Trees and shrubs Archives - Page 2 of 6 - Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com

tiny Laricobius Nigrinus beetles that eat the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Thousands of native beetles set off to combat insects that threaten hemlocks

1,700 tiny native beetles called Laricobius Nigrinus (or affectionately called Larry, short for Laricobius), were released at Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area in November. It’s hoped that the beetles will find and eat the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect that threatens native eastern hemlock trees. Over time, the woolly adelgid can kill the hemlocks, which are an important tree species in Zoar Valley. The hemlock is a foundational species; it’s key to the ecosystem. By protecting the hemlocks, we’re protecting…

Dec 5, 2023

early winter gardens in Amherst NY and East Aurora NY on the same day

Early winter (late autumn?) gardening tips for Western New York

by Connie Oswald Stofko I often write articles about what you can do your garden right now. But today, what you can do in your garden depends on whether you live in the northern part of Western New York or the south. Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie counties are getting heavy lake effect snow. The rest of Western New York is looking at a few flurries. But as we gardeners know, the weather in Western New York can fluctuate….

Nov 28, 2023

graphic for award for Re-Tree WNY from Buffalo Green Fund

Buffalo Green Fund will honor chair of Re-Tree at fundraiser

The Buffalo Green Fund will honor Paul Maurer, co-founder and chairman of Re-Tree WNY, with the first “Rooted in Western New York” award for his 17 years of dedication to the re-treeing our area. Re-Tree WNY was established on November 3, 2006 by a group of about 40 Western New York residents who saw firsthand the devastation done to the treescape by the freak October 2006 snowstorm. Led by Maurer and co-founder David Colligan, volunteers aimed to replace the approximately…

Oct 10, 2023

lilac, marigold and hyacinth in Amherst NY

WNY gardeners: What plants smell great to you and which ones don’t?

by Connie Oswald Stofko Many years ago, I was visiting the grand Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua. I sat down on a bench and got a whiff of something nasty. It turned out to be a boxwood and I wondered why anyone would plant such a stinky shrub. It turns out that boxwood doesn’t affect everyone the way it affected me. Some people don’t notice a scent, and others actually think boxwood smells nice. On the other hand, I love the…

Aug 15, 2023

New pest damaging elms in WNY is spreading rapidly; please help

The elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda), an exotic insect pest, has been found this summer in Allegany County and is spreading rapidly through New York State. The elm zigzag sawfly is an insect that eats only elm leaves and can cause severe defoliation (leaf loss) that threatens tree health. It was first detected in August 2022 in St. Lawrence County in the northern part of New York State. This summer it has been found in Allegany, Ontario, Madison, Ulster, Schenectady,…

Aug 8, 2023

New virus is striking tomatoes & peppers; see more

A virus new to the United States is striking tomatoes and peppers, according to this article by Beth Mattimore in the newest edition of WNY Gardening Matters, produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is spread by tomato seeds. There are no current treatments or sprays that will cure infected plants. Tomato production worldwide is threatened. The virus has been seen in other parts of the world since 2015….

Jul 25, 2023

maple seeds or helicopters in grass in Amherst NY

Maple seed ‘helicopters’ in WNY: sprinkle or downpour?

by Connie Oswald Stofko “That tree looks dead,” my neighbor said. She pointed to maple tree with what looked like a lot of brown, dead leaves. But the tree is actually thriving and producing lots of seeds–what many of us call helicopters. It looks like our neighborhood may be getting a bumper crop again this year. This happens in cycles. See more here. Are you getting just a few or many maple helicopters this year?…

Jun 6, 2023

pink and blue hydrangeas in Western New York

Shrubs, container gardening & climate to be topics at Master Gardener Ed Day

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County Master Gardener Program will host its Education Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at Classics V Banquet Center, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd, Amherst. Speakers and topics are: The event includes a hot buffet lunch, beverages and snacks. The day begins with registration from 8:30 – 9 a.m. The first of two morning sessions start at 9 a.m. The full hot buffet lunch will be followed by an afternoon presentation…

Feb 28, 2023

tree seedlings from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

5 reasons to buy tree & shrub seedlings; sales are open now

by Connie Oswald Stofko Sales of tree and shrub seedlings are again being held in Western New York through counties and through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Here are 5 reasons why you should consider buying tree or shrub seedlings: Tree & shrub seedling sales The sales have different ordering deadlines. The organizers suggest you order early to make sure the items you want are still in stock. The county sales generally have you pick up…

Jan 24, 2023

tree trunk with snow and missing a branch in Williamsville NY

Winter damage to shrubs & trees, plus more from Master Gardeners

“Helping Woody Plants Survive Heavy Snowfalls” by Carol Ann Harlos is the topic of an article in the most recent edition of WNY Gardening Matters, produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. You can find more tips on dealing with damaged trees and shrubs in this previous article with David Clark. For information on how to prune, see the article on page 34 of the December 2020 edition of NYS Conservationist Magazine. _____ Also in…

Jan 17, 2023