Nursery & Landscape Notes Summer 2022 by North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association

Publication of the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. Nursery Landscapenotes SUMMER 2022 2022 NCNLA Technology Symposium Highlights How to Steer Clear of Common Pesticide Compliance Issues in North Carolina Spotted Lanternfly

Contents Nursery & LandscapenotesSUMMER 202 2 FEATURE 26 Spotted Lanternfly in North Carolina 26 COMMENTARY President’s Message 5 Executive Vice President’s Message 7 NCNLA NEWS Member Spotlight: Green View Corporation, Inc. 8 Certified Plant Professional Update & Renewals 10 2022 NCNLA Technology Symposium Highlights 12 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament Recap 14 AROUND THE INDUSTRY Student Spotlight: Mason Hills 16 NC Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board 18 NC Irrigation Contractors’ Licensing Board 20 BEST PRACTICES How to Steer Clear of Common Pesticide Compliance Issues 22 EVERY ISSUE Calendar of Events 3 New Members 3 Advertisers’ Index 32 16 8 14

Available from these suppliers Bud & Blooms Nursery Browns Summit NC • 800-772-2837 Country Ridge Nursery Roaring River, NC • 336-984-4050 Gossett’s Landscape Nursery High Point, NC • 336-454-2548 Fair View Nursery Wilson, NC • 252-243-3656 Five Oaks Nursery Wilmington, NC • 910-762-8637 www.provenwinners-shrubs.com Johnson Nursery Company Willard NC • 910-285-7861 Latham’s Nursery Monroe, NC • 704-283-5696 Nursery South Lumberton, NC • 910-734-7449 Panoramic Farm Marshville, NC • 704-233-4600 Pender Nursery Garner, NC • sales@pendernursery.com919-772-7255 Piedmont Carolina Nursery Colfax NC • 336-993-4114 Turtle Creek Nursery Davidson, NC • 704-663-5044 DOUBLE PLAY DOOZIE Spiraea x A groundbreaking seedless spirea, Double Play Doozie® puts all its energy into creating wave after wave of red-pink flowers from early summer through frost. • Red spring foliage • Sterile • Compact • Quick to produce DOUBLE PLAY DOOZIE ® Spiraea x ‘NCSX2’, pp30,953; cbraf USDA Zone 3-8, Full sun, Part sun 2-3 ' Tall and Wide 5' 2022

3SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES »Published by North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 968 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 NCNLA RichardStaffLawhun Executive Vice President Katie Rodrigues Director of Events & Education Kathryn Stansbury Director of Business Development Wendi Doak Director of Marketing & Communications Rayna Bailey Office Manager Nursery & Landscape Notes is published quarterly by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. (NCNLA), covering news, research, education and business in the nursery and landscape industries. The publication is distributed to approximately 825 horticulture producers, landscape professionals and industry suppliers. Nursery & Landscape Notes is provided as a member service. 2022 NCNLA Board of Directors Kevin Cagle GreenthumbPresident Nursery, LLC Ether, NC Tim Johnson, II Vice Statesville,TimSecretary/TreasurerPresident,JohnsonLandscapingNC Leslie Herndon Past HollyGreenscape,PresidentInc.Springs,NC Dana Massey Plantworks Rougemont,NurseryNC William ”Bill” Bynam Site One Landscape Supply High Point, NC John Clark Pro Green, Morganton,Inc.NC Advertising For advertising inquiries and publication schedule, please contact Wendi Doak at wdoak@ncnla.com or 919-819-9119, ext. 1002. The inclusion of products or brand names in this publication is not an endorsement by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association. Mission: To provide essential value to our members through education, marketing and advocacy. Vision: To promote and protect the interests of North Carolina’s green industry. Connect with NCNLA facebook.com/NCNurseryandLandscapeAssociation twitter.com/tweet_ncnla instagram.com/ncnla ncnla.com | BuyNCPlants.com | GreenandGrowin.com | NCGreenprints.com Ariel Montanez Pender Nursery Garner, NC Ed Snyder Greenleaf Services Linville, NC Trey Warrick Scottree & Shelby Nursery, Inc. Shelby, NC Educational Advisors Justin Snyder Alamance Community Graham,College NC Anthony LeBude North Carolina State MountainUniversity Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center Mills River, NC Nursery & Landscapenotes NCNLA EVENTS Certified ProfessionalPlantExam September 14, 2022 (Two testing times available) Pike Coverwww.ncnla.com/CPPCharlotte,NurseryNCphotoanddescription provided by Dana Massey, Plantworks Nursery. www.plantworksnursery.com ON THE COVER Echinacea x hybrida ‘Balsomanita’ Echinacea Sombrero® Sangrita Coneflower Sombrero’s vibrant colors are matched by its exceptional winter hardiness and excellent landscape performance. This highly floriferous series is well-branched and compact. A vibrant scarlet-red color with burgundy-red stems. Height: 18-24 inches Spread: 22-24 inchesTax Deductible Dues Contributions or gifts to NCNLA are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary business expenses. A portion of your dues is not deductible as an ordinary business expense to the extent that NCNLA engages in lobbying. The estimated non-deductible portion of your dues assessment is 20%. ©2022 NCNLA WELCOME, NEW NCNLA MEMBERS! Monarch Concepts Raleigh Four NurserySeasonal Rocky Mount Charles W Construction,HughesLLC La Grange Well Grounded, LLC Chapel Hill Foxscapes Turf & Land Management Statesville The PlantCarolinaNorthNativeSociety Greensboro DistributorsHorizon Garner Green & Growin’ 23 January 16 – 20, 2023 Greensboro, www.greenandgrowin.comNC INDUSTRY EVENTS Equipment Exposition October 18 - 21, 2022 Louisville, www.equipexposition.comKY As of 8/5/22

We’re rooting for you, LANDSCAPERS To support your hard work, we’re offering NCNLA members major kickbacks on equipment, Cat® Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) and Equipment Protection Plans (EPPs). LEARN MORE AT CAT.COM/LANDSCAPE SAVE UP TO $2,750 ON QUALIFYING CAT MACHINES AND $250 ON SELECT ATTACHMENTS WITH YOUR NCNLA DISCOUNT. ** 0 PERCENT.* 0 DOWN. 0 HASSLE. ON CAT ® COMPACT EQUIPMENT . + $500 USD TOWARDS A PROTECTION PACKAGE.* ©2022 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow,” the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. *Offer valid from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 on new small (compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, micro/mini excavators, skid steer loaders) and new compact (backhoe loaders, telehandlers, small dozers, small wheel loaders) Cat® machines sold by participating Cat dealers to customers in the USA or Canada. Purchase and delivery must occur during offer period. Offer subject to machine availability and credit approval by Cat Financial. Not all customers will qualify. Length of contract is limited. 0% offers may vary by model and dealer. Payments are based on term length. Payments do not include taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, document fees, inspections, additional options, or attachments. The credit of up to $500 USD can only be applied towards the purchase of a qualifying Cat Customer Value Agreement (CVA) or qualifying Equipment Protection Plan (EPP). Amount of the credit cannot exceed the price of qualifying CVA or EPP. CVA must include 1-year preventative maintenance parts kit, TA1 annual inspection, signed CVA contract and Product Link®. Amount of credit towards CVA or EPP is the same for all models. In some areas, EPP might be sold separately from the CVA. Offer may change without prior notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Contact your Cat dealer for details. **Visit https://www.cat.com/en_US/by-industry/landscaping/associations.html for offer terms and conditions.

5SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

NCNLA 2022 PRESIDENT’SLETTER

Ready or not, summer—and hot temperatures—are upon us! We’ve seen temps in the mid- to high 90s consistently, but thankfully we’ve also been seeing regular afternoon showers to help cool down our plants and landscapes.

With all the heat and humidity we typically experience this time of year, I would like to give everyone a friendly reminder about the fungal diseases that come with the extra watering required. To prevent and combat these problems, it is very important to be prepared with the necessary chemicals.

Another thing I’d like to talk about is labor, which is still a big issue for every industry, and a trend I don’t see changing anytime soon. My company is certainly struggling with labor shortages—while we’re getting all of our work done, it’s not always on time. To help alleviate the problem, my advice is to leave an open invitation for any qualified individual who may be willing to give our industry a try. With an open door and open mind, you may find a “diamond in the rough” who had never previously considered the green industry but may Now, with all of that hard summertime work and extreme heat comes the need for some playtime, right? So be sure to slow down, have some fun and get some relaxation for yourself. As for me, I’m taking a week off to go fishing with

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend this year’sment.TechnologyBothevents were big successes (you’ll get to read more about them in this issue). Next up for us is NCNLA Day at Caterpillar and, of course, Green & Growin’ 23! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at both events—they’ll be here before you know it. I would also like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support of NCNLA. Please let me, our board members and staff know if there’s I hope all of you enjoy the rest of your summer with friends and family—

Beating the Heat Kevin

6 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022 7801 Clinard Farms Road High Point, NC Located:WWW.GOSSETTSNURSERY.COM27265(336)454-25481-800-487-2555sales@gossettsnursery.com5mileswestofGreensboro,onNC68,twomilessouthofI40 1-888-273-3088 | BioSafeSystems.com BioSafe Systems is your true partner in horticulture with accessible service, technical support, and clean chemistries for all stages of production. EXCLUSIVE OFFER

• Aug. 31, 2022: Caterpillar will host NCN LA Day at its facility in Clayton, NC. The half-day program, which begins at 1:00 p.m., will include a tour of one of the area’s leading equipment facilities and help members learn about the solutions

On June 24, Kevin and Robby Cagle hosted the 2022 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament at Riverwood Golf Club in Clay ton, NC. Participation in this year’s event was down slightly due to a last-minute change in venue, but we anticipate our usual numbers in 2023 when we return to Lochmere Golf Club in Cary, NC. Proceeds from this event benefit the NCNLA Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to horticulture and landscape students who plan to pursue careers in the industry. Make plans to join us on June 16 next year for an afternoon of fun andAlsoprizes.on June 24, the NCNLA Board of Directors met at Riverwood Golf Club, which allowed board members to partici pate in the golf tournament or just hang around to greet friends and colleagues participating in the event. The outdoor set ting made for an extremely enjoyable and productive board meeting.

Caterpillar has to offer the green indus try. A networking cookout beginning at 3:00 p.m. will complete the after noon. A $10 registration fee goes to the NCNLA Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit ncnla.com.

On a final note, the NCNLA Board of Directors voted to resign its membership with the North Carolina Green Industry Council, effective April 15, 2022. As NCN LA President Kevin Cagle noted, “the needs of NCNLA members must be a priority, and we feel we can better meet those needs by implementing our own advocacy efforts. In guiding our own advocacy program, we will be able to focus on state and national legislative and regulatory issues critical to our industry, including labor, research, pesticides, safety and transportation.”

As a part of the decision, the board discussed the need to create an active Legislative Committee to develop and effect the association’s initiatives. NCNLA Vice President/Secretary/Treasurer Tim Johnson noted, “In creating an NCNLA Legislative Committee to guide advocacy, we will be able to mobilize more quickly and better control our message. Many of our members are well versed in promoting and protecting the needs of the green industry, and we want to provide an opportunity for them to contribute in a meaningful way.”

As a reminder, we have a couple of events coming up on our schedule:

Richard “Rick” Lawhun NCNLA Executive Vice President

• Jan. 16-20, 2023: Green & Growin’ 23 returns to Greensboro, NC. Mark your calendar and plan on joining us at the largest industry trade show in the Southeast. G&G’ 23 includes a few new events that you won’t want to miss. Additional information regard ing the education program, market place and social events will be avail able soon at greenandgrowin.com.

Matt Hunter of New Garden Landscaping & Nursery agreed to serve as chair of the inau gural NCNLA Legislative Committee. If you would like to serve on the committee, please send your information to info@ncnla.com.

7SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

These past few months have certainly been busy! NCNLA leadership and staff have been working ’round the clock to provide new opportunities to serve and engage with our members. Here are just a few of our past, present and future events.

NCNLA VICE PRESIDENT’SLETTER

On June 23, NCNLA hosted the 2022 Technology Symposium at the McKimmon Center on the North Carolina State Univer sity campus. The program, which attracted more than 200 attendees, covered a variety of topics, including digital marketing, pesti cides, outdoor power equipment, compact construction equipment and automation.

Rick

Feedback was extremely positive, as attendees enjoyed the educational sessions and oppor tunities to interact with exhibiting sponsors. NCNLA will host a slightly modified event in 2023, so be certain to watch for details.

The Sun Never Sets on NCNLA

EXECUTIVE

As always, stay well and stay passionate about the industry you love!

Katie Coleman, Richard Saunders and Ryan Saunders

Nancy and Wayne Sanders

Green

What’s a typical day like for you and your staff?

Richard W. Saunders Jr.

Five Minutes with View Corporation, Inc.

In business Since 1994 NCNLA member Since 1999 Number employeesof Nine full-time, five part-time FavoritebenefitsNCNLA Green & Growin’ show NCNLA NEWS MEMBERNCNLA SPOTLIGHT »

his teams install and maintain all of the designs and gardens. Our dad serves as president, does the bookkeeping and most of the HR, and from time to time gets on the skidsteer (his favorite job in the entire company). We all have areas we’re responsible for, but we also lend a hand to each other when the workload is heavy. A servant’s attitude, modeled by our dad and taught through our faith, helps make the burden manageable and provides strength to our team.

Green NC Sales

How2022 did you get into the business?

A typical day starts at 7 a.m. with the arrival of our construction and horticulture crews. Crews load trucks according to scheduled work areas that day—some to maintenance and some to in-houseresourcesclients,communicatestheColeman,downandcalls,centerconstruction.landscape/hardscapeOurofficeandmulchstaffarriveat8a.m.totakemakedeliveriesforcustomerscrews,andbasicallyholdhomebase.Oursister,Katieisourhub.Shecontrolscalendar,ordersalltheplants,withthecrewsandandhelpswithhuman(HR).Idomostofourdesignwork,andRyanand

8 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER

It all started when my Dad, Wayne, would bring me and my brother, Ryan, with him to help mow the yards of family and friends. He had a 1977 Chevy pickup with a homemade trailer, two push mowers and a weed eater. Since then, a lot of hard work, college education in horticulture and business, several continuing education endeavors, and years of learning in the field have provided us with a great business and a wonderful team.

Corporation,ViewInc. Greensboro,

Vice President of Design and

Several things! First, it’s very fulfilling designing, building and maintaining some of the best landscapes and gardens. Second, I enjoy running a family company that provides steady work and helps our people make a living. And third, I enjoy the challenge of continuing to build a successful business.

What have you gained from your involvement in NCNLA?

Listening to our clients to design, build and maintain amazing outdoor living areas, landscapes and gardens. We try very hard not only to communicate with our clients, but to carefully listen to their needs and desires, then bridge that information into the reality of their property.

What advice do you have for someone interested in or just starting out in the industry? If possible, work for a reputable company and learn best practices from top people. This will make you more qualified to compete. Also, price your projects to make money. Too many people cut prices to get a job and then can’t complete the job properly without having to go back to the client and asking for more. Don’t sell yourself short for extremely hard work— which it seems fewer and fewer people are willing to do. Be a sponge, absorb as much information as you can and always be willing to learn. We’ve been doing this for almost 28 years, and we are still learning. Finally, seek out and listen to others in areas of leadership within the industry—they probably have experience and knowledge that will help keep you from making mistakes. We’re fortunate to have worked with some of the best people. Leaders like Morris and Larry Newlin, Shannon and Rick Morris, Bradford McLamb, Mark Peters and his team, Robbie and Kevin Cagle, and the late Tom Gilmore and his team, among many others, have helped us during our journey, and for that we are so very thankful.

Labor! Finding and keeping skilled and unskilled labor continues to be a significant obstacle. There’s plenty of work out there, but since our team is stretched so thin, we’re not able to take on more of it.

9SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

interact with others inside and outside our industry, and the event has allowed us to find new contacts and strengthen relationships that we have developed over the years. Also, the industry’s ability to have a voice in Raleigh and Washington is critical. Although I personally wish we didn’t need to have lobbyists, we have to play the game, and our industry delegates have done a good job keeping our needs and expectations in front of our representatives.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

What is your company best known for?

What issues are you concerned about as a company in the green industry?

Continuing education is important to building better companies for ourselves, our employees, our clients and our environment. The Green & Growin’ show in January is a great place to learn and Our family — every single person pictured here has worked in our business

The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association would also like to recognize the following professionals who recently renewed their Certified Plant Professional Certifications (as of Aug. 3, 2022): Kevin Cassel, Cooperative Extension at New Hanover County Center

Upcoming CPP Exams Sept. 14, 2022: Pike Nursery in Charlotte, NC (two testing times available) Jan. 16, 2023: Green & Growin’ 23 in Greensboro, NC

10 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022

Sarah Allen, Tryon Palace

•

Pamela Hanson, new CPP holder, Morehead City, NC

Brian Wasnock, Wrightsville Beach Landscaping & Lawn Care

Colton Johnson, B.B. Barns Landscaping

Philip Perez, Elon University Michael Spafford, Tryon Palace

Carl Dean “C.D.” Prillaman, Prillaman Landscape Dimensions, Inc.

Brittany Cook, Carolina Garden Company Pamela Hanson, Carteret Community College Horticulture Program

Dr. Jennifer C. Bradley, University of Mount Olive

Shelby Werner, Carol Woods Retirement Community Mary Theresa Williams, Canopy Lawn Care

Donna K. Harbolt

More than 25 people traveled to Wilmington, NC, on June 9 to take the Certified Plant Professional (CPP) Exam at the New Hanover County Arboretum. Thank you to Lloyd Singleton, Director, New Hanover County – Cooperative Extension, and staff for their support and assistance in hosting this exam.

Brian Best, City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

Kelton Byrd, Kelton Byrd’s Lawncare

Jason Hughes, The Southern Landscape Group

For more information about the CPP program, to renew your CPP certification or to register for an upcoming exam, visit www.NCNLA.com or email

education@ncnla.com.KeltonByrd,new CPP holder, St. Pauls, NC

Dillon Lackey, Central Piedmont Community College Rachel McIntyre, Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Sheldon Galloway, Garden Environments

Elizabeth Riley, Alamance Community College

•

Congratulations to the following individuals who earned their CPP accreditations.

Certified ProfessionalPlantUpdate NCNLA NEWS

Emerging Technologies in Outdoor Power Equipment

Digital Tools to Manage Your Company’s Online Presence

Making the Sales Process a Priority in Your Business Planning

Use of battery-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) is currently increasing, due to both the volatile oil market and health/environmental concerns associated with fossil

CameronSchmidtSmith

NCNLA NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

On Thursday, June 23, the NCNLA hosted its annual summer educational event, the Technology Symposium, at the North Carolina State University McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC. Matt Hunter, chair of the newly established NCNLA Legislative Committee, hosted the event, which drew more than 200 green industry professionals seeking awareness of new technology trends, continuing education credits, and networking opportunities with sponsors and colleagues. Speakers from across the green industry gave talks (summarized below) on current and emerging technology trends, and how those trends could affect business practices in the coming years.

2022 NCNLA SymposiumTechnology

Having helped clients navigate through an environment of increasing regulatory require ments, Cameron Smith, area sales manager for Bayer Crop Science, provided insight into technological advances in the pesticide sector, how these advances affect the green industry, what to Mark Harrison

Jeff Wraley, founder and CEO of Groundwork, gave an indepth look at the importance of defining, developing and implementing the sales process as part of a successful business strategy. Since finding ideal customers can be expensive and time-consuming, having an effective and efficient process in place is vital. This session discussed emerging consumer buying trends that impact the sales process, as well as how green industry businesses can benefit from these trends.

Impacts of AffectingAdvancementsTechnologicalPesticides

12 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022

fuels. Mark Harrison, STIHL USA technical sales specialist, shared his perspective on technological advances that have improved the power, efficiency and lifespan of battery-powered equipment, and explored how safety precautions differ between battery-powered and fuel-powered OPE.

When potential customers search online for a green indus try business, what do they find? According to Brandon Schmidt, director of digital strategy for digital marketing agency YDOP, your company should be at or near the top of search engine results. Schmidt shared tips and tricks on how to utilize free digital tools to increase your visibility, as well as findings from a nationwide study of Google rankings of landscapers, nurseries and garden centers. The results offered a sur prising discovery of the simple steps companies can take to improve their rankings.

Matt Hunter Jeff Wraley Brandon

Tim Johnson Landscaping

New Garden BRONZE Greenthumb NCNLA Legislative Committee

Working for Builders What are the pros and cons of working for a builder? Turf Teacher’s own Eric Jones joined the symposium to share strate gies on how to find and bid on landscaping projects for residen tial and commercial builders, in cluding the best ways to demonstrate your company’s abilities, increase the visibility of your business and improve your bottom line. Eric answered questions such as:

MattEricChaseJonesMoore

PLATINUM Caterpillar GOLD STINCDA&CSTurfCare Equipment MOBASiteOne SILVER Pro Green, Inc. Pender Nursery

“Many of our members are well versed in promoting and protecting the needs of the green industry, and we want to provide opportunities for them to contribute in meaningful ways.”

• “What is the difference between being an employee and a subcontractor?”

Compact TrevorYourEquipmentConstructiontoEnhanceTeam’sProductivityChase, CAT product and application specialist with the Skid Steer and Compact Track Loader Team, discussed how equipment advancements can help with current labor shortages, providing specif ic examples of how green industry businesses have improved productivity, better utilized assets and in creased profitability by adding specialty attachments to their equipment rosters.

An Introduction to Automower Due to persistent labor shortag es and the rising costs of doing business, a conversation about technological advancements in the green industry wouldn’t be complete without explor ing the introduction of automowers. Matt Moore, senior manager of commercial sales overseeing the Robotics Dealer Channel at Husqvarna, translated his more than 20 years of experience in the green industry into practical tips to help move companies toward a greener solution for turf care. This session explored the different types of smart features and model ranges available to undertake projects of any size or shape. Trevor

NCNLA would like to thank all of the speakers, sponsors, and attendees who helped make the 2022 Technology Sym posium a success. Next year’s educational event – the Summer Educational Summit - will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the NCSU McKimmon Center in Raleigh. The Summer Educational Summit will be followed by our annual Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Lochmere Golf Club in Cary. Mark your calendars!

Matt Hunter, of New Garden Landscaping & Nursery, will serve as chair of the inaugural NCNLA Legislative Committee. If you would like to serve on the committee, please send your information to info@ncnla.com. expect over the next few years and how to prepare for these coming impacts. Now more than ever, pesticide applicators must understand the reasoning behind the advances in the products they use and how to commu nicate that information to their clients.

“In creating an NCNLA Legislative Committee to guide advocacy, the association will be able to mobilize more quickly and better control our message,” said Tim Johnson, NCNLA vice president/secretary/treasurer.

• “Why should I follow site rules for subcontractors?”

13SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES 2022 SPONSORS Thank you to the 2022 event sponsors who helped make the symposium a success!

• “How can I implement my own procedures to reduce liability and maximize safety?”

On April 15, the NCNLA Board of Directors reinforced the need to create an active Legislative Committee to develop and implement the association’s own advocacy efforts to better meet the needs of NCNLA members. This commit tee will focus on state and national legislative and reg ulatory issues that are critical to our industry, including labor, research, pesticides, safety and transportation.

NCNLA NEWS

FairviewCaterpillarCampbellLandscapingRoadNurseryGardenCenter

The 2022 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament was held Friday, June 24, at the Riverwood Golf Club in Clayton, NC. There was a great turn out for this year’s event, with 40 players and 22 Proceedssponsors.from the event fund the Robert Cagle Memorial Scholarship, which supports the continuing educa tion needs of qualified horticultural and landscape students. The scholarship’s namesake, Robert Cagle, was an avid golfer and would organize tournaments during the Green & Growin’ summer trade shows. His sons, Kevin and Robby, created the annual tournament to honor his memory and help promising students achieve their goals of pursuing careers in the green industry. Thank you to the golfers who participated in the tournament and to our sponsors for their overwhelming support.

TOURNAMENTGOLFMEMORIALCAGLEROBERT2022

Congratulations to the winners!

FIRST PLACE—Low Gross Caterpillar Team: Todd Lange, Rob Jackson, Steve Cotton and Wilson Day

SECOND PLACE—Low Gross Southern Oak Nursery & Supply Company Team: Harry Wilson, Sam Moore, Andrew Smith and Matt Coats

GreenthumbGreenscapeGravely Nursery Harvest

RFID

Second Place—Low Gross Pictured left to right: Kevin Cagle, NCNLA President, and Sam Moore, member of second-place team Southern Oak Nursery & Supply Company

Longest Drive, sponsored by Gravely Brad Delk Closest to the Pin, sponsored by Greenscape Angel Vanega Jr.

Jake A. Parrott Insurance Agency

14 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022

Thank you, 2022 Sponsors!

Bland and Nursery Godley’s Garden Center

First Place—Low Gross Caterpillar Team, pictured from left to right: Todd Lange, Rob Jackson, Steve Cotton and Wilson Day

Mutch T.H.Spivey’sSouthernSiteOneSitelightProPreferredPiedmontNewNature’sNature’sLandscapingSelectWinston-SalemVisionGardenLandscapingandNurseryCarolinaNurseryLawnandGardenGreen,Inc.LD,Inc.OakNursery&SupplyCompanyNurseryBlue

January 16-20, 2023 Greensboro, NC www.greenandgrowin.com theSow seeds SuccessOF SAVE THE DATE

I realized my passion for horticulture during my freshman year of high school while taking an introduction to agriculture class. Along with taking every horticulture class I could fit into my schedule, I also joined Future Farmers of America and truly enjoyed learning about the industry and its history. With the skills I acquired during high school and the knowledge I gained from my grandpa, I decided to start my own company and pursue my passions.

What were your most valuable experiences, either in school or from other exposure to the industry, and why? Many of my most valuable experiences took place during the process of starting and running my own landscape business. I learned the skills needed to manage a business, such as how to communicate with people effectively and manage all the paperwork involved. Attending North Carolina State University gave me valuable experiences as well, mainly in terms of access to experts in the horticulture field. While in college, I participated in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition and placed first nationally for truck and trailer operations. NC State placed third overall nationally across all events. What were your favorite college classes, and why? My favorite college class was landscape maintenance. We would meet with indus try professionals each week and even get to visit their job sites. We had opportuni ties to develop and implement projects in the real world, enabling us to gain a better understanding of the process. What are your plans after graduation? My future plans include growing my current landscape business, both in the areas of lawn maintenance and landscape installation. Currently, the majority of my Gearing up at the NCLC competition

Planting a 45-gallon Holly tree for a client Digging holes with an auger to plant 15-gallon privet bushes

16 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022Student Profile Name: Mason Hills Hometown: Willow Spring, NC College: North Carolina State University Graduation dates: May 8, 2022 Major/Area of Study: Horticulture Sciences Horticulture-Related Places You Have Worked/ Interned: Landgreen Landscaping (my landscaping business) Mason Hills AROUND THE INDUSTRY STUDENT SPOTLIGHT » Nursery & Landscape Notes is introducing you to the next generation of green industry professionals by featuring current and recent college students with plans to pursue careers in the field.

How did discover horticulture?

you

Although I love all plants, the FlameThrower RedBud is my current favorite. The foliage colors are absolutely stunning, boasting red, green and yellow all on the same branch. In the spring, the branches turn a beautiful pink, with edible flowers that make it stand out from any other tree. I may be a little biased, since the tree it was developed here at NC State.Mason at graduation with his professors from NC State Mason and his best friend, Michael McCarthy, after winning first place for Truck and Trailer Operations during the NCLC competition

Fun question: What is your favorite plant, and why?

17SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

customers are located in the FuquayVarina area, but I would like to grow my customer base to include Raleigh and Cary. What advice would you give to a student interested in the field? Come in with an open mind and be ready to meet new people with a great deal of knowledge to share. That includes fellow students, professors and professionals in all areas of hor ticulture. Not only will you learn new information, but you’ll also make great connections and hopefully develop some solid relationships along the way.

Before the Landscape Contrac tors’ License law went into effect, recourse was limited for consumers receiving inadequate landscape services, such as failed retaining walls, substandard plants, poor soil preparation and drainage/grading issues. The previous Registration Board could only advise consumers to contact an attorney to recoup their money or file a complaint with the Better Business

theprospectiverespondsAdditionally,Standards.theNCLCLBtoinquiriesfromlicensees,licensees,consumersandpublic.

Contractors;

statute-defined duties, including: • offering examinations, • issuing Landscape Contractors’ License certificates, • issuing corporate Landscape Contractor licenses, • maintaining licensee records, • establishing continuing education requirements, • approving continuing education courses, • receiving complaints involving Licensed Landscape Contractors and unlicensed landscapers, and • investigating

18 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022 North LicensingLandscapeCarolinaContractors’Board AROUND THE INDUSTRY

The NCLCLB is responsible for administering Chapter 89D of the General Statutes of North Carolina for Licensed Landscape safeguarding life, health and property of consumers; and maintaining a high professional standard for the landscape industry. those ends, the board performs a of administrative and violations of Statute 89D and the Minimum

Additionally,Bureau.before the new law was established, state general con tractor requirements prohibited landscapers from competing and/or qualifying for large commercial and residen tial contracts.Recognizing the need for andmeetingsheldgreenlegislativeimportantchanges,industryleadersaseriesoftownhallacrossthestate,feedbackfromthemore than 1,200 landscaper attendees was overwhelmingly in favor of creating a license. With the goals of creating leg islation that would provide consumer protection, identify and recognize the professional nature of landscape

Board

The North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board (NCLCLB), created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2014 to replace the North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Registration Board, consists of nine citizens — including Licensed Landscape Contractors, a licensed landscape architect and a member of the public — appointed by seven different entities.

variety

The Landscape Contractors’ License law requires any landscape professional who wants to perform landscape contract work for which the price of all contracts (labor, material and other items) for a job site during any consecutive 12-month period is $30,000 or more to have a valid reimburse customers for losses resulting from the contractor’s failure to meet professional obligations.”

The Origin of the Landscape Contractors’ License Law

haveLandscapeLandscapewithwhoRegistrationauthorityNCLCLBadministrator.NCLCLBCalvinprotection,”provideforContractors’LandscapeLicense.“TheNo.1reasonthelicenseistoconsumersaidKirven,executive“ThehasgreaterthanthepreviousBoardtohelpconsumershavelegitimatecomplaintsworkperformedbyLicensedContractors.LicensedContractorsmustnowaspecificsuretybondtohelp

Customers will experience ad ditional peace of mind knowing their Landscape Contractor is a qualified professional, especially given that Licensed Landscape Contractors are required to have a surety bond to provide financial assistance to customers who experience loss/hardship due to a contractor’s failure to satisfacto rily complete obligations.

North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board 3901 Barrett Drive, Suite 202 Raleigh,

Why You Should Become a Licensed Landscape Contractor

• better protects consumers,

• Licensed Landscape Contractors cannot be the subjects of com plaints for unlicensed work. And there is one more important reason for being licensed: If you are unlicensed and perform work valued at $30,000 or more, your customer may not have to pay you. In the North Carolina Supreme Court case Brady v. Fulghum, in which an unlicensed gen eral contractor sued homeowners for breach of contract, the Court ruled that the homeowners did not have to pay the general contractor, even though he “substantially complied” with the construction contract. The court held that “a contract illegally entered into by an unlicensed general construction contractor is unenforceable by the contractor.”

www.NCLCLB.com919-266-807027609 Chairman Kerry Danger First term kerry.danger1@gmail.com Vice Chair Timothy J. Boone First term tboone@snowcreekinc.com Secretary-Treasurer Chris W. Mitchell First term harvestgardensnc@gmail.com BOARD MEMBERS Scott Arnold First term scott@arnoldLA.com Timothy J. Boone First term tboone@snowcreekinc.com Dr. Barbara Fair Second term barbara_fair@ncsu.edu Henry Hardy First term hphardy1@gmail.com Darrin Hockstra First term darrinhockstra@greenviewpartners.com Ruth C. Holcomb First term ruth@currinsnursery.com Connie Hoyes Second term connie@southerngardeninc.com LEGAL COUNSEL Anna Baird Choi Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC 4700 Homewood Court, Suite 320 Raleigh, NC 919-341-263627609

• eliminates the conflict with the General Contractor License by allowing Licensed Landscape Contractors to install landscape projects of $30,000 in value or greater within the definition of landscape contracting (i.e., without the requirement of being a Licensed General Contractor), and

• Some of the many benefits of being a Licensed Landscape Contractor include the following:

•

The result was a law that:

• Homeowner associations, businesses, municipalities and individuals are more likely to choose or require a Licensed Landscape Contractor over a nonlicensed landscaper, since Licensed Landscape Contractors are held to higher standards than nonlicensed landscapers.

19SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES contracting, provide adequate training and continuing education, and create exemptions for businesses outside the scope of landscape contracting, a steering committee of 20 landscape contractors then met over an 18-month period to organize and draft the initial provisions of the license. During the drafting process, the committee also consulted with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Licensing Board for General Contractors, as well as other industry organizations and trade groups.

• establishes Licensed Landscape Contractors as professionals who adhere to high standards and maintain continuing education, which creates business opportunities, elevates consumer confidence and strengthens consumer protection.

• Only Licensed Landscape Contractors can call themselves a Landscape Contractor.

• Licensed Landscape Contractors are regarded as professionals.

• As material and labor prices con tinue to rise, more landscaping projects will exceed the $30,000 license requirement threshold, and only Licensed Landscape Contractors have the right to perform this work.

While the courts have not yet applied this case to the practice of landscape contracting, it is entirely plausible that a comparable situation involving landscaping services could result in a similar ruling. So be sure to protect yourself and your business by obtaining your Landscape Con tractor’s License today! For more information about the NCLCLB, visit www.NCLCLB.com. NC

The North Carolina Irrigation Contrac tors’ Licensing Board (NCICLB), estab lished by legislation on Jan. 1, 2009, oversees the licensing of irrigation con tractors in the state in order to protect public health, safety and welfare, as well as promote the efficient use of water. According to the licensure law, which became effective on June 30, 2009, no person shall engage in the practice of irrigation construction or contracting, use the designation “irriga tion contractor,” or advertise using any title or description that implies licen sure as an irrigation contractor unless licensed as an irrigation contractor. All irrigation construction or contracting

fax: 336·643·0840 • www.camtoocamellia.com email: camtoo@earthlink.net • Cold Hardy Zone 6 • Cold Tolerant Zone 7 • New Hybrids Zone 8 & 9 • Liners and 1, 3, 5, 7, 15 & 20 Gallons Available • Wholesale Only One of the world’s largest camellia nurseries.

North LicensingIrrigationCarolinaContractors’Board performed by an individual, partner ship, association, corporation, firm or other group shall be under the direct supervision of an individual licensed by the NCICLB.Individuals wishing to become licensed as a North Carolina irriga tion contractor must submit a com pleted application to the NCICLB for approval and pass the North Carolina Irrigation Contractors’ Licensing Exam, or obtain reciprocity through another state with similar licensing requirements. In addition to regulating the practice of irrigation contracting, the NCICLB investigates unlicensed prac tice and cases of substandard perfor mance by licensees. Licensed irrigation contractors are required to meet minimum standards and best manage ment practices through the law, North Carolina General Statute § 89G and the administrative rules 21 NCAC 23. In addition, licensees must follow the Code of Professional Conduct, meet continuing education requirements and maintain a $10,000 surety bond as a condition of licensure. For further information regarding licensing or hiring a licensed irrigation contractor, please contact Margaret Geiger, NCICLB administrator, at 919872-2229 or nciclbadmin@nciclb.org. with with pride. present & future varieties. Greensboro, NC 27455 or 800·758·8121

Past,

805 Oakbury Court •

Grown

love…sold

phone: 336·643·3727

20 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022 AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Expand your customer base by adding your plants, supplies and services to NCNLA’s exclusive online searchable platform. BuyNCPlants.com makes it easy for buyers to find your business through PlantAnt, the green industry’s most powerful search engine. Buyers are able to search by type of material or geography. REACH BUYERS WITH BUYNCPLANTS.COM Contact Kathryn Stansbury at kstansbury@ncnla.com to get started. Listing Options: n Current (MembersInventoryGetUnlimited Listings) n Product Photos n Price Lists n Recognition of NCNLA Members, Green & Growin’ Exhibitors and Green & Growin’ Partners

BEST PRACTICES How to Steer Clear of CommonCompliancePesticideIssues

22 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022

both commercial and private, information does occasionally fall through the cracks — so we’re here to help fill in the gaps and keep applicators on track.

What is a Pesticide Applicator? According to the North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971 and EPA regulations, a pesticide applicator is defined as any per son who owns or operates a pesticide application business or who provides, for compensation, a service that includes the application of pesticides upon the lands or properties

A s pesticide inspectors with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), we are tasked with enforcing the North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971, as well as regulations set forth by our state and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In essence, our jobs involve being as helpful as possible in bringing pesticide applicators into compliance and helping them stay there. Although we continually provide updates and continuing education opportunities to our applicators, By Arthur Watkins and Jason Williams, NCDA&CS

The classification does not in clude the following:

• Any person who uses or supervis es the use of a pesticide (i) only for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him or his employer, or (ii) only (if applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities) on the property of another person, or (iii) only for the purposes set forth in (i) and (ii) above.

• Any person who applies pesti cides for structural pest control, as defined in the North Carolina Structural Pest Control Law (G.S. Chapter 106, Article 4C).

• Any person who applies anti microbial pesticides that are not classified for restricted use and are not being used for agricultural, horticultural or forestry purposes.

Watch Out for Common Pesticide

• Any person who is employed by a licensed pesticide applicator.

Compliance Issues

One basic issue we come across when doing inspections is — believe it or not — many applicators don’t realize they need a pesticide license to perform their duties. In fact, the law requires there to be at least one licensee at each business location, and a commercial pesticide license can be obtained by passing a series of exams, which are offered in person and Anotheronline. issue we spend a lot of time on relates to Worker Protection Standards (WPS) inspections with farmers, nurseries, and vineyards. Developed by the EPA and regulated here in North Carolina by the Pesticides Section of the Department of Agriculture, WPS procedures and protocols were implemented to help ensure worker safety. In my experience, most organizations are very attentive to WPS requirements, but we do occasionally see compliance issues related to worker training completion, display of application records and pesticide storage issues. Workers are required to be trained on WPS safety material every 12 months, so our division provides training DVDs to applicators to help them meet this regulation. The video also can be found, along with other WPS information, online at www.pesticideresources.org.

23SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES of another; any public operator; any golf course operator; any seed treater; any person engaged in demonstra tion or research pest control; and any other person who applies pesticides for compensation and is not exempt from this definition.

• Any person certified by the Water Treatment Facility Operators Board of Certification under Article 2 of Chapter 90A of the General Statutes or by the Waste water Treatment Operators Plant Certification Commission under Article 3 of Chapter 90A of the General Statutes who applies pes ticides labeled for the treatment of water or wastewater.

• Any person who applies a gen eral-use pesticide to the prop erty of another as a volunteer, without compensation.

Once workers have viewed the WPS training video, they are required to confirm their participation by signing a document. These documents, along with other key items, must be on display in an easily accessible and visible location at the relevant place of business. Other items that must be kept on display include records of pesticides applied within the last 30 days, safety data sheets and a WPS safety poster. During our inspections, it is common to find one or two of these items not properly displayed — so be sure your documentation is both updated and visible.

• Brand name of pesticide

To help you stay in compliance with pesticide regulations and keep your workers safe, we highly recommend the following resources:

• www.pesticideresources.org — This website offers a comprehensive over view of the WPS and includes training materials and tutorials on how to stay in compliance.

• www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/pesticides/ —

• Percentage of each active ingredient

The site for the Pesticides Section of the North Carolina Department of Agricul ture offers information about licensing and credits, exam schedules and reg istration for online exams, pesticide disposal locations, pesticide container recycling opportunities, and scheduled recertification meetings. Always keep in mind that our job as pesticide inspectors is to work closely with you to help keep you protected. If you’re not sure whether you’re in total compliance with regulations, take a few minutes today to check your procedures and make any needed adjustments.

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON ISSUES WE COME ACROSS HASLANDSCAPERSWITHTODOWITHNONLABELEDPESTICIDECONTAINERS.

• agricultural-worker-protection-standard-wpswww.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/ — This resource explains the purpose of the WPS and provides clarity and re sources for implementing these import ant safety standards.

Another problem we come across frequently is the failure to comply with storage requirements. For instance, no flammable items — including fuel and small-engine equipment — should be stored with pesticides. Don’t wait for an inspection to take this important safetyOneprecaution!ofthemost common issues we come across with landscapers has to do with nonlabeled pesticide containers. As pesticide inspectors, we understand that labels sometimes fall off of pesticide containers. However, in such cases, it is the responsibility of the pesticide applicator either to put a new label on the container or write the minimum five label requirements directly on the jug in permanent marker. Each container must display the following information:

Stay Informed!

24 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022

• EPA registration number

• Signal word • Use PersonalclassificationProtective Equipment (PPE) is another violation I run across frequently during inspections. All pesticides require a certain amount of PPE to be worn during applications, and a list of the relevant required PPE generally can be found on the first page of the pesticide label. The pesticide applicator is responsible for reading and following all label requirements.

25SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES IRRIGATIONCOMPLETESYSTEMS *With 100 Years Combined Experience* 2310 NC Hwy 801 N // Mocksville, NC 27028 www.gramacirrigation.comgramacirr@yadtel.net 800-422-3560 2308423 7/25/22Hortica77-201A® property and casualty coverages are underwritten, and loss control services are provided, by Florists’ Mutual Insurance Company, Florists’ Insurance Company, and Florists’ Insurance Service, Inc., Edwardsville, IL, members of the Sentry Insurance Group. For more information, visit hortica.com. Policies, coverages, benefits, and discounts are not available in all states. See policy for complete coverage details. When it’s time to talk insurance, get help preventing losses, or deal with today’s unique challenges, you need someone who understands your business. That’s what we have done for more than 135 years—putting experience, commitment, and a deep understanding of your industry to work for you. Learn more at hortica.com YOU DESERVE AN INSURANCE SPECIALIST WHO YOURSPEAKSLANGUAGE. CAROLINA GARDEN COMPANY LANDSCAPING THE TRIANGLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN | RESIDENTIAL COMMERICAL | HARDSCAPE Including: Sidewalks, Pathways, Retaining Walls and Patios 919.698.9838 CAROLINAGARDENCOMPANY@YAHOO.COMCAROLINAGARDENCOMPANY.COMInstagram:@CarolinaGardenCo Facebook: Carolina Garden Company

26 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022

By Sara Lalk Carolina Department of Agriculture

Forest Health Research Operations Manager North

First brought to the United States in 2014 as an egg mass hidden in an imported decorative rock shipment, the spotted lanternfly has made its way to 12 states in the eight years since, with a population detected in North Carolina for the first time this summer.

TheseHabitatAppealingHostsInvasiveCreateforPests IN CAROLINANORTH

LanternflySpotted

and Consumer Services

Although the tree had begun to show invasive traits in the late 1800s, it was still widely planted over the ensuing 120 years and was not declared inva sive until about 1965. While found in a wide swath of Southern forests, tree of heaven is also commonly found in urban settings. And although spotted lanternfly population expan sion is currently tied to the range of tree of heaven, another invasive tree could potentially provide a different corridor for southward expansion.

27SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

As an invasive species, tree of heaven follows the “live fast, die young” prin ciple: Female trees can produce more than 52 million seeds in their life times, new shoots can grow up to six feet per year, and the species thrives in any disturbed site (though it is less likely to be found in excessively moist soils, areas with frigid climates, or above 5,231 feet in elevation).

Although spotted lanternflies feed on more than 100 species of plants, they prefer tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissi ma).

Tree of Heaven

Chinaberry First identified in 1930 as a native host of spotted lanternflies in Asia, Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) had already been introduced to the continent more than 150 years earlier. Chinaberry can grow to 50 feet tall, producing fragrant, star-shaped, white to

First introduced to the continent in Philadelphia in 1784, tree of heav en was prized for its fast growth, good form, and high tolerance to physical damage and industrial pollution. A deciduous, dioecious species, tree of heaven is often seen in mass groves of smaller trees, but individual trees can reach 60-80 feet with a 1-me ter diameter at breast height. This species has thin bark, thick branches, no true terminal buds and a unique sympodial branching habit. The leaves are compound, and the base of each leaflet has a gland that produces an oil with a “rancid peanut butter” smell. The bark is light yellow-gray, resembling the rind of a cantaloupe.

28 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2022 lavender flowers in cascading clusters in the spring. The showy fruit develops into long-stemmed yellow globes, with doubly compound, glossy, dark-green leaves. Chinaberry bark is thick, light gray and furrowed at maturity. This species also follows the “live fast, die young” lifestyle, with some trees producing seeds within three to four years of germination. In North Carolina, Chinaberry is typically found from the eastern Piedmont to the coast, while tree of heaven is found from I-95 westward.

Spotted Lanternflies

Spotted Lanternfly Spotted lanternflies are true bugs, more closely related to common pests like stink bugs, aphids, scales and bedbugs than they are to the moths and flies for which they are commonly mistaken. Spotted lanternflies start their lives alongside 30-50 siblings, each concealed in an individual egg that is painstakingly laid and positioned be fore being protected and camouflaged in a smear of waxy material. Although the egg mass is often laid on the under side of a host branch, it can actually be laid on any relatively smooth surface— which is a common way for them to hitch a ride to new locations. Egg mass es are grayish-brown, roughly 1.5 inch es long and ½-inch wide, and look like spots of dried mud to untrained eyes.

Arrive in North Carolina Originally reported in 2014 as “an unusual pest in large numbers on Ailanthus altissima,” the spotted lanternfly has quickly become a well-recognized insect. Despite a remarkable level of interorganizational cooperation among agencies, industries and landowners, this invasive pest has continued to spread across the U.S. On June 23, 2022, NCDA&CS confirmed the establishment of a spotted lanternfly population in Forsyth County and has since been working diligently to suppress the population.

While we don’t know exactly when egg masses will be laid in North Carolina, they may be found as soon as early Au gust. The cold-hardy eggs begin hatch ing in early spring, and young lantern flies will spend the first three stages of life resembling small, white-spotted ticks. These nymphs are ravenous, readily feeding on a wide range of her baceous, thin-barked plants, and are often spotted feeding on roses. In May, the nymphs shed their skins a third time and emerge as striking fourth instar nymphs with distinguishable, bold red-and-black coloring laced with white dots. At this stage, they are about the size of a lima bean and can feed on thicker-barked plant parts, allowing them to descend and feed on the trunk of tree of heaven. By late June, spotted lanternflies will begin to molt into their final adult form, when they take on the characteristic winged planthopper appearance. When at rest, they sit in an alert, upright position with their wings folded. The outer wing is rice pa per-thin, smooth, gray with black spots and black dashes at the bottom margin,

29SUMMER 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES and slightly transparent. The inner wing is folded beneath this outer wing and shows once the lanternfly is star tled, flashing a display of red, black and white as they jump and flutter, rocket ing as far as six feet at a time. Within days of transitioning to adulthood, spotted lanternflies can become gravid with eggs, and they may begin laying fresh egg masses within six weeks.

What Can I Do Now to Prevent Infestation?

Several spotted lanternfly control options are currently available, and research into additional methods is underway. The most straightforward option is host plant control: Spotted lanternfly populations can’t grow with out access to preferred host plants like tree of heaven and Chinaberry. By re moving these weed trees from a large area, the risk of spotted lanternfly establishment and infestation drops. Once spotted lanternfly establishes in an area, promoting the health of valued host plants will help protect them against damage from feeding. Spotted lanternflies found in any life stage should be photographed and reported. The best form of protection is proactive monitoring and removal of host trees like tree of heaven and Chinaberry to reduce the risk that any introduced spotted lanternflies will thrive and reproduce in the area.

Although it is difficult to detect indi vidual lanternflies and small popula tions, certain features of an infestation become apparent once lanternflies establish and their numbers begin to rise. Spotted lanternflies are sap feeders and cannot feed on plants unless the plant is actively photosyn thesizing. They are unable to suck sap out of the plant, and instead simply divert the sap through their mouth parts as the sap naturally rises. When they process the sap, they do not use all the sugars and excrete a large amount of sugar-water waste known as “honeydew.” Under an actively feeding large population of spotted lantern flies, there will be a continual mist of falling honeydew that leaves a visible, sticky residue on leaves and items underneath the canopy, which in turn attracts stinging insects and eventu ally grows sooty mold. The continual feeding of spotted lanternflies causes dieback of plants that have become covered in sooty mold under trees, and sometimes the decline and even death of these host trees. In addition to Chinaberry and tree of heaven, spotted lanternflies feed on more than 150 kinds of plants, including maples, walnuts, grapes, sycamore and roses. The most severe damage caused by spotted lanternflies can be seen in grape vineyards, where extensive feeding has been associated with reduced cold hardiness, leading to higher chances of freeze damage and vine Broadlydeath.speaking, heavy spotted lanternfly feeding reduces the amount of sap and carbohydrates within a plant, forcing the plant to work harder to thrive and resulting in fewer energy stores in the roots for the following season. If plants continue to be affect ed by spotted lanternflies over multi ple seasons, this chronic stress lowers the ability of these plants to withstand other stress factors such as drought, heat waves, transplanting shock and other pests.

NCDA&CS – Plant Industry Division has been preparing for the arrival of spotted lanternfly and is geared to provide support to nurseries to ensure that the presence of this pest in our state will not impact sales, exports or interstate movement of plant material. Fortunately, many of the insecticides used for other nursery pests also control spotted lanternfly. Nurseries should be vigilant in inspecting plants, vehicles and supplies arriving from an area infested with spotted lantern fly and report any suspected spotted lanternfly to their Plant Pest Specialist or at ncagr.gov/slf. With the assistance of the North Carolina Forest Service and USDA-APHIS-PPQ, NCDA&CS

Impact on North Carolina Nurseries

Statewide Impacts

Conclusion To hold our ground against the spot ted lanternfly, we need to continue to learn about this pest and its weakness es; thus, research is ongoing. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding spotted lanternfly, NC DA&CS – Plant Industry Division can be reached at badbug@ncagr.gov or (919) 707-3735.

See It. Snap It. Report It. Early detection and rapid response are critical to keeping spotted lanternfly out of North Carolina. Nursery and landscape professionals can provide trained eyes to help spot this invasive pest in the landscape. The established spotted lanternfly infestation in Kernersville has been here for approximately two to three years. Since the pest is an excellent hitchhiker, additional surveying and outreach efforts may identify new pop-up locations. When spotted lanternfly began moving quickly toward North Carolina borders, NCDA&CS ramped up survey efforts statewide. With Chinaberry and tree of heaven being preferred hosts of this pest, all of North Carolina is vulnerable to establishment of this species. Citizens are encouraged to be on the lookout and report any suspected spotted lanternfly finds at ncagr.gov/slf.

– Plant Industry Division has made tremendous strides in treating the current known infestation in Kerners ville. Ongoing surveys and treatments include insecticidal basal sprays on larger tree of heaven, herbicide use on smaller tree of heaven and target ed applications of insecticide to mass finds of live spotted lanternfly. Erad ication efforts will be ongoing and likely span several years, but treatment teams remain optimistic that with early detection and rapid response, North Carolina can develop a slow-the-spread program that will keep this pest from establishing statewide.

Since the importance of soil health to the green industry can’t be overstated, it’s our responsibility as leaders in our field to adhere to practices that promote conservation. By improving soil health, we can reduce problems like disease and insect infestation. In addition, healthy soil allows plants to survive with less water — an important consideration, given the widespread drought we continue to see across the United States. So how can we make sure the soil we’re working with is healthy? Soil is changing all the time, whether naturally or due to pesticide applications, and a soil test is the best way to see what’s really going on below the surface. When performing a soil test, we analyze three primary factors: chemical, physical and biological health. Chemical analysis refers to the acidity or By Nick diLorenzo Product Manager, Horizon Distributors pH levels of the soil. Physical analysis deals with proportions of sand, silt and clay, which determine how water, air, nutrients and organisms move through the soil. Biological analysis relates to soil microbes, which are responsible for nutrient recycling, soil building and disease prevention. By analyzing these three factors, we can find the right “prescription” to help maximize soil health. Using soil tests on a regular basis is good first step toward achieving good and lasting soil health. Most local supply houses work with a testing company that can get you analyses in less than a week. At Horizon, we have a program called Turf Triage that helps analyze soil test results and makes recommendations for products and practices to help improve the soil profile. So be sure to test soil regularly. Paying attention to what’s underneath the soil can really help landscape professionals — and their customers — see dramatic improvements above the surface.

Soil is one of the most important aspects of our industry. We plant in it, run irrigation through it and even place lights on it. It acts as an engineering medium that supports structures before and during construction. It serves as a habitat for soil microorganisms, a recycling system for nutrients and organic wastes, and a regulator of water for plants. Soil health also supports plant growth and other beneficial processes, so it is key to enabling green industry professionals to deliver the robust turf and plants that clients demand.

Nursery & Landscape Notes Summer 2022

Articles inside

How to Steer Clear of Common Pesticide Compliance Issues

Certified Plant Professional Update & Renewals

NC Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board

NC Irrigation Contractors’ Licensing Board

Student Spotlight: Mason Hills

President’s Message

Executive Vice President’s Message

Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament Recap