Unveiling Vascular Streak Dieback: Insights, Surveys, and Solutions

Jennifer Gray • April 16, 2024

This webinar dives into the emerging nursery problem of Vascular Streak Dieback (VSD). In this session, experts will provide a comprehensive overview, sharing insights gleaned from surveys, research updates, and practical management strategies. From understanding the timeline of recognition to discussing the fungus associated with VSD, its range of hosts, and symptoms, our speakers will cover it all. Delve into the latest research findings on identifying causal agents, fungicide efficacy trials, and cultivar screening. Whether you're a nursery owner, researcher, or simply interested in plant health, this webinar offers valuable knowledge and a platform for addressing your queries. Join us as we tackle VSD head-on and explore effective management approaches to safeguard woody ornamentals.

VSD: Introduction to an emerging nursery problem

Discover the timeline of VSD in North America, the fungus associated with VSD, the range of plant hosts on which it has been found, internal and external symptoms, and look-alike diseases.

Devin Bily



VSD of Woody Ornamentals in Virginia

The presentation will discuss the results of the two-year survey conducted by VDACS, and symptoms associated with plants that tested positive for C. theobromae.

Katy Kilbourne


Multi-State VSD survey

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has partnered with several states for a cooperative VSD nursery and environs survey. Identification of this pest within the plant trade assists with keeping populations geographically confined and determining population density and host range.

Fulya Baysal-Gurel


VSD Research Update

VSD is an emerging is an emerging threat to the woody ornamental industry. This session addresses the research updates regarding identification of the causal agent/s of the VSD, fungicide efficacy trials and redbud cultivar screening. Finally, best management practices for VSD will be discussed


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Bee Banquet in the Sky: Trees and Shrubs for Urban Pollinator Conservation

By Jennifer Gray • October 12, 2026
Urban landscapes can be important refuges for native bees and other pollinators. This talk covers why bees are critical for biodiversity and food security, why bee populations are declining, and how the gardening public can help by incorporating woody landscape plants to provide nectar, pollen, nesting sites and materials, and other resources. Following a brief overview of pollination ecology, we’ll “meet the bees”, and then discuss recent HRI-funded research that identified top native and non-native “bee magnets” amongst woody ornamental plants. The talk also explains why artificial bee “hotels” can become death traps and suggests better ways to create bee nesting sites through ordinary gardening practices. Attendees will receive PDF handouts and other information helpful for teaching others about the best trees and shrubs for bee conservation.
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A Biological Plot Twist: Can an Adventive Parasitoid Protect Boxwood?

By Jen Gray • August 12, 2026
CABI and USDA APHIS are collaborating on the biological control of the box tree moth using parasitoids from Asia. Several parasitoid species are currently under consideration for introduction into North America and Europe. One of these parasitoids arrived in Europe on its own and has begun controlling the moth on both planted trees and in wild boxwood stands. The webinar will describe the spread and impact of this adventive parasitoid in Europe and present efforts to assess the potential of this species and others as biological control agents in North America.
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HRI Leadership Academy Selects Class of 2027

By Jennifer Gray • June 30, 2026
Meet the HRI Leadership Academy Class of 2027. This intensive year-long program equips green industry leaders with strategic insight and business acumen.
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