ITHACA, N.Y. - Dawn Dailey O’Brien and George Hudler won an Excellence in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Award from the New York State IPM Program for their newsletter, Branching Out, an IPM newsletter used by arborists, landscapers, and growers.
Branching Out connects the research community with landscape professionals, supplying information to keep ornamental trees and shrubs from being ruined by insects or diseases. The newsletter not only helps arborists, landscapers and growers to identify pests, but also predicts their arrival in locations across the state. Since many insects can only be kept in check when very small, the timing of when to take action is critical.
“We not only provide details of when to look and potentially treat problems, but when the window of opportunity has passed” says Hudler, chair of the Department of Plant Pathology and director of the Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network.
O’Brien and Hudler focus on other tenets of IPM too. Selecting the optimal site for plants, using resistant varieties and paying close attention to soil health and fertility are all critical tools. Naturally occurring predators can keep destructive insects at bay, and Branching Out includes strategies to protect and maximize the benefits from these free, safe and battle-ready allies.
Hudler says Branching Out helps customers understand that some pests and pathogens, while present, pose no threat. In these cases, treatments are not required – reducing overall use of pesticides.
In tight budget times, there is never a dull moment for O’Brien, an extension plant pathologist. She fills the role of writer, editor, layout designer, webmaster and most recently videographer for Branching Out.
The duo will receive their award at Cornell University at the New York State Arborist’s Fall Educational Seminar in Ithaca, N.Y. on Sept. 26, 2010.
To read the newsletter, go to http://branchingout.cornell.edu/.