This is the 28th 2011 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL). BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension Educators, Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio.

***BYGL NOTICE.  This is the last BYGL (Beagle) for the 2011 season; the BYGL is retreating to its doghouse for a long winter's nap. However, the much anticipated, always exciting, annual BYGL survey will arrive in November.  We hope you will spend a little time helping us by answering our survey questions.  We look forward to the comments and appreciate everyone's suggestions for improvements.  There is one point we're sure we all agree on:  the 2011 BYGL season went too fast, doggone it!

In This Issue:

1. PLANTS OF THE WEEK: Annual (Rush); Perennial (Chrysanthemum); Woody (Sugar Maple); and Weed (Jimsonweed).
2. HORT SHORTS: Putting the Perennial Garden to Bed for the Winter; Congratulations to the Ohio Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Award Winners!; Pruning Fruit Trees and Bushes; Establishing Plants may Need Water; High-Tech Rain Garden Nets OARDC Innovator Award; Deer, Deer Me!; and Arboblitz.
3. BUG BYTES: New Threat to Soft Skinned Fruit; and Emerald Ash Borer Update.
4. DISEASE DIGEST: Fungal Foray.
5. TURF TIPS: Bag It or Mulch It?
6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Asian Longhorned Beetle Update.
7. WEATHERWATCH.
8. COMING ATTRACTIONS: Bucking Urban Logs; Why US Forest Service Research Matters; 2012 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences Set; and Save the Date - Ohio State University Nursery Short Course (NSC) and Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association CENTS in Columbus.
9. BYGLOSOPHY.

APPENDIX - ADDITIONAL WEBSITE RESOURCES.

1. PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

*ANNUAL - RUSH (Juncus spp.).

These plants are warm-season grasses that really take off in the early part of June and end up providing an interesting architectural feature in the garden and containers. The foliage is quite sturdy and grows in clumps with green, upright cylindrical stems coming from the basal area. Rushes prefer full sun but will also tolerate light shade. Most rushes are annuals in our area; however, a few cultivars have been known to overwinter. Rushes do quite well in wet areas and tend to prefer this location. However, if a flower bed is irrigated periodically, rushes will do quite well. They flourish in containers and provide a nice centerpiece.

Most of the varieties are not known for their bloom but for their structure in the garden. There are several cultivars available that have different foliage features. 'Blue Dart' has a nice linear blue foliage with a strong vertical habit and gets around 2' tall. 'Sprialis' and 'Twisted Dart' are corkscrew rushes with twisted stems that provide additional interest to the garden or container. 'Javelin' is a variety that gets around 2 1/2-3' tall and is very striking in a container.

For more information, see:

• Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening information on Juncus

*PERENNIAL - CHRYSANTHEMUM (Chrysanthemum hybrid).

Mums are the plant that most people think of when it comes to the fall perennial garden. These colorful plants come in a wide variety of colors including yellow, white, pink, purple, burgundy and maroon. They grow best in full sun and prefer well-drained soils. Many people have trouble getting these plants to overwinter. Some find better luck with planting in the spring, selecting varieties that are known to overwinter in their area, and providing additional winter protection with mulch. One of the most important things if they are planted in the fall is to be sure to water them as often as they need it. Once the blooms finish, some tend to forget that the roots continue to grow and need water to become fully established. In addition, mulch them after the ground freezes to prevent heaving from freezing and thawing. Don't cut the foliage back until next spring.

For more information, see:

• Ohio State University Extension FactSheet on Growing Chrysanthemums
• Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening information on Chrysanthemums

*WOODY - SUGAR MAPLE (Acer saccharum).

Sugar maples are not just for breakfast! One of the great joys of fall foliage is the golden light emanating from an A. saccharum- dominated woodland, about to grace Ohio in the next two weeks. In woodlands sugar maples are often associated in one of the most beautiful northeast US woodlands: beech-maple forests. Sugar maples are tolerant of shade, prefer acid soil but can tolerate moderate alkalinity, and thrive in moist but well-drained soils, but do not do well in poorly drained heavy clay sites or in situations where root disturbance occurs. Verticillium wilt does occur on sugar maples, but is not as prevalent as on certain other maples. Sugar maple is a native tree that can grow to 80' or more with age with similar spread, but in most sites might be at a height of 50' after 40 years. Let it glow.

*WEED - Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium).

Jimsonweed is an annual herb which grows up to 5' tall. It has pale-green to purple stems with spreading branches. Its leaves are ovate and coarsely serrated, and 3-8" long. Jimsonweed's flowers are white or purple with a 5-pointed corolla up to 4" long and set on short stalks in the axils of branches. Seeds are contained in a hard, spiny capsule, about 2" in diameter, which splits lengthwise into four parts when ripe.

Jimsonweed is distributed worldwide. It grows in cultivated fields where it can be a major weed in soybeans. Jimsonweed is common on overgrazed pastures, barnyards, and waste land preferring rich soils.

A major concern with jimsonweed is its toxicity. Jimsonweed toxicity is caused by tropane alkaloids. The total alkaloid content in the plant can be as high as 0.7%. The toxic chemicals are atropine, hyoscine (also called scopolamine), and hyoscyamine. All parts of the jimsonweed plant are poisonous. Poisoning is more common in humans than in animals. Children can be attracted by flowers and consume jimsonweed accidentally. In small quantities, jimsonweed can have medicinal or haulucinagenic properties, but poisoning readily occurs because of misuse.

Jimsonweed poisoning occurs in most domesticated production animals: cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, and poultry. Human poisoning occurs more frequently than livestock poisoning making jimsonweed unusual among most poisonous plants. Leaves and seeds are the usual source of poisoning, but are rarely eaten do to its strong odor and unpleasant taste. Poisoning can occur when hungry animals are on sparse pasture with Jimsonweed infestation. Most animal poisoning results from feed contamination. Jimsonweed can be harvested with hay or silage, and subsequently poisoning occurs upon feeding the forage. Seeds can contaminate grains and is the most common poisoning which occurs in chickens.

For more information, see: West Virginia University Factsheet on Jimsonweed URBAN HERBS: Medicinal Plants at Georgetown University

2. HORT SHORTS.

A. PUTTING THE PERENNIAL GARDEN TO BED FOR THE WINTER.

Unfortunately, it's time to begin preparing the perennial garden for its long winter nap! Begin by cutting back any foliage that has little to no winter interest as soon as it is killed by a hard freeze. Some people like to cut things back in early October but the longer one waits, the more sugars are stored in the root system for the next season. In addition, if the plants are cut back too early, they may send up new growth, expending stored sugars unnecessarily. Plants that have a nice winter interest such as ornamental grasses, sedum, coneflower (seed for birds as well) or others can be left alone until they start to look bad (i.e. crushed by ice or snow).

If there are tender perennials that need protected with mulch, wait until the ground freezes before mulching. It's also a good idea to mulch any new plants that were put in this fall as they don't have a sturdy root system and will be more susceptible to heaving. Remove any winter annuals weeds now and get ahead of the game. Things happen so fast in the spring when plants start to grow that it becomes impossible to keep up with this chore.

The final task is to plant spring-blooming bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Then head indoors to a warm cozy fire and wait for the seed catalogues to arrive!

For more information, see:

• OSU Extension FactSheet on General Maintenance of Herbaceous Ornamentals

B. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE OHIO MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER (MGV) AWARD WINNERS!

The MGVs of Ohio celebrated their volunteers and programs at the recent International Master Gardener Conference held in Charleston, West Virginia. Congratulations to the following OSUE Outstanding Project of the Year Award Winners: Brown County - Seeds of Freedom; Athens County - SEPTA Correctional Facility Cutting Garden; and Greene County - Gardening School for At-Risk Teens. In addition, Christine Harris of Cuyahoga was named the OSUE Outstanding MGV of the Year. Congratulations to all MGVs for their hard work and dedication to OSU Extension. For more details, go to http://mastergardener.osu.edu .

For more information, see:

• State Master Gardener Home Page

C. PRUNING FRUIT TREES AND BUSHES.

Since this is the last issue of 2011 BYGL, BYGLers would like remind our readers early about pruning fruit trees and bushes. Typically, fruit trees and bushes are pruned in March. It is okay to remove broken and diseased branches now. However, all major pruning should be done when the plants are dormant in March. Pruning too early can cause winter injuries.

The primary purpose of pruning is to increase sunlight penetration, remove less productive wood, and shape the crown into an efficient, stable form. If left unpruned, the quantity of fruit produced might be greater, but the quality much lower. Pruning increases fruit size, promotes uniform ripening, increases sugar content, and decreases disease and insect problems by allowing better spray coverage and faster drying following rainfall. It also allows easier access for timely harvesting.

One good reference on home fruit production and pruning of fruit trees and bushes is the OSU Extension Bulletin 780, “Midwest Fruit Home Production Guide.” There are a lot of good diagrams on pruning techniques in this bulletin. This bulletin can be purchased from OSU Extension offices. However, call your local office to check on availability before visiting.

For more information, see:

• List of OSU Extension offices
• Pruning Mature Apple and Pear Trees

D. ESTABLISHING PLANTS MAY NEED WATER.

Fall can be an excellent time for planting. Once the plants are in the ground, gardeners can’t just walk away as the seasons change from fall to winter, giving up on the garden. While mother-nature sometimes provides adequate moisture, if it is lacking, supplemental amounts need to be applied. Roots can absorb moisture until the ground is frozen.

Even once winter arrives, the work is still not done. Newly planted plants will sometime “pop-out” of the ground over the winter when freezing and thawing conditions are experienced. Uncovered roots exposed to winter temperatures can be damaged. This sometimes occur when plants are put in the ground later in the season and not given enough time for roots to become established at its new home. Mulching can maintain a more consistent soil temperature which will hopefully help with the heaving with changing soil temperatures.

So don’t put those garden gloves and watering can away just yet. Monitor soil moisture and ensure the plants, especially those newly planted, are going into winter with adequate water - without over watering. Be sure to keep an eye on the plants throughout the winter, making sure they stay in the ground. A little extra effort in the fall and winter can help ensure a living plant come next spring.

E. HIGH-TECH RAIN GARDEN NETS OARDC INNOVATOR AWARD.

This past spring, a four-member team of current and former Ohio State University (OSU) scientists received the 2011 Director’s Innovator of the Year Award from the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). Parwinder Grewal, Warren Dick, Edward McCoy, and Hanbae Yang were honored for developing and patenting a biphasic bio-retention system - an advanced type of rain garden - for managing the volume and quality of stormwater. A major non-point source of water pollution, stormwater runoff costs cities in Ohio and elsewhere billions of dollars a year to manage.

“The biphasic rain garden can reduce peak flow by 75 percent and runoff volume by 60 percent under simulated runoff conditions, providing an excellent solution to the runoff problem and enabling compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations,” OARDC Director Steve Slack said. Furthermore, the new system removes large amounts of key pollutants from the water, including nitrates (91 percent), phosphates (99 percent), heavy metals (99 percent), atrazine (91 percent), dicamba (94 percent) and glyphosate (99 percent).

“This system can be used in a variety of settings, including home landscapes, parking lots, gas stations, city streets, roadsides, urban farms, animal farms, rooftops, car washes, laundromats and many more, making its commercialization potential quite extensive,” Slack said. Potential revenue from the system, Slack noted, could be from $57 million to as much as $770 million a year.

Several of the new systems are already in place along Wooster’s recently renovated Secrest Road, which borders the OARDC campus. Congrats to this OSU team!

F. DEER, DEER ME! (by special guest author Marne Titchenell, OSU Extension Wildlife Program Specialist)

While white-tailed deer provide abundant recreation opportunities for hunters and wildlife watchers, they can unfortunately cost us millions of dollars every year through deer-vehicle collisions. Over 23,000 collisions occurred in Ohio last year, costing drivers close to $72 million in claims. So listen up motorists, now is the time when deer are on the move and you are advised to be extra cautious when out on the roadways.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) reports that October through November is prime time for deer-vehicle accidents. Motorists need to be on the lookout for deer in and along roadways during this time of year, especially at dawn and after sunset, specifically during the hours of 5 p.m.-1 a.m. and 5 a.m.-8 a.m. Last year, Richland, Stark, and Hamilton counties recorded the highest number of deer-vehicle crashes, while the fewest crashed occurred in Monroe, Morgan, and Meigs counties. Close to 160 accidents occurred daily in November of 2010, with over 50% happening between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m.

So what is happening during October and especially November that increases the chances of Ohio motorists colliding with deer? Some people may think that hunting causes an increase in deer movement, particularly across roads and highways (Ohio’s deer hunting season runs from September 24th-January 10th), but this isn’t always the case. In Pennsylvania, movements of antlered deer wearing GPS radio collars were tracked during the weeks before, during, and after muzzleloader and firearms seasons and there were no changes in activity patterns due to the hunting season. Deer movement due to hunting really depends on the amount of hunting pressure, and while intense pressure can cause an increase in deer activity, typically deer stay within their normal home ranges (roughly 1 sq mi/buck). The truth is, deer are on the move at this time of year for multiple reasons, both natural and human related.

Possibly the biggest reason for the increase in deer movement is the breeding season (rut), which takes place October through December in Ohio. In November, deer are entering the peak of their breeding season. Males are actively searching for mates which frequently bring them across roadways. The total distance a single deer moves during a 24-hour period varies from 1-4 miles, but that distance is increased dramatically in males during the breeding season. While some female deer may take a brief breeding excursion outside their normal range in search of a mate, the majority stay put and don’t travel more than normal during the breeding season.

In between breeding, deer also need to increase their food consumption this time of year in preparation for the winter months, where food isn’t as available. Depending on the available food resources in their home range (such as acorns and other hard mast), deer may have to travel further to find enough food, which can lead to additional travel across roadways to reach alternate resources.

In addition to the increased activity brought on by the breeding season and the approach of winter, daylight savings time plays a role in motorists encountering deer on the roadways. As we “fall back” (on November 3rd this year), the shorter days and longer nights force commuters onto the roads at dawn and dusk - the same times deer are most active. Also, don’t make the mistake in thinking that you will only encounter deer crossing roads in rural parts of the state. In fact, urban and suburban areas are also prime sites for deer vehicle collisions. More and more frequently, urban areas around Ohio are becoming home to substantial white-tailed deer populations. Increases in deer-vehicle collision are only one of the consequences of an increased urban deer population; damage to public and homeowner landscapes is also a frequent problem. Several cities and towns around Ohio have elected to manage their deer populations through controlled hunting efforts. Often times this requires the involvement of many stakeholders, such as city or town officials, residents, and state wildlife officials. Contact your Division of Wildlife District Office for helpful advice on how to start this process.

While difficult in urban areas, hunting is still the best management strategy to decrease deer populations in rural areas. It’s no coincidence that Ohio’s deer hunting season correlates with high deer activity. In fact, Ohio hunters play an important role in reducing the number of deer on the roads. The Ohio Division of Wildlife estimates Ohio’s deer population at 750,000 with the highest densities found the east-central and southeast regions. For more information on deer hunting in Ohio, visit the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s website  www.wildohio.com .

To summarize, October through November is the prime time for deer vehicle collisions. Deer are sighted frequently during this time for a variety of reasons; breeding season, hunter avoidance, increasing deer populations, and lessening of daylight hours.

For more information, see:

• Cornell White-tailed Deer Factsheet
• Clemson White-tailed Deer Factsheet
• Virginia White-tailed Deer Factsheet

G. ARBOBLITZ.

During the week of October 3-8, Arboblitz 2011 featured trees on the Main Campus of The Ohio State University. The Chadwick Arboretum, the Why Trees Matter Committee, a number of academic departments in several colleges, and many other partners were involved in a series of events. These events included tree-climbing demonstrations, diagnostic workshops, tree walks through the new 32 tree Oval Tree Walk with interpretive signage illustrating ecological audits of oval trees and surrounding areas, and the planting of a scarlet oak. Most importantly, there was a two-day tree inventory and arboblitzing of the Academic Corridor area of campus as a student service project which is critical to OSU’s application for the Tree Campus USA program of the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The key to Arboblitz 2011 is grounding students in their environment, and an understanding of the environmental and social services that trees provide. So kiwi-green clad students (the t-shirt contest was won by the Chinese-American Student Association) working with Green Industry and university horticulturists and arborists, Master Gardener Volunteers, and others set about on three separate days to identify, measure, georeference, and evaluate the Oval trees. This effort will be part of the overall inventory and audit of all campus trees as well as serve as information for the comprehensive tree care and maintenance plan on campus. Remember - the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.

3. BUG BYTES.

A. NEW THREAT TO SOFT SKINNED FRUIT.

Curtis Young reported receiving a sample of fall red raspberries that were attacked by a species of vinegar (fruit) fly (Drosophila sp.). The raspberries were locally raised and the producers had never before had problems raising the raspberries. As the raspberries approached ripeness, they turned to mush on the cane. Close observation revealed that the raspberries were under attack by numerous small maggots. A message to Celeste Welty, OSU Extension Fruit Entomologist generated great interest in the situation. Unfortunately, there is a new invasive species of fruit fly (vinegar fly) that may be moving into Ohio. This fruit fly is the SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA (Drosophila suzukii).

Unlike other fruit (vinegar) flies, spotted wing drosophila attacks healthy ripening fruit as well as damaged or rotting fruit. The female ovipositor is very large and serrated, so it is able to penetrate the skin of soft-skinned fruit and lay eggs just under the skin, creating a small depression ("sting") on the fruit surface. Each clutch of eggs is from 1-3, and the female will oviposit into many fruits. Multiples of larvae within a single fruit are quite possible because many females may visit the same fruit to oviposit. Once fruit begins to deteriorate, it can be attacked by other common fruit flies (i.e., Drosophila melanogaster). Damage can provide an entry site for infection by secondary fungal and bacterial pathogens, but this is not always the case.

Before word of this new invader could be released, Curtis had to get the identity of the verified by the USDA/APHIS/PPQ. In order to do so, Curtis had to rear adult flies from the sample of fruit collected. As of last Thursday, October 13, 2011, adults emerged from their pupae and a sample was sent to Beltsville, Maryland. Tuesday, October 18, 2011, official word of the fruit fly's identity was received. It is the spotted wing Drosophila. This is a new state record for the state of Ohio. The presence of this new fruit fly is a major threat to producers of many types of fruit such as grapes, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and other tree fruits with a preference for soft skinned fruits. Further surveys will have to be conducted to determine the distribution of the spotted wing Drosophila in Ohio.

For more information, see:

• Michigan State University's FactSheet on Spotted Wing Drosophila
• Washington State University's FactSheet on Spotted Wing Drosophila

B. EMERALD ASH BORER UPDATE.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) officials have confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Lake County on October 7, 2011. Ohioans are being urged to use caution when transporting firewood this fall and winter to help protect against the artificial spread of this and other insect pests.

Late last year, ODA expanded the state’s EAB quarantine to include all 88 counties. The quarantine stipulates that ash materials and hardwood firewood cannot be taken from a quarantined area into a non-quarantined area. Despite the fact that the statewide quarantine allows for ease of movement of ash materials and hardwood firewood, it is recommended that Ohioans continue to exercise caution when moving these materials. There are still counties, especially in the southeastern region of the state, that have not found EAB. While the pest will ultimately find its way to every Ohio county, the natural spread will take time and be much slower than accelerated artificial spread.

The federal quarantine, enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, remains in effect. This quarantine makes it illegal to transport ash trees, parts of ash trees and all hardwood firewood out of the state of Ohio without a compliance agreement.

Left untreated, ash trees infested with EAB typically die within 5 years. As population numbers grow, the ash trees die quickly and what appears all at once. Insecticide options should be explored as a potential management component to protect important trees, conserve existing tree canopy, and/or as a means to stage removals. For more information on the EAB, visit www.agri.ohio.gov or http://ashalert.osu.edu .

For more information, see:

• OSU Ash Alert
• ODA EAB

4. DISEASE DIGEST.

A. FUNGAL FORAY.

This past Saturday, the OSU Plant Pathology 300 Fleshy Woodland Fungi class forayed into the woods of Geneva Hills Camp in Fairfield County. It was a beautiful day and fungi were freely fruiting. There were walnut mycenas (Mycena luteopallens), tiny willowy yellow-capped mushrooms each reliably attached to a walnut hull. There were Entoloma mushrooms turned into contorted aborted entolomas bue to cross-infection with another mushroom, Armillaria mellea, the honey mushroom. Incredibly the cross-infection confers edible status to the normally mildly toxic entolomas thus infected. The nectria fungus was causing deadly cankers all along the trunks of sassafras trees. There were hairy-looking lion’s mane fungi and beautiful bluets. What a fall it was for fungi!

5. TURF TIPS.

A. BAG IT OR MULCH IT?

It is not a good idea to allow whole tree leaves to accumulate and lie on lawns over the winter. The dense layer of leaves will decompose very slowly if at all. The matted down leaves hold excess moisture over the grass potentially promoting turfgrass diseases such as snow mold. They also provide harborage for animals such as voles. And once spring returns, the leaves may kill the covered grass. Thus, it is time for fall tree leaf cleanup, but what to do with them, bag'em, burn'em or mulch'em?

Obviously, these are three different ways of taking care of the fallen leaves. Raking and bagging the leaves removes the leaves from the lawn, but then disposal of them becomes a problem. In some towns, there is municipal leaf pickup which may keep them separate from the normal waste stream or setting the bags at the roadside may result in them being picked up by the garbage collector and transport to the land fill, a waste of a nutrient resource. Out in the country, one might rake and burn them, again, a waste of a nutrient resource. A better method to deal with the fallen leaves is to mow them into organic mulch.

Mulching leaves into the turfgrass effectively requires a little extra effort. To mulch leaves well, they need to be ground up into half-inch sized pieces or smaller. Three passes at right angles usually does the trick. While the ground up leaves are very noticeable on the surface of the lawn at first, within a couple of days they disappear! What happens to the leaf pieces? The earthworms pull the pieces down to and into the soil surface where they add organic matter to the soil. And, an extra benefit is that the lawn gets greener as the fall progresses and stays green for the rest of the following season! Basically, the ground-up leaves are a very cheap, slow-release fertilizer.

6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS.

A. ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE UPDATE.

The ODA distributed an Ohio Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) Cooperative Response Media Update on October 18, 2011. These updates are posted on the ODA website and can be accessed on their site, even after BYGL concludes this season. Highlights from the update include: 4,368 ALB infested trees confirmed; 46,846 trees have been surveyed since July 5, 2011; and 56 square-miles are under regulation.

It is anticipated that removal of infested trees will begin in November. Prior to tree removal, a public meeting will be planned, promoted in the future updates, and be distributed to the media for release.

Ohioans are urged to continue to look for signs and symptoms of ALB. Readers can review issue 26 of the BYGL from September 29, 2011 for photos and detailed descriptions. The link to the issue can be found at http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=961:bygl-september-29-2011&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=74 . If you suspect you have found ALB you can let ODA know by calling 855-252-6450 or online at http://beetlebusters.info .

For more information, see:

• ODA’s ALB Webpage
• USDA APHIS ALB Website

7. WEATHERWATCH.

You are not seeing double - since this is the last article of the season, we have summarized year-to-date data and data for October. The first table includes a summary of data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) Weather Stations spanning the dates from January 1-October 20, 2011, with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 6:05 a.m. The second table includes weather information summarizes data collected spanning the dates from October 1-20, 2011.

Erik Draper and Randy Zondag were the “wet-weather rangers.” Recent precipitation totals reported by the northeast duo ranged from 3-4”+. Soils are saturated and low spots are evident by standing water. More rain is on its way. Pam Bennett mentioned moisture in Clark County is a perfect for pulling weeds, a therapeutic job of gardeners.

Year-to-Date Weather Summary

Month-to-Date Weather Summary

For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, visit:  http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm

8. COMING ATTRACTIONS.

A. BUCKING URBAN LOGS.

This fall, the Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) offered Bucking Urban Logs in three locations across Ohio. Just in case you missed it, a fourth program will be held on November 15, 2011 in Bowling Green, Ohio. The registration cost is $30.00

The main objective of the session is to explore wood utilization opportunities, especially with sometimes under-utilized urban trees. A working lunch will provide for additional sharing and networking opportunities. The program is geared for arborists, urban foresters, tree commission members, and others who want to learn more about the applications of traditional forestry in our communities.

For more information, see:

• Ohio Woodland Stewards Program Home Page

B. WHY US FOREST SERVICE RESEARCH MATTERS.

On Tuesday, November 29, 2011, the OSU Why Trees Matter Extension Signature Program presents: "Why U.S. Forest Service Research Matters" program featuring the work of the USFS Northern Research Station in Delaware, Ohio. This station does a wide range of outstanding tree research and is a great resource to us here in Ohio and surrounding states. Sessions that will cover a wide variety of research include: Overview of the Forest Service; Elm Restoration; Oak Regeneration; Potential Effects of Climate Change on Tree Mortality; Potential Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife Habitats in Eastern Forests; Amish Furniture Clusters and Hardwood Utilization; Managing Ailanthus and Other Invasives; Breeding for Beech Bark Disease Resistance; and Breeding EAB-Resistant Ash. Learn what USFS researchers are learning.

The program will be at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Building on the Agriculture Campus at OSU on 2201 Fred Taylor Drive. Pre-registration is required and can be done on-line, or a brochure can be downloaded at the Ohio Woodland Stewards website at http://woodlandstewards.osu.edu and should be sent to Ohio Woodland Stewards program, 210 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus Ohio 43210. Registration cost is $35.00 per person. Make checks payable to The Ohio State University.

The deadline to register is November 22, 2011.

On the day of the event, check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m., the welcome at 9:15 a.m., and conclude at 3:30 p.m. SAF continuing education credits and ISA credits will be offered. For additional information or questions, call 614-688-3421 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information, see:

• Ohio Woodland Stewards

C. 2012 OHIO COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION CONFERENCES SET.

Next year's conference dates have been set. While the events are 6 months out, take the opportunity to get them in your calendar today. Here are the dates: January 31, 2012, Kalahari Conference Center, Sandusky; February 8, 2012, John S. Knight Center, Akron; February 15, 2012, Dayton Convention Center; and March 8, 2012, Columbus Convention Center.

D. SAVE THE DATE - OHIO STATE UNIVERISTY NURSERY SHORT COURSE (NSC) AND OHIO NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION CENTS IN COLUMBUS.

The winter months provide an excellent opportunity for professional development and there is no better program than this one in the country because of the partnership between OSU and ONLA. The NSC is held in conjunction with the CENTS trade show at the Columbus Convention Center, January 23-25, 2012. These 3 days are filled with opportunities for networking, learning, ordering materials and supplies, and much more. Registration information will be available in November at the ONLA website: http://onla.org . The cost for the 3 day program is $189.00 and has been reduced this year in lieu of today's tough economy in order to encourage companies to bring employees. The benefits gained from attending the NSC and CENTS far outweighs this cost. See you in January.

9. BYGLOSOPHY

"A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit." - D. Elton Trueblood

APPENDIX - ADDITIONAL WEBSITE RESOURCES:

• Buckeye Turf
• Emerald Ash Borer Information
• Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science Plantfacts
• Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program
• The C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)
• USDA APHIS Beetle Buster Website (Asian Longhorned Beetle)
• USDA APHIS Beetle Detective Website (Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer)

Following were the participants in the October 18th conference call: Pam Bennett (Clark); Jim Chatfield (Hort. and Crop Sciences and Plant Pathology); Erik Draper (Geauga); Gary Gao (OSU South Centers); Cindy Meyer (Butler); Amy Stone (Lucas); Curtis Young (Van Wert); and Randy Zondag (Lake).

BYGL is available via email, contact Cheryl Fischnich  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to subscribe. Additional fact sheet information on any of these articles may be found through the OSU FactSheet database  http://plantfacts.osu.edu/ .

BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by support from the ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) http://onla.org/ ; http://buckeyegardening.com/  to the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT). Any materials in this newsletter may be reproduced for educational purposes providing the source is credited.

BYGL is available online at:  http://bygl.osu.edu, a website sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences (HCS) as part of the "Horticulture in Virtual Perspective." The online version of BYGL has images associated with the articles and links to additional information.

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.