North Jersey Ornamental Horticulture Symposium - Tree Day

Program Chair: Jean Epiphan, County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County

9:00 am – 10:00 am
Wayne Cahilly, Owner/Operator of Cahilly’s Horticultural Services  
Landscape Diagnostics - It's Not ALL About Bugs!!  

Diagnosing trouble with trees and shrubs (horticultural forensics) begins with understanding that it begins with roots and soil.  The roots are the engines that drive the plant, and their fuel comes primarily from the soil.  Root stress is a primary cause of landscapes that wobble rather than run smoothly and understanding how to diagnose and alleviate stress is critical to landscape management and controlling the impact of insects and disease.  This session will look at the relationship between healthy soil, healthy roots, and successful landscape trees and shrubs as part of IPM through the use of real-world examples gathered over forty years of consulting.  

10:00 am – 11:00 am
 Mark Ware, Board Certified Master Arborist, Rainbow Ecoscience 
For Foliage's Sake 

The roles of leaves in the life of a tree cannot be understated but can easily be underestimated.  We will discuss the role leaves play, the effects of damaged and lost leaf tissue on a trees’ overall health, and how to protect foliage from a variety of different fungal and arthropod pests.  
 
 
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Richard Buckley, Director of Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory 
Engravers and Fungus Farming Beetles in the Urban Forest!  

This lecture will focus on climate change and its impact on the common engraver and ambrosia beetles found in New Jersey nurseries and landscapes.  Each insect will be profiled to include insect identification, biology and ecology, symptom diagnosis, scouting and monitoring techniques, and current concepts in integrated control that includes all cultural, biological, and chemical management strategies.  
  
12:00 – 1:15 pm LUNCH BREAK 
 
 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Spencer Kerkhof, Environmental Specialist at the NJ Department of Environmental Protection 
NJDEP's Pesticide Regulations, Recommendations, and Resources - Tree Care.  

Tree care specific regulations, resources, and recommendations for pesticide use.  Topics covered will include pesticide history, neonicotinoid ban, agricultural and non-agricultural tree care, record keeping, inspections, IPM, and safety equipment.   

 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
 Sabrina Tirpak, Laboratory Researcher II, Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory 
 Evergreens Got You Down? Find Out What Makes Them Turn Brown.  
 
 This lecture will spruce up your knowledge of diseases and insect pests that affect ornamental evergreens in the landscape.  Each organism will be profiled to include biology and life cycle, the conditions leading to outbreaks, diagnostic tools, and integrated control strategies that include useful cultural, biological, and chemical management techniques.  

3:15 pm     Program Evaluation and NJDEP Pesticide Credits

NJ DEP credits awarded:

CORE - 2 units

2 - 2 units

3A - 8 units

6B - 2 units

8C - 4 units

NJUCF - 5 units

NJLTE/LTCO - 5 units