North Jersey Ornamental Horticulture Symposium - Landscape Day

Program Chair: Julia Piermatteo, Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Associate, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Passaic County

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Spencer Kerkhof, Environmental Specialist 1/Pesticide Compliance and Enforcement

Pesticide Compliance and Regulations for Landscapers

The NJDEP covers important topics for Compliance, including white flag requirements, Consumer Information Notice distribution, record keeping, licensing + vehicle requirements, and information regarding the Insect Resilience Action Committee which dictates switch modes of action to eradicate a pest problem.

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Dr. Tim Waller, Agricultural Agent III, Cumberland County

Managing Common and Emerging Boxwood Pests and Diseases

Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is a rapidly spreading invasive pest that has been reported in MD, VA, DE, PA, MA, CT, NY, OH, MI, TN, and SC that is capable of severely disrupting Boxwood (Buxus spp.) maintenance, sale, and transport in and around New Jersey, if not properly prepared for. Here we will discuss the pest’s lifecycle, symptoms to be aware of, who to contact in the case of potential introductions (Rutgers, NJDA, APHIS), and pesticide approaches if the pest is in fact observed. Other common boxwood pests and diseases will be discussed through pest life cycles, forecasting models, diagnostic symptomology, diagnostic lab sample submission timing, and understanding pesticide options including the actionable disease - Calonectria spp. (Boxwood blight).

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Richard Buckley, Director, Soil Testing and Plant Diagnostic Services

2025 Ugly Landscape Year in Review: The Diagnosticians Point of View

2025 was a challenging year for all of us on many levels. Above average temperatures and frequent rain drove plant problems in the landscape and urban forest. This lecture reviews some of the most common problems submitted to the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Lab in 2025 and introduces us to a couple new things we see coming around the corner in 2026.

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Lunch Break

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

Michele Bakacs, Agriculture & Natural Resources County Agent, Middlesex County

Integrated Vegetation Management for Invasives

Invasive species are defined as species that are non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm. We will focus on emerging invasive plants that are found along rights-of-way spreading into New Jersey’s natural areas including forest ecosystems. Due to heavy deer pressure and habitat fragmentation, these invasives are outcompeting native plant populations, and spreading quickly throughout New Jersey. Some of these invasive plants are introduced through ornamental plantings. We will review both mechanical management techniques and herbicide applications and timing for various invasive plant growth forms. Integrated vegetation management, understanding plant growth form, and developing a plant management calendar can help mitigate the spread of invasive plants, while limiting the use of herbicides.

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

William Errickson, County Extension Dept. Head and Agriculture & Natural Resources County Agent, Monmouth County

Rutgers Ornamental Shrub Field Trials

Native and low input shrubs have seen an increased demand in the landscape in recent years. However, data on the performance of different species and cultivars specific to New Jersey is still limited. This presentation will provide an update on the woody shrub trials that are being conducted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Species and cultivars of shrubs are being evaluated for their suitability in the ornamental landscape with data collected on stress tolerance, insect and disease issues, bloom times, and fall color. A discussion on using an integrated approach to monitor and control common insect and disease problems will also be included.

3:15 pm           Program Evaluation and NJDEP Pesticide Credits

You must be present for the entire program to be eligible for NJDEP Pesticide Credits.

NJ DEP credits awarded:

CORE - 2 units

3A - 9 units

3B - 3 units

8C - -6 units

9 - 2 units

10 - 6 units