Arborists and Insect Control: Past, Present, and Future    (View PDF)

David G. Nielsen

Abstract: Arborists relied on cultural manipulation and plantsmanship more than insecticides to maintain healthy landscape trees and shrubs prior to the 1950's in the U.S. Availability of inexpensive and extremely effective synthetic organic insecticides, beginning after World War II, caused tree managers to rely more heavily on routine application of insecticides instead of tree health care methods to minimize pest damage. Arboriculture in the 21st century will employ proven tree health care tactics to enhance the urban forest while reducing pesticide exposure and risk to humans and other non-target organisms. Arborists and institutional researchers are encouraged to work together to develop sound scientific information on which to base cultural recommendations for improving tree health, thereby reducing maintenance costs associated with insect control.

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https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1983.003