DESCRIPTION
More than ever, green industry professionals are looking for new solutions that can help them better manage some
of the biggest landscape business expenses. Join us for this TDA/CEU workshop to learn about some of the latest
solutions for your landscaping business including:
• Science of paclobutrazol and the positive
impact on plant material.
• Using PGRs for the reduction of labor expenses
through reduced pruning/trimming spikes.
• Use of trinexpac-ethyl for turf management and the
benefits for growth, shade tolerance, and watering.
• Emerald ash borer best management practices
and application.
Weds, July 20th
8:30AM – 4PM CST
The Benny J. Simpson Ecopark
17360 Coit Rd
Dallas, TX 75252
RAINBOW ECOSCIENCE PRESENTS
TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE
EFFICIENCY AND ROI WORKSHOP

To register!
or give us a call at
877-272-6747
https://www.rainbowecoscience.com/education-and-training/events
Light Breakfast
Lunch
TDA CEUs Available

Agenda
8:30-9:00 am Registration / Sign In / Breakfast
9:00-9:10 am Introduction Jim Casey, Territory Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience
• Welcome
• Safety brief
• Housekeeping, photo / video
• Review the agenda for the day and expectations
• Introduction of guest speakers and Rainbow staff
9:10-10:10 am Science of Paclobutrazol
Cory McCurry, Midwest Arbologoist, Rainbow Ecoscience
Landscape maintenance operations are challenged by labor shortages, increasing client
expectations, and finding new ways to create enhancement opportunities. Plant growth
regulators are an innovative landscape management tool which reduces pruning,
enhances plant aesthetics, and offers opportunities for enhancement sales. During this
session we will discuss real life examples of plant growth regulator use in commercial
landscapes. By the conclusion of this talk attendees will be familiar with where plant
growth regulators can be used to save labor, improve plant health as an enhancement
service, and how to educate property owners.
Cory McCurry
Cory McCurry is a certified arborist with six years of field experience. He started as a
plant healthcare technician, became a Plant healthcare coordinator, and finally
becoming a consulting arborist in the north region of Chicago. He is excited to join the
team of values-based professionals at Rainbow. Cory holds a BS in Biology with a minor
in Chemistry. He is also a 2019 Davey institute of tree science graduate.
10:15- 11:15 am Justification Integrating Plant Growth Regulators into your business
Mark Lucas, National Account Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience
Landscape maintenance operations are challenged by labor shortages, increasing client
expectations, and finding new ways to create enhancement opportunities. Plant growth
regulators are an innovative landscape management tool which reduces pruning,
enhances plant aesthetics, and offers opportunities for enhancement sales. During this
session we will discuss real life examples of plant growth regulator use in commercial
landscapes. By the conclusion of this talk attendees will be familiar with where plant
growth regulators can be used to save labor, improve plant health as an enhancement
service, and how to educate property owners.
Mark Lucas
Mark Lucas, has over 34 years of green industry experience. He’s worked with Chapel
Valley as the Process Improvement Manager. He has also worked with Brickman Group
for over 30 years in various roles including National Account Manager, Branch Manager,
and Tree Manager. Mark is dedicated to providing training, technical support, client
service, and education to National Accounts across the country. He graduated from the
University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Environmental Conservation.
11:15-11:30am Break
11:30- 12:30 pm Trinexapac-Ethyl as a Tool for Reducing Turf Inputs and Building Stress Tolerance
Dr.Wherley, Professor of Turfgrass Management and Ecology in the Department of Soil
and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University
During this session we will be learning what is trinexapac-ethyl (TE)? We will be going
over how it is first used in turf and what plant growth regulator classification is, along
with the difference between type I VS II. We will discuss how TE works and the
application and more.
Dr.Wherley
Dr. Ben Wherley is Professor of Turfgrass Management and Ecology in the Department
of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University. He currently advises 3 graduate
students and oversees an active research program addressing best management
practices including irrigation, nutrient management, turfgrass weed control, and
construction practices. He also teaches 3 undergraduate courses in the Turfgrass
Science Program at Texas A&M. Wherley earned his PhD in Crop Science from N.C.
State University in 2008, and holds both MS in Horticulture & Crop Science and BS in
Agronomy from The Ohio State University. He has been lead author on 1 patent and 3
cultivar registrations, and has published numerous research articles in peer-reviewed
and turf industry trade journals including Crop Science, Agronomy Journal, HortScience,
GCM, and Turfgrass Trends. He has been invited speaker on turfgrass management
related issues at the Golf Industry Show, Texas Turfgrass Association, Texas GCSA
chapter meetings, as well as numerous state turfgrass association meetings outside of
Texas. Wherley is past recipient of the GCSAA Watson Fellowship (2005) and the Turf
Council of North Carolina’s Eagle Award (2007). Wherley and his wife, two sons, and
dog Ranger reside in College Station.
12:30-1:00 pm Break
1:00- 2:00 am Laws and Regulations Water and Pesticide Label
Dr. Bowling, Assistant Professor & Extension Urban Water Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife
– The Dallas Center Dept. Of Soil & Crop Sciences
This 1-hour laws and regulations program is designed for professionals working in
turfgrass and ornamental landscape systems. The class focuses on key sections of
pesticide labels (Environmental Hazards, Directions for Use, and Storage and Disposal)
and their relationship to water. Attendees will learn how to use label information to
simultaneously improve pesticide program efficacy while also protecting Texas water
resources and wildlife. Background on pesticide contamination and common
mechanisms for off-target movement will be covered.
Dr. Bowling
Dr. Bowling works closely with AgriLife County Extension Agents as well as Regional
Program Leaders and other Extension Specialists to provide programming on the topic
of water conservation in the urban landscape. This includes education on appropriate
plant selection, soil management to improve infiltration, and water use in residential
and commercial landscapes alike. As part of her Extension responsibilities, Dr. Bowling
will generate outreach materials through multiple platforms (social media, videos, and
written materials) to engage the Texas public in environmental stewardship to protect
precious water resources throughout the state.
2:15- 3:15 am Herd Immunity: Its Use and Benefit for Maintaining Ash in the Community Forest
John Ball, Professor of Forestry at South Dakota State University
Emerald ash borer has arguably been the most devastating invasive insect in the last 20
years since it was first found in Michigan in 2002 and is now confirmed in Dallas. As it
continues to spread to new communities, it becomes vital that municipalities have a
plan in place to effectively manage it. This presentation will discuss the impact of EAB,
sign/symptoms, determining municipal budget allocations, how to determine which
trees to target, and a toolbox approach to manage EAB.
John Ball
MS and PhD in Forest Entomology from Michigan State University where he worked on
Agrilus, currently Forest Health Specialist for the State of South Dakota and Professor of
Forestry at South Dakota State University.