TEE TO GREEN Published monthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association BIDRIN AND DUTCH ELM DISEASE . . . During recent weeks considerable propaganda and publicity has been released in regards to the Dutch Elm Di sease and a new Pesticide “ Bidrin” . No doubt many members have approached you with such comments as “ No need to lose any more elm trees” ; “ There is now a control for the Dutch Elm Disease” ; “ Well, I guess the rest of our elm trees are safe” , etc., etc. Apparently many people believe that we now have a cure-all. Such is not the c a s e - - - a ll is not rosy. Thus, to keep you informed and allow you to answer some of those ques­ tions, le t’ s list a few facts concerning Bidrin and the Dutch Elm Disease. Bidrin is an Organophosphate Insecticide possess­ ing a high degree of systemic activity in plants. It is not a fungicide and w ill not arrest or control the Dutch Elm Disease once a tree becomes infected. Bidrin is known chemically as Dimethyl Phosphate of 3-Hydroxy N, N - Dimethyl -Cis-Crotonam ide (you reel off that name to your committee and members and it will floor them). A systemic insecticide is one that is assimilated into the vascular system and transported throughout the plant. The United States Department of Agriculture has approved Bidrin for the control of the Small European Elm Bark Beetle; not for the control of Dutch Elm Disease. At present Bidrin is manufactured by the Shell Chemical Company and is restricted from use by laymen. It is available only to personnel who have been speci­ fically trained for the use by the Shell Chemical Com­ pany, or its: duly authorized representative. Bidrin is not recommended by Cornell University, New York Extension Service, or Rutgers University for 1965. There is a short supply of Bidrin, so actually only a small number of elm trees will be treated this season. It will be necessary to wait two to three years to prove its effectiveness against Dutch Elm Disease in this area. Cornell, the Extension Service, and Shell Chemical Company recommended that the previous practices be continued, namely spraying, sanitation, and removing and burning of diseased wood. Most of the research and testing of Bidrin has been in the midwest and against the Small European Bark Beetle. Practically no work in the northeast, nor against the native European Bark Beetle. Some of the disadvantages of Bidrin: 1. Highly toxic-esp ecially dangerous to applicator. 2. Toxic to plants if improperly applied. Lim its of tolerance slight. Can kill the tree with overdosage. If implanted in a diseased tree, will hasten its death. 3. Requires special equipment and clothing. 4. Requires trained personnel. 5. Good only for specific insects, such as sucking insects. 6. Short residual-thirty days. 7. Need apply in order to be effective at the time of active feeding of the Small European Bark Beetle. 10 days prior to and not later than 10 days after bud break. 8. Many technicalities involved in determining proper dosage, such as: Height of tree, trunk of tree, density of foliage, diameter of tree (cannot treat trees under 8” in diameter), crown spread of tree, location of tree (pavement or building interfere), balance of tree and condition or health of tree Some of the advantages of Bidrin: 1. If proper precautions are taken during implantation of Bidrin insecticide, it is a very safe chemical to use as it is not being dispersed freely in the air by a sprayer or mist blow nor spread on the ground for animals and human beings to come in contact with. 2. If proper dosages are correctly applied it is very effective insecticide reaching all areas of the tree which is almost physically impossible with a power sprayer or mist blower. In summary, Bidrin is a very promising systemic insecticide, but due to supply and technicalities in­ volved will not be widely used this season; but will be tested and closely watched this year, and no doubt w ill be the insecticide for future use. At present it is not the panecea against the Dutch Elm Disease. We en­ courage you to continue with your present program of spraying and sanitation. P.S. APRIL PRESIDENT’ S MESSAGE How do you like our new look? We hope that it meets with your approval and that vou will be looking forward to receiving “ Tee to Green’ each month. It is just one of the many plans that your Executive Committee ap­ proved at their recent meeting and have in store for you for the coming year. It is a new endeavor on our part, so as in all new ventures, we w ill probably make a few mistakes. As time goes on we hope that your pint-sized bulletin will improve. We plan to include in this pamphlet anything that will be of interest to you: occasional messages from the Officers and Committees; news items of the Golf Courses; what is happening in neighboring associations; notice of our own forthcoming meetings; articles of interest; and anything else that may benefit the association and YOU. In order to make this a success we need your whole­ hearted support. We w ill welcome any and all contributions fevery one of you have some maintenance practice or some little trick that would be of interest or benefit to the rest of us. Even if you just “ Sound Off” , get in touch with Herb Waterous or Sherwood M oore---w e are most re­ ceptive. Remember, this association is not run by one person or a group of two or three people, but by every member of the association. So when we say support, we really mean it---co m e out to the meetings, join in the discussions, have your say, and enjoy good fellowship. Those of you who did not turn out forthgJVlarch meeting at Hudson River C.C. hosted by