I am concerned
about my tree. Several people have looked at it and they have given me
conflicting information. How can I find out what I should do?
You may try contacting your local Extension Service professional for guidance.
Many communities have a tree or grounds committee that may be able to point
you in the right direction. As in any industry, skill in diagnosis and
training varies from company to company. If you hire someone to evaluate
a pest problem or to determine the overall health of your tree, ask some
questions. Does the firm offer IPM services? What type of certification
or training does the firm require of its professional workers?
I'm planning a
visit to the U.S. National Arboretum. I don't want to expose myself to
pesticides if possible. What can I do to minimize the risk?
Because the U.S. National Arboretum uses IPM to manage pests and diseases
on the grounds, there is little if any risk of pesticide exposure to our
visitors. We use pesticides very sparingly and judiciously, so the chances
of any exposure to you are minimal. When we do use pesticides, we choose
the pesticide with the lowest possible toxicity that is considered effective
on the targeted pest. During your visit, you may spot a sign warning you
of a recent pesticide application that has taken place on the grounds;
in some cases, you may even arrive to find that a garden or collection
has been temporarily closed to complete a pesticide application, sometimes
with little advance warning. We ask for your understanding on these rare
occasions and hope that you will understand that we want to protect you
and make your visit a safe and enjoyable experience.
The U.S. National Arboretum acknowledges the existence of pesticide
sensitive individuals who become ill upon even slight exposure to any pesticide.
If you are a pesticide sensitive individual, please call us in advance
at (202) 245-4523 so we can let you know what parts of the grounds have
been recently treated with pesticides. Since our pesticide use is quite
limited, you will most likely have a wide range of areas to choose from
when you plan your visit.
I have a pest
or disease related question. Can someone on your staff diagnose my problem
or give me advice?
Although we'd like to help you manage every pest and disease problem you
encounter wisely by using IPM, our staff resources are very limited. Check
out the timely IPM
Tips on this web site. If your local extension service offers
insect or disease diagnosis help, contact them. Some parts of the country
are serviced by garden help lines that may be of help; sometimes there
is a nominal charge for these services. Garden books that can be found
at your local library or bookstore are also a good resource.
I want
to plant a new tree or shrub in my yard and I don't want to encounter any
problem with whatever I plant. What's the best tree or shrub for me?
There are hundreds of plants for you to choose from. The best choice for
you depends on the climate where you live, soil conditions, and the features
you are looking for in terms of growth habit, landscape attributes, and
size. Do some research in gardening books to narrow the choices.
Then visit your local nursery or look at garden catalogues to see if the
plant you want is available. Don't forget to consider National
Arboretum introductions. Almost all of them are exceptionally beautiful
and highly resistant to most pests and diseases.
Because the U.S. National Arboretum uses IPM to manage pests and diseases
on the grounds, there is little if any risk of pesticide exposure to our
visitors. We use pesticides very sparingly and judiciously, so the chances
of any exposure to you are minimal. When we do use pesticides, we choose
the pesticide with the lowest possible toxicity that is considered effective
on the targeted pest. During your visit, you may spot a sign warning you
of a recent pesticide application that has taken place on the grounds;
in some cases, you may even arrive to find that a garden or collection
has been temporarily closed to complete a pesticide application, sometimes
with little advance warning. We ask for your understanding on these rare
occasions and hope that you will understand that we want to protect you
and make your visit a safe and enjoyable experience.
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