Highlights: August 2006 Show

King Family Vineyard
Guest: David King, owner
6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, VA 22932
kingfamilyvineyards.com
434.823.7800

King Family Vineyard is a family owned and operated business west of Charlottesville. In addition to daily wine tastings, polo can be enjoyed on Sunday afternoons and the property can be rented for hosting weddings and other special events.

Five varieties of grapes are grown on 15 acres of vineyard.

Smart-Dyson Ballerina style trellising is a divided canopy system that allows the canopy growth to go vertically upward and the remaining canopy downward. This trellising method provides a greater leaf area then traditional trellising. This increased leaf area provides for more photosynthesis, thus greater production of quality fruit.

Selective pruning of vines promotes good air circulation which dries fruit after rain or dew, and lowers the humidity level around the fruit. This provides a less favorable environment for fungal diseases.

Oak Decline in Virginia
Guest: Jason Anderson–Bartlett Tree Experts
804.261.4890
bartlett.com

Many of the recent oak deaths in central Virginia can be attributed to environmental, mechanical and natural plant stress.

Prior to 2005, central Virgina experienced three drought summers and two excessively wet falls. These factors have had a detrimental effect on many mature trees.

S.O.D. - Sudden Oak Death, caused by Phytophtera ramorum, has not been diagnosed on oaks in Virginia, but has caused problems with oak and other plants on the West Coast of the United States.

Homeowners need to keep an eye on their trees for mechanical damage to the trunks, signs of insects infestation and compaction around tree roots from diveways and construction activity.

Ambrosia beetles and other borers can infest a weakened tree. Adjacent trees can be protected in residential properites if caught early.

Arborists are certified United States by the International Society of Arboriculture, visit www.isa-arbor.com.