June 19, 2006

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Illinois

The following is a press release on the Emerald Ash Borer from the Illinois Department of Agriculture:

Illinois Department of Agriculture activates state response plan to eradicate the exotic pest; urges public to learn the signs of EAB infestation and promptly report suspected cases

GENEVA, Ill. – A destructive, non-native pest that feasts on ash trees has been detected in northern Illinois. The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced today that a beetle found in the yard of a Kane County home east of Lily Lake is an emerald ash borer (EAB).

"A coalition of local, state and federal agencies, including the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Forest Service and Illinois Department of Agriculture, has been preparing for this day the past two years," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "Now that the emerald ash borer has been confirmed within our borders, we'll activate our response plan and begin the task of eradicating it. The first step is to conduct an extensive survey of ash trees in the area to determine the extent of damage. The findings will help establish boundaries for a quarantine that will stop the movement of potentially contaminated wood and nursery products out of the area and prevent the spread of this pest."

The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing the trees to starve and eventually die. While the beetle does not pose any direct risk to public health, it does threaten the tree population. Since the emerald ash borer was first confirmed in the Midwest in the summer of 2002, more than 20 million ash trees are dead or dying.

"We've had tremendous success identifying invasive species through public awareness and education," Warren Goetsch, IDOA division manager of Natural Resources, said. "Nearly every sighting of the Asian Long-horned beetle in Chicago was reported by a citizen. With that kind of assistance here, I'm optimistic we can contain this pest and save ash trees."

The homeowner discovered the beetle and alerted the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Illinois field office, which sent the bug to its lab in Romulus, Mich., for identification and notified IDOA nursery inspectors.

Inspectors visited the residence in "The Windings" subdivision where the beetle was found and discovered several infested ash trees. They also canvassed the neighborhood and uncovered at least six additional infested trees within five-blocks of the residence, as well as evidence of an infestation in an adjacent subdivision to the north.

"The diversity of the landscaping in this neighborhood will help our eradication efforts," Goetsch added. "Only about 5 percent of the trees are ash varieties."

Inspectors have not determined how the beetle arrived in Illinois, but suspect it may have been transported here in contaminated firewood from a quarantined area in Michigan. Michigan and Illinois are two of the five states where EAB infestations have been confirmed. The others are Indiana, Ohio and Maryland.

The emerald ash borer typically moves only short distances by flying, but can survive long distances in transit on ash nursery stock, ash logs, branches and firewood. To avoid the accidental introduction of the beetle to new areas, people are advised to purchase only locally-grown nursery stock and locally-cut firewood.

The emerald ash borer is difficult to detect in newly-infested trees. Signs of infestation include the presence of metallic-green beetles about half the diameter of a penny on or around ash trees, thinning and yellowing leaves, D-shaped holes in the bark of the trunk or branches and shoots growing from the base of the tree. Anyone who suspects a tree has been infested is urged to first contact their county Extension office. The Illinois Department of Agriculture also will offer a toll-free hotline at 800-641-3934 for extension-confirmed infestations.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:40 AM | Permalink |

June 19, 2006

Organic Gardening Day 2006

Organic gardening is gaining favor among people concerned about the quality of their food and lifestyle. Whether you are an experienced organic gardener or a beginner looking for guidance as you start out, the University of Illinois' Organic Gardening Day 2006 will give you plenty to think about as you begin to dream about next year's gardening successes. This event is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2006, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center, 1001 Killarney Street, Urbana, Illinois, just off I-74 at exit 183 (Lincoln Avenue). The first educational session begins promptly at 9 a.m.

"A day of educational and entertaining sessions, an organic theme lunch, and the chance to interact with noted organic gardening experts from around the country is all packed into this big day of gardening fun, food, and fellowship," Said Chuck Voigt, U of I Extension specialist. "This year's impressive lineup of educational sessions provides more than enough incentive to come early and take advantage of the whole day."

Keith Crotz, owner/operator of The American Botanist, will speak about The History and Literature of Organic Gardening. Keith is an alumnus of the University of Illinois and M.S.), and farms organically in Chillicothe, Illinois.

Dr. John Masiunas, U of I associate professor, will speak about his extensive work with weed control in small fruits and vegetable crops as well as cover crops and allelopathy. He will speak about cover crops, green manures, mulches, and organic weed control.

Ben Lubchansky, U of I graduate, organic farmer, and chef, will tempt our taste buds by demonstrating several recipes to promote Savoring the Flavor of Your Organic Produce.

Kent Whealy, founder of Seed Savers Exchange of Decorah, Iowa. The Heritage Farm there now has 52 organic gardens where seeds of valuable food crop genetic materials are maintained and cultivated for catalog sales. He will discuss the Organic Vegetable Gardens at Seed Savers' Heritage Farm.

Dan Bussey, who is in charge of the preservation orchard at Seed Savers' Heritage Farm, will outline how best to succeed at Organic Home Orcharding.

The program will include a retail area, featuring vendors of equipment, books, and many other organic gardening essentials. It will be open for shopping to program attendees and interested members of the general public from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. There is no entrance fee for those attending only the retail event. Come early for the best selection of merchandise, because a lot of selling gets done during the registration hour.

Organic Gardening Day 2006 is sponsored by U of I Extension and is open to professionals as well as members of the general public. Cost of registration, including lunch, is $49 per person. This includes seating in the lectures, an information packet, an organic theme lunch buffet, and access to the retail area. There will be vegetarian options on this buffet, or a vegan plate can be arranged in advance.

Lunch reservations must be received no later than October 13, 2006. Those interested should mail checks, payable to the University of Illinois, to Organic Gardening Day 2006, Attention: Carol Preston, S-406 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801 to reserve registration and lunch.

Space in the lecture room is limited to 250 participants, and on-site registration will only be allowed if those spaces are not filled prior to the event. If available, on-site registration will also cost $49, but will not include lunch. For more information, call (217) 333-7738 or e-mail preston1@uiuc.edu and mention Organic Gardening Day 2006. Credit card orders cannot be accepted.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:37 AM | Permalink |

June 19, 2006

No Flower and Garden Show in 2007

The Tribune Company, sponsor of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show for the last 12 years, has declined to renew its sponsorship. The reason was economic. The Show made a profit, but it was not enough to satisfy Tribune shareholders in times of financial stress.

In four years, the Horticulture Competition within the larger Show had developed from a small container-garden Class of 45 entries to 454 entries in Horticulture, 30 in Flower Arranging, 8 in Jewelry and 145 in Photography in 2006. The supporting Committee had expanded from its initial 7 or 8 people to over 50 members--along with a fleet of volunteers. The first Competition theme was "Theater in the Garden," followed by "Private Spaces/Public Places, "An Eye for Color," and, most recently, "Capacity for Invention."

According to Show Director, Kenton Morris, other sponsors for the Show have been found, but not soon enough to lock in the dates needed for March, 2007. The Competition Committee regards 2007 as a hiatus and looks ahead to 2008.

Victoria Wagner, Horticulture Competition Chairperson

Posted by Ron Wolford at 7:18 AM | Permalink |

June 13, 2006

Emerald Ash Borer in Kane County

The emerald ash borer has been found in Kane County. The borer is about one-half inch long appears brown in shadeand under bright light is dark green in color. Millions of ash trees in Michigan have been devastated. This pest is a very serious threat to the 178 million ash trees in Illinois.

This is a very, very dangerous pest of ash trees," said James Appleby, a professor in the department of natural resources and environmental sciencesnatural resources and and a scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey. "Ash trees in the state already are in a state of decline from other factors, so it is important that people look for symptoms of an emerald ash borer infestation, which represents an additional and real threat. If these borers are out there, we need to find them so we can take action to contain them."

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, a native of eastern Asia, was identifiedin Michigan, as well as some areas of Ohio and Canada. Some counties in Michigan areunder quarantine to prevent the transportation of ash trees, branches, logs and firewood. Millions oftrees in Michigan have died or are dying from infestation. Scientists believe the insect has been present for as many as 10 years, possibly introduced in ash wood used in shipping, Appleby said. The accidental movement of infested firewood could introduce the beetle to Illinois, he added.

The 178 million ash trees in Illinois represent about 9 percent of Illinois forestland. The total does not include trees in urban plantings or in nurseries. Drought, poor growing sites, lilac borers and native ash borers, and diseases, such as ash yellows, already are damaging many Illinois ash trees. All ash species are at risk from the new threat.

Signs of infestation, Appleby said, are D-shaped holes about one-eighth inch in diameter on large branches and trunks and numerous ash sprouts at the base of dead trees.

Adult emerald ash borers are commonly seen during sunny mid-summer days, feeding on leaves and crawling along branches and trunks of the trees. During June and July, they deposit eggs in the crevices of tree bark; about 10 days later, the larvae emerge and feed under the bark. Full-grown larvae, which are cream-colored and are about three-fourths of an inch long, spend the winter under the bark and in the sapwood.

Borer-infested trees may go undetected until symptoms such as upper tree canopy dieback occurs and the D-shaped emergence holes are seen on trunks and branches. Depending on tree size, symptoms may not show for a couple of years, Appleby said. In some trees a vertical bark split may occur on the trunk. If the bark is removed at such sites, S-shaped tunnels dug by the borer, known as serpentine larval galleries, can be exposed.

The emerald ash borer, Appleby said, easily can be confused with the brilliant green tiger beetle, a native insect often seen on the ground in open areas. The emerald ash borer can appear brown in the shade but is a dark green under bright daylight.

Source: Jim Barlow, University of Illinois News Bureau

USDA Forest Service

http://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/eab/

Information about Borer in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

Photos of Adult Borer, Larvae and Damage

http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/03/08ashborerphotos.html

Emerald Ash Borer Life Cycle

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/Poster_2.pdf

How to Identify an Ash Tree

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/E2892Ash.pdf

Other Ash Tree Problems

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/homeowners/030830.html

Emerald Ash Borer Education Group Video

http://www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/pestinfo/ashborer.htm

Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:15 PM | Permalink |

June 12, 2006

New Composting for the Homeowner Website

For the home gardener who wants to know everything about home composting, we have the perfect website – Composting for the Homeowner. Developed by Martha Smith, Extension Educator, Horticulture and Duane Friend, Extension Educator, Natural Resources Management, this site gives an excellent in-depth discussion of the science of composting, why it is important to compost, how to build a compost pile and materials needed for composting.

Visit the site at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/homecompost

Posted by Ron Wolford at 6:20 AM | Permalink |

June 11, 2006

Periodical Cicadas in Northern Illinois in 2007

Several people have asked if and where any broods of periodical cicadas will emerge in Illinois in 2006. The answer is no, not in 2006. However, 2007 will be the year for an emergence in northern Illinois, including the Chicago metropolitan area. Marlatt's Brood XIII, of the 17-year cicada, also known as the Northern Illinois Brood, will emerge in 2007. Expect emergence when soil temperatures just below the soil surface reach 64 degrees F--by mid May to early June of 2007. Cicadas damage trees and shrubs by using their saw-like ovipositor (egg-laying organ) to cut a slit in twigs or shoots, then they lay their eggs into the slit. Nymphs later hatch and drop to the ground, where they burrow down to roots and begin their 17 years of feeding and development below the soil surface.

Years of emergence for the other broods are as follows:

• Lower Mississippi River Valley Brood (Marlatt's XXIII): 13-year cycle, last emerged in 2002; next emergence in 2015.
• Iowan Brood (Marlatt's III): 17-year cycle, last emerged in 1997; next emergence in 2014.
• Great Southern Brood (Marlatt's XIX): 13-year life cycle, last emerged in 1998; next emergence in 2011.
• Great Eastern Brood (Marlatt's X): 17-year cycle, last emerged in 2004; next emergence in 2021.
• Northern Illinois Brood (Marlatt's XIII): 17-year cycle, last emerged in 1990; next emergence in 2007.

For an interesting look at cicadas (and even recordings of the songs of different species), check out the University of Michigan's Periodical Cicada Page at: http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Periodical/Index.html

Rick Weinzierl, Entomology, University of Illinois

Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:09 PM | Permalink |

June 8, 2006

University of Illinois Horticulture Degree Program

The University of Illinois is set to fill a critical gap in upstate Illinois by bringing its horticultural baccalaureate degree program to Chicago. The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES), in partnership with the University's Office of Continuing Education and area community colleges, will offer students the final years of coursework needed to complement their associate level courses and earn a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. This will be the first horticultural bachelor's program offered by either a private or public institution in the Chicago area.

In order to offer the best possible education, the U of I at Urbana-Champaign has partnered with two of Chicago's premier environmental education sites, The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden, to host on-site courses. Students will have the opportunity to gain insight into horticultural science at Chicago's favorite natural sites.

For more information about the University of Illinois Horticulture Degree Completion Program, go to www.nres.uiuc.edu/undergraduate/ChicagoDegree.html

Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:08 PM | Permalink |

June 8, 2006

2006 City Wide Annual and Vegetable Distribution Day

On June 24, Greencorps Chicago will host its City Wide Annual and Vegetable Distribution Day. Community Gardens in Chicago are eligible to receive a variety of plants including flowers, vegetables and herbs.

In order to receive plants for your community garden you must do the following:

Pre-register by completing and faxing or mailing the registration card.

Deadline: registration cards must be received by 4:30 p.m., June 16

On June 24, you must attend a 30 minute presentation at your pick-up site.

For a registration card and more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/pujvl

Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:26 PM | Permalink |