Seems like I am running 6 ways to next Tuesday! But I guess that is spring for you.  Can you tell me how it got to be almost the end of May?

Do we really need a new pest?  Norway spruce gall midge (Piceacecis abietiperda).  From the UMass Extension Landscape Message: The Norway spruce gall midge is native to Europe and was first detected in Connecticut in 1983. Symptoms include deformed or bent shoots, swellings in nodes and premature needle shedding. This pest is known only from Norway spruce in both Europe and northeastern North America.

We have had a report from NY also.  Has anyone seen something that sounds like this? I can’t find very good information on it but will keep looking!

Caterpillars with blue and red spots? You’re not seeing things –  it might be gypsy moth larvae.  Every year we have a few sightings and it is getting to be that time.  You can get good control with Bacillus thuringiensis (don’t try to pronounce it – it’s Bt) products when the larvae are small.  Get out there  scouting!

Do you need another reason to scout? Elongate hemlock scale is out in PA

Pine needle scale crawlers come out with the lilacs

Also on the landscape radar – pine sawflies.  Check out Brian’s post –

We don’t often have thresholds for determining when to spray – unlike some other crops. But Michigan State does have one for eriophyid (rust) mites – the 80:8 rule (I just made  up that name but maybe that will help us remember).  80% of shoots with mites and at least 8 mites on a single needle. Guess that means you have to scout for them.  Are you seeing a trend here?

Another comment from a NY grower – All our employees have reported ticks– including Deer ticks- so now we have a  searchdown at the end of each day!!! Not a bad idea!  And here is some handy advice.

Remember I asked what anyone is doing about the spruce decline issue?  Here’s what Dan Stutzman responded:

Here is what we are doing in regards to the Spruce problem. 1. Increased our spacing from 6×6 to 7×7,  2 select only sites with good air drainage( with wind exposure from the west), and 3 MOST IMPORTANT MAKE SURE TREES ARE IN ALLIGNMENT BOTH DIRECTIONS SO AS TO PROMOTE  GOOD AIR DRAINAGE, butt prune bottom 6 inches of branches,( where disease starts), and finally keep  fields mowed BOTH ways

Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask about rusts.   Not on your equipment, on your trees.  We see fir fern rust and fir broom rust and white pine blister rust . . .  so learning about rust life cycles might just help!

We are still getting some reports that I think are winter injury.  You should be able to see buds breaking soon if not already – so maybe there is hope for many of those trees!

And for the ‘what else are you growing besides trees’ corner?

Understanding strobilurin fungicides for pumpkins (they aren’t just for pumpkins anymore – but probably more used than in trees)

How about Juneberries?  (Known as Saskatoon berries in my half Canadian household!) The production workshop is in June – how appropriate!

Now we have a grower with asparagus as an diversification crop.  I’ll have to start adding asparagus information (just saw some on diseases – so ask if you want it (you know who you are!)

Things are never dull in this job!  Have a great week!