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.
[NAFEX] Claypool Persimmon Orchard - A call for help...,
mangodance, 03/17/2006