Whitetail Deer mating season is typically referred to as “The Rut”. During this time period male deer (bucks) testosterone levels will increase as they begin to look for mates. This period can last anywhere from 1-3 months depending on location and environmental conditions. In most states in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic we will see it…
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Lilac Ash Borers have been found in ash tree throughout the state of Delaware in early July. These borers normally feed on nectar and lay eggs during their activity period. Frass (sawdust like) around the base of the tree or on the branches can be an indicator of them. Another indicator could also be seeing…
DetailsLast weekend the Urban Ecology Collaborative (UEC) held its annual meeting in Baltimore., and I had a great time participating. The UEC is a community of practice made up of public (federal, state, municipal) and NGO urban foresters from cities across the east (Boston, Worcester, Providence, New Haven, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore,…
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Basil downy mildew was identified first in Minnesota in 2012. With the right weather conditions basil downy mildew can spread rapidly and result in complete yield loss. The pathogen that causes basil downy mildew (Peronospora belbahrii) is not able to survive MN’s winters. However, it can be reintroduced on infected seed or transplants or by…
DetailsTrees have value. A client may need to have a tree or trees appraised for a variety of reasons. There are consequently a variety of approaches to tree appraisal, depending on whether the appraisal relates to replacement of lost or damaged plant material, loss of income, change in market value of real property, compensation of…
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The Japanese beetle is one of the most destructive pests for urban landscape plants in the eastern United States. Adult Japanese beetles are about 7/16-inch long with a green metallic body and copper-brown wing covers. They have consecutive white spots called tufts of hair from under the wing covers on each side of the body. Japanese…
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Turf diseases are starting to break out all over lower Hudson valley. One parasite in particular named Dodder has made a sudden appearance this year on home landscapes and municipal environments. Only consisting of yellow twining stems that produce small clusters of white flowers, dodder doesn’t have any leaves or chlorophyll to produce its own…
DetailsToday I attended the groundbreaking event for a green infrastructure project on a vacant lot in Baltimore. Last fall, we highlighted the winners of the Growing Green Design Competition. The competitors, teams of community members and professionals, submitted designs based on the Green Pattern Book. The project we celebrated today was one of the winners…
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Bermudagrass is currently on the minds of many property owners. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), which is also called wiregrass, is a warm season perennial grass found throughout this region. This grass is showing up on many landscapes. It has been able to grow exceptional well with the abundant moisture. Some feel the temperatures are not warm…
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Due to recent rains, mushrooms have been appearing in turf lawns. Mushrooms are usually Basidiomycete fungi that grow underground by means of a threadlike body called hyphae or mycelium. The mycelium of various fungi tends to grow through the soil and break down organic debris in soil. Fungi act as natural decomposers in our ecosystem. Without…
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