Archive for the Tree and Turf Category
Posted on September 17, 2012 with No Comments
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to drop, the fall season is a critical time to prepare your yard for the long winter ahead.
During the fall, your lawn is starting to prepare itself to go dormant. Providing vital nutrients to your grass will give it the boost it needs during dormancy. Roots actually continue to grow underground throughout the winter and rely on the stored food until spring.
Plants suffer from unhealthy conditions just like we do. Diseases, fungi, insects, and poor nutrition are all factors that prevent your property from looking its best, To realize the full potential of your property, your options range from basic fertilization and weed control to a six step program that includes deep root feeding, deer repellant, anti-desiccant applications, soil enhancements, core aeration and power seeding. We also offer precision tree and shrub pruning, as well as other arbor care for a beautiful, healthy landscape.
Visit JP McHale Pest Management’s Tree and Lawn Care Information to find out which one of our plans best suits your needs and contact our office at 800-479-2284 to schedule an appointment.
Posted on April 18, 2012 with No Comments
The invasive ash beetle beetle that has destroyed tens of millions of ash trees over the past decade has been found east of the Hudson River for the first time, marking its closest known threat to New England, researchers in New York told The Associated Press Wednesday. But the discovery of an emerald ash borer infestation in the Dutchess County village of Rhinecliff last month may signal a victory in the battle to stem the pest’s spread: Foresters believe the colony was caught less than a year after it got established, a big step given that the beetle can go unnoticed for years.
The larval beetle tunnels under the bark, eventually destroying a tree without any sign until its foliage yellows and dies. The shiny green adults are only about half an inch long and tend to fly well above the ground, making them hard to spot.
“It’s rare that infestations are found this early,” said Nate Siegert, a U.S. Forest Service entomologist who has been working in Rhinecliff this month. He credited state Department of Environmental Conservation foresters for taking steps that led to the discovery.
New York became a leading edge for research and control efforts after a major infestation was discovered on the west shore of the Hudson in 2010, about 150 miles east of colonies discovered elsewhere in New York since 2009.
“This is a battle worth fighting,” said Chris Martin, the state forester in Connecticut. “The ash tree resources in New England are phenomenal.”
Posted on January 23, 2012 with 1 Comment
Plant Healthcare and Organic Lawn Fertilization Picture
Looking for a lawn care provider to make your property looking great all year long? JP McHale’s Plant Health Care and Organic Lawn Fertiliztion programs can be customized for your business or residence depending on your needs. We offer lawn care programs that are developed by our own staff plant pathologist and follow an integrated approach to plant and lawn health care (IPM). We only use controls when necessary; all of our products are environmentally sensitive and approved by the EPA.
Some of our service include: Organic Program; Core Aeration; Grub Control; Lime Application; Gypsum Application; Mole Control; Arbor Care Program; Systemic Injection; Deep Root Feeding; Anti-Desiccant
Tree Testing Services.
Contact JP McHale Pest Management to set up your spring lawn services today!
Posted on January 23, 2012 with No Comments
ScienceDaily reports that rainfalls are suspected to trigger the spread of a multitude of foliar (leaf) diseases, which could be devastating for agriculture and forestry. Instead of focusing on the large-scale, ecological impact of this problem, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge and the University of Liege in Belgium are studying the phenomenon from a novel perspective: that of a single rain droplet.
“One may easily picture that a raindrop impacting a contaminated leaf grabs some of the pathogens there before being ejected and flying towards some healthy plant in the neighborhood,” says University of Liege assistant professor of engineering Tristan Gilet, who presented the team’s research at the upcoming meeting of the American Physical Society (APS) Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) in Baltimore, Md., along with MIT colleagues Lydia Bourouiba, a postdoctoral associate, and John Bush, professor of applied mathematics. But a more plausible scenario, Gilet continues, is that bacteria, viruses, and fungi dissolve into rainwater sitting on the surface of a leaf, and that this disease-carrying rainwater is then pushed off the leaf by other raindrops.”
Using a high-speed camera to film artificial rainfall on a series of plants, the team identified two patterns of droplet ejection. The first is direct: a raindrop hits pathogen-infested water on a leaf and splashes some of it off. The second is indirect: a raindrop hits the leaf, whose violent movement ejects some of the disease-carrying water that had been sitting on it. From their modeling and experiments, the team concludes that the direct splashing method is a more efficient disease spreader for relatively large and rigid leaves, while smaller and more pliant leaves are more likely to be affected by the indirect method.
The cost of plant diseases is estimated at three billion dollars a year in the United States alone, the researchers write. They say they hope their work will provide some guidance for farmers, by providing suggestions for the optimal spacing between plants, for example.
Posted on August 1, 2011 with No Comments
As you are all aware, we have been in the middle of an official heat wave, and signs from temperature changes are visible on all turf throughout our area. As the air temperature rises so do the soil temperatures, and this can cause extreme stresses on turf vigor, in addition to varying lawn service results. As we go through this wave and also attempt to recover, we ask that you PLEASE HAVE PATIENCE during these difficult weather conditions.
A couple facts we all should know:
· Due to the extreme heat during the day and abnormally high temperatures at night , cool season grasses in your lawn may become stressed and lead to dormancy. Weakened grasses can be susceptible to disease and insects.
· High levels of humidity combined with over-watering lawns can actually cause the soil temperatures to rise, doing the opposite of what is trying to be accomplished because it does not allow the water to evaporate from the soil.
· Cool season grasses normally catch a break at night when temperatures drop in the evening. Night time temperatures normally return to a cool (58-64 degrees, allowing grasses to recover from the heat. The past couple of weeks, turf has not had this chance re-cooperate from daytime temperatures.
Until the Day and Night Time Temperatures return to normal please follow the following cultural practices to help your turfgrass:
WATERING
Water at least 2 inches per week during the early morning hours. Never at night.
MECHANICAL STRESSES
Cut grass at 3.5 inches and make sure blades are sharp. Remove clippings to improve air circulation and help prevent disease. When temperatures are above 90 degrees mowing heights should be raised. On days of extreme heat mowing may need to be skipped to reduce stress. Additionally, make sure when trimming near curbs and walkways scalping does not occur.
Adhering to the following steps combined with your management program, turf has a better chance of making it through this stressful period.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the condition of your lawn please feel free to contact the office and speak to Rich Heaton, Tree & Turf Service Manager
We thank you in advance for your patience during these difficult weather conditions
Sincerely,
The Tree & Turf Division
JP McHale Pest Management, Inc.
Posted on July 7, 2011 with No Comments
Whether changing residences or simply transporting firewood, you may be relocating the Gypsy Moth and potentially damaging tress of another location. When left untreated, an infestation of Gypsy Moths can damage up to 13 acres of foliage in one season!
JP McHale Pest Management wants you to be mindful when you move to a new home, or when you take firewood with you for camping or outdoor bonfires. Outdoor patio furniture and firewood may be infested with this Gypsy Moth, whether it be the eggs, caterpillars or adult moth itself.
The USDA suggests proper inspection of these materials before you move or head out for a weekend of 
fun-filled camping…you wouldn’t want to accidentally transport the Gypsy Moth to a new area!
The USDA provides control and utilizes various methods and materials when infestation covers significant ground. Here at JP McHale Pest Management, our Arbor Care program provides our customers with an 8-application-program that covers Gypsy Moths and other seasonal insects that may be posing a problem.
Be sure to contact us today to set up a program or treatment appointment if you’ve come across this destructive seasonal pest!
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Posted on June 2, 2011 with No Comments
Warmer weather yields an increased likelihood of clothing moth infestations. Contrary to popular belief, these pests cause great harm within the home. Clothing moths will munch on clothing and other materials within dresser drawers and closets, destroying valuable items by leaving irregularly shaped holes. As is true for most insects, higher temperatures increase the reproductive rate of clothing moths. For example, egg hatching may take up to 3 weeks during winter months, but occur in as little as 4-10 days during the summer.
In addition to increased reproduction rates, clothing moth populations outdoors are also higher, providing more opportunities for moths to enter homes and initiate infestations. Exclusion and sanitation are critical! Repair broken or torn window screens and verify that they fit properly in the window frame. Do not leave doors propped open, as many insects can detect pressure differences and will then enter homes. Avoid storing delicate wool or silk items in attics, and consider placing these items in sealed plastic or garment bags while not in use. Inspect plants and other items as you bring them indoors to prevent transporting insects. Clothing moths can impose significant economic damage to your belongings if you do not take action. Contact us today if you suspect any moth activity in your home!
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Posted on September 9, 2010 with No Comments
Attention All Homeowners!
Have you ever had a Tree on your property that you thought may be rotting from the inside out and concerned it may be a danger to your family or home? Whether you’ve owned you’re home for years or in the process of purchasing one, you should have the trees inspected.
Trees in many cases can appear healthy on the outside even though a Carpenter Ant infestation or a cavity could be lurking on the inside. If you see mushrooms protruding from the base of a tree, something is happening on the inside.
JP McHale offers a service that utilizes a device that can measure the density of your trees beyond visual limitations. A probe is inserted into the tree by one of our specialists and a graph is generated highlighting a weakened interior.
Even healthy trees can pose a threat to people or property enhanced by strong winds, snow and rain. A hollow or rotten interior can increase that risk considerably.
Contact our Tree and Turf Department for more information about our new service!
Posted on July 21, 2010 with 4 Comments
Today Postbulletin.com published a short article with some tips to keep your lawn green, whether its is sunny or cloudy, dry or moist outside. A local lawn expert says you should water each section of your lawn for only 15 minutes each day. 
The soil can only absorb so much water and after 15 minutes, the water will just wash away the soils nutrients. The best time to water your lawn is between 6 am and 8 am. A common problem homeowners do is cut their lawn too short. Cutting your lawn too short will stress the grass. You should keep your lawn 3 to 4 inches tall. By keeping your grass at this height, it will shade the ground so it will not dry up. JP McHale is a New York lawn care company and for more information on how JP McHale can help you protect your lawn, visit our tree and turf department or contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook.
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Posted on June 21, 2010 with 1 Comment
Today, BostonHerald.com posted an article that explains how 
many trees in the Boston area are in danger from Asian longhorn beetles. The beetles were first seen in Worchester, MA when an invasion caused the city millions of dollars to repair and over 20,000 trees to be cut down. The beetles now have been killing hundreds of trees around the Boston area after a recent invasion. The adults will lay their eggs inside of the tree, usually elm or maple trees, then the eggs will hatch and the babies will eat the wood to get out of the tree. Asian longhorn beetles are shiny and black, with white dots on them. They can grow up to an inch long. The beetles could potentially cause $41 billion dollars of damage nationwide. The beetles are not harmful to humans, but the lumber and maple syrup industries could be hit badly. This case is very similar to the Emerald Ash Borer found in New York, destroying trees here. JPMcHale is one of the leading pest control companies in Westchester, New York.
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