UMass Extension Landscape Nursery and Urban Forestry

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UMass Extension Landscape Nursery and Urban Forestry

Make a gift to the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program: http://bit.ly/1Q3HPl4

The UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry team provides programs and research-based information on the best horticultural practices and technology for environmental stewardship in nursery and landscape management. Our team is a group of educators and specialists in weed science, entomology, plant pathology, IPM, diagnostics, and sustainable practices. For home garden and landscape questions email: [email protected]

09/21/2026

Caterpillars with urticating or stinging hairs have been reported in the area. Black-waved flannel moth (Megalopyge crispata) is an example. While you want to avoid handling them, most are not typically a cause of concern.

Excerpt from our September 18 Landscape Message – Southeast Region Report

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/landscape-message-september-18-2026

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is a regular update to inform and help guide land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape.

Each edition includes valuable information from sites throughout Massachusetts, including growing degree day accumulation, soil temperature, precipitation amounts, and plant phenology. Detailed reports on cultural practices and the status of insects, diseases, and w**ds of interest to landscapers, arborists and turf managers are also regular features.

Photo: Black-waved flannel moth by Blake Dinius

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09/18/2026

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE for September 18, 2026, has been posted.

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/landscape-message-september-18-2026

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is a regular update to inform and help guide land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape.

Each edition includes valuable information from sites throughout Massachusetts, including growing degree day accumulation, soil temperature, precipitation amounts, and plant phenology.

Detailed reports on cultural practices and the status of insects, diseases, and w**ds of interest to landscapers, arborists and turf managers are also regular features.

There will be 20 messages throughout 2026. New messages are available weekly during the heart of the growing season, bi-weekly in early spring and mid to late summer, and monthly during the fall.

The next Landscape Message will be posted on October 16.

Photo: Autum Joy Sedum by Geoffrey Njue

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https://t.ly/TNxtf

09/16/2026

'Urban Forestry Today' webcasts @ Noon (Eastern) continue – Oct 01 & Oct 22
*****
Join Dr. Emily Silver, Michigan State University, as she discusses "Applications of Biochar in Urban Forestry". Pre-register or attend the Free Noonhour (Eastern) broadcast live on 10/01 & receive an ISA/MCA CEU by visiting www.joinwebinar.com & entering: 667-126-819
(Space is limited & attendees should join promptly @ Noon. Post-broadcast recordings are available in ‘webcast archives’ @ www.urbanforestrytoday.org)
***
UFT's Fall 'Tree Summit' takes place 10/22, Noon-2PM (Eastern) Join Drs Lara Roman, Natalie van Doorn & Jacob Cecala, USDA FS, who will discuss "Understanding the impacts of climate change & urban trees." The fee for this LIVE BROADCAST is $25 USD & Attendees may earn 2.0 ISA/1.0 MCA CEUs.
Register to attend: www.tinyurl.com/falltreesummit or visit www.urbanforestrytoday.org for more info. Questions? [email protected] (Attendees must join the live broadcast promptly @ Noon using the GoToWebinar link provided upon registration)

09/15/2026

Bee hotels, also called bee houses, have become a popular way for the public to engage with pollinator conservation work and provide habitat to native bees. They can be purchased online or in many home, garden, or craft stores—a quick search online generated over 10,000 results. While these structures are purported to support bees that nest in pre-existing cavities, which make up roughly 20% of the approximate 400 documented bee species in Massachusetts, they can also present an ecological trap when not built or maintained properly. Common issues can be mitigated through design, establishment, and maintenance.

Read more about bee hotels in the article Bee Hotels: Misconceptions and Best Practices in the September edition of Hort Notes

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/newsletters/hort-notes/hort-notes-2026-vol-377

Photo: Bee Hotel on UMass Campus by Nicole Bell

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09/10/2026

HORT NOTES for September 2026 has been posted.

In this Issue:
🌿 Featured Plants: Shale Barrens Buckwheat and American Dittany
🌿 Trouble Maker: Development of New Technologies for W**d Management
🌿 Q&A: Grass Cover on High Traffic Areas and Coated Turfgrass Seeds
🌿 Garden Clippings: September's Tips of the Month
🌿 Bee Hotels: Misconceptions and Best Practices

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/newsletters/hort-notes/hort-notes-2026-vol-377

Hort Notes is a monthly e-newsletter from UMass Extension for landscapers, arborists, and other Green Industry professionals, including monthly tips for home gardeners.

Photo: American dittany flower by Jennifer Kujawski

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09/09/2026

Ragw**d (Ambrosia spp.) is blooming as well. Ragw**d is a common source of allergies this time of year. People often blame goldenrod, but the source is likely ragw**d. Ragw**d is wind-pollinated, with lightweight pollen that is likely to be airborne. Goldenrod is animal-pollinated, with heavier pollen that is much less likely to be in the air. In addition, goldenrod flowers are bright yellow and conspicuous, so they often take the blame. Ragw**d flowers are small and green and often go unnoticed.

Excerpt from our September 4 Landscape Message – Southeast Region Report

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/landscape-message-september-4-2026

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is a regular update to inform and help guide land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape.

Each edition includes valuable information from sites throughout Massachusetts, including growing degree day accumulation, soil temperature, precipitation amounts, and plant phenology. Detailed reports on cultural practices and the status of insects, diseases, and w**ds of interest to landscapers, arborists and turf managers are also regular features.

Photo: Ragw**d in front of a stand of goldenrod (circled in red) by Blake Dinius

Subscribe to our newsletters!
https://t.ly/TNxtf

09/08/2026

'Urban Forestry Today' webcasts @ Noon (Eastern) return – Sept 10 & Oct 01
*****
Join Dr. Andrew Koeser, Univ of Florida, as he discusses "Planning for Roots: Optimal Spacing, Minimum Thresholds & Workarounds". Pre-register or attend the Free Noonhour (Eastern) broadcast live on 9/10 & receive an ISA/MCA CEU by visiting www.joinwebinar.com & entering: 847-859-331
*****
Join Dr. Emily Silver, Michigan State University, as she discusses "Applications of Biochar in Urban Forestry". Pre-register or attend the Free Noonhour (Eastern) broadcast live on 10/01 & receive an ISA/MCA CEU by visiting www.joinwebinar.com & entering: 667-126-819
(Space is limited & attendees that wish to catch any live broadcast should plan to join promptly @ Noon, Eastern. Post-broadcast recordings are available in ‘webcast archives’ @ www.urbanforestrytoday.org)

09/07/2026

Several maples (Acer spp.) especially noticeable on Norway maple (Acer platanoides) are infected with tar spot (Rhytisma spp.) and anthracnose, there are several fungal pathogens that may be responsible. The anthracnose is causing the browning of the leaves and contributing to significant early leaf drop. The combination of the two infections is not typically fatal, but the visual impact has raised concerns and will likely impact fall color.

Excerpt from our September 4 Landscape Message – East Region Report

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/landscape-message-september-4-2026

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is a regular update to inform and help guide land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape.

Each edition includes valuable information from sites throughout Massachusetts, including growing degree day accumulation, soil temperature, precipitation amounts, and plant phenology. Detailed reports on cultural practices and the status of insects, diseases, and w**ds of interest to landscapers, arborists and turf managers are also regular features.

Photo: Tar spot (Rhytisma spp.) and anthracnose by Kit Ganshaw

Subscribe to our newsletters!
https://t.ly/TNxtf

09/04/2026

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE for September 4, 2026 has been posted.

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/landscape-message-september-4-2026

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is a regular update to inform and help guide land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape.

Each edition includes valuable information from sites throughout Massachusetts, including growing degree day accumulation, soil temperature, precipitation amounts, and plant phenology.

Detailed reports on cultural practices and the status of insects, diseases, and w**ds of interest to landscapers, arborists and turf managers are also regular features.

There will be 20 messages throughout 2026. New messages are available weekly during the heart of the growing season, bi-weekly in early spring and mid to late summer, and monthly during the fall.

The next Landscape Message will be posted on September 18.

Photo: Nasturtium by Geoffrey Njue

Subscribe to our newsletters!
https://t.ly/TNxtf

09/02/2026

Registration for the Fall 2026 cohort of the Pollinator Steward Certification program is now OPEN!

🐝This course includes foundations in pollinator ecology and habitat provisioning.

🦋With 34 lectures covering a wide array of pollinator-focused topics, students will come away with a well-rounded understanding of how pollinators interact with the environment, and how to best provision habitats for them.

💻Fully online and asynchronous, students will have through December to complete the program.

📆Registration will remain open through September, or until we reach capacity.

🖇 Now approved for many professional association credits: (1) MCH, (3) MCA, (3) MCLP, (11.5) ISA, (2.5 CAT I) & (9 CAT II) CFE, and (4) NOFA OLC

✅️Learn more and to register!
https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/resources/pollinators/pollinator-steward-certification-program

Content questions? Email [email protected]

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University Of
Amherst, MA
01003

Telephone

+14135450895

Website

https://ag.umass.edu/landscape

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