UMASS Landscape Updates

Pioneer Valley (Amherst)

General Conditions: 

Spring is just starting to take shape across the Pioneer Valley as we welcome the new growing season. It was a particularly windy winter with several periods of deep cold that made the dormant season feel especially long this year. While snowfall was generally below-average, an insulating snowpack blanketed the landscape for many weeks during the darkest days of the year. Despite the overall water deficit and continued drought classification, soils are moist and continuing to thaw. Early spring planting can be especially helpful for an array of woody plants. Dormant establishment can reduce the stress of transplanting and root systems are settled when new root growth begins in a few weeks.

As is typical in March, we have experienced periods of bright sun and mild temperatures in the low 60s that is quickly followed up by rain and high temperatures in the 30s. Snowdrops, crocuses and pansies are providing some very early season color along with witchhazels, silver maple, red maple and American elm flowers. Looking closely on the warmer days, early season bees and spiders can also be found.

Pests/Problems: 

Winter injury on rhododendron/azalea (Rhododendron) and holly/inkberry (Ilex) is serious and widespread this spring season. Cold temperatures combined with strong winds have caused significant injury on scattered plants. Symptoms of winter injury on evergreen shrubs can manifest in several ways and usually becomes visible in late February through March. For rhododendron, leaves that naturally curl during the winter do not unfurl in the spring and become wilted and desiccated with a pale green to tan coloration. Twigs and branches may also exhibit wrinkled bark, and the vascular tissue appears pale green to brown when the bark is shaved. Azaleas, hollies and andromedas can develop pale green to brown, scorched leaf margins or leaves that are entirely brown. Rhododendrons, azaleas and hollies may also have dark brown to purple blotches across large portions of the leaf midrib or margins. On boxwood, entire shoots are often affected, and leaves appear bronze to tan in color. In some cases, plants are killed outright but many survive and experience scattered branch dieback.

Pest and pathogen activity is low at this time given the continued cold temperatures. Now is a good time to identify and potentially treat pine and spruce to prevent infestation by the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi). This native weevil can destroy the terminal leader, severely disfiguring trees. Spruce spider mites (Oligonychus ununguis) will also be active soon, so scouting and treatment plans should also be in place. Snowball aphids (Ceruraphis viburnicola) on viburnum and psyllid (Spanioneura buxi) on boxwood are two additional early season pests. Typically, the damage they cause is cosmetic and doesn’t often require management.

Berkshire Region (West Stockbridge)

General Conditions: 

It has been a yo-yo kind of winter and early spring. That is, we’ve had spells of bitterly cold or snowy and icy weather for a week or so and then a brief spell of unusually warm conditions. More worrisome than the temperatures and precipitation have been several high wind events, sometimes coupled with snow and/or ice. Currently, temperatures are near normal for this time of year, i.e. daytime highs in mid 40s and nighttime lows in mid to upper 20s. There is still some frost in the ground. I dug down in garden soil to about 8 inches and then hit the frozen soil. Soil moisture in the upper layers of soil is moist but not wet. Many early spring flowering bulbs are now in bloom. These include Galanthus nivalis, Crocus spp., and several Iris species, including Iris danfordiae, and Iris reticulata.

Pests/Problems: 

Black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), also called deer ticks, have been active for almost a month and are very common. Anyone working in wood lots, brush, or meadows are likely to pick up ticks. Dogs roaming outdoors are more likely to pick up ticks and then bring them indoors. It is wise to begin tick protection when working outdoors. The only other pest problems encountered now relate to larger critters. Many woody plants have been nibbled on by deer and rabbits. Rabbits have been stripping the bark from rose stems and woody shrubs. Many lawns feel quite spongy when traversed. This is the result of excessive tunneling by voles. It is likely that they have damaged the roots of some herbaceous perennials while also feeding on bulbs. As mentioned above, high wind events occurred several times this winter. This resulted in fallen trees or at least considerable damage to branches. A thorough examination of damaged trees and remedial pruning must be a priority.

Suspected black root rot was observed on inkberry (Ilex glabra).