Paul Pugliese grew up on a family-owned and operated Hereford/Angus beef cattle farm in Kingston, GA. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture, with a minor in Biology, from Berry College, Rome, GA in 2001, and a Master’s degree in Plant Protection and Pest Management (MPPPM) from the University of Georgia in 2003. He worked with the Georgia Department of Agriculture in Atlanta for 3 years in the Plant Protection Division as a state-wide program manager over plant health inspections, live plant licenses, and plant export certifications. In June 2009 he became a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture and has worked for ten years as an Agriculture and Natural Resources County Extension Agent for UGA Extension in Cherokee County (2006-2011) and Bartow County (2011-Present). Paul is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture; the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals; the National Association of County Agricultural Agents; the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association; the Georgia Farm Bureau; and the Georgia Green Industry Association.
The Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides on Landscape Trees and Shrubs. Extension agents have noted a lack of understanding by arborists, green industry professionals, and homeowners about modes of action of herbicides, their environmental fate, and potential herbicide injury that may be caused by soil mobility of phenoxy herbicides. This presentation focuses on the potential for phenoxy herbicides to affect non-target trees and woody ornamentals in landscape settings due to poor application choices. This is an issue that’s commonly encountered in the landscape industry, as seen by numerous plant samples submitted to local Extension offices diagnosed with phenoxy herbicide injury. The purpose of this presentation is to raise awareness about this important issue and provide practical tips on avoiding potential damage and liability.
