According to the website The Olive Oil Source, the olive is among the oldest known cultivated trees in the world, dating back to before written language was created. Native to Asia Minor, it spread from Iran, Syria, and Palestine before moving on to the rest of the Mediterranean basin some 6,000 years ago. While these…
In 2012, China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) suspended importation of apples produced in Washington State due to repeated incursion of diseases. The red and golden delicious apples purchased were afflicted with Sphaeropsis rot, bull’s-eye rot and speck rot. It wasn’t until this year, just last month, after intensive work with the…
The greatest threat to the sustainability of this country’s forests and probably the number one challenge for land managers is not forest fires, as may be perceived by the public, but insect infestations and the spread of disease. Insects and disease do not get the media coverage that fires do, but the National Report on…
Current Conditions The last couple of weeks in June were dry across the region, receiving only a fraction (0.05 inches) of the average expected rainfall for the month. July began with a couple of downpours and thunderstorms across the region as we experienced the outskirts of Hurricane Arthur. Daytime high temperatures have been seasonal, with…
Current Conditions Weather for the middle of June has actually been quite pleasant and mild, mostly dry with humidity rising and a couple of fronts coming through in the last couple of days. Most of the region is experiencing near-drought like conditions with less than an inch of accumulated rainfall, there were localized thunderstorms and showers,…
Current Conditions Weather for the beginning of June has actually been quite pleasant and mild, with some hot and humid days thrown in for good measure. Although the average across the region has been moderate with a little less than an inch of accumulated precipitation, some areas experienced unsettled weather including some strong thunderstorms. Soils in…
Rose Rosette disease Rose rosette is a novel threat to seemingly all cultivars of roses, even those previously known and used specifically for their disease resistance. Losses due to this disease have been documented on home and commercial landscapes, in nurseries as well as botanical gardens. Look for symptoms at the beginning of the season, but…
Current Conditions Our slow to start and fluctuating spring has earned the region an average of 82 growing degree days. The cool, overcast, damp days have given way to warmer than average temperatures but are forecasted to level out into average weather for the time of year. Soil temperatures have increased and are able to…
Blight Breakdown Fruit trees can be a beautiful and productive asset on any landscape; tenacious, sweet smelling blooms provide aesthetic appeal while also attracting pollinators and fruit can be harvested or left as wildlife forage. However, they can be susceptible to diseases which will compromise aesthetic value, growth and fruit production. Detection, identification, prevention and…
Vector Vexation Depending on where you live different species of mosquitoes will be prevalent and they can carry various diseases. Mosquitoes are one of the most common and virulent vectors (insects or organisms which transmit pathogens). They are responsible for spreading diseases like malaria, West Nile encephalitis, western equine encephalitis and dengue fever. Mosquitoes can also…
