Purdue Extension Service
Purdue Extension Service
Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Subject: HORT ALERT: Emerald Ash Borer, Holiday Recycling, Workshops, Recall
12/19/2008
Dear gardening friends,
Several items to report on today. Unless something drastic happens, this will probably be my last Hort Alert for 2008. So, on behalf of myself and the Purdue Extension office in Vanderburgh County, I would like to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
1. Emerald Ash Borers found in Hoosier National Forest.
Emerald ash borer (EAB), an exotic pest from Asia that attacks ash trees, has been found in the Hoosier National Forest in Monroe County. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) entomologists discovered the pest in the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area located in Polk Township.
The DNR, with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service, will conduct additional surveys around the site to determine the extent of the infestation. Infested trees will be cut down and the wood burned. Removal of the material still remaining will occur between the start of winter and April 15, when the EAB are under the tree bark.
EAB, first found in Indiana in 2004, has now been identified in 21 Indiana counties: Adams, Allen, Brown, DeKalb, Elkhart, Floyd, Hamilton, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Marion, Monroe, Noble, Porter, Randolph, St. Joseph, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, White and Whitley. People moving firewood, logs and nursery stock have been the main cause of spread.
Quarantine procedures are being implemented in Monroe County to help manage the spread of this pest. The quarantine regulates the movement of ash products, including ash nursery trees, ash logs and all types of hardwood firewood. Once the quarantine is implemented, it will not be legal to transport these items out of Polk Township without a compliance agreement provided by the DNR.
The bright green insect is visible only during the summer. Symptoms of an infested ash tree include dieback of the leaves in the upper third of the canopy, vertical splits in the bark, D-shaped exit holes in the main trunk, S-shaped tunnels under the bark, increased woodpecker activity, and water sprouts at the base of the trunk.
"In addition to keeping an eye out for symptoms on ash trees, we continue emphasizing to citizens how important it is not to move firewood," said Jodie Ellis, Purdue University entomology's exotic insect education coordinator. "Most infestations are not a result of the natural movement of emerald ash borer, but rather because unsuspecting citizens have moved firewood."
This infestation was detected through the joint DNR/U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) survey. Although the survey used purple panel traps, this site was detected in a girdled ash trap tree.
"The purple panel trap is a new survey tool implemented this year," said Phil Marshall, state entomologist. "Girdled ash trap trees were also used in high-risk sites, such as campgrounds and sawmills. Doing this helped detect infested sites that were missed by panel traps, and vice versa."
For more information on EAB, or to report an infestation, visit http://www.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/index.shtml or call Indiana DNR's toll-free hotline at 1- 866-NO EXOTIC (663-9684). To view the EAB Rule and EAB quarantine declaration visit: http://www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/
2. From US Consumer Product Safety Commission
December 11, 2008 Release #09-062
Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 279-3191 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Note: The Toro Company originally recalled these electric blowers on July 26, 2007.
The Toro Company Reannounces Recall of Electric Blowers Due to Projectile Hazards
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Toro Power Sweep Electric Blowers
Units: About 900,000
Manufacturer: The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.
Hazard: The blower's impeller, which is a rotating component on the blower, can break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or a bystander.
Incidents/Injuries: Toro has received 162 reports of broken impellers, including 28 reports of minor cuts and bruises resulting from projected impeller pieces.
Description: The recall involves Toro Power Sweep electric blower model 51586 that was manufactured between 2000 and 2002. The recalled units have serial numbers that range between 000055100 and 220255609. There are two decals on the main housing of the blower. One decal reads, "TORO Power Sweep" and the decal on the opposite side of the blower contains the model number and serial number (shown by the letter "A" in the picture below). The recalled units can be identified by a black impeller fan, which can be seen through the air inlet screen on the bottom of the unit.
Sold through: Toro dealers and various mass retailers nationwide including The Home Depot, Lowes, Target and K-Mart stores from January 2000 through late December 2002 for about $32.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately and contact Toro to receive a replacement blower.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Toro at (888) 279-3191 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. Consumers can also visit the Toro web site at www.toro.com. The Toro Company has notified registered owners directly.
To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09062.html
3. Forestry Class Offered
A course entitled "Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner" will be offered by Purdue University, Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Dubois County Cooperative Extension Service, Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the 4- Rivers RC&D Forestry Committee. The purpose of the course is to assist private woodland owners in becoming more knowledgeable managers of their woodlands. If you own woodland or are considering buying woodland, are considering selling timber, want to enhance the wildlife habitat on your land, or just plain enjoy the beauty of your woods, then this class is for you.
This is the 29th year that the class has been offered in Indiana. The course will be held on eight Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST (Dubois County time) beginning January 20, 2009 and running through March 17. The class will meet at the Jasper High School. There will also be two Saturday morning field trips scheduled to experience, first hand, various woodland management activities. (February 14th and March 14th.)
Class topics include: Indiana's forest resource, tree species identification, forest biology, forest culture and inventory, managing woodland investments, timber marketing and harvesting, recordkeeping and taxation, wildlife management, cost- share programs and forestry assistance available to landowners. The course is designed to help woodland owners who have little knowledge of forestry practices.
A fee of $95.00 is required to cover the cost of the course and materials. To obtain a registration form or to obtain more information, contact your local County Cooperative Extension Office, SWCD office, your District Forester’s office, or Ron Rathfon, Extension Forester, at Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, 12000 Purdue Farm Rd., Dubois, Indiana 47527 (call 812-678-5049 or E-mail ronr@purdue.edu ). Enrollment is limited, so please register early.
Beginning with the basics of tree identification and how a tree grows, the class will explore the diverse $3.5 billion Indiana forest products industry and the fine hardwoods it produces. The class will assist you in making tree planting decisions such as matching the right tree species to the proper soil and site, preparing the site for planting, tree planting techniques, and weed control.
Managing your timber requires knowledge of how to improve the quality and growth of the trees. Simple management techniques such as cull tree removal, thinning, and vine control may double growth rates in your woodland.
Learn how foresters estimate timber volume, quality, and value, and how they select trees for harvest. Find out how you can obtain a fair price for your timber and ensure that you have a healthy, valuable forest following logging for future enjoyment and income. For instance, did you know that by allowing a 16 inch diameter white oak to grow to 24 inches may increase its value by four times or more? Class participants will also learn the best methods of marketing and selling their timber.
How do you treat the extra income from your timber sale at tax time? How do you ensure that your good management of the forest will continue with future generations? Timber taxation and estate planning are only a couple of the topics to be covered in the “Managing the Woodland Investment” session. A little knowledge can save a woodland owner many dollars at tax time.
Many people enjoy hunting or watching wildlife in the forest. Principles and techniques for improving wildlife food and cover in your woods will be taught.
Sign up today for this continuing education class brought to you by Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and Cooperative Extension.
4. Holiday Recycling Day is January 3
Once again, the Purdue Extension Service, the SouthWestern Indiana Master Gardeners Association, and the Vanderburgh County Solid Waste District will be teaming up to offer the annual Holiday Recycling Day on Saturday, January 3, 2009. The free recycling event will run from 8 am to noon at the Evansville Civic Center Parking Lot, located at the corner of Walnut Avenue and 10th Street.
Items to bring:
Christmas trees Greeting cards Gift wrap/boxes Household batteries Hardback books Telephone books Aluminum cans Metal food cans Cardboard Catalogs/magazines Newspaper Mixed paper Glass containers #1 & #2 plastic
***FREE MULCH*** will be available, made from freshly ground Christmas trees! Please bring your own container.
Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any questions you have on mulching, recycling, and winter landscape protection.
For more information, contact the Solid Waste District at 436-7800.
5. Landscape Pruning Demonstration
Preliminary plans are being made to hold a landscape tree and shrub pruning demonstration on Saturday, February 28, at Hartman Arboretum, located in German Township on Vanderburgh County’s west side.
Hartman Arboretum is the product of many years’ efforts by Advanced Master Gardener Grant Hartman. While we’ve had a few programs out there already, I believe this will be the first educational activity open to the entire community. More details will be forthcoming in the next several weeks.