Haines Tree and Spray

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
Species: Pyrrhalta viburni

Once again, Whatcom County Master Gardeners are on the frontline of the exotic pest invasion. Recently, a sample of Viburnum came into the MG clinic with the Viburnum Leaf Beetle, Pyrrhalta viburni. This beetle is native to Europe and most likely came to North America on nursery plants in the early 1900’s. It was first found in 1947 in Ontario Canada and later discovered in New York State in 1996. Interestingly the beetle did not occur in very high numbers for many years; only in late 1970’s it became a viable pest problem. In the Eastern US, the beetle has spread to neighboring states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and a small part of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

We have made significant changes to our lawn care program. Our programs now include weed control, plus a new Lake Whatcom Watershed Program, and a new Organic Program.

In order to manage lawns in the most environmentally sound manner, Haines uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. This means we take a holistic approach to lawn care which includes proper mowing, soil conditioning (acid, neutral or alkaline), watering, aeration, and fertilization as well as using the safest products for the results you want.

In order to manage tree and shrub pests in the most environmentally sound manner, Haines uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. This means we take a holistic approach to plant care which includes proper pruning, soil conditioning (acid, neutral or alkaline) and fertilization as well as using the safest products for the results you want.

In doing this, Haines focuses on those plants that need treatment to maximize control and minimize the products we put into our environment. We treat the right plant, at the proper time, with the appropriate product for the best results. This requires extensive training in identification of plants (horticulture), insects (entomology) and diseases (plant pathology).

Haines Weed Control Covers Both Residential and Commercial.

In order to control weeds in the most environmentally sound manner, Haines uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. This means we take a holistic approach to weed control which includes selective weed treatments, use of safest products, and properly timed applications for the results you want. IPM is using all available techniques to control weeds.

Weeds are any plant material growing where it is unwanted. Frequently, this includes grass in flower beds, sidewalks or driveways.

When we think about our trees, many of us understand the coming of winter to mean a kind of shutdown, hibernation or even "temporary death" symbolized by leaf fall, barrenness to the eye, and cessation of function (dormancy). Yet dormancy in this sense is an unfair and misleading overstatement. Indeed, what many consider as an autumnal apogee in the botanic cycle of life is, in reality, a critical and necessary time in the growth and health of green trees. It is, when understood, the season of promise.

Historically, botanically, romantically, and in many other ways, springtime is recognized as the season of the resurgence of life - and rightfully so. Yet most often the critical functions of that other transitional season are either unknown or ignored.

Colorado Blue Spruce and Alberta Spruce are two of the most common spruce trees. Both are valuable additions to the texture and color in the landscape and both need to be protected from Spruce Aphids and Spruce Mites. Deep Root Fertilizing enhances the color of both but especially the blue and is generally recommended for overall health.

The spruce aphid is a cold weather aphid which is active from November through spring. We recommend control measures be taken in November and in February to prevent damage. The aphid feeds on last year's needles which fall off during the summer months leaving only the new needles generated that year. Often you will see only current year needles and bare branches in the interior of the tree.

MISERY HAS COMPANY AND THE RULES HAVE CHANGED...
or at least what we thought the rules were.

The European crane fly was introduced to Whatcom County around 1965 from British Columbia. It quickly became the most serious pest of lawns, pastures, and hay fields.

In 1998 a second species from Europe called the Common Crane Fly was found in the Pacific Northwest. Although similar in appearance and biology, it is different in that it completes two life cycles in a calendar year, while the European only completes one. Adults of the Common crane fly emerge in both spring and fall, while adults of the European crane fly only appear in the fall.

The research done by the WSDA, OSU, WSU, and Simon Fraser University, indicates that 75 to 80% of all cherry trees in the Bellingham area are affected by CBT and that 100% of all sweet cherry and Mt. Fuji ornamental cherry trees are affected.

UPDATED CONTROL MEASURE

Recent research in Whatcom County by Todd Murray has indicated that good control of the Cherry Bark Tortrix can be achieved by spraying the trunk and main limbs during the first two weeks of October. This is due to the unique biology of the tortrix which puts them, ie: the larvae, all at home and house cleaning which in turn, puts them in contact with the material as they visit the outside of the tree while pushing frass out.

Haines Tree and Spray also provides the following services

• Pressure Washing: We provide this service year round.
• Tree and Shrub Trimming: This service is only provided between the months of November through February.
• Brush Mowing and Lot Clearing: Provided year round as available.