Dave Roberts

Dr. Dave Roberts

Dr. Roberts has researched many issues in Michigan’s plant industry, including Oak Wilt, Dutch Elm Disease, and Diplodia Tip Blight of Pines, along with a variety of cultural problems such as plant nutrition and herbicide toxicity. During his career, he has discovered a variety of new diseases and pests such as Phomopsis Canker of Spruce and the first bacterial wilt disease of turfgrasses in North America.

In the early 2000s, his research on Ash Decline in Southeast Michigan led to the discovery of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer in North America.  In his retirement, Dr. Roberts intends to remain active with the Green Industry. Dr. Roberts is President, CEO and CBW (Chief Bottle Washer) of The Plant Doctor, LLC…aka the Tree Doctor.  

The Plant Doctor, LLC

Oak Wilt Management by the Glyphosate/Stump Cup Procedure

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Oak Wilt is exploding in Michigan for a variety of reasons. The Glyphosate/Stump Cup procedure, created by the presenter, is rapidly proving to be the least invasive, most economical, most effective, and most environmentally friendly method compared to other Oak Wilt remediation procedures. The Glyphosate/Stump Cup procedure has been demonstrated to be highly efficacious in such diverse situations as Michigan’s Critical Dunes, Woodlands and Forests, and Residential Landscapes. Several attributes about this procedure are encouraging.

Close Encounters of the Herbicide Kind

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Plants sometimes decline and/or die for no apparent reason. Differentiation of the plethora of plant problems we encounter in our landscapes may be quite challenging. Sometimes the causal factors are not pests and diseases. Herbicides are, perhaps, the most poorly understood input in our management of landscapes….especially because our clientele, the public, are often involved in their (mis)application. And when herbicide misapplications occur, they can be “Humdingers”. Accurately diagnosing Herbicide Kerfuffles requires some basic in-field tests, which will be shared in this program.