ETSU Arboretum

Happy Tennessee Arbor Day!

Today we will be planting a Corkscrew Willow near the library in honor of a long-time employee of ETSU, Walter Andrews, Sr.

ETSU Grounds is currently looking to fill an opening on our Grounds Maintenance crew. This is a full-time position with full health and retirement benefits, paid time off, paid Holidays, and educational benefits.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience in the grounds industry while helping to provide a safe and beautiful campus. You can apply online or contact ETSU Grounds with questions.

Grounds Foreman Work performed in supervising a group of utility workers maintaining the grounds on campus. Supervises personnel engaged in cutting grass, trimming and pruning shrubs and trees, planting flowers, and a variety of other tasks associated with grounds maintenance and landscaping. Supervises personnel i...

If you know someone in need of good steady employment, this is a great opportunity to get in the door with potential to move to full time permanent positions.

ETSU is hosting a Facilities Career Fair Wednesday, May 18 2-7PM!

http://www.etsu.edu/human-resources/hiring/event.php/

Did you know that our campus is home to over 200 species of trees? 🌳🌲

Check out the link in our bio for the complete inventory, as well as information on how to get your ETSU Arboretum Map.📍

The Blountville Library has procured 60 trees from the TEC to donate to our community for Tennessee Tree Day 2022. The trees will be distributed on Friday 3/18/22 and Saturday 3/19/22 from 10am-5pm at the library. Please call or come by the library before the pick up dates to sign up to receive your FREE tree seedlings. The trees will be handed out by registration, with a limit of 2 trees per household. As per the Tree Day specifications, recipients of the trees agree to plant them by 3/19/22.
Blountville Public Library 423-279-2714
1655 Blountville Blvd, Blountville TN 37617

Imidacloprid Insecticide for home gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
I am a licensed pesticide applicator and certified arborist with a M.S. in biology and over 20 years’ experience in Commercial Nursery and Grounds Management. One of the focuses of my thesis research was the impact of imidacloprid on the reproductive success of plants which yielded some interesting data. I often find myself at odds with plant enthusiasts over the use of imidacloprid and other neonicotinoids. I was asked by someone in one of the plant groups to provide the reasoning behind my criticism of their practice. So, this is my professional opinion on the use of neonicotinoids.
What it is:
Imidacloprid is a synthetic formulation of ni****ne that acts as a pesticide by interfering with acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system causing paralysis and death. It is sold under the trade name Merit®and is marketed for homeowners as Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub®or 3in1®. It is no longer under patent and can be found in many other products and formulations as well.
How it works:
Imidacloprid and other neonicotinoid products can function as a contact insecticide, but more importantly, as a systemic product that is taken up and distributed throughout the entire plant. Insects that feed directly on plant tissues or fluids will uptake the chemical and become paralyzed. This chemical can be applied as a liquid foliar spray, a soil drench, trunk injection, or granular soil application to control a wide range of insects.
The Good:
These products work extremely well for controlling plant pests, are easy to apply, can be purchased without special licenses, and have long residuals that reduce the number of applications necessary. Application and mode of action allow for targeted application with minimal “off-target” dispersal. These pesticides are invaluable for controlling pests such as adelgid in large evergreens (Hemlock, Spruce, Fir, Pine).
The Bad:
Neonicotinoids are systemic products that are distributed throughout all parts of the plant. These are non-selective pesticides, which means that they will kill pretty much anything that contacts or consumes them including pollinator insects, larval foliar feeders, and even birds that consume fruit, pollen, or nectar. Even non-lethal exposure has been shown to alter the behavior of some organisms. Flowering plants attract insects and even trees that are “wind-pollinated” and don’t produce showy flowers are still heavily visited by insects for pollen. It lasts a LONG time. Some of these products (imidacloprid) can have an effective residual presence in evergreen trees, such as hemlock, for 5-10 years. Deciduous trees cycle faster, but the product is present from the time of treatment through leaf drop, at least. It doesn’t work for everything. Imidacloprid does not kill mites, they are not insects, and treatment is often followed by severe mite outbreaks. It also does not kill armored scale, which is very common on hemlock. Dinotefuran, another more expensive neonicotinoid, is effective on armored scale, but costs much more to purchase. Widespread use and misuse of these products in agriculture, home garden, and pest control have led to serious environmental impact concerns that have resulted in banning these products in several countries.
The point:
Pesticides are a necessary part of horticulture and agriculture but are also directly associated with declining insect populations, aquatic habitat degradation, and human health issues. We, as pest control professionals and plants people, have an obligation to use them responsibly and be aware of the impacts that they may have. Pest control should identify the pest and plant, select a treatment that will be most effective with the least collateral impact, and follow label guidelines explicitly. The label is the law, and failure to follow label guidelines is a violation of state and federal law (US), and environmentally irresponsible.
T.L.W.

What a difference a day can make. Ginkgo biloba is a unique and beautiful tree. Especially for those few days in fall when they rapidly change from green to yellow and then seem to drop their leaves all at once after a good cold night. I happened to catch this very large Ginkgo near the amphitheater just before and immediately after it lost its leaves and thought you all might enjoy these before the Thanksgiving break.

Once again ETSU Arboretum and Horticulture staff have been hard at work over the past 6 weeks preparing for the Holiday Lights display. We are so happy to be able to share this event with our students, faculty, staff, and community. This year is even bigger and better with the addition of the newly refurbished amphitheater, Boulevard Commons, and Sherrod Library! We hope you can join us this coming Monday, November 15th to turn on the lights and kick off the holiday season. Please respect physical distancing and masking guidelines while attending this event.

Holiday Lights Kick-Off Holiday Lights Kick-Off

So many beautiful trees in bloom this spring on ETSU campus!