Volume 2, Issue 1 January 2004 Steven Jay Porus, Publisher sjporus@unlaccess.com
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 ASLA Inducts 2004 President
She earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana Campus. An active member of ASLA since 1982, Jacobson was elected to the ASLA Council of Fellows in 1995 and has held numerous offices at both the state and national levels. In addition to her volunteer work with the Society, she has presented lectures for the Garden Clubs of Illinois, the University of Illinois, the Chicago Chapter of Women in Architecture, and area schools. She has served on the jury for the Indiana, Texas, and Vermont ASLA Chapters and for the University of Illinois student awards program.
ASLA also inducted Patrick A. Miller, Ph.D., FASLA, as president-elect for 2004 and three vice presidents to two-year terms: Karen C. Hanna, FASLA, vice president of education; John H. Nicolaus, ASLA, vice president of communication; and Amy L. Schneckenburger, FASLA, vice president of public affairs. Continuing service on the ASLA Executive Committee are: Paul F. Morris, FASLA, immediate past president; C. Edward Curtin, ASLA, vice president of finance; Don H. Brigham, Jr., ASLA, vice president of information and practice; and Sadik C. Artunc, FASLA, vice president of membership.
Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects representing 13,600 members of the profession. Landscape architecture is a comprehensive discipline of land analysis, planning, design, management, preservation, and rehabilitation. ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship.
 Dr. Victor A. Gibeault receives Southern California Turfgrass Foundation's Hall of Fame Award
Dr. Gibeault is a graduate of Rhode Island University where he earned both his B. S. and Masters Degrees. At RIU he worked under the tutelage of the late Dr. Richard Skogley. After completing his studies at Rhode Island, Dr. Gibeault spent a year at the Sports Turf Research Institute in Bengley, Yorkshire, England, where he worked on the control and understanding of Annual Bluegrass. He later earned his PhD from Oregon State University.
In 1969 Dr. Gibeault began his career as Cooperative Extension Specialist in Environmental Horticulture with the Botany and Plant Sciences Department of the University of California at Riverside working with the legendary Dr. Vic Younger, father of Santa Ana Bermudagrass. In this position, Dr. Gibeault's efforts were directed toward assisting with the development and improvement of man's planned landscape environment. In this position, he coordinated Turfgrass management programs by planning and implementing educational and applied research projects with County Advisors, other specialists and experimental station personnel as well as Turfgrass Industry organizations and individuals. He taught, trained, assisted and served as a teaching resource. He prepared, evaluated and edited numerous turfgrass articles. He maintained Turfgrass Industry databases and presented information at workshops, short courses and educational programs. He provided leadership to the UCR Turfgrass Research facility and was the, "Go-To" person for all manner of turfgrass information. Dr. Gibeault has consistently led one of the most effective programs of Extension Service Turfgrass education in the nation.
Perhaps one of Dr. Gibeault's finest recent accomplishments as the creation, along with Dr. Robert Green and UCR Agricultural Operations Superintendent Steve Cockerham, of the University of California, Riverside Turfgrass Research Advisory Committee (URCTRAC) This group of Turfgrass industry organizations meets regularly with University staff and provides not only private funding to assist University research projects but aids in the direction of the projects. The publication, "Better Turf Through Agronomics" is a direct result of this cooperative partnership of private and public organizations. It is anticipated that UCRTRAC will provide for long term research project funding for years to come.
A list of the numerous articles and publications authored, or co-authored by Dr. Gibeault is expensive. Likewise, his memberships in professional industry organizations is legion including The American Society for Agronomy, The American Sod Producer's Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Assn., the International Turfgrass Society and both the Northern & Southern California Turfgrass Councils.
Dr. Gibeault has contributed to so many turfgrass accomplishments that the Southern California Turfgrass Foundation believes that he richly deserves this honor. While his retirement has been earned with meritorious service, his good counsel will surely be missed. However, it is believed that his many programs and contributions, especially URCTRAC will live on in testimony to his efforts and ability.
It is with great pleasure and pride that the Foundation honors Dr. Victor A. Gibeault with his induction into the Southern California Turfgrass Foundation Hall of Fame.
The Southern California Turfgrass Foundation is a non-profit organization set up to provide financial support for Turfgrass research and education in Southern California. In this mission, the Foundation has dispersed over $100,000 in grants and financial aid to turfgrass projects.
In 1997, the Foundation initiated The Southern California Turfgrass Hall of Fame Award to recognize individuals and organizations that have made substantial contributions to the Turfgrass Industry, particularly in Southern California, and to express the Industry's gratitude for a significant or lifetime of achievement.
 Soil Amendments for Landscape Installation
If your soil report indicates a high amount of sodium you will likely see a recommendation for an application and incorporation of gypsum (CaSO4). Gypsum or calcium sulfate is commonly used as a source of calcium in the reclamation of sodic soils (soils with high sodium). When soil has a high amount of adsorbed sodium it causes a loss of soil aggregates, and in turn a reduction or loss of open pore spaces. Without the pore space between the soil particles air and water movement through the soil is reduced, plant health and vigor declines. The calcium in gypsum helps you in the removal the sodium by bumping the sodium molecule off the soil particle allowing the sodium to be leached from the soil root zone. In some high clay landscape soil situations you my not be able to get adequate leaching to allow the sodium to be removed from the root zone. Under this situation you may need to consider adding sub-surface drainage to the area and adding organic amendments to open the soil, allowing water and air movement. If the soil report shows alkaline (high pH) soils you need to look at the application of elemental sulfur application. Elemental sulfur is much easier and safer to apply pre-plant avoiding possible damage to existing turf or ornamentals. Your soil test will determine if sulfur is needed and how much should be applied to bring your pH to a level that will allow healthy plant growth. Use your soil laboratory yearly to check on the progress of your landscape and apply materials as recommended to keep you landscape healthy for years to come.
 Xyella Fastidiosa, a scorch disease in trees
Soon the bacteria spread to the freeway oleanders from Palm Springs to San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, LA counties and the disease continues to spread. The primary vector are sucking insects particularly the glassy winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata. The disease expresses itself in Oleanders by scorching the leaf tips, then margins and finally causing the dieback of branches to the ground. The bacteria infest the Xylem tissue, water transport system, clogging or blocking the water flow. On days that are hot or dry, sufficient water cannot reach the leaf tissue causing scorching and dieback of leaf and branch tissue. A different strain of Xyella fastidiosa is responsible for Pierce's disease in grapes. Currently it can be found in backyard grapes in Riverside County. In 1892 50,000 - 60,000 acres of grapes were lost in Orange County to Anaheim's disease. Later Xyella fastidiosa would be discovered as the pathogen. Sims' has been following the spread of Xyella. Sims and Ferrin have been testing symptomatic trees finding Xyella in various ornamentals. Liquidambar seems to be the hardest hit tree so far. Olive trees are affected but stress such as heavy pruning or relocation is important in the incidence of Xyella. Following is a list of other ornamentals found with Xyella. We found Xyella in avocado last November but were unable to reproduce it in spring. Currently a cure is unknown. Bactericides applied strong enough to kill the Xyella also will kill plant tissue. Sims is researching holistic and elemental treatments. The most promising requires treatments prior to disease that builds the plants immune system. Plant species and varieties vary greatly in their susceptibility. The most obvious are grapes some varieties die quickly within one season while others are very resistant. Sims at (909) 685-6662, FAX (909) 685-2267 or E-Mail Tree-RX@Simstlc.com
 SCTC Hot Topic Seminars
The second seminar titled: Water Management
will be on Thursday, March 4, 2004, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Sequoia Conference Center, 7530 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, California. A $50.00 Advance Registration before 2/5/04. After 2/5/04 $65.00 Onsite Fee Applies. Rates are per person, per day. Registration is transferable if you cannot attend, however there will be NO REFUNDS.
CLICK HERE to register online at www.turfcouncil.org
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The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has inducted Susan L.B. Jacobson, FASLA, as its president for 2004. Jacobson is the founder and owner of Bartells/Jacobson Design, a private design firm located in Glen Ellyn, IL, a suburb of Chicago. A successful landscape architect in private and public practice since 1978, she opened her own firm in 1990, specializing in public works, parks and recreation, and commercial landscape architecture projects.
The Board of Directors of the Southern California Turfgrass Foundation presented the 2004 Turfgrass Hall of Fame award to Dr. Victor A. Gibeault of the University of California Cooperative Extension Service during the Southern California Turfgrass and Landscape Institute program in Ontario, California. Dr. Gibeault, who is retiring at the end of the year, has been a major contributor to the turfgrass industry for over 30 years. Dr. Gibeault is a quiet and friendly person who enjoys working with all members of the Green Industry in an effort to improve industry conditions and professionalism. He is always ready to help.
Proper preparation of soils for landscape installation can assist you in maintaining healthy and productive landscapes. Before we can make a determination of what soil amendments could be beneficial in your landscape you need a soil test. Your pest control advisor or fertilizer supplier will likely have a relationship with a laboratory and can assist you in processing samples for testing. It is a good idea to ask for recommendations from the laboratory to help you in making effective soil amendment decisions. This is the same recommendation for landscape maintenance, however, getting the soil amended properly prior to installation is easier and more effective. This test should determine soil pH, nutrient levels, salts, and if you have a texture analysis performed you can determine the type of soil you are dealing with. Sandy soils will have difficulty holding water and nutrients, and can be amended with organic materials that will help hold moisture and nutrients. Clay soils may have problems with drainage and can be amended with materials to open up the soil to improve drainage and air movement. Please review your soil texture with your landscape supplier and incorporate only quality organic amendments to the turf and planting beds. These materials should be well composted and free from weeds. The use of steer manure should be avoided due to possible high sodium content and a short effective residual. 
Oleander leaf scorch that has decimated large quantities of oleanders was identified September 1995 in Rancho Mirage, CA. Dr. Stoner of Cal Poly Pomona knew "something was going on with Oleanders in the Palm Springs area" long before Sims was called to Rancho Mirage. Remembering Dr. Stoners words Sims brought Marcia Greybus, at that time a new pathologist with UCR. Others contacted at the same time were Mike Henry, UC cooperative extension, and Dr. Fred Roth, of Cal Poly, Pomona. Sims, Marcia Greybus and Mike Henry teamed up to collect and investigate the desert Oleander problem. Scorch was found and both Marcia and Fred made identical identification of the bacteria Xyella Fastidiosa. 
Co-sponsored by the Southern California Turfgrass Council and University of California Cooperative Extension, Hot Topic Seminars address important issues facing Southern California. Each seminar has 4.0 PCA/QAL/QAC's; .4 GCSAA PDU's; & 4.0 ISA Hours requested. The first seminar titled: Firescaping and Erosion Control will be on Wednesday, February 11, 2004, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the University of California Riverside Extension Center - Conference Room, 1200 University Avenue, Riverside, California. Firescaping and Erosion Control will also be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2004, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, Mandalay Beach, 2100 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard, California.