Landscape Message: May 1, 2020

UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data.

Happy May Day! While operations at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have been significantly reduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UMass Extension has developed a listing of resources for commercial horticulture operations in Massachusetts to help keep you informed and aware of relevant policies and best practices for landscapers, turf managers, arborists, nurseries, garden centers, and greenhouse producers.

For our COVID-19 Information and Support for Landscapers, Nurseries, Turf Managers, Garden Centers, Arborists, and Greenhouse Operations in Massachusetts, go to https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/news/covid-19-information-support-for-landscapers-nurseries-turf-managers-garden-centers.

The Landscape Message will be updated weekly in May. The next message will be posted on May 8. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list.

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Insects

Insects and Other Arthropods of Public Health Concern:

• Deer Tick/Blacklegged Tick: Check out the archived FREE TickTalk with TickReport webinars available here:https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/education-events/webinars . Previous webinars including information about deer ticks and associated diseases, ticks and personal protection, and updates from the Laboratory of Medical Zoology are archived at the link above.

The next live webinar will be held on May 13, 2020: “Ticks & Red Meat Allergies: The Latest Science”. Join TickReport, Dr. Stephen Rich, and Dr. Scott Commins as they explore the science behind red meat allergies caused by tick bites. Special guest Dr. Scott Commins, a leading physician and research scientist in the field of alpha-gal red meat allergies, will discuss this interesting phenomenon with Dr. Rich.

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