Many red maples have hopper burn

Leafhoppers are really busy on red maples. I can recognize the cupped foliage and short internodes from the truck seat; plus some browning to explain why the symptoms are referred to as ?hopper burn.?

Dr. Frank Hale recommends Sevin, Diazinon, Dursban, Talstar, Tempo, Decathlon and Scimitar in his publication. It is listed under maple as potato leafhopper on pg 27 of the current 5/2004 edition. Look on lower back cover. Blue lettering on front. Copies may be picked up from any Extension office.

? Now is the time to prevent Southern Blight on first year spaced out plants of apple & crabapple. A coarse, wet spray of Contrast 70 WSP should be directed to the lower stem & root zone. I suspect it is too late to apply Terraclor. Contrast is preventative and slightly curative. Fact sheet available with details.

Add 2 to 3 packets of Contrast 70 WSP in 50 gallons of water and drive slow with 8008 tips directed to both sides of the lower stem and root zone. Use very little pressure, perhaps 10 to 15 psi to avoid bounce. No need to calibrate precisely.

The fungus is in the top 1 to 2 inches of soil. Second year spaced out plants (3 years old) are not usually attacked because the bark is thicker and can not be penetrated by the fungus.

Cultural practices to reduce severity: avoid replanting into blocks with previous southern blight; avoid increasing the organic matter where Malus will be grown; soil test for Malus to avoid the acidity that the disease favors; maintain good air flow around the plant stems by preventing or removing weed vegetation.

? Please continue helping me get sprayers ready for Discus before the last week in July. I need to do several in your neighborhood the same day. Please be sure the pressure regulator valve (prv) and pressure gauge work. Test the pump by cranking the pressure up and replace it or the prv if you do not get the expected response.

It is very inconvenient for me to go through the procedure with pesticides in the tank. I really appreciate the nurseries that are ready, with no surprises or delays. I can do 4 per day when things go smooth. Remind me and we will calibrate for pre-emergent herbicide at the same time. Apply by July 31.

? Call me if you find a few trees with borer damage. I or Dr. Jason Oliver needs the insects bad enough to come and gather the infested stem sections. Any type of plant, any type of borer.

? Spray Dursban 4E (1qt/100) on newly planted maple & oak to prevent flatheaded apple tree borers. Begin spraying young dogwoods, buds and seedlings every 2 weeks to prevent powdery mildew. It may be time for the second annual maintenance application, assuming the first application was applied in late Feb or so. June 15 to 30 is the suggested time. Plan to prune, semi-prune or shear white pines June 20-July 10. Limiting the new growth to no more than 12 to 14 inches will make the foliage thicker.

Reduce the length of any laterals that will be taller than the leader, so they will not become dominate. Always remove forks or double leaders.