scholarly journals Post-Emergent Control of Nuisance Cones in Fraser Fir Christmas Tree Plantations

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Bert Cregg ◽  
Dana Ellison ◽  
Jill O’Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Fraser Fir

Bionomics of the pine needle scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), an emerging pest in Christmas tree (Pinaceae) plantations in southern Québec, Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 150 (5) ◽  
pp. 632-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Frdéric Guay ◽  
Amy Bernier-Desmarais ◽  
Jean-François Doherty ◽  
Conrad Cloutier
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Scale Insects ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Pine Needle ◽  
Abies Fraseri ◽  
Fraser Fir ◽  
Christmas Trees ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
The Status

AbstractThe pine needle scale, Chionaspis pinifoliae (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), has the status of an emerging pest in Christmas tree (Pinaceae) plantations in Québec, Canada. The scale is not known to cause any significant damage yet and is not generally monitored by growers. However, it can be an obstacle for exportation to Christmas tree markets where scale insects are strictly regulated. In this study, we describe its life cycle in Christmas tree plantations in southern Québec. We confirm the presence of both parthenogenetic and sexual forms of the scale on Fraser fir Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poiret (Pinaceae) grown as Christmas trees, and of parasitoid and Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) specialists that could contribute to its control.

scholarly journals Recent results of Czech-American fir hybridization research

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 64-71
Author(s):  
J. Kobliha ◽  
J. Stejskal ◽  
P. Škorpík ◽  
J. Frampton
Keyword(s):  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Abies Fraseri ◽  
Fraser Fir ◽  
Abies Cephalonica ◽  
Basic Parameters ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
The Individual

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) Christmas tree plantations in North Carolina are infested by root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. This disease kills almost 100% of Fraser fir material and leaves the soil permanently infested. Control crossings of Mediterranean fir hybrids Abies cilicica × Abies cephalonica with Abies fraseri were performed to ensure possibly resistant hybrid material of desired Christmas tree parameters. Pollen of various clones of A. fraseri was shipped to the Czech Republic by NCSU. Control pollinations were performed in April/May 2010 and 2011 in our hybridization seed orchards. Female strobili were isolated in the period of their highest receptibility. Cones were collected during September. Cones were dried and completely disintegrated. Basic parameters of cones and seeds were assessed for each seed lot. Seed samples of the individual seed lots were X-rayed for assessment of the final share of full seeds. In 2010, the most successful combination CZ2 × NC81 brought 7% of viable seeds. In 2011 the most successful combination was CZ2 × NC26 with 18% of viable seeds.

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and Wild Grape (Vitisspp.) Control in Fraser Fir

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Richardson ◽  
Michael W. Marshall ◽  
Robert E. Uhlig ◽  
Bernard H. Zandstra
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Fraser Fir ◽  
Wild Grape ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Parthenocissus Quinquefolia ◽  
Christmas Tree Species

Virginia creeper and wild grape are troublesome perennial vines that often infest Christmas tree plantations. Field studies were conducted to evaluate Fraser fir injury and Virginia creeper and wild grape control with directed applications of triclopyr (1,680 g ai/ha) alone and in combination with 2,4-D (1,120 g ai/ha), clopyralid (280 g ai/ha), and halosulfuron (36 g ai/ha). Additional treatments included 2,4-D, clopyralid, glyphosate (1,120 g ai/ha), halosulfuron, hexazinone (560 g ai/ha), mesotrione (105 g ai/ha), and sulfometuron (71 g ai/ha) applied alone; and a mixture of hexazinone plus mesotrione. In the triclopyr-containing treatments, Fraser fir injury ranged from 6 to 13% at 1 mo after treatment (MAT) and was 4 to 8% at 11 MAT. Leader growth was not impacted by the herbicide treatments. At 11 MAT, all triclopyr-containing treatments controlled Virginia creeper 93 to 98% and wild grape 98 to 100%, which was greater than the control observed with glyphosate at 63 and 59%, respectively. Virginia creeper and wild grape control with 2,4-D was 88 to 90%. Clopyralid, halosulfuron, hexazinone, hexazinone plus mesotrione, mesotrione, and sulfometuron provided less than 66% control of both perennial vines. Directed applications of triclopyr-containing treatments or 2,4-D were effective management tools for selective removal of wild grape and Virginia creeper from Fraser fir Christmas tree plantations. Additional research is needed on the potential sensitivity of other commonly grown Christmas tree species to triclopyr-containing treatments.

scholarly journals Design and Implementation of a Soil Matric Potential-based Automated Irrigation System for Drip Irrigating Fraser Fir

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1030-1036
Author(s):  
Pascal Nzokou ◽  
Nicholas J. Gooch ◽  
Bert M. Cregg
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Operational Flexibility ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Similar System ◽  
Fraser Fir ◽  
Natural Range ◽  
Automated Irrigation System

Irrigation of fraser fir (Abies fraseri) in Christmas tree production is gaining importance in the upper midwestern United States because of the intensive planting of this species out of its natural range. However, current scheduling practices rely on empirical observations with no monitoring of soil moisture and no use of automated irrigation system. The goal of this project was to design, construct, and implement a tensiometer-based automated irrigation system for fraser fir Christmas tree plantations that would (1) use existing technologies, (2) apply water based on changes in soil moisture content, (3) provide operational flexibility, and (4) interface with a computer for system changes, data collection, and system modifications. Soil tensiometers equipped with 4- to 20-milliampere transducers were installed at two drip-irrigated tree farms. Water on demand was controlled by soil moisture tension levels that triggered the stimulation of a relay wired to solenoids delivering irrigation water to the various treatments. The system functioned according to the design as expected. However, several issues associated with the need for regular maintenance of tensiometers, computer programming, and system wiring created some challenges regarding the reliability and transferability of similar system to commercial facilities.

scholarly journals Damage Assessment in Christmas Tree Plantations following Vegetation Control with Sheep and Geese

1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Paul Mueller ◽  
M.H. Poore ◽  
W.A. Skroch
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Food Aversion ◽  
Herbaceous Vegetation ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Fraser Fir

Abstract Christmas tree farming in the Southern Appalachian Mountains is a potentially profitable but labor and chemical intensive enterprise. Control of competition from unwanted vegetation usually requires multiple applications of herbicides. Because geese and sheep have traditionally been used as “weeders” in orchards and cropland, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate the potential of these animals for herbaceous vegetation control in Christmas tree plantations. Three types of field trials were conducted at the Upper Mountain Research Station located near Laurel Springs, NC, during two growing seasons (1992 and 1993) to evaluate the natural browsing tendency displayed by sheep and different breeds of geese for different tree species. Food aversion training in a Fraser fir plantation was a special focus of the trials. Sheep and geese were managed to consume herbaceous vegetation through controlled, rotational grazing. Herbage mass of the residue was maintained between 693 and 2,000 kg/ha. Damage observed on four tree species (white pine, Fraser fir, Canadian hemlock, Colorado blue spruce) by “weeder” sheep and geese was dependent on animal species or breed. Untrained sheep and Pilgrim geese were most damaging to 1 yr old transplants (damage scores of 5.3 to 2.3). Trees with damage scores of less than 7 were judged to have reduced commercial potential. "Training" sheep to avoid browsing trees (using a gelatin capsule containing lithium chloride to affect feed selection) is a promising technique worthy of further research. South. J. Appl. For. 23(1):11-15.

Increased diversity of Phytophthora species in Fraser fir Christmas tree plantations in the Southern Appalachians

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 412-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pettersson ◽  
J. Frampton ◽  
J. Rönnberg ◽  
H. D. Shew ◽  
D. M. Benson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phytophthora Species ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Southern Appalachians ◽  
Fraser Fir

Incidence of Monochamus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) species in Nova Scotia, Canada Christmas tree plantations and comparison of panel traps and lures from North America and Europe

2016 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. Blatt ◽  
C. Bishop ◽  
J. Sweeney
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
North America ◽  
North American ◽  
Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Pinewood Nematode ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Christmas Trees ◽  
Trap Catches

AbstractChristmas trees from Nova Scotia, Canada are banned from import into the European Union (EU) because they may be infected with the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae). Monochamus Dejean (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) species known to vector pinewood nematode are present in Nova Scotia but their abundance in Christmas tree plantations and surrounding stands has not been assessed. We conducted trapping surveys and experiments in 2014 and 2015 to determine the species of Monochamus and their relative abundance in Nova Scotia Christmas tree plantations and the surrounding forests. We also compared commercially available traps and lures from Europe (cross-vane traps, Galloprotect lure=monochamol+ipsenol+α-pinene+2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol) and North America (intercept panel traps, North American lure=monochamol+ipsenol+α-pinene+ethanol) for their efficacy at catching Monochamus species in a 2×2 factorial experiment. We captured three Monochamus species (M. scutellatus (Say), M. notatus (Drury), and M. marmorator Kirby) in Nova Scotia Christmas tree plantations. Mean trap catches were greater within the plantations than in the surrounding forests. North American panel traps coated with Fluon® and baited with the European lure caught the most M. notatus and M. scutellatus and would be most suitable for survey and monitoring.

Insects associated with the transmission of Verticicladiellaprocera

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1330-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy J. Lewis ◽  
S. A. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Insect Vectors ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Eastern White Pine ◽  
Controlled Conditions

Insects in the families Scolytidae and Curculionidae were studied as potential vectors of the fungus Verticicladiellaprocera Kendrick. Weevils (Hylobiuspales Herbst and Pissodes sp.) and bark beetles (Pityogenes sp., Orthotomicus sp., Xyleborus sp., and Hylastes sp.) contaminated with V. procera were trapped in seven and three Pinusstrobus L. Christmas tree plantations, respectively, including plantations where V. procera had not been found. Percent of trapped weevils and bark beetles carrying V. procera was 64.2 and 0.76, respectively. Bolts (92%) became colonized by V. procera following visitation in the field by contaminated insects. Under controlled conditions, transmission of the fungus from contaminated weevils placed in cages to previously uncolonized bolts occurred three of seven times. Bark beetles transmited V. procera to eastern white pine bolts less frequently than weevils. Transmission of the fungus to seedlings did not occur. These studies suggest that insect vectors are important for spread of V. procera, and that weevils are probably the primary vectors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document