Winter Overseeding Mixtures Compared Arborists Report Moth Aftermath Late Flowering Trees for ...

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IIBJ A Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publication September 1981/32.00
W E E C H K MW
The Journal of Landscape and Golf Course Design, Construction and Care Since 1962
Winter Overseeding Mixtures Compared
Arborists Report Moth Aftermath
Late Flowering Trees for Summer Color
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CONTENTS
_ _ _ _ __ SEPTEMBER 1981/VOL. 20, NO. 9
Bruce F. Shank
Executive Editor Outlook 4
Tom Paciello Landscape Update 8
Associate Editor
Government Update 11
Maxine Hagen Golf Update 14
Production Manager
Denise Johnson
Graphics Manager GREEN INDUSTRY NEWS
Shaw resigns as ALCA executive director . . . Floraboard stalled in Con-
Agnes Aspling gress ... Medfly impact on contractors small... AAN Show draws industry cross
Circulation Manager section ... First interior landscaping certification tests near... ALCA award dead-
line is November 15 6
Business
Atlanta
Dick Gore, Publisher FEATURES
james R. Brooks, National
Sales Manager Winter Overseeding Test Results on Golf Greens
Ron Kempner, Regional Mississippi State University tests by Associate Professor Jeff Krans and golf course
Sales Manager superintendent Charles Scroggins show few marked advantages of one overseeding
3091 Maple Drive mixture to another. Mixture composition and seeding rates were the same as commer-
Maple Center One Building cially available products. Color, texture, and transition characteristics were evalu-
Atlanta, GA 30305 ated. 16
[phone]
Late Flowering Trees Provide Mid-Summer Color, Interest
New York American Yellowwood, Goldenraintree, Goldenchain tree, and Kousa dogwood are
757 Third Ave. compared for their contributions to summer landscapes. Doug Chapman extends
New York, NY 10017 ideas to keep the landscape interesting in all seasons. 26
[phone] (or 2892)
1982 BUYER'S GUIDE
Chicago Products, manufacturers, distributors and parts suppliers are listed in this compre-
11 East Wacker Drive hensive directory for the Green Industries. Use this reference for fall planning and
Chicago, IL 60601 buying or for year round purchases. 37
[phone]
Gypsy Moth Invasion Runs Arborists Ragged
Seattle 1981 is the year the caterpillar won and the trees lost. Arborists worked seven-days
Robert Mierow per week to keep up with the demand for spraying. White Plains, NY, arborist Bob
1333 N.W. Norcross Mullane said this was the worst year he has seen since 1955. Weeds Trees & Turf re-
Seattle, WA 98177 views the spread, the severity, and the business strain of this year's infestation. 28
[phone]
<8>
HARCOURT BRACE JOVANOVICH PUBLICATIONS Vegetation Management 112
Robert L. Edgell. Chairman; Richard Moeller, President:
Lars Fladmark. Executive Vice President: Arland Hirman,
Treasurer; Thomas Greney, Group Vice President: Ezra Events 114
Pincus. Group Vice President: Larry Witchel. Group Vice
President; Joe Bilderbach. Vice President; James Gherna. Products 118
Vice President; George Glenn. Vice President; Harry
Ramaley. Vice President.
Classifieds 126
WEEDS TREES A TURF (ISSN 0043-1753) is published
monthly by Horcourt Brace |ovanovich Publications. Cor-
porate and Editorial offices: 757 Third Avenue. New York. Advertiser Information 128
New York 10017. Advertising offices: 757 Third Avenue.
New York. New York. 10017. 111 East Wacker Drive.
Chicago. Illinois 60601 and 3091 Maple Drive. Atlanta.
Georgia 30305 Accounting. Advertising Production and
Circulation offices: 1 East First Street. Duluth. Minnesota
55802. Subscription rates: United States $15 per year: Can-
ada $18 |)er year. All other countries: $40 per year. Single
copies: $2 in the United States and Canada; all other coun-
tries: $4.50. Second class postage paid at Duluth. Minnesota
55806 and additional mailing offices. Copyright' 1981 by
pHaarrt coofu trht isB rpaucbel icJaotvioann omviacyh . beIn cre. pAroll druicgehdts orre strearnvsemd.i ttNeod VBPAÀ ÚABP
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopy, recording, or any information storage
and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Member; American Business Press, Business Publications Audit, National
the publisher Golf Foundation, American Sod Producers Association, Associated
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WEEDS TREES Landscape Contractors of America, National Landscape Association,
A TURF. P.O Box 6198. Duluth. Minnesota 55806-9898 Horticultural Research Institute.
You'll find one on every National...
The little decal that
means big savings!
It does more than tell you the belt sizes
used on National mowers. It signifies our
commitment to build a mower that can
be maintained easily and inexpensively.
It tells you that these are standard, off-
the-shelf items available from your local
supplier, not a special, high-priced belt
designed by a manufacturer to be avail-
able only from him. It means less down
time!
But standard belts are only part of
National's value. There's the normal
maintenance factor which is reduced by
National's obviously easy accessibility.
Field reports tell us that National mow-
ers are one-third to one-half the cost
of maintaining competitive models.
Then there's greater fuel economy.
National's simple, functional design
means as much as 44% to 62% less fuel
consumption than competitive, power-
robbing, hydrostatic type rotary
machines.
Best of all, National's initial cost is
less than that of other mowers sold to do
the same job.
In these days when purchase price, fuel
economy, continuous performance and Model 84" Triplex
longevity are most important, look to a and faster maintenance, over a longer Write to us for the name of your nearest
National to do more work, with easier period. dealer. Then call for a demonstration.
There's more to make you forget
about down time
We still cut our own gears, forward,
reverse and differential, out of solid
steel blanks. These durable gears,
carborized, hardened and tem-
pered, are heavier than those used
in many automobiles today.
Bed knives have upturned lips
for extra wear and longer serv-
ice. It prevents scalping and will
not allow small objects to enter
and damage reels.
NATIONAL
NATIONAL MOWER COMPANY
660 Raymond Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114
Model 68" Triplex 612/646-4079
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OUTLOOK
By Bruce F. Shank, Executive Editor
Conflicting signals on Or will it mean less competition, drop- Data is still duplicated at high cost to
ping of minor use products, and higher support new registrations when it exists
pesticide develpment
prices? in the files of other companies.
Both the cost of registration and lia- On top of all this, EPA's new admin-
A recent increase in the number of bility in case of disposal problems is istration has reorganized the enforce-
pesticide products gaining registration forcing chemical companies to be more ment division. Companies now have to
will hopefully continue, but signals selective in products offered. This extra get new assurance of the rules before
from industry and government seem to caution is necessary for chemical com- proceeding with current and new
indicate otherwise. panies to protect their market stability products.
Mergers may play a role equal to in today's merger-mad market. The small manufacturer must feel
government regulation in the future de- Integrated pest management is ex- lost in all this confusion.
velopment of pesticides. Mobil's sale of pected to cut agricultural chemical Regardless of the intent of the
its agricultural chemical division to sales in the next decade. Since most Reagan administration to provide more
Rhone Poulenc was surprising in light landscape products are developed encouragement to manufacturers, mar-
of its participation in the Conoco take- from agricultural products, the pros- ket conditions are keeping the lid on
over. Du Pont's interest in Conoco is pects are not as rosy even though IPM is and finishing the job EPA started in the
fairly evident since it is highly depen- not expected to cut landscape chemical early 70's. The numbers get bigger and
dent upon oil resources for its products. use appreciably. bigger. Small users have a harder time
The Boots/Fisons merger in the U.S. Biological or bacterial production of gaining the attention of chemical
seems to show togetherness is better in chemicals is the new wave. No chem- manufacturers. And the prices keep go-
chemical development and marketing. ical company wants to be left out of that ing up.
The result of mergers is obvious; market as it develops due to technologi- You can't blame the chemical com-
fewer, bigger chemical companies. cal breakthroughs. panies. They, like you and I, are trying
Does this mean that combining re- Data compensation between chem- to survive. With so many conflicting
sources will improve research invest- ical companies is still not resolved by signals, they have to be cautious and we
ment and result in more new products? the Environmental Protection Agency. have to fight harder for attention. WTT
One bluegrass does it
best.
Warren's A-34 BenSun bluegrass out-performed 43
bluegrasses during a 5 year independent study at 8
universities.
Whether it be density, texture, disease resistance,
color, uniformity, wear and shade tolerance, hot-cool
-dry or wet conditions, A-34 BenSun was superior in
quality to all others.
A-34 blends well with other bluegrasses as well as
fine leafed rye and fescues.
RATED
Do it now! Phone or write for proof of what we say.
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GREEN
INDUSTRY
NEWS
Medfly impact small on contractors
The Mediterranean fruit fly infestation Some didn't think it would be sufficient for all pest troubles. Sprayers
has embarassed state officials, trauma- effective." lost a lot of business."
tized consumers and imperiled Even when people were sure they Malathion did eliminate many in-
California's lucrative fruit crop. Arbor- wanted their fruit stripped, tree sur- sects and was good for indoor land-
ists and landscapers, however, have geons weren't always able to be of ser- scapers, according to Alrie Middle-
not been greatly effected. Tree people vice. "We just don't have the time to do brook of Interior Landscape Design,
throughout the infected area in central it,' says Susan Pitt. The man hour rate is Inc. in San Jose.
California say that they were besieged too expensive to send a tree surgeon to The long range effects of the infesta-
by requests for help and information strip trees. We advised clients to get tion are mixed. The public is more
but weren't able to do too much to someone local to strip the trees." aware of the importance of tree care.
help. Arborists were not asked to spray Some people may want to avoid plants,
"We had an awful lot of telephone against the Medfly. The government shrubs or trees that attract the Medfly.
calls. People wanted advice," says took care of the aerial and ground Fruit trees may not bear as well next
Susan Pitt, office manager of S.P. spraying and "preferred that people year because of the damage caused by
McClenahan Company in the Portola not spray by themselves," according to improper stripping.
Valley. "We gave them support and ad- Pitt. Agricultural Pest Control Opera- One thing is clear. As Andrea Gol-
vice. There was no real impact on busi- tors were asked not to duplicate the job. den of Interior Landscape Design ob-
ness, but it caused an awful lot of office Mitchell says that there was a negative served: "it will certainly be a lot of
work." impact on spray business because peo- work for people cleaning up the
Jane Lesh, secretary-treasurer of ple "think that malathion spray is mess."
Lee's Tree Surgeons in Saratoga thinks
that the controversy may have "caused
people to look at their trees and thi »k
about them." Lesh voiced a comrr jn Floraboard stalled in Congress
complaint when she explained that
possible business increases from fruit
stripping were offset by the "indecision Congressional action on the Flora- the Floraboard, a 75 member board
about the whole thing. People would board plan to establish a research and consisting of industry representatives
call one day and say 'you have to strip promotion program that would in- nominated by producers' and import-
the walnut trees,' and the next day they crease demand for flower and plant ers' organizations, and appointed by
would be told no." products has been delayed. The bill has the Secretary of Agriculture. The
been introduced in the House of Rep- board's major objective, Kratchman
Gil Mitchell, a partner in Able Tree
resentatives, but has not yet been intro- says, will be to increase demand for
Surgeons, San Jose, says that in addi-
duced in the Senate. flowers and plants and thereby "even
tion to the "vacillation" of officials, de-
mand for stripping was low because Floraboard is a "producer's program out consumer buying patterns. On five
"people didn't want to put out the bucks designed to increase demand for floral major occasions each year (Valentine's
for it. A lot of people thought they could products similar to the programs for Day, Easter, National Secretary's
strip the trees themselves or waited for other agricultural commodities such as Week, Mother's Day and Christmas)
the California Conservation Corps to cotton, wool and milk," according to growers sell all they can. They are
come by or they just didn't give a damn. Barbara Kratchman, publications edi- forced to produce in an inefficient
tor for the Society of American Florists manner." Kratchman points out that
(SAF). "demand hasn't increased in six years.
Under the Floraboard system, grow- The full market potential of cut flowers,
ers and importers would be assessed a cut greens and foliage has not been re-
certain rate of sales per year, thus alized.
generating a fund of $7-9 million in the "The program is producer con-
program's first year. For the first two ceived, created and directed," Kratch-
years producers and importers would man emphasizes. "Because it's a man-
pay at a rate of one half of a percent per datory assessment the government has
year. Each year the rate increase may to have its finger in it, but it is a produc-
not exceed one quarter of a percent, er's program. Floraboard will only im-
25 year service award is presented during with a maximum assessment of one and plement what the producer's okay."
the Central Pennsylvania Golf Course Super- a half percent of sales. Only firms with The program must have major indus-
intendents Association annual meeting to more than $100,000 of growth sales try backing. A referendum will be held
John Boyd of Hershey Country Club (left) by would be assessed. and two thirds of all producers have to
president David Portz. The program will be administered by Continues on page Q
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CHEMICALS DIVISION
UNITED STATES GYPSUM
Primary supplier of secondary plant nutrients
approve of the program or Congress
won't pass it. The Floraboard Develop-
ment Committee of the SAF will ad-
NLA landscape tour views Cincinnati minister the referendum, with Con-
gressional oversight.
More than 200 members of the National Landscape Association toured a In the House, the bill's primary spon-
cross section of Cincinnati landscapes during the recent America Associ- sor is Rep. Tony Coehlo (D.-California).
ation of Nurserymen Convention and Trade Show there. By mid-July, 28 other representatives
Ken Natorp, president of W.A. Natorp Co., Cincinnati, guided the tour had signed on as co-sponsors of
to urban parks, office plazas, suburban apartments complexes, and two Floraboard. Floraboard hearings be-
residential estates. Much of the construction and design had been fore the House Agriculture Domestic
performed by Natorp's firm, Thorton Environmental Industries of Marketing, Consumer Relations and
Maineville, Ohio, and Ammon Nursery, Florence, KN. Nutrition Subcommittee were sched-
Highlights of the tour included Harper's Point, an apartment complex uled for July 14. The hearings were
where many water features and plant material provide unusual privacy. postponed in order to allow the SAF
Water sound was heard everywhere in the complex due to numerous time to respond to some questions
lakes and waterfalls. One estate contained a three-acre private arbore- raised by officials in the Office of Man-
tum with numerous dwarf conifers and an elaborate collection of plant agement and Budget and the Depart-
material. The tour also saw baseball star catcher Johnny Bench's home. ment of Agriculture.
The 1982 NLA tour will take place with the AAN Convention in Originally, administration officials
Honolulu, Hawaii, July 17-21. The NLA Board put finishing touches on contested 11 provisions in the bill. After
its management Clinic held each February at the Gault House in meeting with SAF representatives,
Louisville, KY. eight of the 11 problems were elimi-
nated. The three remaining issues con-
Deadline for ALCA award is November 15
cern reimbursal of funds used to send
out information to educate growers for
Entries for the 12th Annual ALCA Environmental Improvement Awards
the referendum, whether or not to have
are sought by the assocciation. Awards in seven categories will be
a consumer representative on the
awarded: commercial landscape contracting, residential landscape con-
board, and the access government de-
tracting, interior landscape installation, interior landscape maintenance,
partments other than the Justice and
exterior landscape maintenance, land reclamation/revegetation, and
Treasury Departments should have to
design/build landscaping.
the board's records.
A panel of judges will evaluate each entry on its own merits, without
At the SAF's convention in Denver
comparison to other entries. There is no limit to the number of awards the
on July 31, special sessions dealing with
j udges can make in any one category and no limit to the size of the proj ect.
Floraboard, in general, and the issues
Project entries will be accepted until November 15,1981 at a cost of $85
dividing the SAF and the Administra-
per entry ($70 for members). Awards will be presented at the Annual
tion, in particular, were held. During
Meeting in January.
Congress' August recess, Administra-
Information and entry forms are available from Associated Landscape
tion officials, SAF representatives, and
Contractors of America, 1750 Old Meadow Rd., McLean, VA 22102.
legislators met to iron out the difficult-
Awards chairman is Ann Lambeth.
ies.
ALCA prepares for Palm Springs show The Senate version of Floraboard is
sponsored by Senator S.I. Hayakawa
Exhibit space for the annual ALCA Trade Exhibit is going faster than (R.-California). Introduction of the bill
usual for the 1982 meeting in Palm Springs, CA. Indoor and outdoor was delayed as a result of the ava-
displays make the show attractive to more than 1,000 landscape contrac- lanche of legislation already intro-
tors each year. The date for the show is January 24-27,1982. duced, the Senate's preoccupation with
President Reagan's economic package
First interior landscape exam nears
and the Administration's objections.
Senate strategists are not sure if the re-
The National Council for Interior Horticultural Certification plans to
vised bill will be introduced in the fall
give its first exam during the Interior Plantscape Association Show, Octo-
on its own or as an amendment to the
ber 28-30, at the Radisson Hotel, St. Paul, MN.
Farm Bill, the periodic reauthorization
NCIHC is an independent self-sustaining council formed to recognize
of major farm programs.
qualified interior landscape contractors and their job worthiness. Re-
Regardless of the route taken, little
quirements for taking the exam include five years experience in the field,
opposition is expected. Barbara
four years experience and an associate's degree in horticulture, or three
Kratchman says that although there has
year's experience and a bachelor's degree. Each applicant must submit
been some opposition from nonorga-
photographs and documentation of four jobs completed and belong to ei-
nized growers, no organizations have
ther IPA or the Interior Landscape Division of ALCA. The applicants
come out against Floraboard. Flora-
must pledge adherence to a code of ethics.
board's similarity to other agricultural
The exam will also be given at the ALCA Show in Palm Springs, CA, in
boards which have been extremely
January 1982. ALCA has endorsed NCIHC and its certification pro-
successful has bestowed legitimacy to
gram.
the legislation in the eyes of the Con-
For information contact the National Council for Interior Horticultural
gressmen.
Certification, PO Box 17148, Washington, D.C. 20041.
The precise time the bill will come
Continues on page 11