Michigan Christmas Tree PMSP

Priorities

Category Rank Pest Type Pest Crop Stage Priority
Extension/Outreach 1 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Educate and provide technical support to growers and consultants as new products, materials and strategies are developed.
Extension/Outreach 2 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Continue IPM workshops and field demonstrations.
Extension/Outreach 3 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Update and revise 1995 bulletins with information on pesticides registered for use on Christmas trees.
Extension/Outreach 4 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Update and revise 1995 bulletins with information on pesticides registered for use on Christmas trees.
Extension/Outreach 5 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Compile efficacy trial data collected in the north central and northeastern regions.
Extension/Outreach 6 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Educate public officials (EPA, APHIS, MDA, Plant Boards, legislators, other public agencies) about realities of producing Christmas trees, including actual pesticide use rates, worker activities, etc.
Regulatory 1 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Pesticide Labels:Develop consistent, uniform definition of site designations that are acceptable for application of pesticide products on Christmas trees. Currently, interpretations of acceptable sites vary depending on ultimate use of trees, rather than tree species. For example; a spruce should be treated as a spruce throughout its rotation, because it could eventually become an ornamental tree or a Christmas tree. Similarly, data collected in product evaluations conducted on spruce ornamental trees should be applicable to spruce Christmas trees.
Regulatory 2 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Pesticide Labels:• Label Sureguard (flumioxazin) for Christmas tree use.
Regulatory 3 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Pesticide Labels:Many of the insecticide and fungicide products currently used in Christmas tree production are under FQPA review . These products need to remain available for use on Christmas trees until safe, cost-effective alternatives become available.
Regulatory 4 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Quarantines:• Establish balsam woolly adelgid quarantine for nursery stock, seedlings, Christmas trees and other firs originating in states and provinces with known populations of this exotic pest.
Regulatory 5 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Quarantines:• More stringent control phytophthora free.
Regulatory 6 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Quarantines:• Maintain existing federal pine shoot beetle quarantine and compliance program.
Regulatory 7 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Quarantines:• Revisit federal and state gypsy moth regulations, particularly the mandatory insecticide applications. Consider expanding list of acceptable insecticide products. Alternative methods to meet regulatory concerns (other than mandatory insecticide sprays) should be identified and evaluated.
Research 1 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Identify effective reduced-risk herbicides and develop weed control methods, options and recommendations.
Research 2 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Assess viable alternatives for chlorothalonil (Bravo) and chlorpyrifos (Lorsban 4E).
Research 3 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Improve existing spray technology and develop equipment needed to enhance coverage and efficiency of pesticide applications while minimizing risk of phyto-toxicity.
Research 4 All 6- to 12-Inch Shoot Develop disease and insect management strategies: - Determine action thresholds for specific pests; - Evaluate methods to conserve or enhance natural enemies of insect pests; - Refine crop modeling and predictors for pathogens; - Evaluate potential resistance of tree species, varieties or genotypes for common insect and pathogen pests; - Identify efficient, economically viable cultural management methods to reduce pest incidence or density.