how to get the most out of your local town hall meeting with legislators. 

 Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Management  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Management  Arborists & Tree Services  All

53 New MNLA Members 54 Green Industry Leadership Training Interested in leadership development for you or your employees? Check out this MNLA program that will help! The Scoop, January 2018, Issue 1, is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2018, and may not be used without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113. Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact the publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987. MNLA reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

january 18

MNLA .biz

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here! 1813 Lexington Ave. N. Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987 • Fax: 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, Fax: 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz • www.NorthernGreen.org

MISSION: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

herman roerick, president

AD LIST A Top Notch Equipment ................................................................................... 12 All Stone Solutions ........................................................................................... 43 Anderson Nurseries, Inc. .................................................................................. 11 Arborjet ............................................................................................................ 25 Bullis Insurance Agency .................................................................................... 19 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ..................................................... 19 Central Landscape Supply................................................................................. 15 COWSMO, INC. ............................................................................................... 15 CST Distribution, LLC ....................................................................................... 14

Central Landscape Supply 320-252-1601 • hermanr@centrallandscape.com

Cushman Motor Co. Inc ................................................................................... 32

scott frampton, vice-president

Dayton Bag & Burlap ........................................................................................ 12

Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 • sframpton@landscaperenovations.com

tim malooly, cid, clia, cic, secretary-treasurer Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com

randy berg, mnla-cp

Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com

matt mallas

Hedberg Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@hedbergaggregates.com

mike mcnamara

Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscaping 651-437-9463 • mike.mcnamara@hoffmanandmcnamara.com

john o'reilly

Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com

jeff pilla, mnla-cp

Bachman’s, Inc. 612-861-7600 • jpilla@bachmans.com

nick sargent

Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com

cassie larson, cae

MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz

STAFF DIRECTORY

executive director:

Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz

membership director & trade show manager:

Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz communications dir.: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz education/cert. manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Government Affairs Dir: Larry Johnson • larry@mnla.biz

regulatory affairs manager: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz administrative asst.: Gayle Anderson • gayle@mnla.biz accountant: Kris Peterson • kris@mnla.biz foundation program coordinator: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz

advertising sales: 952-934-2891 / 763-295-5420

Faith Jensen, Advertising Rep • faith@pierreproductions.com Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com legislative affairs consultant: Doug Carnival

MNLA .biz

january 18

Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................................. 14 Farber Bag & Supply Co. ...................................................................................11 Fury Motors ...................................................................................................... 51 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .................................................. 2 Glacial Ridge Growers ...................................................................................... 53 GM Fleet and Commercial ................................................................................. 3 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies .......................................................... 4 Hiway Federal Credit Union ............................................................................. 33 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................................. 28–29 Jokela Power Equipment .................................................................................. 30 Lano Equipment, Inc. ....................................................................................... 18 Maguire Agency ............................................................................................... 11 McKay Nursery Co. ........................................................................................... 12 Midwest Transmission Center / DBA Clutch & U-joint Proven Force ............... 53 Minnesota State Horticultural Society .............................................................. 12 Northern Family Farms .................................................................................... 41 Out Back Nursery ............................................................................................. 18 Plaisted Companies ............................................................................................ 7 RDO Equipment Co. ........................................................................................ 25 Resultants for Business, Inc. (RFB) .................................................................... 32 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................................... 11 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility .................................................................... 34 Sylva Corporation Inc. ...................................................................................... 22 The Builders Group .......................................................................................... 30 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. ........................................................................................ 40 Truck Utilities, Inc. ............................................................................................. 34 Unilock .............................................................................................................. 52 Versa-Lok Midwest ........................................................................................... 45 Ziegler CAT ......................................................................................... Back Cover

Volume 41 No. 01 Jan 2018

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

➾ C ALE N DAR

JAN 25–27

JAN 15–18

NALP LEADERS FORUM

countymaterials.com County Materials is hosting these ICPI and NCMA seminars that are open to construction and landscape industry professionals.

MAR13

MAR19

TURFGRASS MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP

MASTERING FOREMANSHIP TRAINING (ILCA CERTIFIED WORKSHOP)

MNLA.biz Learn best management practices for lawn/turf maintenance, and earn Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Level 1 Certification for turfgrass maintenance best management practices.

MNLA .biz

january 18

➾

Roseville, MN

TIFIE

➾ AL

O PR

NALP’s premier executivelevel conference for landscape and lawn care company owners, senior executives and emerging leaders. If you want to take your leadership skills to the next level — and move your business to the next level — this conference is for you.

MNLA CERTIFICATION EXAM Roseville, MN

landscapeprofessionals.org

Minneapolis, MN

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

➾

ICPI AND NCMA COURSES HOSTED BY COUNTY MATERIALS

FEB 2, 9, 16 MNLA.biz

SSIO

Prove what you know and take the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional in 2018!

MAR 21–22 ➾

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP & EXAM MDA, St. Paul

Location TBD

MNLA.biz

Prepare for the Category A & E Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam by attending this 1 ½ day study program. Day 2 includes testing, if desired.

In this dynamic seminar, foremen learn how to more effectively handle tight deadlines, tight margins and increase customer satisfaction.

2018 MNLA seminars generously supported by:

FEB23

➾

GERTENS SPRING EXPO Mystic Lake, Shakopee

APR9–10

APR4–5 ➾

Bachman’sWholesale.com The annual open house incudes: a vendor fair, seminars, and tours.

MNLA.biz Prepare for the Category A & E Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam by attending this 1½ day study program. Day 2 includes testing, if desired.

➾

Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes, Farmington,

MDA, St. Paul

St. Paul This annual government affairs event is an opportunity to make personal connections with legislators that will provide greater political strength to MNLA as an organization and, thus, ultimately to your business.

Prove what you know and take the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional in 2018!

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP & EXAM

GREEN INDUSTRY DAY ON THE HILL MNLA.biz

MNLA.biz

Join us for a day filled with education, demos & discounts!

BACHMAN’S ANNUAL SPRING OPEN HOUSE

➾

MNLA CERTIFICATION EXAM Roseville, MN

Gertens.com

MAR28

MAR7

MAR 2, 16, 23

➾

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP & EXAM MDA, St. Paul MNLA.biz Prepare for the Category A & E Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam by attending this 1½ day study program. Day 2 includes testing, if desired.

KEY:

Non-MNLA Event MNLA Education/Event

➾

All information on these and other industry events are online at MNLA.biz. january 18

MNLA .biz

➾ F R OM THE PRESIDEN T

Dear MNLA members, It has been my pleasure to serve as your president for the past two years, and it is hard to believe that my term is coming to an end.

Herman Roerick MNLA President

MNLA .biz

I have seen many positive changes over the past eleven years in this organization; from the change of executive directors, committees, as well as our task teams. I am very grateful to have worked closely with MNLA’s board members, and the succession of six different presidents has really shaped the organization into a successful team of people. Throughout my term, I’ve worked at the beginning of two very large projects that helped the organization grow, including the interior improvements of MNLA’s Roseville office, which has become more functional for the staff, committees, and board meetings; and the beginning of the exterior improvements to the office as well. As of right now, we are in the midst of the exterior project, and I will continue to serve on this committee to see the project through. While serving as president, I have been very fortunate to have worked with Cassie Larson and her staff. They have been so dedicated to the MNLA members since Mr. Fitch left his position, and have done this in such a manner that we can feel confident that the association will always have a strong and solid presence with everyone involved. I want to thank everyone on the board as well for their confidence in my leadership, and for their efforts that have led to many successful projects.

january 18

I look forward to seeing many of you at Northern Green 2018. This event is such a great place to meet others in the field, and to join in discussions with the speakers. From the tradeshow itself, to the education, events, campfire hangouts, awards and networking, there is always something for everyone to enjoy! To the members of this organization, I would like to thank you for your dedication and all you do to support this industry and association. Without your support we would not have the association that we have today, nor the successful partnership between organization and business, and I am grateful for your commitment to the MNLA. In closing, I want to end my term as your president with one of my favorite quotes (an old Chinese proverb), “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.” For the final time, thank you all for your support and dedication … keep planting trees. Your MNLA President, Herman Roerick

HERMAN ROERICK can

be reached at:

hermanr@centrallandscape.com.

BRIAN FERGASON, CPCU 651.635.2781 612.247.7346 Cell bfergason@maguireagency.com www.maguireagency.com 1970 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 300 Roseville, MN 55113

Become a Discount Partner

NORTHERN GROWN. QUALITY PLANTS. DIRECT DELIVERY.

and watch your sales grow!

Join 120+ regional businesses offering Minnesota State Horticultural Society members discounts on merchandise and services.

You set the discount—we advertise it for you.

Your Abundant Plant Source for Healthy: ▪ Balled & Burlapped ▪ Container Grown ▪ Bare-Root ▪ Shade Trees ▪ Ornamental Trees ▪ Deciduous Shrubs ▪ Evergreens ▪ Liners

JOIN NOW

for $200 $150 C O L O R

I T

G R E E N™

Casey Rufener: 800.236.4242 Troy Green: 218.230.3223

P.O. Box 185, 750 South Monroe Street, Waterloo, WI 53594 800-236-4242 ▪ Fax: 920-478-3615 ▪ www.mckaynursery.com

Hurry! Offer expires Feb. 1, 2018. Join online at northerngardener.org/membership-discount-partners Questions? Call 1-800-676-6747, email bswee@northerngardener.org, or visit MSHS at Northern Green, aisle 1800.

a nonprofit organization

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

16 WORDS I DON’T WANT TO SEE ON YOUR

WEBSITE’S HOMEPAGE

The purpose of your company’s website is to convert visitors into sales qualified leads. Everything else is secondary to this objective.

Chris Heiler | Landscape Leadership

january 18

MNLA .biz

➾ W E B M A RKE T I N G

ith this objective in mind comes this observation: You are leaving

millions of dollars on the table because of poor word selection on your website’s homepage. The all-too-common green

industry hyperbole splattered across your homepage lacks clarity. It’s unnecessarily confusing your visitors and forcing their squirrel brains to work overtime. So they leave. Without giving you a dime. How to speak to your prospect’s squirrel brains

I’ve personally reviewed hundreds of lawn and landscape industry websites over the last eight years as part of our Total Marketing Review. I’ve found that lack of clarity in your messaging is your biggest obstacle to generating more customers directly from your website. It’s not your website’s design, or how it’s organized, or how it’s optimized for search engines. The main problem is how you are talking to your visitors. The solution begins by eliminating unnecessary and harmful words from your homepage. Using pronouns properly

“We will...” We offer...” “Trust us to...” Cut the “we” from your homepage. First person lingo is fine in your bios, not on 14

MNLA .biz

january 18

your homepage where you need to speak directly to your prospect’s pain. And, minimize the use of “you.” “You” is overused by companies who don’t know exactly who their audience is, so they try to appeal to everybody. Consider these two homepage headlines: • “We help you create the landscape of your dreams” • “Landscaping services for hospitals and healthcare systems throughout Nashville” Can you guess which one is addressing everyone on the planet? Force yourself to be more specific in who you are talking to on your homepage. (This starts with fine-tuning your positioning.) Doing everything

Companies who tout themselves as “full-service” do so because they are undifferentiated from their competitors. Full-service says to your prospects, “We do everything.” Which, in your prospect’s mind, translates roughly to, “They do nothing well.” You may very well offer “full-service”, and deliver it with excellence, but that does not mean this attribute should be advertised on your company’s homepage. • • • • •

Drop the descriptors Custom Creative Committed Professional

• • • • •

Experienced Dependable Friendly Certified Award winning

These adjectives do not speak to your prospect’s pain. They describe how great you think you are. Side note: I spotted these nine adjectives on the homepages of just two websites. How many are on yours? You may have important certifications. You may have won prestigious awards. Talk about this elsewhere, not on your homepage. Avoid talking about: • Integrity • Superior customer service

• Value • Quality

COWSMO THE FINEST QUALITY ORGANIC COMPOST

These words are meaningless to your prospects because there is no proponent for the opposite position. Think about that carefully. Do you know of any company who stands for “unquality?” Does your competition tout themselves as being “undependable” or offering “inferior customer service?” Is there a landscape that is “not custom?” You are touting traits that are expected. Packages for retail, and bulk for larger projects.

Wrap up

When you confuse, you lose. And right now you’re losing millions of dollars in potential revenue because of poor messaging on your homepage. I’m assuming you would like these dollars in your bank account instead.

CHRIS HEILER

is founder and CEO of Landscape Leadership.

This article originally appeared on the Landscape Leadership blog. Visit www.LandscapeLeadership.com for more candid insight into growing a green industry business.

Healthy Soil = Abundant Growth Our organic, manure-based Compost and Potting Soils will work hard for you by:

• Adding nutrients, organic matter, and living microorganisms to promote soil health • Suppressing weeds and improving soil texture Visit our website or call to find out which product is right for you:

Cochrane, WI • cowsmocompost.com • 608-626-2571 january 18

MNLA .biz

â&#x17E;¾ JAPA NESE BEETLES

LANDSCAPES AND CROPS IN MINNESOTA

JAPANESE BEETLES

MNLA .biz

january 18

WALLOPED BY

Vera Krischik | University of Minnesota, Department Entomology

Note: This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Research for the Real World article is generously provided by Dr. Vera Krischik, Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota. As most nursery and landscape professionals are well aware, Japanese beetles are a growing concern in Minnesota landscapes, as well as for a variety of horticultural and agronomic crops grown in the state, including nursery crops, turf, fruit crops like grapes and raspberries, and even corn and soybeans. Clearly, improved methods of managing these destructive pests in a safe, effective, and cost-effective manner without harming the environment, including other non-target insects such as bees and other pollinators, are needed. Dr. Krischikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research and extension activities, including the Center for Urban Ecosystems and Sustainability (CUES) website (http://cues.cfans. umn.edu/), which promotes sustainable landscape management practices, including integrated pest management (IPM) that employs cultural, biological, and chemical tactics to manage pest insects while conserving pollinators and beneficial insects, are helping our industry manage landscape and nursery pests. This knowledge is also useful in helping industry professionals educate the public about proper landscape plant selection and landscape management, including the management of invasive pests like Japanese beetle. All aspects of our industry benefit from industry-specific research and the researchbased information described herein is an example of the type of research that benefits the nursery and landscape industry and its customers. We thank Vera for her passion and dedication to research and education focused on effective insect pest management in greenhouse, nursery, and landscape systems and for accepting our invitation to share her research and perspectives. Dr. James Calkins, Research Information Director MNLA Foundation

Figure 1. Japanese beetle attracted to grapes and other vines like morning glories, Virginia creeper, and Boston ivy (Image Credit: David L. Clement, University of Maryland; Insect Images, Bugwood.org).

january 18

MNLA .biz

➾ J A PA N E S E BE E T L E S

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

Figure 2. The leaves and flowers of roses are a favorite snack for Japanese beetles (Image Credit: European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization; Insect Images, Bugwood.org and M.G. Klein, USDA Agricultural Research Service; Insect Images, Bugwood.org, respectively).

Why Japanese Beetle is a Pest in Minnesota

Native Minnesota Woody & Herbaceous (651) 438-2771 • Fax (651) 438-3816

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs 18

MNLA .biz

january 18

Japanese beetle (JB), Popillia japonica, was first detected in 1916 in Riverton, New Jersey. Since 1916, JB has spread, arriving in Minnesota in the 1990’s. Increasingly warm springs are leading to increased JB numbers. The insect’s spread is apparently governed by temperature and precipitation. The beetle is best adapted to a region where the mean summer soil temperature is between 64° and 82°F and winter soil temperatures are above 15°F. With recent warmer temperatures in April and May in Minnesota, more grubs are surviving and we see increased populations of JB adults in July when they emerge in Minnesota. Since 2015 in Minnesota, JB adult population numbers have been very high, with lots of defoliation on lindens, birches, crabapples, apples, roses, vines, corn, soybeans, grapes, blueberries, and raspberries, to name a few of the hosts. The adults feed on the foliage of over 300 plant species. The grubs feed on the roots of grasses, corn included. The eggs hatch in July and August and feed on grass roots until frost. In May in Minnesota they move back to the grass roots and feed. In June, they enter into a pupal stage that transforms

into the adults. Adults merge from the soil in Minnesota early July. Activity is most intense over a 6 to 8 week period, after which the beetles gradually die off. Individual beetles live about 60 days. Over 2 months, females can lay a total of 60 eggs. Adults usually feed in groups, starting at the top of a plant and working downward, and prefer plants that are in direct sunlight. Odors emitted from beetle-damaged leaves seem to be an important factor in the aggregation of beetles on particular food plants. The volatiles from the feeding call other beetles to the group. Adults feed on the upper surface of foliage, chewing out tissue between the veins. This gives the leaf a lacelike or skeletonized appearance. Trees that have been severely injured appear to have been scorched by fire. Japanese beetles may completely consume rose petals and leaves with delicate veins. Adult Japanese beetles are highly mobile and can infest new areas from several miles away. At dusk, JB adults move to grasses to lay eggs. Since 1980, JB numbers have been very low in the Eastern US, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Some scientists have tried to understand this. The best answer is that there are, in the east, soil-inhabiting pathogens that kill the grubs such as Stictospora villani and Ovavesicula popilliae. However, grub numbers must be persistent in the same soil for years for the pathogens to increase in sufficient amount to manage the grubs. These pathogens were collected from the East and released by researches from Michigan State University and the University of Arkansas. In both states, the beetles established and increased the mortality of grubs. In addition, new bacterial and fungal pesticides may offer good JB grub control, such as GrubBgone, Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae, and insect-killing nematodes. Other pathogens such as Metarhyzium and Beauveria may offer good control of adults when disseminated by JB traps. We need research in Minnesota to understand the combined effects of these pathogens on reducing JB numbers. JB is a Quarantine Pest

Since introduced, JB have spread throughout most states east of the Mississippi River, with partial infestations west of the Mississippi River in states such as Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains the JB quarantine to protect the agriculture of the western United States and prevent the human-assisted spread of the beetle to the west. The quarantine is in effect in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Interstate shipment is restricted from infested states to non-infested states and plants or turf must be inspected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and given a phytosanitary certificate indicating that they are JB free. In addition, a federal quarantine at airports is designed to reduce the artificial spread of Japanese beetles by aircraft. Researchers now have a method to fingerprint where Japanese beetles come from. Researchers have found a close relationship between the stable hydrogen isotope signature in beetle tissue and local water from 71 sites around the country. Combined with the signatures of water at known sources of Japanese beetles in the East, these results january 18

MNLA .biz

â&#x17E;ž JAPA NESE BEETLES

Table 1. Insecticides for controlling Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica).

Insecticides available for controlling grubs in soil. Insecticide, Chemical Class / (IRA number)*

Timing, benefits

Neonicotinoid grub insecticides It may take a few days to be absorbed systemically and moved throughout the grass, but are effective for weeks. The best time to apply insecticides for grubs is from July until early September. Liquid insecticide sprays should be followed immediately with Â˝ inch of irrigation to move the insecticide into the thatch and root zone. Granular formulations are more practical for low-maintenance turf because they remain stable until rain falls. imidacloprid (Bayer, Merit and many generic products)

Neonicotinoid (4A)

Preventive, low toxicity to mammals.

Arena (Valent, 50% chlothianidin)

Neonicotinoid (4A)

Preventive, low toxicity to mammals.

Meridian (Syngenta, 0.33% thiamethoxam)

Neonicotinoid (4A)

Preventive, low toxicity to mammals.

Zylam (PBI-Gordon, 20% dinotefuran)

Neonicotinoid (4A) very water soluble, so can be diluted by irrigation

Preventive, low toxicity to mammals.

Insecticides available for controlling grubs in soil that are less toxic to pollinators and beneficial insects. Acelepryn G (Syngenta, 0.2% chlorantraniliprole)

Anthranilic Diamide (28)

Preventive, low toxicity to bees and beneficial insects, water before and after.

GrubBgone, Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae

Pathogen

Preventive, low toxicity to bees and beneficial insects, water before and after.

Milky spore disease, Paenibacillus popillia

Pathogen

Does not appear to be effective.

Entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema carpocapsae, S. glaseri, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

Pathogen

Preventive, low toxicity to bees and beneficial insects, Water before and daily after application.

Acelepryn G (Syngenta, 0.2% chlorantraniliprole)

Anthranilic Diamide (28)

Preventive, low toxicity to bees and beneficial insects, water before and after.

Bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin

Pyrethroid (3)

Curative, high toxicity to honeybees, birds, fish. Do not use nearer than 100 yards from water.

carbaryl

Carbamate (1B)

Curative, high toxicity to bees, earthworms; moderately toxic to birds, fish. Do not use adjacent to water.

imidacloprid

Neonicotinoid (4A)

Curative, high toxicity to bees.

Insecticides available for controlling adults.

Consumer insecticides available for controlling grubs in soil. Scotts GrubEx, 0.08% chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn)

Anthranilic Diamide (28)

Preventive, low toxicity to bees and beneficial insects, water before and after.

Ortho Bug B Gon, 0.115% bifenthrin

Pyrethroid (3)

Curative.

Bayer Advanced season-long grub control, 1.47% imidacloprid

Neonicotinoid (4A)

Curative, high toxicity to bees.

Bayer Advanced, 24 hr grub killer plus, 9.3% trichlorofon (Dylox)

Pyrethroid (3)

Curative.

Bayer Advanced, Complete brand insect killer for soil & turf, 0.05% cyfluthrin and 0.15% imidacloprid

Neonicotinoid (4A) and Pyrethroid (3)

Curative.

Spectrazide Triazicide Insect Killer for Lawns, 0.08% gamma-cyhalothrin; Spectrazide Triazicide Insect Killer For Lawns Granules, 0.05% gamma-cyhalothrin

Pyrethroid (3)

Curative.

* The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (www.irac-online.org) has assigned a number for each chemical class. 20

MNLA .biz

january 18

Figure 4. Chickens love to eat Japanese beetle adults which are attracted to water. Some rose growers place traps close to the ground near pans of water and the chickens dance around the traps eating the beetles. Figure 3. In corn, Japanese beetles can feed on leaves, but the most significant damage comes

Not really an option for most, but maybe an

from eating pollen/silks during pollination. Three or more JB per ear are the threshold. Seed

upcoming management tactic in blueberries

treatments of neonicotinoids on roots do not reduce feeding by grubs (Image Credit: Daren Mueller,

and raspberries. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Nickols.

Iowa State University; Insect Images, Bugwood.org).

www.communitychickens.com/beetles-berries-and-buffs)

provide a sort of geographic fingerprint to determine where a beetle is from. Also, researchers can use nitrogen isotope analysis to determine 15N signatures, a ratio between two naturally occurring stable isotopes of nitrogen (14N and 15N). When insects feed on plant material, they incorporate nitrogen into their tissues, and are essentially “marked” with the isotopic signature of the plant. Avoid Using Japanese Beetle Pheromone Traps

Commercially available pheromone traps contain a synthetically made “sex pheromone” and plant products (eugenol, geraniol, and phenethyl propionate). However, the traps work so well that they attract thousands of beetles that miss the traps and fly onto the foliage and defoliate it and worse lay eggs in the turf. New Products for Controlling Japanese Beetle Adults and Grubs

Two new products have arrived to help control grubs and adults. One is “GrubBgone” (Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae) and many who have tried it say that it works on masked chafers, Phyllophaga and JB. “Grub-

Bgone” is exempt from a four-hour REI (re-entry interval). However, you need to purchase it early as it sells out. The second new product is called Acelepryn (AI, chlorantranilitropole) and controls grubs in the soil and adults on ornamentals. It provides excellent, season-long grub control with an application in April or May. However, Acelepryn is more than just outstanding grub control. That same application for grubs will control many surface feeding pests, including cutworms, sod webworms, fall armyworms, billbugs, and annual bluegrass weevil. This unique chemical has a very low vertebrate toxicity and does not require a signal word on the label. It is effective on many landscape pests and can be used as a foliar spray or drench to provide translaminar and systemic plant protection. Acelepryn is less toxic to bees and other beneficial insects. It takes about four weeks to be taken up by the roots. Studies at Purdue demonstrated that July application killed 100% of white grubs (https://turf.purdue. edu/report/2012/PDF/13_ENTM_JBeetle1. pdf ). Acelepryn is available to homeowners as the Scott product called “Grubex.” It has no adverse effects on beneficial insects and bees nesting in the ground or on the plant.

Japanese Beetle Biocontrol

There are two biological control agents, the fly, Istocheta aldrichi, and the tiphid wasp, Tiphia vernalis, which the MDA released in the early 1990s, but they do not control JB infestations. JB is controlled in the eastern US by soil-inhabiting protozoans that are not present in Minnesota. Research in Michigan, Arkansas, and Kansas have centered on the establishment of two soil microsporidian pathogens of Japanese beetle grubs, Ovavesicula popilliae and Stictospora sp. Stictospora was found at most locations in Michigan (25/36) where Japanese beetle infestations have been active for more than 20 years, but was scarce or absent from areas where Japanese beetle has become established in the last 10 years. Stictospora infects both the larvae and adults. Infection initially develops in the Malpighian tubules of the larvae, but becomes systemic in infected adults. O. popilliae has been used as a biological control agent for the Japanese beetle and has been shown to be detrimental to both larval and adult beetles through an increase in larval winter mortality. Japanese beetles become infected with O. popilliae when larvae ingest spores. When infected larvae survive to adulthood, the infection january 18

MNLA .biz

â&#x17E;ž JAPA NESE BEETLES

may be carried with it through pupation. Adult beetles are capable of traveling over 8 km in a single flight, and thus represent a highly mobile stage of infected hosts. Ovavesicula popilliae infection on Japanese beetle populations was measured by determining the survival of grubs from fall of 2005 to spring of 2006. At golf courses where more than 25% of the grubs were found to be infected, the decrease in grub density from fall to spring was 57.4% compared with 28.2% at sites where no O. popilliae was found. When the observed reduction of egg production in infected females is added to grub survival rates at sites where O. popilliae is active, Japanese beetle populations could decline 67% or more per year when compared with sites without O. popilliae. Since the two biological control agents, the fly Istocheta aldrichi and the tiphid wasp, Tiphia vernalis, do not control infestations, in Minnesota we should think about developing some management program with traps baited with pathogens and dissemination of O.popilliae in golf courses. The University of Minnesota hopes to perform future research to control white grubs in soil with pathogens. Something to think about. Japanese Beetle Management with Insecticides

Timing of pesticide treatment is important. Insecticides for grubs can be applied from

Figure 5. Japanese beetle adults are strongly attracted to soybean plants and defoliate the leaves especially on the edges of fields. JB can overwinter as grubs on the roots of grasses in corn and soybean fields (Image Credit: USDA Agricultural Research Service; Insect Images, Bugwood.org).

May through mid-June, when recently overwintered grubs (larvae) start feeding. However, these grubs are large and may be difficult to kill. Starting in mid-June, most grubs are in the pupal stage and insecticides are not effective. In early July, adults emerge to feed on plants, mate, and then at night fly to grass to lay eggs. The best time to apply insecticides for grubs is from mid-July until early September. Liquid insecticide sprays should be followed immediately with 1/2 inch of irrigation to move the insecticide into the thatch and root zone. Granular formulations are more practical for low-maintenance turf because they remain stable until rain falls. Management of newly hatched grubs requires insecticide application in July through September. Applications in September will kill grubs if the soil temperature remains above 50 degrees F for two weeks, but these grubs are larger and more difficult to kill. Environmentally friendly insecticides that do not kill predatory insects or bees, such as chloran-

traniliprole (Acelepryn) can be used in May through July. There are four neonicotinoids currently available in turf. All of them are systemic and move from the roots and blades through the entire grass plant. Applications of imidacloprid made before early June may not provide level of control of the late summer grubs that was observed when it first appeared on the market. Recent field trials suggest that chlothianidin and thiamethoxam have longer residual activity than does imidacloprid. However, I would try the granular formulation of imidacloprid, which takes longer to dissolve than the flowable formulation and is less subject to runoff. If you apply imidacloprid in May at the maximum rate of 0.4lb/acre, then your second application in late July can be another neonicotinyl such as thiamethoxam (Meridian) or clothianidin (Aloft, Arena). Care should be taken when using any neonicotinoid to avoid applications when honeybees are foraging, such as when clover or Creeping Charlie are in bloom.

DR. KRISCHIK

can be reached at krisc001@umn.

edu or 612-625-7044. To comment on this research update, suggest research topics of interest, or pass along a piece of researchbased information that might be of interest to your industry colleagues, please email us at Research@MNLA.biz.

january 18

MNLA .biz

➾ G OV E RN MEN T AFFAI R S

MNLA 2018 Policy Survey: Results Are In! Last year, after the turbulent 2016 elections, the MNLA Government Affairs team distributed a survey to members with a comprehensive list of the policy priorities that were identified heading into the 2017 legislative session. Working from the success of that effort, MNLA drafted another survey last fall and asked members to respond to 20 questions on issues ranging from Emerald Ash Borer remediation funding to legislation offering Larry Johnson liability protection to salt applicators. Although the outGovernment Affairs Director look for any movement during the 2018 session is still a bit murky, MNLA is pleased to have a clear message on its priorities for the legislative session once it begins in February. Below is a breakdown of some of the trends that were tracked with the help of your survey responses. Of all the questions posed in our comprehensive survey, three rose to the top of respondents’ list of policy priorities — local workplace regulations, sales and use tax reform, and temporary worker visa programs. In the local policy section of the survey, a question was asked “when thinking about labor laws and regulations, do you believe local governments (e.g. City Councils) should advance local workplace regulations such as a local minimum wage, local paid sick time, local parental leave, etc.”? The clear majority of respondents at 75% responded “no,” while only 11% responded “yes.” Five percent of respondents indicated that they needed additional information and 7% were neutral on the issue. When members were asked, “When thinking about sales and use tax compliance and reporting among green

MNLA .biz

january 18

industry businesses, do you believe the current structure should be reformed?” Forty-six percent said “yes,” with only 9% saying “no,” and 33% saying they needed more information. Finally, in the federal policy section of the survey, we asked, “When thinking about national labor issues, do you believe that reforming the structure of temporary worker visa programs (i.e. H-2A, H-2B) should be a priority in addressing the workforce shortage within the green industry?” An overwhelming 73% responded “yes,” 10% reported “no,” and 4% needed more information. As you know, this issue is a key point of discussion on Capitol Hill and is being addressed in several different ways via multiple bills currently in consideration. We want to thank all MNLA members who took time to complete this survey thoroughly. There were more respondents this time over last year’s first-ever survey and your answers are vital for us as we work to represent your views and concerns in different municipal, legislative, and congressional arenas here in Minnesota and in Washington DC.

LARRY JOHNSON can

be reached at: larry@mnla.biz.

RevolutionaRy

Plant health

Soil & Water Management

SolutionS FRom Soil to cRown

Trunk Injected Insect & Disease Control Since 1999, Arborjet has provided advanced solutions to meet a variety of your tree and plant health care needs. From TREE-äge® G4 systemic insecticide to Shortstop® plant growth regulator, no matter your challenge, Arborjet is here for you.

Find us at Northern Green Expo: Booth# 513

When it’s time to get to work...

RDO DOES THAT.

Request a quote and be entered to

WIN A TOPCON RL-H4C LASER GET A QUOTE at RDOEQUIPMENT.COM or contact Jesse Miller JMiller@rdoequipment.com 612.202.6906

BLOOMINGTON • BROOKLYN PARK BURNSVILLE • MARSHALL • MOORHEAD NORTH MANKATO • ROCHESTER SAUK RAPIDS Receive one entry with a completed quote request of a John Deere Skid Steer, Compact Track Loader, Wheel Loader or Compact Excavator. Offer valid from January 1, 2018 until February 28, 2018. Offer limited to one entry per completed quote request. Offer not valid with any other retail discount and subject to availability. Restrictions apply. See dealer for complete details.

MNLA FOUNDATION Thank You to each of you that have supported the MNLA Foundation over this last fiscal year,

September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017. Your generous contributions enable us to continue to provide research information, scholarships, and career outreach that support the green industry in this region both now and into the future. Thank you for showing your dedication through your time and donations.

Individual and Company Donors Bailey Nurseries Foundation Cross Nurseries, Inc. Field Outdoor Spaces, Inc. Robin D. Linder Memorial Scholarship Fund Waldoch Farm Inc. Peterson’s North Branch Mill, Inc. Sustane Natural Fertilizers, Inc. Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. Bumble Bee Landscaping, Inc. Cherokee Manufacturing LLC Patios and More LLC Terry Becker Construction, LLC Impressive Print Dream and Reality Landscape, MN LLC North Metro Companies, LLC

Scholarship Sponsors Arteka Outdoor Services Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes Bailey Nurseries, Inc. Baker Lake Nursery, Inc. Barrett Lawn Care, Inc. Bartlett Tree Experts Countryside Gardens, Inc. Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens and GrowHaus Nursery & Garden Center Hoffman & McNamara Nursery and Landscape Home Sown Gardens, LLC Landscape Renovations, Inc. Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery, Inc. Malmborg’s, Inc. Mickman Brothers, Inc. Natural Creations, Inc. Otten Brothers Garden Center & Landscaping Prescription Landscape, Inc. Robin D. Linder Memorial Scholarship S&S Tree Horticulture Specialists Southview Design Tangletown Gardens, LLC Wilson’s Nursery, Inc.

A great number of companies have shown their support by contributing ¼ of 1% of their purchases at participating industry suppliers in the Research and Education Partners Fund program. This investment into the industry’s future is greatly appreciated.

Contributors 101 Market; Abrahamson Nurseries; Aloha Landscaping; Austin Lake Greenhouse; Bachman’s, Inc.; Bailey Nurseries, Inc.; Barck Residential Lawn & Landscaping; Bartlett Tree Experts; Beiers Quality Nursery & Garden Center; Bergerson - Caswell, Inc.; Berg’s Nursery & Landscaping, Inc.; BFG Supply Company; Cherry Greenhouse; Clem Home & Lawn; Coopers Landscaping; Corbin’s Custom Landscaping; Countryside Gardens, Inc.; Creative Landscape - Mankato; Cross Nurseries; Dan Devereaux Landscaping; Ditch Creek Landscaping; Donahue’s Greenhouse; Earthstone Environments, Inc.; Earthworks Landscape; Architects and Contractors, Inc.; Elmore Nursery; Ely Flower & Seed & Greenhouses; Energyscapes, Inc.; Engwall Florist Greenhouse Garden Center; Envirodesign, Inc.; Estes and Associates; Faribault Growers; Fiedler Landscaping, Inc.; Forest & Floral Garden Center; Fox Landscaping; G&M Tree Moving; Gerten’s Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply; Green Barn Garden Center, Inc.; Greenside, Inc.; Greenworld, Inc.; Hammarlund Nursery, Inc.; Hay Creek/Pestop; Heliotrope Garden Design; Highland Nursery, Inc.; Hoffman & McNamara Nursery and Landscape; Holasek Flower Power Garden Center/Fred Holasek and Son, Inc.; Irrigation By Design, Inc.; Jeff Reisinger Lawn Service, Inc.; Johnson Creek, Inc.; Justin Malecha Landscape Design; Karl’s Landscaping, Inc.; Kerker, Inc.; Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping, Inc.; Kokesh Landscape LLC; Lake Country Gardens; Lake Superior Garden; Lakeland Landscape, Inc.; Landscape Alternatives, Inc.; Landscape Renovations, Inc.; Landscape Techniques; Lifestyle Creations, Inc.; Lilydale Garden Center; Lowes Creek Tree Farm; Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery, Inc.; Malmborg’s Garden Center & Greenhouse; McGuire Landscaping; Mickman Brothers, Inc.; Mierow Landscapes; Minnesota Valley Landscape, Inc.; Natural Surroundings;

Improving the Environment by Investing in Research and Education

Nature’s Way Lawn Service; Nelson Nursery, Inc.; Northeast Tree, Inc.; Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping; Picture Perfect Homes, Inc. dba Picture Perfect Landscapes & Designs; Prairie Restorations, inc.; Precision Landscaping & Construction, Inc.; Premium Quality Trees; Property Upkeep Services; Prospect Hill Gardens, Inc.; R L Reynolds Cont.; River Creek Nursery, Inc.; River Road Greenhouse;

PARTNERS FUND You are encouraged to participate in the Research & Education Partners Fund at one of the participating suppliers recognized below. Your voluntary donation of ¼ of 1% (0.25%) on purchases of plants and other nursery, greenhouse and landscape products at these suppliers is used by the MNLA Foundation to grow a brighter future for the industry. On an invoice totaling $1,000 at one of these suppliers, your contribution will be only $2.50. Your individual contribution is small, but collectively these small contributions will add up to make a real difference!

Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc.; Sargent’s Nursery, Inc.; Scape Creations LLC; Schalow’s Nursery, Inc.; Schrader Enterprises Lawn &

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

Landscape; Schulte’s Greenhouse & Nursery, Inc.; Sticks & Stones

Design; Stockmen’s Greenhouse

L A N D S C A P E + M A S O N RY

& Landscaping; Stonepocket, Inc.; Swedberg Nursery, Inc.; Tangletown Gardens LLC; The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center; The

Chanhassen Distribution Yard 952-445-4088 1-800-477-4123 Fax: 952-445-6219

Tree House; Wagner Greenhouses,

New Germany Growing Range Field Direct Sales Phone & Fax 952-353-2175 Jim's Cell: 612-290-6358

Inc.; Weis Landscaping & Design LLC; Welle Nursery; Wilson’s Nursery, Inc.; Winona Nursery; Winter Greenhouse We’ve made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this list. If your information is incorrect, please contact the MNLA office at 651-633-4987 or mnla@mnla.biz.

Research for the Real World

Career Development & Promotion

Scholarships

2012 CHEVY EXPRESS CARGO VAN

A WORK-READY INCENTIVE THAT WORKS HARD FOR YOU.

2012 CHEV Y SILVERADO

for CHASSIS CABS

1,000 UPFIT CASH

plus RETAIL OFFER

for CUTAWAYS

1,000 UPFIT CASH

plus RETAIL OFFER

for PICKUPS SELECT FROM ONE OF FOUR ACCESSORY PACKAGES UP TO $1,095 or

500 UPFIT CASH

plus RETAIL OFFER

Business Choice is designed for business owners who rely on their vehicles for their day-to-day operations. It’s available with eligible Chevrolet vehicles and offers great incentives such as valuable upfit equipment. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com today to see if you qualify. 1

To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12. ©2012 General Motors

Job # GMC1-12-03178

302

Version # 4

Job Description Chevy Retail Planning Flyer Bleed 8.75” x 11.25” Trim 8.5” x 11” Live 8.25” x 10.75”

Document Name Art Director Control

Mech Scale 100 Print Scale None Stock None

Copy Writer TBD Proj Mgr csenn Acct Svc kdenmark

GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd

Last Modified

Linked Graphics 12KTFLCHEV032.tif 11CHSL00054.jpg HD CC with Dump_psd.psd BusinessCentral_KO.ai GM_business_choice.ai

Colors In-Use RGB RGB RGB

840 ppi 270 ppi 1089 ppi

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

User ma-klane Mechd By: nminieri

4-17-2012 3:37 PM

Printer

Output Date

TITAN

4-20-2012 1:48 PM

RTVd By: None

97%

HARDSCAPE SELECTION

hard·scape noun (härd'skap'): The part of a building’s grounds consisting of structures, such as patios, retaining walls, and walkways, made with hard materials. Derek Tweten | Landscape Director, Barrett Lawn Care Photo courtesy of Belgard Hardscapes

➾ H A RD S CA P E

Shape Your Culture and Align Your Team. A plan is only as effective as its execution and execution is dependent on culture ... people, alignment, focus and ability to solve issues. RFB® Strategic Execution is the essential business platform for owners and their leadership teams to make the most of their time and talent. The RFB system incorporates “TRACTION” and the Entrepreneurial Operating System, (EOS®) to help you achieve a healthy culture and shared vision which will:

► Eliminate frustration ► Optimize value ► Create accountability

Optimizing Business Value ► Improving Lives 715-386-2800 | www.theRESULTANTS.com

If you’re ready to improve your culture, meet with an RFB Business Advisor to receive a FREE copy of Gino Wickman’s “TRACTION”, a complete look into simple, yet powerful ways to run your company with more focus, growth and enjoyment.

YOUR ONE TRACTOR SOLUTION Mow Slopes

Aeration & Overseed

Schedule a Ventrac DEMO with:

Cushman Motor Company, Inc. 2909 E Franklin Ave • Minneapolis, MN (612) 333-3487 • 1-800-759-5343 www.cushmanmotorco.com 32

MNLA .biz

january 18

Fall Cleanup

hat do we know about hardscapes? They’re expensive? They’re difficult to install? Both of these thoughts can be correct at times. However, if you approach a hardscape properly, it can be a pain-free experience. Adding hardscape(s) to your outdoor space is one of the most important things you can do to change the aesthetics and functionality of your area. Also, if done correctly, you can realize a great return on investment, which is always a bonus. Choosing the appropriate material can be an overwhelming task. There are many different brands of hardscape materials, and each brand has many different products within it. There are a lot of good quality manufacturers out there, and at least as many lesser quality manufacturers. I won’t voice my opinions on any brands here so as to not cloud your judgment. It’s not always easy to “throw cost out the window,” but often times with these situations you really do get what you pay for. Some of these material options can be fairly expensive, and some are quite inexpensive. This differentiation is mainly due to the manufacturing process, the tolerances, and quality standards that it entails. The cheaper materials have looser manufacturing tolerances,

Photo courtesy of County Materials Corporation

and thus less dimensional consistency. Of course, this means that the more expensive materials have much tighter manufacturing tolerances, thus much greater dimensional consistency. It might not seem like dimensional consistency is all that important. After all it is just a bunch of concrete or stone, right? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a deeper look. How many of these pieces must work together to complete the structure? Consider a patio, driveway, retaining wall, etc. There could be hundreds, or thousands, or more pieces working in conjunction with each other to complete said structure. So, now that we know that, things start to make more sense. The looser the consistency, the more gaps there can be in the finished structure. The more gaps you allow in your finished project, the less structural integrity you will have, and vice-versa. Aside from the structural aspect of all of this, you will also have looser lines in your project. This too may seem irrelevant, but the straighter the lines, the better the flow, the better the overall aesthetic. What does hardscape mean to you?

DEREK TWETEN

can be reached at

derek@barrettlawncare.com.

january 18

MNLA .biz

The GO-TO source for all of your residential & commercial landscaping needs! Products Offered:

- 100% Compost and Compost Blends - Athletic Field and Golf Course Top Dressing Blends - Erosion Control Products - Formulation of Customized Product Blends - Natural and Colored Mulch

Services Provided:

- Municipal Wood Site Management - Wood Grinding - Material Screening - Free Drop-Off of Logs/Brush/Wood Chips

952.233.9191 | smscorf.com 1905 Mystic Lake Drive S, Shakopee, MN Owned and Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

RUNNING TO STAND STILL

PREDICTING BENEFITS FOR REPLACEMENT TREE PLANTINGS When an urban site is developed, existing mature trees are often removed to facilitate construction. After the building is up, “replacement” trees are often planted, depending on local ordinances. Will these trees actually make up for what is lost? Certainly not at first. Ellyn Shea | Deep Root This content has been reprinted from the DeepRoot Green Infrastructure blog (www.deeproot.com/blog).

january 18

MNLA .biz

➾ P LANTIN GS

Over thinning removes too much foliage from the middle of the tree.

tudies show that trees can take 26 to 40 years to become net carbon reducers. Is it possible to predict the benefits of those replacement trees once those initial decades have passed? Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) is defined as the layer of leaves, branches, and stems that cover the ground when viewed from above. For a single tree, UTC could be calculated by measuring canopy “length” and “width” from below and calculating canopy square footage. Measuring UTC can be a good way to calculate the amount of stormwater interception or shade provided by tree canopies. However, this method may not give us a true account of other ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, or any other benefits provided by a full canopy. UTC doesn’t take into account any malpruning the tree may have had. If the tree has been overthinned, for example, there won’t be a normal amount of leaves in the middle of the tree, and the canopy square footage will be overstated. The UTC method also doesn’t consider the third dimension: canopy height. A tree may have its normal canopy spread but the main leader and upright branches topped for views, or been excessively crown-raised (too many lower branches removed from below). In either case, the canopy height will be less than it should be for a tree allowed to develop “normally,” resulting in reduced leaf volume. 36

MNLA .biz

january 18

A more complete way to model tree growth was published this year by the U.S. Forest Service. The technical manual and database projects growth for 171 different tree species across 16 U.S. climate zones. Collecting this data took over 14 years and analyzed over 14,000 individual trees. Using this model, if you know the species and age of the tree, you can predict the following: • trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) • tree height • crown height • leaf area • foliar biomass Getting the above information takes time: The User Guide, which starts on page 67 of the technical manual, details the six different steps needed to use the various tables and look up the information. If you were hoping for an “oracle” that gave you the requested information quickly, you will be disappointed (although at least you don’t have to do the math calculations yourself ). If you are modeling tree growth for a variety of species, you will have to look up the information repeatedly following the steps in the User Guide. (Dear readers: If a simple user interface has been created for using the database, please share it with us in the comments.)

The model, for all its comprehensiveness, does have some limitations: • It’s based on a small sample size and not too many tree species. • There was difficulty in obtaining accurate age data. (For this research, age refers to years after planting rather than years after germination.) Planting records older than 30–40 years are rarely available. • Management practices vary wildly. Topping, over thinning and excessive crown-raising will cause trees to have less crown height, leaf area, and foliar biomass than projected. These trees will therefore provide fewer ecosystem services than they should. Back to the hypothetical development project removing the hypothetical mature trees and replanting. Using the U.S. Forest Service model, it is possible to calculate the size (and therefore benefits) of proposed replacement trees and, if existing trees are still there, to compare them to the benefits already being provided with the following caveats: • Any proposed benefits will take 20 to 40 years to be realized. • The replacement tree must be free of uncorrectable root defects to attain its potential size and lifespan.

Excessive crown raising removes more lower branches than necessary for clearances.

• There must be adequate soil volume for the tree to reach its full height. Research by Dr. Nina Bassuk of Cornell University indicates that a tree needs two cubic feet of soil for every square foot of crown projection. In other words, to attain a crown spread of 30 feet in diameter, the tree should have 1,000 cubic feet of uncompacted soil, equivalent to a planting area 10 feet wide, 34 feet long, and 3 feet deep. • The tree must survive its initial establishment period of 3 to 5 years, during which it is extremely vulnerable to drought stress and vandalism. A study monitoring 5 years of tree planting in Oakland, California indicated that annual tree plantings barely outpaced young tree deaths – truly a “running to stand still” situation. • Assuming the tree is defect-free, growing in adequate soil volume, and survives to maturity, it must then be allowed to develop to its potential mature size and foliage density. After initial structural training, the tree must be pruned no more than needed to attain clearances for vehicles, pedestrians, buildings, etc. As per professional pruning standards, trees should not lose more than 25% of the living foliage in one year. No topping, over thinning or excessive crown raising must be done. Given the gauntlet that an urban tree must run to provide the needed ecosystem services, the odds are stacked against a young tree ever “replacing” a mature one. This begs the question: wouldn’t our time and energy be better spent preserving the mature trees we already have? YES. ELLYN SHEA

is a San Francisco based

consulting arborist and garden coach and a frequent contributor to the blog www.DeepRoot.com.

january 18

MNLA .biz

➾ MDA

MDA UPDATE 2017 N URS ERY I N SPEC TI O N SUM M ARY

Steven Shimek Nursery Inspection Program Coordinator

JAPANESE BEETLE POPULATIONS ON THE RISE

blocks of plants where grubs were found approximately

Over the past few years, Minnesota has seen an increase

control. Follow-up inspections were conducted to verify

in population and spread of Japanese beetle Popillia

efficacy of treatments.

30,000 containers were restricted pending treatment and

japonica to more locations around the state. As a result, nursery stock has become more commonly infested both

NOXIOUS WEED SURVEY

by the adult beetles, and in a recent incident by grubs

The nursery inspection staff has integrated data col-

and pupae in container grown nursery stock.

lection for the Weed Survey Program to survey the

It is important to note that even stock that is in com-

effectiveness of noxious weed outreach efforts and to

pliance with the Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan

document sales of potentially invasive plants. This year,

(JBHP) for container accreditation can become infested.

one of the standard questions asked was if the nursery

This certification method requires that container grown

is aware of the Japanese barberry phase-out which will

stock must be kept on an impervious surface such as

be effective in 2018 and recorded the presence of reed

gravel. This is meant to discourage egg laying in and

canary grass, Phalaris arundinacea. A checklist of the

around nursery containers. This method of certification is

following potentially invasive plant species was also tal-

required for shipping container grown nursery stock from

lied: Amur honeysuckle, Amur maple, Bells honeysuckle,

a Category 3 state to a Category 2 state.

black locust, burnet saxifrage, giant knotweed, Japanese

Grubs were found in containers that had been shipped

hedge parsley, Japanese knotweed, Morrow’s honey-

from a Minnesota grower to a Category 2 state. In

suckle, porcelain berry, Tartarian honeysuckle, tree of

response, inspection staff conducted an intensive survey

heaven, and wild carrot/Queen Ann’s Lace.

for JB in containers at two container production facilities by removing plants from pots and examining the potting

LAST YEAR OF JAPANESE BARBERRY NOXIOUS WEED PHASE OUT

media for life stages, namely grubs and pupae. Some

2017 will be the final year of a 3-year phase out of the

samples were destructive in nature, though staff tried

25 seediest cultivars of barberry as noted above. These

to minimize the operational and economic impact. In

plants will become Restricted Noxious Weeds in Minnesota

where the plants had originated. The survey was done

38 38

MNLA .biz MNLA .biz

january 1817 January december

In mid-September, 2016, a Michigan greenhouse submitted an unknown thrips specimen to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), where it was identified as Japanese flower thrips, Thrips setosus Moulton.

and will be illegal to sell and propagate.

sota Department of Agriculture required

capable in a Zone 4 climate. An example

‘Crimson Pygmy’ barberry, Berberis thun-

that a sign be posted on the sales floor

of how rapid thrips can reproduce is the

bergi, is one common cultivar that will not

informing customers of the quarantine

western flower thrip, where they mature

be restricted. The list and more informa-

and the prohibited movement of ash trees

from egg to adult in approximately 10

tion is available at: http://www.mda.state.

to non-quarantine counties.

days. Adult thrips feed on plants by pierc-

mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcon-

ing a leaf cell and sucking up its contents

trol/noxiouslist/japanesebarberry.aspx.

JAPANESE FLOWER THRIPS SURVEY

COLD HARDINESS LABELING

In mid-September, 2016, a Michigan

If plants are correctly labeled for hardi-

greenhouse submitted an unknown thrips

at trace forward sites by using blue sticky

ness (verify against the MDA hardiness list

specimen to the United States Department

detection cards placed near stock identi-

http://www.mda. state.mn.us/licensing/

of Agriculture (USDA), where it was identi-

fied in the trace forward. The host list is

licensetypes/nurseryprogram/hardinesslist.

fied as Japanese flower thrips, Thrips

ever growing as we learn more about this

aspx), nothing further is needed. However,

setosus Moulton.

invasive pest.

if nursery stock (trees, shrubs, perennials)

with a mixture of its saliva. It is at this point that a virus transmission can occur. Nursery inspectors surveyed for this pest

This is a new pest in the United States

Japanese flower thrip was confirmed at

lacks a hardiness label and is not hardy

and is native to eastern Asia. Late last year,

one location in Minnesota. A second loca-

for the zone in which it is being sold, it

the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

tion has not been confirmed but thrips

must include the words “non-hardy.” A

(MDA) was notified that stock from the

were sent to the USDA for confirmation.

review of the list is conducted annually in

infested site had been shipped into Min-

September and updated in October for

nesota. A trace forward was initiated, but

the upcoming year.

most stock was dormant for the winter.

ASH TREES FOR SALE IN MINNESOTA

damage in the form of silvery spots and

that were advertised as beneficial to

leaf pitting, feeding on a variety of nursery

pollinators. Advertising includes any

Last spring, a discount chain store was

plants, with hosta being the preferred

reference to bees, butterflies or other

found selling ash trees inside a federal

host. This pest can also spread TOSPO

pollinators including symbols on signs,

emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantined

viruses including Tomato Spotted Wilt

labels, or in other print. Inspectors

county. While it is not a violation of the

Virus (TSWV) and Impatiens Necrotic Spot

collected 59 samples of floral tissue that

quarantine to sell ash trees, it is a viola-

Virus (INSV). Nursery stock growers and

were submitted for analysis to detect

tion to transport ash trees from regulated

agricultural farmers can be affected by this

systemic insecticides. Fifty-one of the

counties to non-regulated counties.

pest due to its wide host range, fast devel-

samples were below the threshold

Economically, Thrips setosus causes leaf

For the most part, Minnesota nurseries

POLLINATOR LABELING AND SAMPLING Samples were collected from plants

opment, and rapid population growth rate.

established by the EPA. Eight samples

have not been growing and/or selling ash

Its host-preference-list is currently being

resulted in levels of insecticides above

trees for a number of years, due to state

evaluated. It includes many ornamental

the threshold. Three Notices of Violation

and federal Emerald Ash Borer quarantines

and agricultural plants, hosta or solana-

(NOV’s) were issued. (2 local nurseries

and the likelihood they will not survive to

ceous hosts (tomato, eggplant, tobacco).

and 1 corporate nursery involving two

maturity if planted in infested areas. To

The Japanese flower thrip has a com-

separate sites). Compliance agreements

allow stores in quarantined counties to

plete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, pupa

to document nurseries with production

continue to sell the ash trees, the Minne-

and adult) life cycle. Many generations are

practices approved by the commissioner

january 18

MNLA .biz

➾ MDA

were established with four nurseries. This allows the use of pollinator labeling under permit.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS:

TOP INSECT PESTS IN 2017 23 incidents of bronze birch borer — Agrilus anxius 17 incidents of spruce gall adelgid — Adelges abietis 10 incidents general Borer — Oak Clearwing, Viburnum borer, others 9 incidents of Zimmerman pine moth — Dioryctria zimmermani 9 incidents of flatheaded appletree borer — Chrysobothris femorata 8 incidents of two-line chestnut borer — Agrilus bilineatus 6 incidents of two-spotter spider mite — Tetranychus urticae 7 incidents of white pine weevil — Pissodes strobi 4 incidents of sawfly 3 incidents of viburnum clearwing — Synanthedon viburni

TOP DISEASE PESTS 2017 93 incidents of general cankers 48 incidents of general virus 43 incidents of general rust 18 incidents of Anthracnose 12 incidents of powdery mildew 16 incidents of Pseudomonas

Jan Scoop Sponsor Thank You 2018.indd 1

11/28/2017 5:10:01 PM

11 incidents of Rhizosphaera kalkoffii 11 incidents of Septoria leaf spot 9 incidents of apple scab — Venturia inaequalis 8 incidents of aster yellows 8 incidents of Botrytis spp. STEVEN SHIMEK,

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Nursery Inspection Program Coordinator, can be reached at steven.shimek@state.mn.us.

SCOOP CLASSIFIEDS Searching for your next great employee? Looking for a buyer? Place a Scoop classified ad. Contact Faith Jensen, 952-934-2891 faith@pierreproductions.com. RED BOSS Tree Spades 16" to 105", Planters, Tree Tiers (up to 110"), Stump Diggers. Tree Boss. Nursery and Landscaping Equipment is our specialty. All made in USA. info@redbosstreespades.com www.

Shade Trees

Ornamental Trees

Topiary

Fruit Trees

Evergreens

Flowering Shrubs

Shrub, Climbing & Patio Roses

Small Fruits

Christmas Trees

Wreaths & Garlands

800.826.7094

W10757 Jeffrey Road, Merrillan, WI 54754

sales@northernfamilyfarms.com

www.northernfamilyfarms.com

redbosstreespades.com Proud to be a HGTV HOME Plant Collection Partner

january 18

MNLA .biz

â&#x17E;¾ S E CT I O N TITLE

EIGHT SIMPLE RULES FOR SUCCESS AT A

TOWN HALL MEETING

With the question of whether there will be a regular legislative session in 2018 still pending (as of press time for this edition of The Scoop), it made little sense for your MNLA Government Affairs team to speculate on the myriad of things that could happen in a session that can last at most only three months. Larry Johnson | MNLA Government Affairs Director

MNLA .biz

january 18

t seemed like a better use of your time â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the column inches allotted â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to bring you some best practices and pointers to help you shine at your local legislatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; town hall meetings, candidate forums, and public hearings. So, we are pleased to bring you â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eight Simple Rules for Success at a Town Hall Meeting.â&#x20AC;? These pointers are helpful whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re attending a legislative, congressional or even municipal level event. (Note: MNLA is currently working to arrange specific town hall meetings in targeted legislative districts around the state. We may be contacting you to ask you to host one of these meetings.) 1. Get Connected The easiest first step is to get on the alert list

for upcoming meetings. Most legislators and all members of Congress announce upcoming events by e-mails to the constituents in the district and often through the media. Many offices also keep track of constituents who are specifically interested in certain topics and will try to keep them connected to what is being done regarding that issue. When you sign up for automated emails from a legislator (state or federal) remember you may not live in the district where you do business. It may be helpful to sign up with both your home and your business address.

more discussion. Remember, you can always follow up on a question at the town hall meeting with a formal letter. 7. Report back to MNLA Let the MNLA staff know how it

went, what was said, and if they took a position on anything of interest to the industry. Your first-hand reporting gives us great intelligence we can use later to help hone the messages to individual legislators and staff â&#x20AC;&#x201D; this is a great one-two punch that makes our advocacy efforts much more effective. 8. Say Thank you! Within three days after the meeting, send an

email to the legislator thanking him/her for holding the event. Take the opportunity to talk about your business and invite them to visit to learn more about what you do â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially if you live and work in the same district. If you did not have the opportunity to ask a specific question at the event, include the question in the email and ask for a response. Finally, MNLA would be hypocrites if we did not thank YOU, our dedicated volunteer members for your time and efforts to help MNLA educate legislators and be a positive force for the future of the profession. Thank you! LARRY JOHNSON can

be reached at: larry@mnla.biz.

2. Follow the Scout Motto: Be Prepared If you want to ask a

specific question to the elected official, prepare that question in advance. Let the staff at MNLA know youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be attending and we can help you better prepare with a few good questions and even some supporting materials. Try to avoid using industry jargon, acronyms, etc., and keep questions direct. 3. Be Proud of MNLA! At the sign-in table, you can identify

all stone solutions Do we have veneer!?!?

yourself and your membership in the MNLA. We would be happy to provide you with a unique â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grassroots Grows Resultsâ&#x20AC;? pin you can wear as well. If you ask a question, make sure you mention where you work and that you are a member of the association and an expert in the field. 4. Introduce Yourself â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Not only to the elected official and

staff, but to your fellow attendees as well. They have come to hear about legislative issues, but it never hurts to make new friends and future customers.

5. Be Professional â&#x20AC;&#x201D; All too often in the last decade, town

hall meetings have made for some outstanding social media trending videos. Even if the elected official or staff do not agree with you, seems to be avoiding answering your question, or is frustrating, remember you are a delegate representing the green industry in the state. MNLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s messages and work with these office holders is supplemented and â&#x20AC;&#x153;cultivatedâ&#x20AC;? by your efforts in the field. 6. Ask for the Sale If you want your representative(s) to vote a

certain way or to perform a certain task, you have to ask. If she/he cannot give you a response at the public meeting, tell them you can arrange a meeting or tour at your facility for

BRAD GERLACH www.allstonesolutions.rocks allstonesolutions @gmail.com 651.249.4388 january 18

MNLA .biz

➾ FSOUND E CT I OATION N TITLE

AUCTIONS

SURPLUS EQUIPMENT + INVENTORY

MNLA Foundation invites you to a NEW fundraiser, directly benefiting the green industries. This is your opportunity to provide an effective alternative to manage unused materials, equipment and stock other than storing them or taking the time to sell items on your own.

BEN EFITIN G M N L A FO UN DATI O N

WHY DONATE OR BUY?

THERE ARE SEVERAL AUCTIONS!

• No admission fee or RSVP required.

• Agriculture and Construction Auctions

• Be a donor and receive a tax receipt. • Clear the clutter in your shop, garage, home and office. • Donations can be delivered to the auction site any time. • Items that may not sell from the Live Auction, have a double opportunity to be sold at other Fahey auctions. EVERYTHING WITH VALUE SELLS! And benefits the Foundation fundraiser.

WHAT CAN YOU DONATE OR BUY? • Equipment: trucks, trailers, landscaping/nursery equipment, attachments, new or slightly used tires • Medium to Small Trees/Shrubs • Landscape/Nursery Supplies: pallets of pavers, irrigation supplies • Hard goods: tools, lumber • Office Equipment: computers, printers, copy machines, desks, tables • Personal recreation goods: boats, docks, guns, hunting and fishing equipment, campers, cars, patio furniture, grills, vacation homes.

WHERE ARE THE AUCTIONS HELD? MNLA Foundation is pleased to partner with fellow MNLA member, Fahey Sales to help us raise funds that improve your business. For more information about Fahey and auction dates, visit www.faheysales.com. Fahey Auction Complex and Online 2910 9th Street East (Hwy 212 East) Glencoe, MN 55336 (40 miles west of Minneapolis)

MNLA .biz

january 18

2nd Saturday of every even month • Upper Midwest Commercial Turf, Golf Course & Landscape Auction Saturday, March 31, 2018. • Business Equipment and Tool Auctions The third week of every month.

HOW DO I DONATE? • When you check the items in just let the Fahey Staff know it is a donation to the MNLA Foundation. Fahey Staff will place the item(s) on the appropriate auction and notify the MNLA Foundation of your generous gift. After the items are sold the MNLA Foundation will send you a tax deductible receipt for your gift. Just bring it in and the Fahey Staff will determine the best auction to place the donated asset on. It’s that simple!! • We will publish your donation in an online catalog that will be available to thousands of buyers through Fahey’s network. The earlier you donate, the better chance for items to sell at top dollar.

QUESTIONS? Call Paulette at 651-633-4987 or email paulette@mnla.biz.

VERSA-LOK

Contractor Sales Yards SEE US AT NORTHERN GREEN, BOOTHS 341 & 440, JAN. 2-4 Your locally owned headquarters for landscaping supplies and materials! • VERSA-LOK retaining wall systems • Willow Creek pavers and kits • Unilock pavers • Rosetta hardscapes • Porcelain landscape tiles • Decorative rock, mulch, natural stone, steps, wallstone, flagstone and more • Accessories, including lights, sealers, polymeric sand, edging and geogrid • Easy in/out yards with knowledgeable staff and convenient hours

2017 Rosetta Paver and Slab Project of the Year!

BROOKLYN PARK (763) 488-1310

OAKDALE (651) 773-7444

BURNSVILLE (952) 894-4401

KIMBALL (320) 398-5415

FARIBAULT (507) 331-3198

VERSA-LOK-midwest.com

ONALASKA, WI (800) 770-4525

➾ F OU NDATION

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS 2017–2018

The MNLA Foundation partnered with 23

ANDREW BIGALK SPONSORED BY: COUNTRYSIDE GARDENS, INC.

member companies to present 30 academic

School: Hennepin Technical College

scholarships for the 2017–2018 school year.

Greenhouse Management Technician

Here’s a look at this year’s collegiate and

Future Plans: To explore opportunities that

high school recipients.

like to start my own business.

ABRAHAM BERG SPONSORED BY: HOME SOWN GARDENS LLC

School: Rochester Community & Technical College Major: Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2018 Future Plans: I would like to work in the tree care industry and urban design.

Major: Landscape Design and Construction; Expected Graduation: 2018 combine the green industry with food. I’d also

ERIC BRANCH SPONSORED BY: ARTEKA OUTDOOR SERVICES

School: University of Minnesota — Twin Cities Major: Plant Science Expected Graduation: 2018 Future Plans: My research experience, along with my background in vegetable production, has influenced my decision to pursue a graduate degree in plant pathology and research to help growers manage relevant disease issues.

DAN BETZ

GRETA BREE ROCKSTAD