Integrated Pest Management in Christmas Tree Production

Tuesday, June 27, 2023
5:00-7:00 p.m.

Gooley’s Christmas Tree Farm
263 Cowen Hill Road, Farmington, ME

Presented by UMaine Extension Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professionals Brett Johnson and Nick Rowley

This workshop will focus on a systematic approach to pest management in Christmas tree production systems. Participants will learn about weed management and there will be a discussion on control of smooth bedstraw at Gooley’s Farm. Participants will also learn about two significant Christmas tree insect pests and will hear of some current research being carried out by UMaine Extension to control these pests.

Workshop participants can earn 2 pesticide credits.

Agenda:

  • 5:00-5:10pm: Welcome/registration
  • 5:10-6:00pm: Weed IPM – Speaker Nick Rowley, UMaine Extension
    • An overview of weed biology, identification and management
    • Case study of smooth bedstraw in Christmas tree production at Gooley’s Christmas Tree Farm
  • 6:00pm – 6:50pm: Insect IPM – Speaker Brett Johnson, UMaine Extension
    • An overview of insect IPM in Christmas trees with a focus on Balsam Gall Midge and Balsam Wooley Adelgid
    • Update on Insecticide trial to control Balsam Gall Midge in Southern Maine

About the Speakers:

  • Brett Johnson is a Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional based out of Somerset County. Brett’s work focuses on integrated pest management in vegetable, fruit, and Christmas tree systems. Brett is UMaine Extension’s State Contact for Christmas tree production and is a member of the Woods Product Program Leadership Team.
  • Nick Rowley is a Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional based out of Franklin County. Nick’s work focuses on integrated pest management in vegetable, fruit, and forage crops systems. Nick is UMaine Extension’s State Contact for composting and is a member of the Woods Product Program Leadership Team.

FREE. No registration required.

For special requests, please contact Emily Collins at 207.474.9622 or email emily.collins3@maine.edu by June 22, 2023. If requests are received after this date, we may not have sufficient time to make necessary arrangements; however, all requests will be considered.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).