The Adopt-A-Hole Program
The Adopt-A-Hole program has been created to keep our golf course clean, beautiful and in the best condition possible. The program depends on all cottage owners to help at their designated hole. Clean-up dates will be posted within the next few weeks.
Please do your part to help the Resort and your fellow cottage owners with:
• spring clean-up
• planting flower beds
• picking up broken tees
• putting garbage in containers
• replacing divots
• repairing ball marks on greens
• spring clean-up
• planting flower beds
Continue to repair ball marks and replace divots on EVERY hole.
Please note which hole you are responsible for.
Hole #1
Cottages 1 to 51
Hole #2
Cottages 219 to 256
Hole #3
Cottages 52 to 71
Cottages 210 to 218
Hole #4
Cottages 171 to 198
Hole #5
Cottages 199 to 209
Cottages 257 to 282
Hole #6
Cottages 335 to 366
Hole #7
Cottages 156, 157
Cottages 283 to 333
Hole #8
Cottages 112 to 155
Cottages 158 to 163
Hole #9
Cottages 72 to 111
Cottages 164 to 170 |
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Vegetation Management
Many trees at Hidden Valley have the disease known as Black Knot. It is imperative that each Cottage Owner treats their diseased trees to prevent the spread and eventual loss of trees at the Resort.
How to Control Black Knot
The characteristic feature of black knot is the presence of thick, black, irregular swellings on twigs and branches. The galls are often noticed in the winter when leaves are not present. The disease is difficult to notice during the early stages of infection. Initially, the disease appears as small light brown swellings on current or previous seasons growth. The following year, the swellings appear olive green with a velvety texture. By the end of the season, knots darken and harden. Numerous knots may be present on one tree. Often the branch beyond the knot will either fail to leaf out or wilts suddenly.
Black knot is caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa, which infects trees in the spring, about the time of bud emergence. Spores are released following a period of warm, wet weather. Only a few hours of rainfall are needed for dispersal. Temperatures between 16 and 27 degrees C are ideal for dispersal, germination and infection. Spores are spread by splashing water, wind, insects and birds.
The noticeable black gall-like growths do not become evident until the next year in late summer to fall. The following spring after infection, the outer bark splits, revealing a yellow to olive green fungal growth. In late spring, as the knots begin to develop, growths are covered with olive green velvety tissue made up of spores and spore forming structures. Often, a diseased branch will bend sharply at the knot due to one-sided growth. Knots then develop very slowly and may appear as only small galls by the end of summer. The gall has a corky texture and becomes hardened and black. The black knot fungus overwinters in the knots, but gall enlargement ceases over the winter and resumes again in the spring when knots may then enlarge rapidly. Old knots enlarge every year and may range from 1/2" to 1 ft. in length. Duration of the disease cycle is usually 2 years. Fungus in old knots may invade other tissues to form new knots. The fungus can also spread internally. Branches will likely by girdled stopping the transport of water and nutrients, and dieback may occur. A branch may survive, but may have a large canker with a sunken center serving as an invasion point for other insects and diseases. Succulent new growth or wounded tissue is more commonly infected.
Control / Preventions:
Prune infected branches at least 4-6" beyond the gall. Prune trees when they are dormant, before March 1 or after they are done flowering. Sterilize tools between each cut using chlorine, bleach or alcohol. Knots are capable of producing spores after removal so burning, burying or removing infected branches from the site is necessary. Maintain healthy trees and avoid stress on the tree by watering and fertilizing when needed.
In fall when trees are dormant or in spring before bud break, apply a lime-sulphur spray according to the label. In spring, after pruning, spray tree with Captan, or a fungicide containing benomyl just before buds open. Repeat the application twice more at 7-10 day intervals. An application can be made at full bloom if the chemical used does not contain insecticides. Early spring spraying is important to protect new growth. During wet weather, apply fungicide every 3-5 days.
Chemicals are ineffective if cultural practices are not carried out. Black knot may require two to three years of management to bring it under control. Complete eradication is currently not possible.
For photos of Black Knot and more information, please visit this link:
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/black_knot/blacknot.htm |
