Sierra Consulting IPM September 2008 newsletter

(Volume 10 / Edition 17, October 2008)

In an effort to solicit your business and keep you informed on the latest vegetation management technologies, Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC is providing you with this technical newsletter, VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ONLINE©. It is with sincere hope that the information provided herein will increase the vegetation manager’s knowledge and awareness on issues such as Environmental Stewardship, Efficacy, Efficiency and Economics of Vegetation Management technologies.

Please post this newsletter in areas where all can read and learn. Promote communication and cooperation for the entire team; education for all is the key for success!

Integrated Vegetation Management 101

Ornamental Weed Control:

When it comes to weed control, landscaped areas require special attention...the goal being good weed management and at the same time enhancing landscape plant health and vigor. Whether landscape plants and shrubs are native or exotic, care must be taken to prevent injury, as these are expensive plants to replace. Root systems are shallow and easily influenced by what we do on the soil surface for weed control.

First and foremost for enhancing weed control efforts as well as plant health, is adequate organic matter in the topsoil. Our hot sun here in CA will literally cook organic matter from the soil. Organic matter (OM) is the key to good plant root health. In landscape planting beds and medians it has been found that by applying 4 to 6 inches of composted OM to the soil surface adequate weed control may be attained. This acts as an organic blanket to retard weed growth and at the same time provide lots of OM to the soil. In very hot and sunny locations this should be done each year until plants and shrubs produce enough shade and growth to create their own OM returns. Some plant species are better at this than others, but the idea holds true for all. If you are dealing with landscape areas where there is very little growth or vigor this may be the reason...and by adding fertilizers there is still not much improvement. Most likely these areas will have severe weed growth too, as weeds deal better in depressed soils than landscape species.

If you choose to use herbicides in your program you must be careful in your selection and timing. "Over the top" pre-emergent soil-active herbicides are only effective if used before weed growth begins. Selection of the type of chemistry is also important as some soil-active herbicides can damage or kill certain plant types. Misguided foliar applications have definitely taken their toll of good plants as well. You need to control the weeds but not negatively affect the landscape plants. I have experienced situations where people not knowing this have killed many beautiful plant and tree species. Do not do this, if in doubt call me and we can discuss an effective program regardless of your plant selection or weed types... it requires a professional approach! And all Right-of-way landscape weed control requires PCA Recommendations and applicators must be annually training according to State of CA requirements. Call 530-432-7845 and we can discuss your situations and needs.

Weed Control Around Trees:

Your approach to weed management around trees is a very important consideration as fall and winter approaches. Rains will bring up weeds, choking small trees and robbing soil of water and nutrients. Here as well as landscape areas, trees require adequate OM in the soil for healthy growth. Proper application of compost or wood chips is also important. In some cases we need to be careful of the kind of compost or chips, as texture or depth can adversely affect tree roots by encouraging soil borne diseases such as phytophora root rot. Knowing your tree selection is critical for an adequate weed management program. Native trees will have a different requirement than non-native when it comes to weed control, as our natives are much better suited to deal with weed competition than non-native trees, especially when they are small.

Due to the root system of trees, proper selection of chemistry is extremely important here too. Foliar herbicides can harm young trees where the bark is not hardened off and soil-active herbicides can harm or kill roots, making proper selection is critical for a successful weed management program.

Open Ground Weed Control:

Where there are no trees or tree roots present, and there are no landscape plants, weed control takes on a whole new approach. Effective and economic weed management requires knowing your weed problems to design a program that will provide adequate control through the fall/winter/spring months. Proper selection of foliar and soil-active herbicide products is very crucial here too. Considerations to prevent off-site movement, and legal factors such as wellhead protection, endangered species and environmentally sensitive habitat recognition, and Ground Water Protection Areas must be researched and considered.

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC has over 39 years experience in these areas and is here to assist you in designing weed management programs that are effective and economical. Again, please feel free to call me and we can discuss your options: My office line is 530-432-7845.

Time to Consider Tree Pruning

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC provides Certified Arborist services throughout California, including many cities and counties. We are approaching that time of year again for tree pruning. Whether it is a problem tree, a safety hazard, or you simply desire beautiful balanced tree canopy, PROPER tree pruning is an important consideration. Perhaps you have trees prone to Summer Limb Drop as described in the last edition of Vegetation Management Online, or trees you are not sure if they are safe for the public walking or driving under them. Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC is ready to help train your staff in Proper Pruning Techniques or to do Hazard Tree assessments.

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC, advisory services with 39 years experience providing independent and non-biased Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Arborist advisory services, thanks all of you for your support and business. The client base for Sierra Consulting & IPM has expanded to include federal, state and county agencies, utilities, irrigation districts and water authorities, military bases, railroads, transportation departments, airports, school districts, commercial contract application companies, agricultural clients, noxious and invasive weed management programs. Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC also provides contract research services and forensic investigation including expert witness in all phases of pest management.

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC provides key services including IPM program design and implementation, on-site pest management evaluations (Vegetation, Rodents, Insects, Plant and Tree Health) throughout all of California, Licensed Pest Control Advisor (PCA) written pest control recommendations, and employee training on subjects such as:

Annual Pesticide Safety Training
Invasive Weed Management Strategies
Drift Management and Environmental Stewardship
Application Technology & Calibration
Laws & Regulations
Understanding and Using IPM
Certified Arborist Services

Let Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC help you, give me a call or e-mail me! (530) 432-7845 and/or donald.bartel@sbcglobal.net

Vegetation Management Online? Subscriptions are Free!

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC wants you to encourage your coworkers, friends and relatives to submit for this free on-line newsletter specifically designed to present the most recent technological advances to vegetation managers’ worldwide. Just go to www.sierraconsultingipm.com, and provide your e-mail address to automatically place your name on the mail list for the newsletter Vegetation Management Online?. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please let me know what you think of the newsletter and the articles, as I always look forward to your comments. If you wish to be removed from this free subscription list, just let me know!

Newsletter Sponsorship Available

Sponsorship of this newsletter provides a direct market opportunity to reach the influencers and decision makers of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) business here in California, across the United States and around the globe. If your company wishes to learn more about advertising opportunities and the various levels of sponsorship available with this newsletter, please contact: Don Bartel, Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC. Office phone: 530-432-7845 or 530-305-2228 or e-mail: donald.bartel@sbcglobal.net Thanks!