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nafex - [NAFEX] Claypool Persimmon Orchard - A call for help...

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  • From: mangodance <bmn@iglou.com>
  • To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [NAFEX] Claypool Persimmon Orchard - A call for help...
  • Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:23:57 -0500

Jerry's post regarding all the twig girdler damage at Claypool's Orchard was disheartening. But, I think we can have an impact. Jerry and I have been in contact regarding what can be done. Below is our tentative plan. We need YOUR help in a number of ways.

1) We're planning to get a number of volunteers on site in St. Elmo, IL to do some damage to the twig girdler population. I'm searching for local scout troops, FFA, and other leads on anyone we can get. The plan is to set up some fire barrels and round up the fallen twigs. (see #2 below for why). Additionally, if we have the people and equipment, we hope to do some cleanup mowing and such.

2) Twig girdlers: In case this beetle is new to you, here's the thumbnail sketch. Younger twigs are girdled (usually before a fork) by adult beetles in late summer to early fall. They then lay eggs in the outer part. This outer part of the twig will drop to the ground eventually. What happens in the outer portion of the twig is that the eggs hatch, larvae feed and grow and then by late spring to early summer, pupate. They emerge as adults in the late summer to early fall and the cycle continues. The critical point in disrupting this is to gather up all of the twigs which have fallen (and any that have been girdled but not yet fallen) and burn them. This will burn any larvae/pupae that will be using the twigs to grow into adults.

3) We can put a real dent in this, but we need warm bodies ( and maybe some folks who can haul in barrels and a mower or three). The Claypool Persimmon Orchard is an important historical fruit collection that suffers from neglect. Jim Claypool has always used this orchard for the public good and I believe this should be reciprocated. We are at a point in history when these historic orchards are under threat from a variety of pressures and many have been lost. Sorry for the soapbox, but Jerry's description of the damage in the orchard is alarming...but not irreversable. If we can rustle up enough folks, this could be done in a matter of a few hours. Additionally, there will be knowledgible folks on hand to field persimmon questions, science, etc. Your volunteer efforts for a day can have far-reaching benefits.

PLEASE give this some consideration. I'll update when we can give some specifics. And, if any of you hold any sway over groups of people, and think you can mobilize, PLEASE contact me ASAP.

Thanks for reading. Please help spread the word.













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