[CANUFNET] Aphid thresholds

[Ken Snowden]

Thanks Ian,

The reference is interesting and mimics some of the conclusions we have
observed.

 

We react to call levels/numbers.  Individual streets have learned this
strategy and will have each resident on the street phone in requesting
resolution to the problem.  This has become cyclical and we now expect
their calls, prompting their expectation of a crews arrival to alleviate
their  problem.   Mere blocks away, trees dripping in honeydew prompt no
calls at all.   Is it fair that we respond only to those that complain?
I would prefer to implement a system that  would see us address the
issue using quantifiable data, rather than customer complaints.  This is
why we are looking to develop a baseline threshold which we can fall
back on to.  

 

Thanks for the advice..

 

Ken

 

 

 

From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Ian
Wilson
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2013 2:36 PM
To: 'Canadian Urban Forest Network'
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] Aphid thresholds

 

Ken,

 

If you want to go with something that's more scientific, you could try
monitoring honeydew droplets using the methodology of Steve Dreistadt,
see this reference:

http://joa.isa-arbor.com/request.asp?JournalID=1&ArticleID=2237&Type=2

 

I've used this technique before and it works well, but it's more time
consuming because you have to hang out monitoring cards and then go
collect them again.  In practice, I think many cities just rely mostly
on complaints - in part because it's less time consuming than having a
systematic monitoring program, but also because tolerance thresholds
vary widely.  Even within the same city, some neighborhoods may tolerate
a lot more honeydew than other neighbourhoods.

 

Ian Wilson

City of Kelowna

 

From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Ken
Snowden
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2013 9:32 AM
To: canufnet at list.web.net
Subject: [CANUFNET] Aphid thresholds

 

Good morning all,

 

After a trying year with a prolonged drought, we saw a dramatic increase
in calls regarding aphids and issues with the accompanying honeydew.  We
are seeking input on thresholds for aphid damage on street trees to
develop a baseline for  our IPM program.  I have received information
from a few neighboring cities, and have found varying responses that
range from budget availability to number of phone calls.  Most online
information I find tends to lean towards agricultural crops rather than
urban forestry.  We want to help educate our residents and spray only as
a last resort but need a well-founded number to use as a baseline.  City
of Surrey responded that they use number of aphids per leaf...what are
other municipalities using?

 

Your help would be appreciated,

 

Ken Snowden

Arbourist II

City of Abbotsford Parks, Recreation and Culture

Phone: (604) 853 5485 ext. 5886

Cell: (604) 626 3945 

Email: ksnowden at abbotsford.ca

 

'To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, to live as a people, we
must have trees'

Theodore Roosevelt

 

 

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