Nurseries question moth eradication efforts
Efforts to eradicate light brown apple moth (LBAM) are taking a financial toll on nurseries, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. Nursery owners are being asked to pay for stopgap eradication measures. Some companies have been forced to shut down temporarily. LBAM stunts or deforms young seedlings, spoils the appearance of ornamental plants and injures deciduous fruit tree crops, citrus and grapes.

USDA touts 'power trees'
Scientists at the U.S. Nat'l. Arboretum have spent the last 4 years studying trees that can stand up to the rigors of urban environments. The Power Trees Project identified cultivars that exhibited pest resistance and tolerance for environmental extremes. Trees that made the cut include Ulmus 'Frontier,' Prunus 'Dream Catcher' and Lagerstroemia 'Natchez.'

H-2B extension passes first hurdle
The Senate passed a 1-year extension last week to the H-2B guest-worker program. The extension is part of an appropriations bill, and now will head to the House of Representatives.

Drought worsens in Southeast
Communities in the Southeast have implemented stringent water conservation tactics to combat the worsening drought. Horticulture businesses are among the industries suffering from dry conditions.
• Tough choices. The New York Times
• Urgent actions. Asheville Citizen-Times
• Wilted industry. Gainesville Times
• Exceptional drought. NPR

Black-and-white dominate furniture market
Black-and-white color schemes dominated this month's Int'l. Home Furnishings Market, The Wall Street Journal reported. Manufacturers seem to be playing it safe, due to the lackluster housing market.

Holiday shoppers take conservative approach
Consumer spending will be a bit restrained this holiday season, according to a survey from Nat'l. Retail Federation. U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $816.69 on holiday-related shopping. Shoppers will spend an additional $106.67 on treats for themselves for a grand total of $923.36. This represents an increase of 3.7% from 2006 and is in line with NRF's economic forecast of 4% growth. "Shoppers will be a little more conservative with their spending as they become more aware of the softness in the economy," said NRF president and CEO Tracy Mullin. "It is safe to say that many retailers will be competing on price, causing this holiday season to be very promotional -- a tremendous win for consumers."

Organic nurseries are budding business
Organic plant growers are slowly gaining ground, San Francisco Chronicle reported. Several organic and sustainable programs have been launched to help nurseries and greenhouses produce environmentally friendly crops.

View from a blog
Tips on in-store demos from a fan. Open Register

Worth a visit
Retail consultant Robert Hendrickson presents a collection of Yogi Berra's classic observations that hopefully will help you make '08 your best year ever. Only on GreenBeam.com.