Facilities Management (FM) Outdoor Services will conduct a broadcast spray application of a dormant oil insecticide to nine oak trees over the winter break, weather permitting. These trees are infested with Allokermes scale. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies used against this pest include the broadcast application of an insecticidal dormant oil to the infested trees. The applications will occur on nine trees located on main campus.
Weather permitting, during the week of Jan. 9 staff will facilitate applications of the following insecticide: Golden Pest Spray Oil™, EPA Reg. No. 57538-11. The active ingredient is food-grade soybean oil.
It is important to address this outbreak because the health and appearance of these trees are being negatively impacted to a significant degree, and CU is currently at risk of losing several mature oak trees on campus. FM Outdoor Services also hopes to hinder any further establishment of this pest. Campus arborists conducted this treatment to a small number of oak trees last winter, and control results on the scale insects were very encouraging.
Taddiken Tree Care Co. has been hired to conduct the applications based on their demonstrated track record of conducting quality care and maintenance operations on campus trees.
As a further effort to ensure the highest standard of health and environmental protection, Facilities Management staff will accompany the contracted applicators to ensure only predetermined locations receive a treatment, applications are stopped during high-wind gusts and/or sustained wind events, applications are halted as pedestrians pass by and that all necessary precautions are taken to avoid non-target impacts.
Guidelines for pesticide use are generally described in the campus Pest Control Policy. This application is just one of many tools used as part of an integrated approach to landscape management. These trees will continue to receive supplemental watering and cultural care and will be monitored closely for secondary pest or health problems. Many of the trees to be treated were pruned over the last year to remove dead and dying wood in an attempt to limit the spread of the secondary bacterial infections that frequently accompany infestations of this insect pest.
Staff will also be placing yellow application notice flags that will indicate where the application was made. Law requires these flags remain in place for 24 hours after an application has been made. In the interest of keeping the campus community informed, staff will leave these flags in place for one full week after the application occurs.
If you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Donald S Inglis Jr. or Edward von Bleichert at the contact information below.
Donald S Inglis Jr.
Outdoor Services Manager
Department of Facilities Management
Don.Inglis@colorado.edu
303-735-6311
Edward von Bleichert
Campus IPM Coordinator
Department of Facilities Management
Edward.Vonbleichert@colorado.edu
303-735-3627
