Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) Survival At Risk

TLC is needed when planting dogwood trees this spring. Recent study indicates canker infection ( Collar Rot / Phytophthora cactorum) frequently occurs through injuries caused during transplanting, lawn care (mowing injuries) and soil cultivation in the root zone!This disease causes injury to flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and may kill the affected tree or weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to attack by other organisms.
The first symptom noticed is usually a reduction in the number and size of leaves. The leaf color is lighter than normal during the summer and in late summer the leaves turn prematurely yellow or red and drop early. Affected trees in the later stages of the disease may produce an abnormally large number of flowers and fruits. During dry times in summer, diseased dogwoods are much more likely than healthy trees to have large numbers of leaves curl or shrivel or to show wilting of all foliage. Affected dogwoods exhibit gradual dieback of twigs and branches, sometimes starting only on one side of the tree, but eventually ending in death of the entire tree.

Dogwood-Missouri’s State Tree…

Always a favorite, the Flowering Dogwood is a frequently requested selection yet a success challenge. Studies have been done to determine how this native tree of Missouri might be able to adapt to a cultivated situations. MLNA would like to share your positive experiences and recommendations. We wish to increase everyone’s success level, reduce tree loss and educate our professionals. Please share your comments and information with maryannfink@mlna.org . Watch in upcoming newsletter for follow up contributions about care and management practices for this favored tree. For more information about this research visit: http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/collarot/collarot.htm

June 26th, 2008 Field Day: Call To Sponsors & Vendors

The Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association is having our annual Field Day on Thursday, June 26th from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm at Forrest Keeling Nursery in Elsberry, Missouri.

MLNA Field Day is FREE
For all our Members & Guests!
Please Join Us!

We plan on having many events throughout the day, including a hands on pond building classroom as well as brick paver patio building classroom. We will have areas for vendors to set up and display their products and services to our members and guests. Forrest Keeling will demonstrate the installation of a Rain Garden and offer guided tours of their facility.

We would like to invite you to participate in MLNA’s Field Day as a Vendor or an Event Sponsor. As a vendor you will be able to set up a display of your products and have the valuable opportunity to visit one- on -one with MLNA members and guests about what your company and products can offer. As an Event Sponsor, in addition to your display area, you will be highlighted during the Field Day as providing one of the many services that makes the day’s events possible.

The cost to set up a booth as a Vendor will be $150. You will need to bring your own setup materials, such as a pop up tent if needed and a table and chairs if you need them. The cost to be an Event Sponsor will be $500 and you will receive a vendor slot as well as being featured during the event you choose to Sponsor, such as lunch, coffee and doughnuts or entertainment sponsor.

If you would like to attend this event as a Vendor or an Event Sponsor please contact MaryAnn Fink, Executive Director, at 636-939-9079 or maryannfink@mlna.org. MaryAnn can give you more details on the event and arrange for your arrival on the 26th of June. A link to the Vendor/Sponsor .pdf file and an R.S.V.P. Form is at http://www.mlna.info/.

The MLNA is a non-profit organization and this event is used to help fund our operating costs for the year so we can continue to provide valuable benefits to our members and future members in the Green Industry. We appreciate your support with our organization and our member events!

Registrations are rolling in for native plant workshops

Landscape Design with Missouri in Mind is coming to the northwest and southeast corners of the state with in-depth information on how to use native plants in landscapes large and small. Grow Native!, a joint program of Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Agriculture, along with local partners, is sponsoring the day-long workshop Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22, and 24, in St. Joseph and Friday, March 7, in Cape Girardeau. Landscape professionals are encouraged to attend the Feb. 22 or March 7 sessions and homeowners the Feb. 24 session in St. Joe. A naturescaping symposium for homeowners will take place Saturday, March 8, in Cape Girardeau.

The workshops include sessions on natural communities, how to match plants to property conditions, how to establish a prairie planting and how to select trees for your landscape. The day begins with a presentation by Dave Tylka, author of Native Landscaping for Wildlife and People, who will set the stage for the rest of the day by helping attendees understand the benefits of native plants for both landowners and wildlife. MNLA’s MaryAnn Fink will wrap up the day by describing outstanding native plant combinations and how use them in a landscape.

Complete details are available at http://www.grownative.org/. Click on Workshops and Events, then the day of the event. You will find more details and downloadable registration forms.

TODAY"S GARDEN CENTER MAGAZINE FEATURES HILLERMAN NURSERY

POSITIVE NEWS FOR INDEPENDANT GARDEN CENTERS!

Hillermann Nursery & Florist recieves recognition and is featured on cover of Today's Garden Center magazine! http://www.todaysgardencenter.com/pdf/tgc_cover_story200802.pdf

A recent survey of 1,382 independent retailers found that consumers’ desire to support independent, locally-owned businesses appears to be growing, Retail Merchandiser reports. Retailers in all 50 states were included in the survey, which found that "even in a difficult economic climate, many independent retailers are holding their own and even seeing sales gains by emphasizing their local ownership and community roots," the story says. Locally-owned retailers in cities with Buy Local campaigns saw bigger increases in holiday sales compared with those without campaigns. The study also found that 82 percent of those surveyed believe the fact that they’re locally-owned matters to customers. "We’re seeing the beginnings of a shift in people’s shopping choices, particularly in places where ‘buy local’ campaigns have brought this to the forefront of public consciousness," says Stacy Mitchell, author of "Big-Box Swindle" and senior researcher for the Institute For Local Self-Reliance. "‘Locally-owned’ is following in the footsteps of ‘organic’ as people look for ways to support a more sustainable economy and revitalize their communities." The Independent Business Forum, a new network of organizations that represent independent businesses, conducted the survey. Read the full story here.

USA Today Features Green Industry Immigrant Issue

A recent USA Today cover story described experienced immigrant workers packing up and leaving Oklahoma for less hostile places. Those immigrants are not returning to home countries either, but rather relocating to other states, in response to H.B.1804 a tough anti-business immigration enforcement law passed in the state late last year.
The story that ran on January 10, "Strict immigration law rattles Okla. Businesses " featured quotes by Greenleaf Nursery Co. president Randy Davis, as well as a front page color photo of workers at the nursery. ANLA worked with the paper and with Greenleaf to facilitate the story as part of a broader effort to educate the American public on the need for immigration law reform.
USA Today has been following the issue and highlighted nursery businesses and immigration reform topics. In 2006 it ran a story entitled 'Guest workers' at core of labor dispute highlighting how Ohio industry leader Tom Demaline of Willoway Nurseries was affected. A more recent story focused on Rhode Island landscape professional Jonathan Zeyl, whose H-2B guest workers are unable to return to the U.S. legally this year because Congress has failed to renew a visa provision. For more:
http://capwiz.com/anla/utr/1/HZRLIBTZQA/AAVTIBTZWM/1729272176

To All Members of the Garden Center Industry

2008 Gateway Wholesale Flower Grower Expo

Wednesday, February 27th 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.


Meet the local growers of annuals and perennials, discover what they have in store for Spring 2008! Find new sources or strengthen current relationships!

Featured Panel Discussion Topics: “How To Go Green & Make Green” “Why Buy Local?” “What’s Hot In Retail?”


FREE TO ATTEND

FREE HOT LUNCH

Location: The Columns Banquet Center 711 Veterans Memorial Parkway St. Charles, MO 63303 (Located near the intersection of I-70 and 5th St.- just across the Blanchette Bridge) RSVP to Chris Nejelski by Wednesday, February 20th at chris.nejelski@mobot.org

Green Industry Suffers Loss of Home Nursery's Ernie Tosovsky

Ernest A. Tosovsky, Jr., age 86 of Edwardsville, died January 18, 2008; He was born October 31, 1921, the son of the late Ernest and Mary Meek Tosovsky, Sr. He married Betty Faye Rohrkaste Aug. 29, 1946. She preceded him in death. He then married Virginia Lee Hermann Sept. 1, 1984. She also preceded him in death. He is survived by a son, Timothy (Sherry) Tosovsky) of Edwardsville; 2 daughters: Nancy (Gene) Pech of Plainfield, IN, and Barbara (Fred) Wiman of Olathe, KS; 10 grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren; a step-son, Bill Hermann of Edwardsville; 2 stepdaughters: Janice Burklow of New Baden, IL and Cindy (Ed) Hoog of Staunton, IL; 6 step-greatgrandchildren; & a brother Charles (Jean) Tosovsky of Edwardsville. He was preceded in death by a brother Edward Tosovsky and a sister, Dorothy Donner. Mr. Tosovsky was a member of St. Boniface and St. Mary's Catholic Churches in Edwardsville. He was the former President/Chairman of the Board of Home Nursery, Inc. His memberships included the following: Past President of the Illinois State Nurseryman Association, Past President of the American Landscape Nursery Association, Past President of the Madison-Sinclair Nursery Association, Board of Directors of Voluntary Purchasing Group, Member of the Greater St. Louis Nursery and Landscape Assoc., Voluntary Purchasing Group; established an endowment fund for Ernest Tosovsky with the Horticulture Research Institute, Past President of the Edwardsville Rotary Club & a Paul Harris Fellow, Board of Directors of the Edwardsville YMCA, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Edwardsville Park & Recreation Board, Member of the Illinois State Florists Assoc., Served on the Advisory Board for the Dean of Agriculture at the University of Illinois, Chairman of Agricultural Nursery and Greenhouse Advisory Committee for the American Farm Bureau Federation, & served on the Edwardsville School Board. He was also a US Army veteran of WW II. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Mon., Jan. 21 at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tues., Jan. 22 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery in Edwardsville. Memorial contributions may be given to the Horticulture Research Institute, St. Boniface or St. Mary's Schools, or to the Edwardsville Rotary Club.

Nuts & Bolts is February 6th!

Since continuing education and networking professionals are key benefits of the MLNA, we wanted to remind you of the wonderful event just around the corner.

The FULL DAY of experts in the green industry starts at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6th at
Lenoir Woods Community Center in Columbia, MO. (map) This year's theme is "Growing Together" and all the presenters and speakers are bringing interesting and valuable information in each session.

Stay tuned as the growing list of sponsors is presented here on our blog and on our website.

Thank you, SPONSORS!

See you at the MLNA Nuts & Bolts Event!

Robert Van Pelt coming to Missouri Botanical Garden

Just added! Noted Pacific NW forester Robert Van Pelt will present his latest photographs and illustrations, and sign copies of his book at the Garden Gate Shop this Friday, January 4, at 3 p.m. Author of Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast (Univ. Washington Press), Van Pelt has personally discovered and documented several of the largest trees in the world. He is also a talented illustrator of these monster trees. His website: http://www.forestgiants.com/ . He is being brought to St. Louis by a group of local arborists.

CALL FOR ACTION from MLNA Past Board Member John Marino

Green Industry Active MLNA Members Needed For Function Review Committee and Board Positions!

If you are active in the industry and have access to a wide range of potential members, you should be promoting membership in the MLNA organization. If you have past experience on the board you should be offering your help to move the board in the right direction.

The more this industry is recognized as a vital part of the Missouri economy, the more beneficial it is to everyone in who makes a living in this field. The only way to get that recognition is through a state organization. A state organization is the only way to have a valid certification program. A state organization is the only way to have a voice in the Department of Agriculture. A state organization is the only way to be heard on a large scale if you are an individual retailer, landscaper or grower selling in this state.

Please make time to get involved. Contact MLNA Board of Directors or contact Mary Ann Fink, the Executive Director and offer your support. We need your help and we need it now!

John Marino The DaVinci Group
17295 Chesterfield Airport Road
Suite 200
Chesterfield, Missouri 63005
Phone 636-443-5631 Fax 866-552-5070 "Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication” Leonardo DaVinci circa 1500

GET TOGETHER WITH MLNA AT THE WESTERN TRADE SHOW

Come to MLNA's Business Meeting, Sunday January 6th, 2pm to 3pm in Overland Park Convention Center Meeting Room 3 (courtyard level)

Find out what is happening with your statewide Green Industry organization, as 2008 MLNA President, Rob Johnson offers a brief over view of MLNA activities and new programs such as the renaming of the professional certification and the revisions.

Find out how you will benifit financially from MLNA's Sustainability platform. MLNA is launching " Water as Resource-Not a Waste Product" as the 2008 Initiative !

Come to the MLNA Booth, Participate at the meeting and Attend the Reception!

MNLA Business Meeting: Sunday, January 6th from 2pm to 3pm in Overland Park Convention Center Meeting Room 3 (courtyard level)

New Members are Welcomed- Registration forms will be at the MLNA Booth and at the General Business Meeting. Please arrive early to get paperwork handled as meeting time will be very busy.

MNLA Reception with Hort Co-op and Hort NetWORK: Sunday, January 6th from 5pm to 6pm in Sheraton Linden Room (courtyard level) Thank you HOME NURSERY for being MLNA's Event Sponsor for the evening!

MNLA Board Meeting is Saturday, January 5th from 4pm to 5pm in Overland Park Convention Center Meeting Room 3 (courtyard level)

NOTE: All meeting room locations moved to Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) The Western is aware that we have already sent out information to members so they will have signage on site directing everyone to the correct location.)

ANLA POSTS MLNA SURVEY-INVITES COMMENTS

Grass Roots and Advocacy Manager, American Nursery & Landscape Association,

Subject: GREEN ROOTS MUST SPREAD TO GROW!

Dear Bob Degemmis,

Thank you for your encouraging words and your assistance at keeping Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association on track. MLNA appreciates the umbrella ANLA affords as well as the outlet opportunity for ideas and communication exchange on the website.

Per our past communications, I know you are aware of MLNA’s effort to wake up after a very sleepy association time. Our membership has not had such a lax period; they have been wide awake and working to survive in a changing business/economic environment.

Please post this MLNA survey on the ANLA website.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOPIC: Participation in Professional Organizations

If you are an organization representative; what has been your best response to member services and benefits your organization offers?

[MLNA members have benefited from MaryAnn’ Fink’s “matchmaking” service. She makes contacts for them and shares information between growers, retailers, landscapers and product suppliers and educators. MLNA members appreciate the website job posting and MLNA’s willingness to approach service and product providers and request member discounts as well. MaryAnn is quite the industry “matchmaker”.]
Comment:


If you are an individual, participating in professional organizations- what organization benefit do you value?
Most? Comment:
Least? Comment:

How many organizations are you actively involved? (Attend meetings, participate on committees, etc)
[MLNA offers committee involvement whatever your interest and level of involvement)]
Comment:


How many associations benefit from your “sideline support” with dues/membership only?
[Some of our MLNA members hope to be more involved later and in the meantime support us financially with dues]
Comment:

Do you post you professional affiliations on your website, business cards etc.?
[MLNA offers proud member logo for ads, marketing and website use]
Comment:

Do you link websites?
[MLNA encourages members to link to http://www.mlna.org/ and we are happy to link back]
Comment:

Do other associations post your profile- business information?
[MLNA showcases its members with their own member pages. With room for a 300 word profile to introduce yourself and two images- you can increase your web presence with MLNA.]
Comment:

If you are an organization- do you offer education-training workshops? Do they help you find out what is new and what is happening in your industry?
[We offer educational opportunities, CEU’s and will work with you and your business to have a topic that relates to your needs- You might even want to Host the event, showcase your business and make it convenient for your employees too!]
Comment:

If you are an individual- do you use your professional organizations as a learning resource?
[MLNA is expanding its extensive plant library of over 4,000 plants and has a newly revised professional certification. Revamped by the horticulture educators in the region- you can begin a career in horticulture, work towards your degree and become professionally certified under the supervisions of the best educators in the state. Stay current and informed!]
Comment:


Does any of the professional organizations you belong to- promote you at events and encourage referrals?
[MLNA recently distributed over 1,000 “GREEN PAGES” at well attended events that put members in the hands of future client and customers. We are working on the “PROFESSIONAL GREEN PAGES” to distribute at trade events and Green Building contacts. We advertise in the Business Journal for our members]
Comment:


Does your organization help you identify your environmental marketing strengths, help you think in “green language” what you are already doing for the environment and help you learn about what else you can do to improve your “green” strategy?

[MLNA offers an Environmental Horticulture Consultation for New Members!]
Comment:


Does your professional organization ask you what do you want from them- and provide it?

[MLNA does! Beginning in 2008, we are giving a voice to all our MLNA members who are already role models in our industry and leaders in their communities. We are launching MLNA’s first ever AAI (Association Action Initiative) since our establishment in 1921. Using “Sustainability” as our platform, we will be showcasing our member’s efforts to use “Water as a Resource, not a Waste Product”; we will survey our members and promote their efforts at events and on our website blogg. This will also serve as an educational awareness tool for member’s who are just beginning to build a “green vocabulary” as well as marketing/ selection guide opportunity for the general public].
Comment:


Thank you for your participation. Please visit www.mlna.org for survey feed back. MaryAnn Fink


I have been told that “belonging” to a professional organization has only as much value as the membership places on being professional. MLNA must stretch beyond the individual, increase the impact at the local level for the profit and offer an overview and preview of what lies ahead in our industry and beyond to create a positive impact on the business professional.


MLNA believes it is critical to improve our handholding ability and share a wider platform. We are the leaders not just the vehicle for this green band wagon. We are the “greenest of green”. As “green practitioners”, we have chosen this passionate profession because of our “green hearts”. We have invested in this platform built on the environment with our lives. Our investment will save everyone’s future!

I look forward to hearing from others who believe that our industry needs umbrella organizations such as MLNA and ANLA to build a strong team to pull this green wagon toward a greener ($) future!

Always Growing…MaryAnn Fink, Coordinator/Executive Director
Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association
6209 Mid Rivers Mall Dr Suite 128
St. Charles, MO 63304
http://www.mlna.org/
636-939-9079
maryannfink@mlna.org