Nursery & Landscape Notes Summer 2017

Summer 2017 | Vol. 51, No. 3

Publication of the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc.

H I G H D EM A N D

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S H O RT S U PPLY

CURRENT PLANT INVENTORY CHALLENGES

Nursery Landscape Notes &

Summer 2017 | Vol. 51, No. 3

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39

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COMMENTARY President’s Message

5

NCNLA Executive Vice President’s Message

7

NCNLA NEWS Member Spotlight: Philip Gossett, Gossett’s Landscape Nursery, Inc.

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Congratulations to New CPPs & CYPPs of 2017

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NCNLA Welcomes New Manager of Professional Development

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In Memoriam

15

AROUND OUR INDUSTRY Legislative Update

29

Green Industry Council Update

33

Best Practices: Using a Hand-Cranked, Hand-Held Spreader to Apply Herbicides in Container Nurseries

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SOLD OUT: THE PLANT SHORTAGE PREDICAMENT — THEN, NOW AND TOMORROW 16 After years of struggling during the economic downturn, the green industry gradually has made a comeback; but not every aspect has returned to its prerecession level.

Status of Statewide Plant Inventory

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NCNLA Resource Available to Members

RESEARCH UPDATE Bee-Friendly Plant Lists Support Pollinator Cause Marketing

39

Developing Host Resistance to Adelgid Pests

41

New Members

45

Calendar of Events

47

Advertiser’s Index

47

Building a Stronger Future for the Industry For more information, call 800.672.1504 or visit us online at triangleturf.net.

24

The National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC)

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SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 3

Published by North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 968 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

Segway O

Fungicide

Greenhouse & Nursery Fungicide #segway_o @OHPSolutions ohp.com (800) 356-4647

PERFORMANCE IN A

Corey Connors Executive Vice President Cody Lewis Director of Finance & Administration Kathryn Stansbury Director of Business Development Kaley Jacobs Manager of Marketing & Communications Hannah Singleton Manager of Professional Development Nursery & Landscape Notes is published quarterly by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. especially for nursery production, nursery research, interior and exterior maintenance and design build contractors in the landscape industry. The publication is distributed to approximately 1200 horticulture producers, landscape professionals and industry suppliers.

NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES is provided as a member service.

2017 NCNLA Board of Directors Chad Gragg President Robert M. Gragg & Sons Nursery Lenoir, NC Shanon Spivey Vice President/Secretary/ Treasurer Spivey's Nursery, Inc. Kernersville, NC Brad Rollins Past President Fairview Garden Center Raleigh, NC

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Paige Moody Arbor Enterprises, Inc. Pittsboro, NC

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Jamie Thomas Swift Creek Nursery Clayton, NC

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CMY

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NCNLA Staff

GROUP OF ITS OWN

Hugh Crump Greenline Designs Charlotte, NC Chris Mitchell Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply Garner, NC William Bass Hawksridge Farms Hickory, NC Richard Gant Gant’s Nursery Marion, NC Educational Advisors Justin Snyder Alamance Community College Graham, NC

Advertising

For Advertising rates and content submission, contact Stephanie Schaefer for a Marketing Opportunities Kit. 919-609-0803 or sschaefer@ncnla.com.

The including of products or brand names in this publication is not an endorsement by the editor, or the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association.

Purpose Statement

NCNLA’s purpose is to be a flexible, knowledgeable, responsive, environmentally-conscious organization providing the nursery and landscape industries with leadership, technological and business advancement opportunities and information services.

Goal Statement

Controls Pythium, Phytophthora and Downy mildew Unique class of chemistry, no cross resistance Vital part of your Downy mildew rotation Spray or drench applications

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NCNLA’s ultimate goal is to benefit its members’ economic, professional and personal growth.

Connect to NCNLA  facebook.com/NCNurseryandLandscapeAssociation/  twitter.com/ncnlacom ncnla.com | BuyNCPlants.com GreenandGrowin.com | NCGreenprints.com

NCNLA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The Supply vs. Demand Dilemma

S

pring has come and gone again, and we are now deep in the heat of the summer.

We warmed up earlier than usual, and so did consumers, who began their planting and landscaping early. We’ve had quite a bit of rain and a good growing season, too. It seems like the only things that are slowing us down right now are things we’re lacking: plants and labor.

We looked at labor challenges in the last issue of Nursery & Landscape Notes, so this quarter NCNLA is taking a closer look at plant availability. Plants are still in short supply across the state and nationwide. Prices are up across the board as well, and it doesn’t seem like much will change on availability for a least a few years. All we can do hope for is good growing conditions and better liner availability so that we can meet demand in future years.

Chad Gragg (with his dogs, Duke & LuLu) Robert M. Gragg & Sons Nursery

I find it challenging trying to explain this issue to buyers: why there is no “quick fix.” Some buyers just do not understand the production of plants. We all know that plants take years to grow, so a great deal of planning and preparing is done in order to yield an ideal inventory each year.

Nurserymen must take in many factors when deciding what and how much to plant each year. This decision process is nothing new — we have been doing it from the beginning. However, a few things have led to the supply and demand issues. A big factor was the economic downturn of 2008, which took out a lot of liner producers and growers coast to coast. For those that survived the recession, the mindset became very conservative on producing numbers for several years.

Now that the economy is improving, it is becoming harder and harder to get our hands on young plants to increase production.

We are hopeful that we don’t grow too much, to avoid having inventory that may not get sold that we have to destroy. That’s a lesson we learned over the last decade. At the same time, we don’t want to grow too little — missing out on potential business growth today and in the future. Unfortunately, buyers continue to search for plants in sizes that we just do not have. Hopefully, we’ll get there soon, and without the help of another economic downturn.

So, what can you do about plant availability? NCNLA asked nurserymen across NC and nationwide to lend their thoughts and offer suggestions on what can be done now to help ease the burden of plant shortages. Check out what they had to say on page 16.

I hope you all have a great rest of the summer. Winter (and Green & Growin’ 18) will be here before you know it.

Tax Deductible Dues Contributions or gifts to NCNLA are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary business expenses. A portion of your dues is not deductible as an ordinary business expense to the extent that NCNLA engages in lobbying. The estimated non-deductible portion of your dues assessment is 20%. ©2017 NCNLA.

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SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 5

NCNLA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NCNLA’s FY2017-FY2019 Strategic Plan

T

he NCNLA Board of Directors gathered at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC, on February 16-17, 2017 to develop the organization’s strategic plan for the next three years. On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to share the results of their work on behalf of this great industry.

During an intense two-day session, the Board utilized key volunteer leader and member feedback in developing this plan. This included perspectives provided by the three segment advisory councils and eight program committees at the NCNLA’s 2016 Volunteer Leadership Summit (VLS) last July, as well as a comprehensive member/ non-member survey conducted in winter 2016 that received more than 800 responses (50/50 member vs. non-member).

Jazz Hands® Variegated

Armed with this considerable input, the Board was asked to develop a plan by running the perspectives gained through a simple filter: “How best can NCNLA meet its ultimate goal?” That goal is to benefit our members’ economic, professional and personal growth.

Points of Strategic Emphasis

Through all of the feedback used by the Board in developing this plan, there were some consistent themes that continued to emerge. Though it was difficult to “shoe-horn” these objectives into specific action items within the plan, the Board felt that it was imperative to identify points of emphasis to which it could refer as the organization proceeds with its activities over the next three years. Those three points of strategic emphasis include:

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1. NCNLA will continue to improve its visibility regionally within North Carolina at non-NCNLA venues and events, including enhanced participation in those events by both Board members and staff.

It was clear from both VLS and feedback in the member survey that NCNLA has to do a better job of being visible across the state. Though NCNLA appreciates its terrific relationships with regional our organizations in North Carolina, there are still a great many places where NCNLA is not as well-known and where regional groups no longer exist. In addition to continuing to robustly support existing activities and relationships with regional organizations, the Board has emphasized the need to expand NCNLA’s presence across the state of North Carolina.

2. NCNLA will continue to seek out opportunities to diversify NCNLA revenue streams to ensure organizational stability and sustainability.

The recently-completed FY2015-FY2016 NCNLA Strategic Plan was focused, primarily, on reestablishing the organization’s fundamentals internally. By so doing, the 2015 NCNLA Board was attempting to set the organization up for growth of its programs and services in 2017 and beyond. NCNLA has enjoyed greater financial stability and has seen a measurable uptick in current program performance over the

last two years. Now, as a result of that successful plan implementation, NCNLA is far better positioned to add greater value to membership while providing new programs and member services over the course of the next three years.

3. NCNLA will continue to seek out opportunities to further engage young consumers and potential industry professionals.

Perhaps the most common theme — universally considered the industry’s biggest issue by virtually every respondent and volunteer leaders: Where are the next generation of consumers and industry employees/business owners going to come from? This is certainly not a question unique to our industry. Nor are there any “silver bullets” to definitively address our great generational challenge.

In addition to continuing to robustly support existing activities and relationships with regional organizations, the Board has emphasized the need to expand

However, what our members NCNLA’s presence across offer in terms of products and services, and the wonderful the state of North Carolina. career opportunities that can be found throughout commercial horticulture in North Carolina, is a story that needs to be told wherever and whenever there is an attentive young audience. The NCNLA Board has chosen to dedicate the time and resources necessary to ensure that the organization can do that more effectively on behalf of its members.

Strategic Plan Deliverables

In addition to the points of emphasis listed above, the NCNLA Board identified associated goals and deliverables intended to allow the organization to better serve its members over the next three years. These elements of the plan are not inclusive of all NCNLA activities (such as continuing to improve Green & Growin’, etc.). They are focused on new initiatives and programs to further supplement the value proposition of programs and services for NCNLA members.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 7 6/2/17 9:35 AM

NCNLA Fiscal Year 2017

NCNLA Fiscal Year 2019

Goal: By September 30, 2017, NCNLA will evaluate the logistics and scope of an organization-sponsored industry mentorship program for green industry professionals in North Carolina.

Goal: By September 30, 2019, NCNLA will develop and implement a full-service government relations program.

Goal: By September 30, 2017, NCNLA will refine its scope and purpose by developing a crisp, clear, concise identity statement that defines what the organization is.

NCNLA Fiscal Year 2018

Goal: By December 1, 2017, NCNLA will diversify and invest in more comprehensive workforce development opportunities (scope: local to regional, hands-on proficiency to business management) by developing and offering a new regional educational event (prototype and refine model).

Goal: By September 30, 2018, NCNLA will develop and deliver a defined, integrated branding/marketing/communications plan that clearly states what NCNLA is and who its members are. Once delivered, success measures will be defined prior to beginning plan implementation.

Goal: By September 30, 2018, NCNLA will develop and deliver a plan to offer a robust member benefit package to include insurance, cooperative purchasing and business consulting services.

Once delivered, success measures will be defined prior to beginning plan implementation.

Goal: By December 1, 2018, NCNLA will diversify and invest in more comprehensive workforce development opportunities (scope: local to regional, hands-on proficiency to business management) by offering three regional educational events, refined from the FY2018 model.

Goal: By September 30, 2019, NCNLA will diversify and invest in more comprehensive workforce development opportunities (scope: local to regional, hands-on proficiency to business management) by developing and offering a new educational event for green industry executives and managers (prototype and refine model).

Goal: By September 30, 2019, NCNLA will enhance the value of organization-sponsored certification programs through development and implementation of specialty certifications by industry segment with continuing education requirements.

The NCNLA Board has taken feedback from volunteer leaders, members and non-members and translated it into a very ambitious and member-centric growth plan. The deep dive into how these objectives will be achieved begins this August at the 2017 Volunteer Leadership Summit and will continue for years to come.

Thank you for allowing NCNLA to serve you. We look forward to continuing to improve that service over the course of the next three years and well into this industry’s bright future.

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NCNLA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Five Minutes with Philip Gossett, Gossett’s Landscape Nursery, Inc.

Gossett’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. High Point, NC Principal Philip Gossett, Co-Owner Services Wholesale Grower Years in Business 62 Employees 15

Co-owner Philip Gossett poses at the entrance of his 62-year old family business.

Crimson Fire Loropetlum™ is one of the container grown ornamental varieties produced by Gossett’s each year.

Number of Years as NCNLA Member 50+ years

What led you to a career in the green industry and how did you get started at Gossett’s?

What do you find most challenging in today’s industry — what concerns keep you up at night?

My parents started Gossett's Nursery before I was born. I grew up there watching my dad, Ralph Gossett, work at transitioning the business from a field grown nursery to a container grown nursery. My brother Keith and I wanted to keep the nursery in business when my parents retired. Michael and John Gossett — the third generation — are working at the nursery now, and we look forward to seeing the continuation of what our parents began back in 1955.

What are your main responsibilities at Gossett’s?

The business-office side of the nursery takes up a lot of my time. When I’m not at work in the office, I’m dealing with nursery infrastructure items like electrical, irrigation, vehicles, equipment, construction and repair projects; and production of the plants and trees.

What is your typical day like?

It depends on what’s needed. I usually start my day going in the office to take care of emails, phone calls, ordering supplies or doing whatever it takes to keep the day to day operation of the business going. On some 10 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

days, duties on the production side of the nursery keep me busy — such as unloading and loading trucks, irrigation repairs, equipment maintenance, pruning, scheduling day-to-day tasks to stay ahead of the weather, etc.

What is your business best known for — why do your customers love you?

Our primary products are container grown ornamentals and trees, and field grown trees. We’re known for producing high-quality plant material and for our excellent customer service.

What has been most rewarding part of your career?

Being part of a great team has been very rewarding.

A lot of people — especially our employees — have worked very hard to make our business successful.

I’ve also enjoyed getting to know all the different people involved in the green industry — customers, fellow nurserymen, vendors, and everyone in the extension services from the local level up to the Ag programs at NCSU and other universities.

Keeping up with all the regulations that impact our businesses’ day-to-day operations is a constant challenge. Naturally, working around the ever-changing weather is always on my mind as well.

How does your business benefit from membership in NCNLA? It helps us market our plant material and find new ways to improve our business. We have resources readily available through contacts made at the Green & Growin’ tradeshow. It’s also important to meet other people in the industry and see where others have succeeded through hard work and innovation.

Gossett’s large stock of Bloom-A-Thon™ Azaleas.

What advice would you give someone trying to start a business or career in North Carolina’s green industry?

Work for a business in the industry. Ask questions about everything that you can. And attend the industry trade shows.

Get in touch 336.454.2548 | philip@ gossettsnursery.com | gossettsnursery.com SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 11

MEMBER CPP & CYPP NEWS DATES

Available from Star ® Roses and Plants for

NCNLA Grower Members

Carolina Sweetheart™ Cercis Cercis canadensis ‘NCCC1’ | PPAF

Carolina Sweetheart™ Cercis has attractive variegated foliage. Rich maroon leaves unfurl in early spring, eventually becoming green with a white margin. Displays the elegant, broad, heart shaped leaves expected from a redbud tree. Cercis is a genus Native to Eastern North America. A result of the combined efforts of NCNLA and NC State University.

Released by:

Congratulations to the New CPPs & CYPPs of 2017 North Carolina's green industry gained 10 new Certified Plant Professionals (CPP) and 6 Certified Young Plant Professionals (CYPP) during the month of May. Exams were held May 5, 2017 at the University of Mount Olive and May 17 at Alamance Community College.

Attractive variegated foliage

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Small tree

More than 50 people traveled to Graham, NC, on May 17 to apply for CYPP-CPP accreditations at Alamance Community College.

Congratulations to the following individuals who earned their CPP & CYPP accreditations.

2017 Certified Plant Professionals

Cornus hybrid ‘NCCH1’ | PPAF

Little Ruby™ Dogwood is a result of the combined efforts of NCNLA and NC State University. This unique plant is the first to be released in an exciting new line of hybrid dogwoods developed by NCSU’s Dr. Tom Ranney. This compact shrub is great for mass plantings but is equally beautiful as a specimen tree. The semi-double pink flowers are very attractive and the bright red leaves on new growth turn to a rich maroon and persist into late fall, bringing year-round interest to the garden.

Released by:

12 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

Savannah Dowdy, Chatham Central Greenhouses and Nursery

Lauren Freudenberger, City of Raleigh

Michaelia Comer, North Carolina Zoo

Caden Fields, Chatham Central Greenhouses and Nursery

Kim D'Amico, City of Raleigh

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6b-10

Compact, dense

Joel Deuterman, BrightView Landscaping

Nick Oldham, Chatham Central Greenhouses and Nursery

Lauren Fry, Landvision Designs,Inc.

Graham Parker, J.T. Hoggard High School

Edwin Henderson, City of Raleigh

Barbara Kelly, Turtle Creek Nursery

Jamie Wilson, Chatham Central Greenhouses and Nursery

Chad Phillips, North Carolina Zoo

Lucas McInnis, Pinecrest High School

Michelle Wilson, Bright Leaf Landscaping

Dense shrub or small tree

CPP Short Course

JOHN MCKENNA jmckenna@starrosesandplants.com Cell 770-833-0897 | CSR (Sherri) 800-457-1859

| www.starrosesandplants.com | 1- 800- 4 57-1859

NCNLA is pleased to announce the addition of Hannah Singleton as the organization’s new Manager of Professional Development.

NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC August 11 – September 8

CPP Exams

Asheville – September 14

Fayetteville – October 6

Wilson – October 26

Singleton joins NCNLA after serving as a Sales Representative at Jericho Farms/Landscape Design in Goldsboro, NC. In this position, she supported daily operations and future growth of the business through a variety of roles including: inbound sales; account management; social media marketing; hands-on plant identification, tagging and quality control; and job costing.

Singleton is a North Carolina Certified Plant Professional and maintains a North Carolina Commercial Pesticide License in Research and Demonstration/Ornamental and Turf.

As Manager of Professional Development, Singleton will be responsible for developing NCNLA’s annual educational plan, ensuring that programming aligns with the annual plan, explore new continuing education and certification offerings and ensure all reporting and certification thresholds are met.

Singleton will also be responsible for developing and delivering highly-valued events, sessions and experiences that enhance the professional and technical skills of individuals throughout the verticallyintegrated green industry.

Hannah can be reached at hsingleton@ncnla.com, or by phone at (919) 816-9119, ext 100.

Upcoming CPP/CYPP Dates:

Contact your Star® Roses and Plants Territory Manager to place an order

2017 Certified Young Plant Professionals

Developed by:

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STAR® ROSES AND PLANTS TERRITORY MANAGER TO PLACE AN ORDER.

Leigh Bragassa, City of Raleigh

Superior hybrid Dogwood

NCNLA Welcomes New Manager of Professional Development

A native of Goldsboro, NC, Singleton is a 2014 graduate of the University of Mount Olive with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and a minor in Psychology.

20-30’ h x up to 30’ w

Developed by:

Little Ruby™ Dogwood

MEMBER NCNLA NEWS NEWS

CYPP Exams

Asheville – September 14

For information and to register, visit www.ncnla.com or call NCNLA at (919) 816-9119.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 13

MEMBER IN MEMORIAM NEWS It is with great sadness that NCNLA announces the passing of the following industry members, family and friends.

Chris and Cody Gragg

Mitch Perkins

Robert M. Gragg & Sons Nursery

Dayton Bag and Burlap

Christopher (Chris) and Cody Gragg passed away on March 25, 2017. Chris, 53, was a partner in Robert M. Gragg & Sons Nursery in Lenoir, NC.

Mitch Perkins passed on April 17, 2017 after an extended illness. Perkins, 63, of West Jefferson, NC, was the sales manager for Dayton Bag and Burlap in Statesville, NC for the past ten years, and worked with McKenzie Nursery Supply for many years prior. He was well known in the nursery and tree grower industry and will be sorely missed.

The brother of current NCNLA President Chad Gragg, Chris shared management/operational responsibilities for the nursery with his brothers Chad and Neal.

Described by friends and family as a “light-hearted, wonderful” person that was a pillar of the community, Gragg also served the community as a lieutenant and volunteer for Collettsville Fire and Rescue.

Cody, 23, managed a digging crew at Robert M. Gragg & Sons, coming into the nursery with the hope of one day becoming a future owner/operator of the multigenerational, family-owned business. In addition to serving as a volunteer firefighter alongside his dad, Cody was an up-and-coming motocross racer with a bright future in the sport.

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Born September 17, 1953, he was the son of the late William and Connie Roark Perkins. He was a loving husband, father, step-father and "Papa." Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 20 years, Eileen Perkins; sons, Mitch (Jennifer) Perkins, Scott Willman, Paul (Amanda) Perkins and Terry Perkins; nine grandchildren; siblings, Mike (Kathy) Perkins, Mason (Debbie) Perkins, Tim Perkins, Lynn (Gary) Buterbaugh and James (Laurie) Perkins; and many other loving family members.

Jim Zampini

Barbara Lee Gragg

Upshoot LLC

North 40 Nursery

Jim Zampini, a nurseryman who dedicated his life to bringing new plants to market, died on April 15, 2017 at his home in Fairport Harbor, OH. Zampini, 85, was a nationally recognized industry leader and one of the most prominent figures in the thriving Lake County nursery industry for more than six decades.

Zampini either patented or helped refine the Crimson Pointe Flowering Plum and upwards of 300 varieties of flowering trees, shade trees and shrubs.

Barbara Lee Coffey Gragg, age 80, of Morganton, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at her residence.

She was born January 4, 1937 in Caldwell County to the late William Jessie and Edith Phillips Coffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Gragg; two sons, David and Scott Gragg; one brother, Gerald Wayne Coffey; and one sister, Sandra Coffey Greene.

Barbara “Memaw” was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She lived life to its fullest and was always full of laughs. Everyone who knew her was forever changed. Barbara was the co-founder of North 40 Nursery and former owner of Kentwood Florist in Lenoir. Barbara was a member of Brown Mountain Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Jeff Gragg and wife Tammy of Lenoir; one brother, Gregory Charles Coffey and wife Sandra of Lenoir; four grandchildren, Allison Gragg Turbeville, Ashley Gragg Byrd, Gretchen Gragg Reece, and Cale Gragg; and six great-grandchildren, Morgan, Trenton, Will, Heidi, Colton, and Ivy.

Cody (left) and Chris (right) Gragg of Robert M. Gragg & Sons Nursery in Lenoir, NC.

Barbara Lee Gragg

The Painesville, OH, native was the longtime CEO of Lake County Nursery Inc., in Perry, OH — a business now run by his son, Joe Zampini. As CEO, he oversaw a staff of more than 250 people and led the nursery’s related businesses—South Ridge Trucking, New Plants Inc., Champion Garden Towne and a residential and commercial landscaping firm. In 2009, he joined his daughter, Maria Zampini, as a founder of Upshoot LLC, a boutique horticultural marketing firm in Madison, OH.

Mitch Perkins

Jim served in a number of horticultural and community organizations as a volunteer, committee member, chairman and director. In his long, distinguished career, he received numerous awards for his volunteer work and community involvement.

Jim Zampini

Zampini is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret, two children, four grandchildren and sister, Patricia “Patty” Zampini.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 15

The plant shortage predicament — then, now and tomorrow

16 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

A

fter years of struggling during the economic downturn, the green industry gradually has made a comeback. But not every aspect has returned to its prerecession level.

Plant shortages have affected companies across the country. An alarming number of growers went out of business and combined with those who survived drastically reducing their planting numbers, a “perfect storm” of shortages are causing industry professionals to spend more resources finding, planning and purchasing plants.

Growers today are facing an uphill battle to meet the demand for high quality plants — a challenge likely to continue for years to come. We asked several members and industry experts to speak to us about what they are experiencing on availability. Here’s what they had to say.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 17

NLN: How is your business impacted by the availability of plants/trees?

What kinds of challenges are you experiencing?

SPIVEY: This year I’ve experienced a loss in sales and missed business opportunities. It is a challenge trying to make customers understand that plants don’t come off an assembly line. If we don’t have them this week, we won’t have them next week. Plants need time to grow.

DAVIS: People are now finally realizing the severity of shortages and that helps. It allows us the opportunity to use substitutions for jobs when requested plants are unavailable.

CURRIN: I think many nurseries saw the plant shortage coming by 2010 or so. We were throwing away so many plants and cutting way back on production just trying to survive. When there seemed to be no end to the recession and cash flow was always low, it was silly to plant big numbers on any crop. But in the back of many of our minds was the fact that when the economy did start to come back, it would take time to get big numbers going again.

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Tips for a Tight Plant Market

buyncplants.com

Get connected – meet with growers before planting season

jocoplants.com

Stay flexible – be prepared to suggest alternate sizes, varieties

plantant.com

Plan ahead – expect to spend more time/money acquiring material

plantfinder.com

Be up front – educate clients, put a plant availability clause in contracts

jfschmidt.com/treelocator/

Talk often – avoid surprises as issues arise or plans change

Order now – reserve stock for 2018 and beyond

WHO WE INTERVIEWED

Shanon Spivey

Kirk Davis

Ruth Currin

Dee Clark

Paige Moody

Spivey's Nursery

Kirk Davis Nursery & Landscaping

Currin's Nursery

C&G Nursery

Arbor Enterprises

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

14 Years in Business

35 Years in Business

43 Years in Business

35 Years in Business

26 Years in Business

70 Years in Business

7 Employees

22 Employees

8 Employees

9 Full Time/30 Part Time Employees

30 Employees

30 Employees

Kernersville, NC

Harrisburg, NC

Willow Spring, NC

Newland, NC

Pittsboro, NC

Boring, OR

Business Type: Trees & Shrubs

Business Type: B&B Material, Landscaping Services

18 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

Nancy Buley

Communications Director

Business Type: Business Type: Business Type: Business Type: Wholesale Container 100+ Varieties of Full Service Landscaping Wholesale Grower of Nursery offering shrubs Landscape Plants as well & Contracting 500+ Varities of Shade, and trees 1 to 100 as Christmas Trees Flowering and Specialty gallon Ornamental Trees

We have been impacted by the plant shortage for the last three years now because we have been noticing that there are fewer liners out there. So, although we propagate most of the plants we grow, we still have to buy in liners and gallons to help with production gaps for the branded plants that we are not licensed to propagate. Although we don’t grow a large number of trees, we have noticed that tree liners/whips are less available and if they are available, they are smaller than they have been.

We were also impacted quite a bit by Hurricane Matthew this past October. In the spring and summer of 2016 we had made a real effort to fill in our pot-in-pot sections with 7-, 15- and 25-gallon material that would have been ready from Summer 2017 to Spring 2018. We lost many of those plants — some of which would have been 2” trees — and are having to start over again by either pulling from our own production or from others’ dwindling inventories.

CLARK: We haven't been able to get a lot of the varieties we grow in the liner sizes we prefer. We are having to take substitutions of plants that are similar or in smaller liners. This means that we have to grow longer and do more work to the trees. I am also having to look outside my normal vendors to try to procure material. I don't like doing this this because we try to stay loyal to our traditional vendors as long as they are supplying a quality plant.

BULEY: There’s an overall shortage of bare root and container liners in the marketplace this year. Many varieties are sold out, or are available only in small numbers and/or sizes.

We are also experiencing a continent-wide shortage of landscape-ready trees in the 1.5-3” caliper range.

We know this because of a surge in requests for our TreeLocator™ service. Because specifiers and buyers are unable to find the trees they need from their customary vendor nurseries, they are turning to TreeLocator™ to find new potential sources of trees. We connect them with our customers in their region who have purchased liners of the cultivars and/or species they are seeking. If they are not already sold out, our customers are likely to make a sale and perhaps develop a new business relationship.

NLN: What’s the impact on your customers and how are you handling it?

SPIVEY: They are having to look farther (away) for material. I’ve been trying to point them in a direction for help.

DAVIS: Landscapers understand the shortage issue, but the public does not.

CURRIN: I think our customers really started to see the shortage this past fall, especially for 2-3" tree availability and for “bread and butter” plants like hollies used for building foundations. Over the last couple of years, we have increased numbers on the plants that we have a greater demand for and attempted to supplement our own inventory gaps by buying in quick-turnaround gallons or liners. However, time is the one variable we can’t hurry up, especially on some of the plants for which we cannot find liners or prefer to propagate and grow ourselves.

Many of our customers who work for municipalities are having trouble convincing the landscape inspectors to pass the plants, because what they have planted is smaller than specified on the plan. However, our customers cannot find the size of plants specified and they cannot plant what they cannot buy. We help those customers by offering acceptable subs closer to the specified size. I have even had local inspectors call me to talk through it.

Recently, NCNLA released a statement (see page 23) explaining the plant shortage and how to handle it.

I am now recommending to my customers that they show it to the inspectors on their jobsite or even to the homeowners who are having the work done. I believe it gives a bigger and louder voice on the subject rather than my tiny one on the other end of the phone.

It is a challenge trying to make customers understand that plants don’t come off an assembly line.

Shanon Spivey

We are having to root many plants ourselves, which just adds to the amount of work to be done.

Dee Clark

Gone are the days of finding a 24" tall needlepoint holly in a three-gallon container.

Ruth Currin

CLARK: Our customers are having to do much the same — taking a smaller size or similar plant. They are also having to convince the architects and inspectors that many sizes and varieties are not available on the market now. Many of the architects have no concept of which plants are in short supply.

We are having to turn down new customers and tell old customers who only buy one or two varieties that we can't supply them with plants at this time SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 19

linden, plane trees, swamp white and forest green oaks There are a few benefits to shortages. Plant prices If the economy and a variety of other large canopy oaks are sold out. are finally where they need to be. We also are able keeps chugging We have smaller than usual numbers of named cultivars to eliminate some slow-paying customers. Another of ginkgo, black tupelo, sugar maples. Even staples like benefit we are seeing is the ability to sell some marginal along at a similar flowering pear and honeylocust are nearly sold out. We trees that two years ago would have been destroyed. pace, shortages still have an assortment of oaks of various species that NLN: With what types of plants are you are desirable for meeting urban forest diversity goals, of today ought to but in much lower numbers than usual. seeing the most shortage? continue for the SPIVEY: 2" trees.

NLN: Briefly describe your plant/tree next several years.

DAVIS: Evergreens and other large maturing trees. procurement process. How has that Our savvy customers changed over the last two to three years?

CURRIN: 2-3" container trees are really hard to find. have already placed Bread and butter shrubs — like hollies used for SPIVEY: Over the last several years I’ve had to look for foundations or plants used for hedges — are low in new suppliers for product. or rolled over numbers everywhere. We do have some bread and DAVIS: I don’t think that nurseries are going to over their orders for butter plants left after this spring, but they are still a produce after the downturn in 2008, short supplies can newer crop that are on the small side. Gone are the days 2018. Specifiers be a good thing though. of finding a 24" tall needlepoint holly in a three-gallon and buyers of container like people had — and were desperately CURRIN: Since we are a smaller nursery, many of our trying to get rid of — back in 2009. Now, it’s difficult for employees — including myself and my dad — wear finished stock us to grow a needlepoint holly to 18" in a three-gallon many different hats. I wish that I could say that we have should continue container before it’s sold. I understand that landscape a detailed and organized plant procurement process, plans designed in the years when plants were large and but we don’t. Since we propagate a majority of the to plan ahead and plentiful are just now coming to fruition. So, the key for plants we grow, we don’t buy in vast amounts of liner reserve stock and/ those customers is to be flexible in their specs. material. However, we obviously have to buy in plants for various reasons and I thank God for our vendors or contract grow in CLARK: The shortages are pretty much across the who are more organized than we are. We’ll call or email order to be assured board. Spruces are the only plants where I am seeing them when we see a gap in production or unexpectedly supply equaling demand. In our part of the state sell out of a crop. of obtaining the the worst shortages are in boxwoods (all varieties In the last two to three years, our processes have trees they need for and sizes), arborvitae (most varieties and sizes but especially in green giants and emerald greens), maples, changed. We have been going to battle with weeds at at least the next oaks, hornbeam, rhododendrons, kalmia and larger the nursery for almost a decade now and seeing great dogwoods.

Fraser fir (Christmas trees) are even in very results. We don’t want to break that by bringing in liners several years.

Nancy Buley

short supply.

BULEY: Liners of large canopy shade trees are very short in the marketplace this year. We’re sold out of many species of which we grow fairly large numbers and usually have in good supply. Most of our elms,

20 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

that are full of weed seed. So, our list of vendors only includes nurseries we trust to have the same vision as we do when it comes to weed management. We are very fortunate to have great relationships with those vendors and are always looking for new-to-us nurseries that share our weed control philosophy.

A Practical Approach to Plant Shortages

by Paige Moody, Arbor Enterprises If you are fortunate enough to be a design build landscape contractor, the ongoing plant supply and demand (mostly demand now) is not as big an issue.

A lot of us in the industry tend to keep a cache of well-used plants in our holding areas or have our own small nurseries for just that reason.

However, if you bid the majority of your work, or install a designer's work, then the challenge has landed right in your lap.

Having a network of “go-to” nurseries is also crucial. Spread the LOVE.

Even if you or your production person plans early, there is no guarantee that the material will be available. If substitutions are not allowed, your frustration level is now sky high.

What to do? First, it is imperative for your plant purchaser to be well connected.

Current availability, nursery awareness, willingness to piggyback and an overall attitude of thinking outside the box are all essential to securing all the quality material you need.

You may have to go to the garden centers and purchase that Monrovia plant. I support that. We are all in the Green Industry to make a profit, so plan on that added cost. In the meantime, develop a real relationship with those garden center managers and owners.

Why is their material always so nice looking and why do they always seem to have plenty of it? They plan ahead!

A $10,000 project with a $3,000 plant cost budget needs to have that "I can't find it anywhere” factor. That factor is either a substitution, a planned out of state trip or merely waiting.

And while we are at it, are those costs in your plant budget? Is the time it takes to go to seven or eight different nurseries picking up scattered material accounted for?

It may be worth it in your proposal to have a clause “plant availability is subject to change." When your client asks: "What is that about?" explain that the Green Industry is a moving target — there are plenty of plants available, but securing everything the customer wants may take time.

The supply & demand model is in full swing! I do believe that 99 percent of our selections can be located. However, size, location and price are all subject to change.

Education for our clients is key.

For relationship-building seeing the industry’s trade show is a must. Those are the connections that can help your plant purchaser be attuned to who has what.

On a final note, our landscape architect and designer friends need to be flexible.

I have always found this to be true. Don't wait until the last minute to discuss changes and keep everyone informed. We all want what is best for our projects and our clients.

The industry's best practice is to band together in our efforts to provide quality material. Visiting nurseries and making our growers aware of what we as designers love to use is also crucial in this circle of plant life.

We cannot blame the plant shortages on 2008 anymore We've started over and “it takes a village."

I am thankful we have a village to call on.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 21

MEMO Elements of the “Perfect Storm”

By Nancy Buley A number of factors combined to create today’s “perfect storm” of tree shortages — and it won’t blow over for several years.

Nurseries reduced their planting of liners by the millions during the recession. It's the trees that should have been planted in those years that should be in the marketplace now.

A large number of nurseries went out of business. Others returned their nursery acreages to the production of other crops.

Labor shortages prevent many growers from increasing their plantings and limit our planting of additional liners, too. We cannot plant more trees than we have labor to care for them properly.

Today’s improved economy has sparked housing construction and commercial development that calls for trees.

The onslaught of emerald ash borer (and the resulting rapid loss of millions of city trees) drives a huge demand for large-canopy shade trees to replace them.

Tools for quantifying the value of urban forests are coming into general use. These generate a greater appreciation of the value of trees as green infrastructure. The reports also enable urban forest managers to accurately calculate the percentages of Genus and species that populate their city forests and highlight the importance of diversifying their planting mixes.

Municipalities around the world are recognizing that a healthy urban forest is essential to creating healthy, livable cities. Tree advocates now have the numbers to prove the economic, social and health benefits of trees; and they are demanding capital investment in green infrastructure, which increases overall demand for trees and contributes to market shortages.

I don’t think that nurseries are going to over produce after the downturn in 2008.

Kirk Davis

CLARK: In terms of procurement, the main change is that we are having to root many plants ourselves which just adds to the amount of work to be done. We pretty much work six days a week, eight to ten hours per day — and that’s not just in shipping seasons.

NLN: How do you go about scouting for new plant or crop vendors?

inventories first. For a broader, more regional/national search, we like plantant.com or plantfinder.com.

However, nothing can replace a good old trade show or word-of-mouth recommendation for finding a new vendor. We interested not only in the plants they grow, but also in the cleanliness of their farm. It’s hard to visit everyone we buy from to see for ourselves, so we put a lot of stock into other nurserymen’s experiences with that vendor.

At trade shows, we always like to talk to new potential vendors, see the plants in the booth and pictures of their nursery and crops. There have been a few times when I’ve met someone at a trade show networking event — like at the bar after dinner or at an after-hours party — who has become a favorite vendor of ours.

CLARK: The main way that I have had to change scouting for new vendors is sometimes going through brokers. I normally do not like to do this. Also, we have some very good relationships with our vendors and they are checking with neighbors trying to help us fulfill our needs

Status of Statewide Plant Inventory.

NCNLA Resource Available to Members

T

he North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. (NCNLA) has received a number of inquiries from members, landscape architects, contractors and city/ municipal planners expressing concern about the current availability of landscape plants, in particular trees, throughout the state. The two most common questions are about what caused plant availability to become limited; and when a greater supply of trees that meet common landscape specifications will become available.

NLN: Do you have any general tips/advice on plant shortages?

In response to these inquiries, NCNLA created a resource, available to NCNLA members, to help effectively communicate to customers, contractors, city planners and the like the realities of today's wholesale plant market and to offer flexible solutions that ultimately leave the customer satisfied.

SPIVEY: Understand the business you’re in. Help your customers understand that plants are grown not made. It takes time — even years — to replace crops.

Please contact NCNLA office to request this resource at (919) 816-9119 or info@ncnla.com.

CURRIN: Be patient! In the meantime, be flexible and willing to accept plant substitutions or smaller size specifications. Also, be aware that the plant shortage is one of many reasons plant prices will continue to rise, so be sure to estimate high when quoting.

MEMO To: From: cc: Date: Re:

NCNLA Members Corey Connors, Executive Vice President NCNLA Board of Directors May 2017 Status of Statewide Plant Inventory

Recently, the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. (NCNLA) has received a number of inquiries from members, landscape architects, contractors and city/municipal planners that have expressed concern about the current availability of landscape plants, in particular trees, throughout the state. The two most common questions that NCNLA has received from stakeholders are: what caused plant availability to become limited, and; when a greater supply of trees that meet common landscape specifications will become available.

Factors Contributing to Current Plant Inventory Challenges – Future Availability Challenges related to the availability of plants is not a North Carolina-specific phenomenon. The discussion of plant shortages has been common throughout the industry, across the country, dating back as far as 2013. Nationwide, trends identified include: •

Landscape trees can take between 5-10 years to propagate. As many propagators across the country went out of business as a result of the Great Recession, there is far less availability for nursery growers to purchase the young plants needed to establish new crops than in years past.

•

Nursery producers were forced to destroy market-ready crops as demand fell-off dramatically during the recession. As many did not begin replant until 2012-2014, two-tothree-year-old trees that meet many common landscape specification requirements are just now coming online.

•

In addition to destroying market-ready crops during the recession, nursery producers also deferred necessary capital improvements, equipment purchases and employee wage increases as they struggled to remain viable during the recession. Though demand and sales are improving, increased production is only a part of the investment required for nursery growers to stabilize their businesses.

CLARK: The main tip I can give is to keep up a good relationship with your vendors and be loyal. We have been doing business with many of our vendors for more than 25 years and many times we are able to get what we need when others can’t.

SPIVEY: I travel to trade shows across the country looking for vendors I can work with in different regions.

DAVIS: People have been having to look further and harder for new vendors.

CURRIN: Of course, being from a younger generation, my first stop is the internet. We use sites like jocoplants. com and buyncplants.com to search local nursery

22 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

Meeting with growers prior to planting season can give you a leg up in the springtime plant competition.

NCNLA’s annual Green & Growin’ Marketplace takes place January 18-19, 2018 in Greensboro, NC. Watch for details on GreenandGrowin.com.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 23

BU I LD I N G A STRO N G ER FUTURE FOR THE INDUSTRY

Alamance Community College

Students in the Horticulture Technology program at Alamance Community College (ACC) finished second among 26 community colleges and 10th overall out of 60 schools and 672 students at the competition this year.

Matt Case, a second-year student in the program, finished in 3rd place overall. He also finished 1st place in the Small Engine Repair competition and 3rd in Skid Steer operation.

ACC student John Hawkins finished 7th overall. Elizabeth Trott, who finished 12th overall, was also the highest scoring female at the competition. This was the 14th consecutive year that ACC’s Horticulture department had attended this national event.

Here’s how ACC fared in other competitive categories:

L

By Kaley Jacobs, NCNLA

andscape and horticulture graduates are in high demand.

The chronic workforce shortage in the landscape industry means there are plenty of options for students to select their desired career paths and locations. The National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) is an unparalleled opportunity for next-generation landscape industry superstars to meet and greet, demonstrate their skills and explore a variety of careers in commercial horticulture.

The 41st annual NCLC was held March 15 – 18 at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. More than 670 students enrolled in horticulture programs at two- and four-year colleges and universities around the country came to participate and represent their schools. Participants demonstrated their skills in real-world events such as tree climbing, patio building, plant identification, skid steer operation, sales presentation, exterior/interior design, irrigation troubleshooting, wood construction and more.

Presented by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the three-day event is designed to cultivate and engage the rising generation of industry talent. It features the country’s largest landscape skills competition along with powerful networking opportunities. Potential landscape employees currently entering the job market participate in programs geared specifically to help future leaders of the landscape industry succeed.

The Career Fair coupled with the competition brought students together with representatives from landscape, lawn care, tree care, irrigation and supplier companies. It was an opportunity to get guidance from seasoned experts as they begin their careers.

24 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

NCLC 2018 will take place here in North Carolina (see pg 27) — but first, here’s a look at this year’s results.

John Hawkins - 1st place in Sales Presentation and 2nd place in Irrigation Design

Elizabeth Trott - 2nd place in Plant Problem

Paul Gulledge - 1st place in Landscape Lighting

Joel Deuterman and Nate Parker - 3rd place in Aboriculture

Paul Linn - 6th place in 3D Exterior Landscape Design

Nate Parker - 8th place in Compact Excavator Operation

Matt Case & Jacob Bost - 6th place in Irrigation Assembly

Jacob Bost - 4th place in Computer Aided Landscape Design

Elizabeth Trott & Hannah Williams - 10th place in Employee Development

The ACC team (left to right): Zach Webster, Sean Brady, Paul Linn, Derrick Jones, Paul Gulledge, Matt Case, Hannah Williams, Kassidy Williams, Matt Richardson, David Loflin, Jacob Bost, Nate Parker, Caleb Fox, Elizabeth Trott, Christian Rudd, Mark Feehan, Janie Robbins, John Hawkins (kneeling).

Nate Parker finished 8th in the Compact Excavator competition.

Paul Gulledge took 1st place in the Landscape Lighting competition.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 25

Sandhills Community College

Taking home 1st place in the Cheer Competition earned Sandhills Community College $1,000, which will help support the growth of their horticulture department. The competition team this year included one senior student; the rest were freshmen. Two of the students placed in the top 50 overall, while Sandhills placed 25th out of 60 schools.

In addition to attending the competition, students were able to visit some Utah landmarks, such as Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park.

“It was a great experience for the students, and the freshmen are looking forward to competing next year here in North Carolina,”

The NCSU Team (left to right): Front row – Liz Riley, Lis Meyer, Selena McKoy, Amanda Lay, David Denton. Second row – Rachel Martin, Emma Rider, Anna Dixon, Kris Riebe, Sophia McCusker, Jonna Nance. Third row – Chris Bradley, Grace Manzer, Nathan Gantt, John Nix, Madison Hindsley, Patrick Moore, Ethan Mason, Chris Thomas, Dustin Black, Lee Ivy; Back row – Kate Watts, Alex Burnette, Lucas Yanders. Not pictured – Mackenzie Hare.

preparation for events. It made for great camaraderie and relationship building.”

Individual placings:

Mackenzie Hare receive a $1,000 check for the Social Award.

Nathan Gantt took 1st place in the Small Engine Repair competition.

North Carolina State University

The Horticulture Competition Team at North Carolina State University (NCSU) returned from Utah with a 7th place finish overall.

The team was comprised of 22 students, including 16 first time participants. Twenty-one NCSU students placed in the top 10 in their respective events.

“This year's team chemistry was incredible.

(Everyone) worked hard to raise money and support each other,” said Horticulture Science Department Lecturer Lee Ivy. “For the first time this year, competitors were partnered with industry professionals to help in the 26 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

Nathan Gantt – 1st Small Engine Repair

Lucas Yanders – 3rd Compact Excavator Operation

Kris Riebe & Nathan Gantt – 3rd in Landscape Maintenance Operations

Alex Burnette, Ethan Mason, Sophia McCusker – 4th Landscape Plant Installation

Chris Thomas – 5th Landscape Lighting

Rachel Martin – 5th Interior Landscape Design

Alex Burnette & Nathan Gantt – 6th Arboriculture Techniques

Mackenzie Hare – 6th Exterior Landscape Design

Ethan Mason & Amanda Lay – 6th Irrigation Assembly

John Nix – 6th Woody Plant Identification

Grace Manzer – 7th Flower and Foliage Identification

Alex Burnette – 8th Maintenance Cost Estimating

Madison Hindsley – 9th Computer Aided Landscape Design

Ethan Mason & Jonna Nance – 9th Employee Development

Patrick Moore – 9th Woody Plant Identification

Seth Bennett gains hands on experience in the Landscape Maintenance competition.

said Landscape Gardening Coordinator Dee Johnson. “Thank you to NCNLA for supporting their participation in this special event.”

ACC To Host NCLC Next Year

North Carolina’s Alamance Community College is hosting the 2018 National Collegiate Landscape Competition. The March 14-17 event is expected to draw some 1,100 landscape students and professionals from across the nation to ACC’s campus in Graham.

“Being selected as the host is the culmination of a dream that started when we attended our first national competition event back in 2004,” said Justin Snyder, Horticulture Technology Department Head and Dean of Industrial Technologies. “It is a great opportunity for us to showcase our program, college and community. For a few days, we will be the center of the horticulture industry.”

Since 1977, only four community colleges have served as the host site. “It is a tribute to the College and to ACC’s award-winning Horticulture Technology program that the National Association of Landscape Professionals wants to bring their most visible annual event to our campus,” said ACC President Dr. Algie Gatewood. “We are more than excited…(and) anxious to begin planning the specifics to ensure that we provide our guests with a top-notch networking and competition experience, and also expose them to the amazing sights and sounds of Alamance County and the Triad area.”

NCLC ‘By the Numbers’:

1977 The first NCLC (formerly Student Career Days) takes place — with 5 schools competing — at Mississippi State University.

15,000+ students have participated in the program over the past 41 years

25 colleges and universities — in 18 states — have hosted the competition

650-850 students participate annually

64 schools competed in 2017

The Sandhills team won the national cheer competition. Showing off the ceremonial version of their $1,000 prize are (left to right): Front row — Aaron Bolton, Currin Blakley, Tracie Davis, Amy Fogleman, Josh Bustillos, Dena Dagnan, Teno Benitez, Johanna Westmen. Back row: Jim Westmen, David Curry, Roger McMillan, Jamal Mitchell, Noah Tate, Seth Bennett.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 27

Shop Agri Supply for the Brands You Trust

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Agri Supply is the go-to place for all of your landscaping needs.

Our stock of mower blades exceeds 250,000 to fit over 70 brand mowers and over 800 mower applications. All of our mower blades have a one year guarantee.

We stock many other landscaping supplies including spreaders, fertilizer, grass seed, landscape trailers, nursery carts, tanks, sprayers, herbicides and much more.

Provided by NCNLA and AmericanHort as a Lighthouse Program partner benefit. For the latest information about these and other federal legislative concerns, visit AmericanHort.org

Stop by today and let us earn your business. Or, shop online at AgriSupply.com.

Winners and Syngenta Flowers). The resulting certification framework establishes standards that must be consistently met or exceeded by offshore operations. The standards encompass facility infrastructure, production and sanitation, pest and pathogen management and traceability.

New Pilot Cert Program for Plant Cuttings Set to Launch this October

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www.AgriSupply.com Over 26,000 Items for FARM•SH OP •HO ME One year warranty on all items • Lifetime warranty on all hand tools 28 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

Offshore-produced plant cuttings of diverse varieties of annuals and perennials have become an important component of the greenhouse and nursery industry supply chain. Over one billion unrooted cuttings are imported each year from farms primarily in Latin America and Africa. They are rooted and finished in growing operations across the country.

Unrooted cuttings are highly perishable and need to move rapidly and efficiently from harvest to the next phase of production or risk quality loss or failure. Most concerning are delays or cold-chain interruptions that can happen during the port of arrival inspection and clearance processes overseen by Customs and Border Protection and USDA-APHIS. For over a year, AmericanHort and the Society of American Florists have participated in a technical working group with USDA-APHIS and four major cutting suppliers (Ball Horticultural Company, Dümmen Orange, Proven

The pilot will encompass places of production in six Latin American countries. If the pilot is successful, it could pave the way to a faster clearance process at the ports, helping to ensure that high-vitality cuttings reach U.S. growers sooner. If successful, the program would be opened to additional producers and countries where cuttings are produced for export.

Ambrosia Beetles in the News

Concern about ambrosia beetles continues to grow among nursery producers as new reports surface of their destructiveness.

Various species of ambrosia beetles are well established in the U.S. and are known to be problematic, such as the granulate ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, and the black stem borer, X. germanus. Both of these are common throughout the Midwest eastward to the East Coast. Now, Southern California has an ambrosia beetle threat.

Two relatively new species were identified in California in 2012, a polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB), Euwallacea sp., and Kuroshino shot hole borer, Euwallacea sp., Similar to the ambrosia beetles in the eastern half of

the U.S., these two pests damage trees by tunneling into stems, trunks or branches and cultivating a fungal symbiont, Fusarium sp.

The PSHB and Kuroshino shot hole borer are similar species but distinct genetically. Both have a relatively broad host range, but one that is different compared with the species on the East Coast and in the Midwest. However, many woody landscape plants are at risk.

Another difference, and one that is particularly troubling, is that PSHB and Kuroshino shot hole borer attack healthy trees and are not attracted to ethanol (as is the case with the East Coast and Midwest beetles). A great number of trees from Los Angeles to the Nevada border and south to Mexico are under threat of beetle attack and subsequent Fusarium dieback in the near future.

For those curious about populations of ambrosia beetles, PSHB and Kuroshino shot hole borer are closely related to tea shot hole borer, which has (so far) only been identified in Florida.

There’s a bit more bad news when it comes to ambrosia beetle. A diagnostic lab recently SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 29

confirmed Hydrangea quercifolia (oak leaf hydrangea) as a host of the granulate ambrosia beetle, X. crassiusculus, in Alabama.

This was an unexpected finding, as hydrangea is not a typical host. However, this ambrosia beetle is known to be a generalist – as long as the tree has been weakened.

recently awarded a contract to an outside contractor to conduct research to obtain information for a proposed new alternative nursery insurance program referred to as Nursery Value Select and to identify issues related to the proposed program. The selected contractor, Watts and Associates, Inc., has initiated a targeted study to evaluate the efficacy of the new concept and gather stakeholder input.

As part of the required gathering of stakeholder input, Watts is hosting a total of nine stakeholder input meetings beginning June 20 and ending August 3. Listening sessions are being held in Texas, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon and California.

Crop Insurance Listening Sessions Coming Up

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation offers a nursery policy in all 50 states. However, the nursery crop insurance system always has been complicated and a little dysfunctional. We’ve had several industry leaders testify before Congress on problems with the program over the years, yet little if anything has changed for the better.

There’s a new window for driving meaningful change. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency

P.O. Box 395 Seaboard, NC 27876 Phone: (252) 589-1324 • Fax: (252) 589-1642 email: Stephanie@carolinabark.com • Suppliers of bulk aged pine bark fines.

• Custom mixes available containing lime, sand and/or minors/ • Fast, dependable service

Memberships: North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association 30 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

Action on Deferred Action – One Program Rescinded, Another Lives On

The Department of Homeland Security has rescinded one Obama-era executive action granting relief from deportation to certain individuals, while it has left a second, affecting the so-called DREAMers, intact.

On June 15, Secretary John F. Kelly signed a memorandum rescinding the November 20, 2014 memorandum that created the program known as Deferred Action for Parents of

Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). The rescinded memo, one of the executive actions taken by President Obama that year, purported to provide a path for unauthorized immigrants with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident child to be considered for deferred action (shielded from deportation).

Prior to implementation of DAPA, twenty-six states challenged the policies established in the DAPA memorandum in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The district court enjoined implementation of the DAPA memorandum. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision and the Supreme Court allowed the district court’s injunction to remain in place.

In a separate action, the Department announced that it would continue the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program intended to protect qualifying immigrants from deportation and provide them with work permits. A fact sheet on the Department’s website indicates that immigrants enrolled in the 2012 program will continue to be eligible to renew every two years and notes that “no work permits will be terminated prior to their current expiration dates.”

Field Grown shade and ornamental trees and shrubs Holly-Single Stem Tree Form and Full Form Osmanthus • Oak • Red Bud • Magnolia • Cherry • Birch • Elm • Viburnum • and more!

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www.kirkdavisnursery.com SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 31

GREEN INDUSTRY UPDATE Want to get more involved? If you would like to participate in GIC events and advocacy, call GIC at 919.372.1586 or visit ncgreenindustrycouncil.com and click on “Take Action > Get Involved.”

June Symposium Looks at “Water in the Performance Landscape”

The Seventh Annual NCGIC Water Symposium was held June 22 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. GIC brought in speakers from across the country to educate participants about projects and ideas related to “Water in the Performance Landscape,” including:

January 15-19, 2018 Greensboro, NC

2017 GIC Legislative Day Ice Cream Social

By popular demand, GIC member associations and representatives scooped out more than 1,000 bowls of NCSU “Howling Cow” ice cream on May16th at the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh. The event promoted the importance of NC’s green industry to legislators and their staff members, state officials and others. Participants browsed through GIC informational materials and spoke with GIC’s members and lobbyist Dick Carlton while they enjoyed their sweet treat.

Keynote Speaker Warren Gorowitz talked about where the green industry has been and how it can lead the green movement with sustainability. Gorowitz is Vice President of Sustainability at Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply in Phoenix, AZ.

Barbara Deutsch of the Landscape Architecture Foundation in Washington, DC, took a look at resources to help designers, agencies and advocates evaluate performance, show value and make the case for sustainable landscapes.

Dr. Grady Miller of NCSU presented ideas for managing turf and lawn to reduce inputs, add value to clients and create spaces that not only look nice, but also add landscape and site level functionality.

Dean Richard Linton offered perspective about the growth of NCSU’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences over the past five years and talked about new agricultural initiatives that are helping North Carolina.

Zachary S. Johnson (PLA, CLT, CLP) of Colorado State University presented his argument for landscape as a great investment of three percent of Colorado’s water.

“This is a great opportunity to meet new legislators, shake hands with established legislator friends — and talk with them about green industry issues,” said NCGIC President Jonathan Richardson. “Maintaining and building relationships with our legislators and their staff helps ensure the green industry’s voice is heard during policy discussions.”

NCGIC Offers Vigilance, Ice Cream and Education During 2017’s First Half

The GIC legislative team remains vigilant and watching bills that could affect the green industry — water policies, labor, immigration and natural disaster relief especially — and is keeping in touch with influential legislators as needed.

32 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

In the meantime, GIC encourages you to maintain and build relationships with your legislators. Getting to know your local officials now makes it easy to go to them later when your business and GIC need them.

To find your legislators, visit ncleg.net and click on “Who Represents Me?” — then simply call or visit them to introduce yourself as a resource on green industry businesses and issues.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Details about the presentations, awards and photos of this year’s Water Symposium were not available at press time. For full coverage, please visit www.SavingWaterNC.com.)

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 33

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BEST PRACTICE

Using a Hand-Cranked, Hand-Held Spreader to Apply Herbicides in Container Nurseries

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W

eed management in nursery crops can be one of the costliest components of crop production. Producers of container nursery crops rely primarily on two methods of weed control — multiple applications of preemergence herbicides and hand-weeding. Regardless of which herbicide is applied, the product must be applied accurately and uniformly to achieve effective weed control and to avoid over-application, which may injure crops.

Most preemergence herbicides used in container nurseries are formulated on granular carriers. The standard application method is with a hand-held, hand-cranked “belly-grinder” type of rotary spreader. Two of the more commonly used models are the Warren T7-II and the Solo 421S, but other models are available.

The uniformity of spread using these devices has been shown to be quite variable (Fig. 1). We have measured granular herbicide applications at nurseries and found up to 250 percent variability from one pot to another

By Joe Neal, NCSU

Granular Distribution Patterns. Granular spreaders typically have a distribution pattern in which the largest amount of granules is deposited directly in front of the applicator, with lesser amounts falling to the sides (Fig. 3a). To apply a uniform amount over an area, some overlap between passes is required. Overlapping each side of the distribution pattern by 30 to 35 percent, for a total of 60 to 70 percent overlap, creates the most even application (Fig. 3b). How close together the passes are and how much they overlap as a result is called the effective swath width.

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Granular herbicide application. Photo by C. Black

34 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

within a container block. Increasing the uniformity of herbicide distribution will improve weed control and decrease the potential for crop damage (Fig. 2). When using these granular spreaders, the most important factors affecting the distribution pattern and dose include: walking and cranking speed, swath width, rudder setting, amount of granule in the hopper, spreader output setting, wind speed walking patterns.

Fig. 1. Example of variable granule distribution

Fig. 2. Uniform herbicide distribution will result in better weed control

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 35

Typical Distribution Pattern

Walking Speed

Handle Cranking Speeds

Fig. 4. The faster you walk, the lower the application rate. Maintaining the speed you used while calibrating the spreader is important in maintaining a uniform application rate.

Fig. 5. Comparison of two handle-cranking speeds. The faster speed resulted in a wider spread and lower rate. Maintaining the handle-cranking speed used when calibrating the spreader helps keep the application rate and swath width consistent. (rpms)

Back and Forth Method

Fig. 3a. A typical pattern of granular distribution from a “belly-grinder” spreader.

30% Pass Overlap Fig. 3b. Overlapping passes by 30 to 35% will result in more uniform granular distribution.

Current Scenario

Fig. 6. A portable metronome like this can help you maintain a consistent walking pace and cranking speed.

Fig. 9. Adjustable rudder positions on a Warren T-7 II spreader.

Fig. 8. Having a narrower swath width improves application uniformity.

This spreader pattern reflects an 8-foot swath width; right, center, and left rudder positions; and the typical back and forth spreading pattern.

Rudderer Positions

Center Rudder Only

Fig. 11. Using only the center rudder position improved spreader uniformity. This spreader pattern reflects an 8-foot swath width, center rudder position only, and the typical back and forth spreading pattern.

Tips for using Warren T-7 II and Solo 421S spreaders

Maintain a consistent walking speed. Use a metronome.

Maintain consistent cranking speeds. Use a metronome.

The size of the beds matters! Keep nursery beds between 6 and 8 feet wide (for an 8- to 10-foot swath width).

Only use the center rudder position. Do not hold the spreader at an angle.

Refill the hopper when the level drops to about 25 percent full. Don’t wait until it runs out.

Start walking and cranking before opening the hopper.

If the wind is 5 mph or more, don’t make the application. Wait for a calmer day.

When using lower spreader settings, spread granules using the single direction, parallel pass method.

Calibrate your spreader!

36 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

Fig. 13. This pot received a HUGE dose of herbicide when the applicator opened the hopper before cranking the handle.

Fig. 14. Wind blew granules to pot edge.

Fig. 15. Typical back and forth application method.

Setting 6

Setting 4

Back and Forth Method

Fig. 16a. Sample granular distribution patterns at two spreader output settings. When the spreader is at the highest setting, the pattern is relatively uniform. The vertical lines mark the “center” position (where the applicator is walking).

Fig. 16b. At lower settings, the spreader distribution is skewed to the right. Instead of being centered, the peak dose is 2 to 3 feet to the right of the applicator. The vertical lines mark the “center” position (where the applicator is walking).

Fig. 17a. Sample granular distribution with a Solo spreader at Setting 4 with an 8-foot swath width, center rudder position, and a middle output setting. Distribution pattern created when making parallel passes in two directions (back and forth).

Correct Swatch Width

Fig. 7. This spreader pattern reflects a 12-foot swath width; right, center, and left rudder positions; and the typical back and forth spreading pattern.

Fig. 10. This typical granular distribution pattern was created from a Warren spreader by using the far left, center, and far right rudder positions. Using the left and right rudder positions created peaks in the amount of granules applied.

Fig. 12. Keep the spreader at least 25% full, as shown by the arrow.

Walking and Cranking Speed. The amount of granules applied to a given area is influenced by the applicator’s walking speed. The faster you walk, the fewer the granules put out (Fig. 4). A comfortable speed for most people is three miles per hour (100 feet in 23 seconds).

How fast you turn the spreader crank also influences the distribution of granules (Fig. 5).

When calibrating your spreader, make sure to use a speed that is comfortable. Then be consistent. You may use a metronome (Fig. 6) to maintain constant walking and handle-cranking speeds. When using a metronome, try 99 to 103 beats for the walking speed and 60 for the handle-cranking speed.

Swath Width. The distance between passes with a granular spreader (the swath width) has a large impact on application uniformity. For instance, with a 12-foot swath width, the average distribution pattern of FreeHand granules using a Warren T7-II spreader is very uneven (Fig. 7). The gaps can be greatly reduced by using an eight-foot swath width instead (Fig. 8). A swath width of about eight to ten feet works best for the average granule carrier.

Rudder Setting. Some spreaders can be adjusted to throw granules more to the right or the left, reducing the amount of product applied outside the container beds (Fig. 9). However, using these rudder positions creates spikes in the amount of product applied to the outer edge of the application area (Figs. 7, 8 and 10).

This can be avoided by using only the center rudder position on spreaders with multiple rudder options (Fig.

11). Holding the spreader at an angle while using the center rudder position also creates spikes in application and is not recommended.

Amount of Granule in Hopper. The amount of product in the hopper at any given time affects the rate of application. Application rates can be as much as 45 percent lower when the hopper is only 10 percent full than when the hopper is completely full. Don’t wait until the spreader is empty to refill. Add more granules when the level in the hopper drops to about 25 percent full (Fig. 12).

Start Walking Before Spreading. Before opening the hopper, start walking and cranking the handle. Otherwise, the spreader tends to drop a large amount of granules at the beginning (Fig. 13). Waiting to open the hopper also helps prevent the spreader from jamming and dropping granules in one spot.

Wind Speed. If there are winds greater than five miles per hour do not use the granular spreader. Wind interferes with the uniformity of application. In Fig. 14, notice how wind blew granules to the edge of the pot. This will inhibit root growth where the excessive herbicide is deposited and provide poor weed control where little or no herbicide is present.

Application Pattern. The direction you walk can make a difference. Applicators commonly walk a back-and-forth pattern (up one side and back the other) (Fig. 15). This pattern provides an acceptable, balanced distribution (Fig. 16a) only when the spreader is fully open (setting six on the Warren T7-II or Solo 421S spreaders) — and only SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 37

If you have calibrated your spreader to apply the full dose in one pass, then applicators must walk in the same direction. This might be most easily accomplished by having multiple applicators working together.

Fig. 18a. The single direction parallel pass method Fig. 18b. The other option is to make two Alternatively (and involves walking up and down between each bed, passes by walking up and down between each preferably), calibrate but only spreading in one direction. The arrows bed, spreading in both directions at half the represent walking while spreading granules. labeled rate. The arrows represent walking while your spreader to apply spreading granules. half the target dose and walk the area twice in opposite directions. with a few herbicide granules (notably the clay granule Remember — if you make two passes over the same used to make FreeHand G and Pendulum 2G). path, you must calibrate your spreader to apply only half of the labeled dose each time.

The fully opened setting may be appropriate for some Single Direction, Parallel Passes

Great uniformity still will produce poor results if you are putting out too much or too little product.

Test your application rate and adjust your walking speed and spreader setting as needed.

herbicide applications, but lower settings often are required to achieve the desired application dose. When the lower settings are used, the distribution pattern is skewed more to the right (Fig. 16b). This will dramatically affect the uniformity of application (Fig. 17a).

There are two ways to compensate for this skewed pattern—change the direction of travel and make all applications while walking in the same direction (Fig. 18a), or make two passes over the same path in opposite directions (Fig. 18b).

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INDUSTRY RESEARCH

Two Passes, Back and Forth Method

Calibration. It is also important to know how much product your spreader is putting out. Great uniformity still will produce poor results if you are putting out too much or too little product. Test your application rate and adjust your walking speed and spreader setting as needed.

Joe Neal is Professor of Weed Science, Extension Specialist & Department Extension Leader at North Carolina State University. Amy Barker is a Research Technician at NCSU.

Bee-Friendly Plant Lists Support Pollinator Cause Marketing

“P

lants Bees Like Best,” is the latest addition to the pollinator health toolkit provided

by Horticultural Research Institute.

The new publication was developed in response to industry requests for research-based recommendations for trees and shrubs that support bee health.

Making customers feel good about their purchases has a powerful effect on buying decisions. Research shows that cause marketing not only catches the attention of shoppers, it encourages purchasing and turns customers into advocates for your business.

38 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

One of four social media graphics included in HRI’s Pollinator Challenge Toolkit.

Pollinator health is an increasingly important cause for consumers in all demographics. The toolkit is one way HRI helps to equip industry businesses with materials to create awareness and showcase the important role horticulture plays in pollinator health.

“Plants Bees Like Best” was developed by leading scientists at the University of Kentucky based on research funded by HRI. It can help retailers influence purchasing habits and connect their customers to a movement that benefits the environment—something the horticultural community has long strived to do.

HRI encourages green industry businesses to use the “Plants Bees Like Best” publication to educate and motivate their customers to purchase and plant pollinator-friendly materials.

Other resources in the toolkit include:

Serving You Since 1937

By Jennifer Gray, Horticultural Research Institute

Print-on-demand point-of-purchase signs, bench cards and plant tags

Sample communications timeline with “best practice” public relations ideas Sample social media messages and saveand-use graphics

Save-and-use consumer flyer

Best management practices guide for bee health in the horticultural industry

Download a print-ready version of “Plants Trees Like Best” and other communications materials from HRI’s pollinator research website: GrowWise.org/ChallengeToolkit.

Pollinator point-of-purchase materials may be viewed and ordered directly through HRI’s Garden Center Marketing website: gardencentermarketing.com/page/ Pollinator-Garden-Challenge-Signage.

PLANTS BEES LIKE BEST Bee-Friendly Trees & Shrubs All of these plants are regularly visited by bees!

Bloom Time

Common Name

Scientific Name

Native

Type Rating1 Mar Apr

Cornelian cherry Dwarf fothergilla Winter honeysuckle Higan weeping cherry Higan cherry Flowering cherry Flowering crabapple Burkwood viburnum Cherry laurel Red horsechestnut American holly Foster's holly Winter king hawthorn Serviceberry Eastern redbud Black gum Ninebark Fuzzy deutzia Pyracantha Japanese tree lilac American yellowwood Mock orange Virginia spiraea False Indigo Buttonbush Climbing rose Common winterberry Sweetspire Bottlebrush buckeye Linden Golden raintree St. John's Wort Devil's walking stick PeeGee hydrangea Clethra Bee bee tree Winged sumac Crape myrtle Glossy abelia Seven-son flower Chaste tree

Cornus mas Fothergilla gardenia Lonicera fragrantissima Prunus subhirtella 'pendula' Prunus subhirtella 'autumnalis' Prunus spp.

Malus spp.

Viburnum burkwoodii Prunus laurocerasus Aesculus x carnea Ilex opaca Ilex x attenuata Crataegus viridus Amelanchier spp.

Cercis canadensis Nyssa sylvatica Physocarpus opulifolius Deutzia scabra Pyracantha spp.

Syringa reticulata Cladrastis kentukea Philadelphus spp.

Spiraea virginiana Amorpha fruticosa Cephalanthus occidentalis Rosa setigera Ilex verticillata Itea virginica Aesculus parviflora Tilia cordata, americana Koelreuteria reticulata Hypericum frondosum Aralia spinosa Hydrangea paniculata Clethra alnifolia Tetradium danielii Rhus copallinum Lagerstroemia spp.

Abelia x grandiflora Heptacodium miconioides Vitex agnus-castus

nonnative native nonnative nonnative nonnative Varies varies hybrid nonnative native native hybrid native Native native native native nonnative Nonnative nonnative native varies native native native native native native native nonnative nonnative native native nonnative native nonnative native nonnative nonnative nonnative nonnative

tree shrub shrub tree tree tree tree shrub shrub tree tree shrub tree both tree tree shrub shrub shrub tree tree shrub shrub shrub shrub shrub shrub shrub shrub tree tree shrub tree shrub shrub tree tree tree shrub tree tree

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Visitation ratings, Ohio Valley Region:

1

= moderate

= heavy

= very heavy

For more information: GrowWise.org and HRIresearch.org

“Plants Bees Like Best” is the latest addition to HRI’s Pollinator Challenge Toolkit, download it free at GrowWise.org/ ChallengeToolkit.

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), founded in 1962, has provided more than $7 million in funds to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to the green industry. Nearly $11 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations and associations. For more information about HRI, its grant-funded research, or programming, visit hriresearch.org or contact Jennifer Gray at 614.884.1155.

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 39

INDUSTRY RESEARCH

By Dr. Ben Smith, NCSU

SAVE THE DATES! July 19th - 21st

Developing Host Resistance to Adelgid Pests A comparison of responses to balsam woolly adelgid (from left to right): infested ramet of clone “A” shows loss of apical dominance; Clone “A” non-infested control ramet; infested ramet of clone “B” shows no loss of apical dominance.

I • FlowVision Workshop • Dr. Charlie Hall • Field Day 2017 at Bennett’s Creek Nursery • Summer Tour 2017 • Networking Events Two Evenings

nvasive exotic adelgid pests have caused problems for the nursery and landscape industries since their introduction and spread in the eastern United States. In North Carolina, Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae, which is native to southern Japan, has caused widespread decline and mortality of both eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) — drastically impacting the in-state and export markets for hemlocks.

The much rarer native stands of mature Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) were virtually wiped out by the balsam woolly adelgid (BWA), Adelges piceae, which is native to Central Europe/Asia. Fraser fir Christmas tree plantation operators are forced to chemically treat trees to avoid symptoms from BWA infestation — such as loss of apical dominance and gouting — which can severely reduce the value of trees. In addition to the direct costs, this chemical treatment disrupts integrated pest management (IPM) strategies employed in managing other Christmas tree pests.

The Forest Restoration Alliance (FRA), a 501(c)(3) operating under the NC Agricultural Foundation, was formed in 2007 as a response to the threats adelgids posed to native tree species. In 2011, the FRA began working on developing host resistance to adelgids in hemlocks and fraser fir in order to help the industries affected and aid in forest restoration. It currently is working on two approaches for incorporating host resistance.

Identifying resistance in native species

One strategy FRA is currently pursuing is exploiting any resistance that can be identified within the affected native hemlock and fir species. For hemlock, this has included investigating reports of potentially resistant or tolerant trees, as well as actively searching a few areas of high interest, such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Reports of potential resistance to FRA can be submitted online at threatenedforests.com.

At this time, we have collected cuttings for propagation and testing from more than 125 eastern and Carolina hemlock trees at sites located in North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. More than 30 of those trees are located in Wilkes County, NC, at one of our most promising sites.

Dr. Ben Smith, Research Scholar in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at NCSU.

We also collected open-pollinated (OP) cones from trees in that stand and will be planting progeny tests with some of the resulting seedlings to help select the most resistant parents. The remainder of the OP seedlings will be distributed through several NC nurseries so that they can be planted in landscapes within the state for long-term monitoring.

This spring we artificially infested 2-year-old rooted cuttings from about 25 clones of eastern and Carolina hemlock to screen for HWA resistance. Additional clones will be screened in the future as they develop into suitable plants. FRA also is hosting a long-term

Since 1979, the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association has provided over $1 million in funding to research, endowment and program activities at NC State University. This industry research, in part supported by NCNLA’s member dues premiums (silver, gold and platinum) and successful fundraising events throughout the year, demonstrates the effectiveness that private-sector collaboration with a world class public institution can provide. This is just one example of how NCNLA has partnered with NC State to provide solutions for green industry businesses here in North Carolina.

40 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 41

RevolutionaRy

Plant health

Soil & Water Management

SolutionS FRom Soil to cRown

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study, conducted by the University of Rhode Island, which includes plants from four potentially resistant eastern hemlock clones from New Jersey, and openpollinated progeny of two of those clones. After conducting multiple greenhouse screenings of this material, researchers have found that, while HWA will settle on the plants, the survival of the adelgids after several months declines significantly compared to controls.

In the future, one of the major sources for improved Ffraser fir Christmas tree planting stock for NC growers will be the NC Premium Fraser Fir Seed Cooperative (NCPFFS) seed orchard in Ashe Co., NCFRA and the Christmas Tree Genetics Program at North Carolina State University are collaboratively conducting a

screening study of 30 clones from the seed orchard, as well as seven clones from mature trees that survived the initial wave of massive mortality in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In May and June of 2016, the grafted clones were intentionally infested with BWA from an Alleghany County source.

The NCPFFS clone rankings will help guide future breeding efforts working toward genotypes with excellent Christmas tree characteristics as well as improved BWA response. Early analysis of a sub-set of the study has shown significant differences in the number of adelgids settling among clones. We will continue to measure adelgid numbers, tree health, gouting and apical dominance for several additional years.

Left: Grafted clones of fraser fir which were intentionally Infested with balsam woolly adelgid. (May 2016) Above: Hemlock cuttings set to be intentionally infested with hemlock woolly adelgid in 2017.

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Upcoming CPP Test Dates:

September 14 - Asheville, NC

October 6 - Fayetteville, NC

October 26 - Wilson, NC

Upcoming CYPP Test Dates:

September 14 - Asheville, NC

For more information on CPP & CYPP, please visit ncnla.com SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 43

Hybridization with resistant exotic species

The other approach underway is the creation of interspecific hybrids between native species and resistant or tolerant exotic species. Chinese hemlock (Tsuga chinensis) and northern Japanese hemlock (Tsuga diversifolia) are resistant to HWA, and southern Japanese hemlock (Tsuga sieboldii) is tolerant of HWA infestation.

Carolina hemlock is more closely related to these Asian hemlocks and has been successfully hybridized with them previously.

In contrast, a post-zygotic crossing barrier has made the production of hybrids between these exotics and eastern hemlock unsuccessful.

We have been attempting hybrid crosses with both native hemlock parents since 2011, with varying degrees of success. The Merkle Lab at the University of Georgia has assisted us by using somatic embryogenesis (SE) to vegetatively propagate potential hybrids in cultures developed from immature control pollinated seed. We have several clones of T. caroliniana x chinensis and T. caroliniana x sieboldii that we currently are working with the U.S. Forest Service to verify as hybrids using molecular markers.

The Merkle lab is also attempting to overcome the crossing barrier in the eastern hemlock crosses using SE techniques. Hybrids produced will be screened for adelgid resistance, with suitable resistant F1 hybrids being released for nursery production for ornamental use. They also will be incorporated into a backcross breeding program to develop trees suitable for restoration — similar to the strategy employed by the American Chestnut Foundation.

The U.S. National Arboretum has been working with hemlock hybrids for several decades, and FRA is cooperating with the Arboretum to carry out testing in NC. In Alleghany County, we are studying several crosses between Carolina and Chinese hemlocks to assess the hybrids for ornamental use in the southern Appalachians.

FRA is also collaborating with the NCSU Christmas Tree Genetics Program to develop hybrids between Fraser fir and BWA resistant fir species. Momi fir (Abies firma) is the exotic of greatest interest, as it is not only BWA resistant, but also resists Phytophthora root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi). However, hybrid crosses with momi fir have had extremely low germination rates.

Future work toward resistance

Welcome New Members!

Member Name

Organization Name

Wes Bray

For more information about FRA and the funding sources for this research, or to report potentially resistant trees, please visit threatenedforests.com or email the author at bcsmith6@ncsu.edu.

City

State

City State Mem. FOR SALE Type

Mem. Type

Member Company

Lawns & Gardens Virginia Beach VA Plus of Virginia Beach Inc.

Regular for Individual

Crumpler Plastic Pipe, Inc.

Christian Lonnecker

NC State University

Raleigh

Student

Genevieve Reddick

Alamance Community College

Durham

We plan to continue working on both strategies for developing resistance, as each has different advantages relative to our wide-ranging goals. As the understanding of resistance mechanisms deepens, we hope to incorporate different, more rapid, assessment techniques into the selection process to shorten the time required to put appropriately tested genetics into the hands of plant producers. We will continue to pursue SE as a possible route to produce novel hybrids, as well as an efficient way to mass produce tested genotypes for distribution.

Along the road to making trees useful for restoring our native forests affected by adelgids, we see many opportunities to have a positive impact on the industries that have suffered as a result of adelgid invasion.

NATIVE PLANTS

As of June 20, 2017

NC NC

Student

NATIVE PLANTS

Roseboro NC Regular We Specialize in Herbaceous North Wake Lawn Care LLC Wake forest NC Regular Native Plants for: Triad Leisure Scapes, Inc

Greensboro

Orlando FL Regular Affliate • Storm Water Management Ponds Member • Rain Gardens Landmark Landscapes Norcross GA Regular Affliate Member • Dune & Tidal Marsh Grasses • Upland Meadows

We Specialize in Herbaceous Native Plants for: We Specialize in Herbaceous

Native Plants for:& Tidal Marsh Dune Storm Water Management Ponds Grasses

• Storm Water Management Ponds Rain Gardens Upland Meadows • Rain Gardens • Dune & Tidal Marsh Grasses • Upland Meadows

Regular

Howard Fertilizer and Chemical Company

FOR SALE

NC

HORTICULTURAL SERVICES

Kevin T. Fabula

410-329-6466 Fax 410-329-2156

19960 Gore Mill Road, Freeland, MD 21053 www.signaturehort.com • kevin@signaturehort.com

HORTICULTURAL SERVICES

GROWERS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY WOODY ORNAMENTALS PLANTS, SHRUBS, AND TREES

Kevin T. Fabula

410-329-6466 Fax 410-329-2156

19960 Gore Mill Road, Freeland, MD 21053 www.signaturehort.com • kevin@signaturehort.com

Smithfield, Virginia

Proud Member

44 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 45

NLN CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Advertisers’ Index Agri-Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Arborjet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

NCNLA Events

2017 2015 SHOW Sponsored by

2017JocoPlants JoCoPlantsShow Show 2015

Wednesday,July July15, 12,2015 2017 Wednesday

12 15

2 015 2017

Trade Trade Show: Show: 99 AM AM -- 4 3 PM PM Get to know JocoPlants

Shop 24 Local Nurseries 22 Local Nurseries in one in one Convenient Convenient Location! Location!

Kerr Scott Building NC State Fairgrounds Raleigh, NC

August 25, 2017 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament Lochmere Golf Club 2511 Kildaire Farm Rd Cary, NC 27518 www.ncnla.com

2017 CPP Exams

September 14 - Asheville, NC

October 6 - Fayetteville, NC

October 26 - Wilson, NC

2017 CYPP Exams

September 14 - Asheville, NC

January 15 – 19, 2018 Green & Growin’ Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel – Education Greensboro Coliseum – Marketplace Greensboro, NC (919) 816-9119 GreenandGrowin.com

North Carolina Events July 12, 2017 JOCO Plant Show Kerr Scoitt Building – NC State Fairgrounds 1025 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607 jocoplants.com

August 11 – 12, 2017 2017 Speaking of Gardening Symposium Southern Highland Folk Art Center Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville, NC 28805 www.ashevillegreenworks.org

National Events July 15 – 18, 2017 Cultivate ‘17 Greater Columbus Convention Center 400 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215 cultivate17.org For the latest events, please visit ncnla.com 46 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017

July 19 – 21, 2017 VNLA Workshop, Field Day and Summer Tour 2017 Smithfield Center 220 N Church St Smithfield, VA 23430 www.vnla.org

August 1 – 3, 2017 SEGreen The Classic Center 300 N Thomas Street Athens, Georgia 30601 www.sna.org

August 23 – 25, 2017 FarWest Show Oregon Convention Center 777 Northeast M L King Boulevard Portland, OR 97232 www.farwestshow.com

September 12 - 13, 2017 AmericanHort's Impact Washington

Bennett's Creek Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 BUYNCPLANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Cam Too . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Carolina Bark Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 DitchWitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Fair View Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Green & Growin’ 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Gossett's Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Hawksridge Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Jake A. Parrott Insurance Agency . . . . . . . 38 JOCO Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Kirk Davis Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 NC Farm Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 OHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Old Courthouse Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Parker Bark Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Westin Washington D.C. City Center 1400 M Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 www.americanhort.org/impact

Pender Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

October 9-11, 2017 Protecting Pollinators in Urban Landscapes Conference

Signature Horticultural Services . . . . . . . . 45

Proven Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sampson Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Site Light Id . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Park Place Hotel 300 E State St. Traverse City, MI 49684 ecoipm.org

Star Roses and Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

October 19 – 20, 2017 GIE + EXPO

VNLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Triangle Turf & Ornamental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Turtle Creek Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Kentucky Exposition Center 937 Phillips Ln. Louisville, KY 40209 www.gie-expo.com

November 6 – 10, 2017 2017 Irrigation Show & Education Conference Orange County Convention Center 9800 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819 Irrigation Show | November 8 – 9 Education Conference | November 6 – 10 asic.org/events

SUMMER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 47

North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 968 Trinity Road Raleigh, NC 27607

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PA I D Raleigh, NC Permit # 2255

Rediscover PENDER NURSERY

Meet Your Pender Nursery Sales Team!

Doug Wright NC, SC, GA dwright@pendernursery.com

Nick Wright Central NC and In-house Sales nwright@pendernursery.com

Craig Banton VA, WV, MD, DC, DE, TN cbanton@pendernursery.com

Joseph Reynolds Sales Trainee jreynolds@pendernursery.com

PHONE: 800-942-1648 • FAX: 919-773-0904 • ONLINE: www.PenderNursery.com 48 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SUMMER 2017