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University of Massachusetts Amherst Virtual Tour

Are you considering university of massachusetts amherst take a virtual tour of the campus below..

A visit to UMass Amherst is ideal, but virtual tours can act to refresh your memory or as a preview for your on-site tour.

Why a Virtual Tour?

Inevitably, on-campus tours of classrooms, libraries, dorms, and dining halls will start to blend. Jog your memory using the virtual tour and even explore the area surrounding the campus using the interactive mapping tool. If you're just beginning your college search, a virtual tour can be a great way to get a feel for a campus before your visit. Remember, when you do go, be sure to ask current students about their college life. A student perspective can be the most helpful way to gauge your future experience at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Use the resources below to start your virtual tour.

Using the Map

Click and drag the little orange person to a location on the map. Locations with panoramas appear as blue lines or blue dots when moving the orange person. The blue dots are panoramic views that you may swivel. The blue lines are paths that you can navigate along.

Panoramic View

You can "pan" or "swivel" the camera around by clicking on the image and dragging your mouse or finger. If you see a white arrow on the picture, you can click or tap on it to move in the direction of the arrow. This will also update the location of the little orange person on the map so you can get a better sense of where you are and what direction you are facing.

Continue Your Research on UMass Amherst

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umass amherst campus tour

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UMass Amherst Campus Profile

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Nestled in one of America’s most iconic college towns, UMass Amherst is ranked as one of the nation’s top public research universities.

UMass Amherst at a Glance

With more than 28,000 students and over 200 distinct academic programs - including highly ranked programs in business, computer science, health care and the social sciences - UMass Amherst is the largest public research university in New England and one of the most comprehensive institutions in the Northeast.

World-Class Faculty

UMass Amherst’s world-class faculty are renowned experts in their fields, bringing new and groundbreaking discoveries directly to the classroom and providing students with the type of hands-on research experience that sets them apart from their peers. In fact, 11 UMass Amherst researchers were named the World's Leading Scientific Minds on Clarivate Analytics' 2018 list of "Highly Cited Researchers", a list of the top 1% of researchers around the world in science, and is one of the nation’s top producers of both Fulbright Scholars and Fulbright student recipients.

The Commonwealth Honors College

For the most competitive students at UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth Honors College — the university’s highly selective residential honors college — gives talented students opportunities for analysis, research, leadership development and international experience.

Inclusive Culture

UMass Amherst has a rich history of supporting social justice and efforts to improve diversity, equity and inclusion on campus. Its LGBTQ+ and women’s centers were among the first established in the nation, and the campus is ranked as one of the best in the country for LGBT+ students.

umass amherst campus tour

Competitive Athletics

With 21 NCAA Division I teams, the UMass Amherst Minutemen and Minutewomen compete at the highest levels nationally.

Proven Value

UMass Amherst is consistently ranked among the 100 “Best College Values” in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, a testament to the UMass commitment to affordability. It also excels in its specific program offerings.

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UMass Amherst seeks students who will bring their unique strengths and diverse talents to the campus. The university conducts an individualized review of applications with careful consideration of a student's academic achievements, personal qualities, and motivation.

umass amherst campus tour

Browse Academic Programs

With more than 100 major subject areas leading to bachelor's degrees, 77 master’s and 48 doctoral programs, UMass Amherst offers a vast array of educational opportunities for full and part-time students, both on and off campus.

umass amherst campus tour

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Admission & Financial Aid Campus Visits: Information Sessions & Campus Tours

Section navigation, interested in visiting campus.

a tour group walks past the Beneski Museum of Natural History

  • First, read about our visiting options below.
  • Next, check out our calendar of information sessions and campus tours.
  • Then, sign up online for the information session and campus tour option of your choice. (Groups of 10 or more should submit the group visit form )

REGISTER FOR ON-CAMPUS VISIT

Visiting Options

We love having visitors on campus! We encourage you to visit Amherst to see the campus for yourself and meet our students, staff and professors. There are several ways to visit us:

Scheduled Visits

Each of our scheduled visits starts with a one-hour information session (presented by an admission dean) followed immediately by a one-hour campus tour (led by a student tour guide), a sequence that is designed to maximize the value of your time with us. All visits begin at the Office of Admission at 220 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. The Office of Admission is open to visitors from 8:30am - 4:30pm on weekdays. We recommend arriving at least fifteen minutes before the start of your scheduled visit.

On some dates, only an information session or a tour may be offered, so be sure to check the registration schedule for the date you're planning to visit. For groups of 10 or larger, don't forget to fill out our group visit form .

Self-Guided Tours

If you will be visiting our campus at a time when student-led tours are not offered, you can access our interactive campus map , follow our online virtual tour or pick up our self-guided tour map, available in the visitor information box outside the front door of the Admission Office.

Financial Aid Information Sessions - Virtual Only

Want to learn more about our approach to financial aid, including our commitment to meeting the full calculated need of every admitted student with a no-loan financial aid package? Then be sure to sign up for a virtual Financial Aid Information Session with one of our financial aid deans. 

As you plan your visit...

Some additional important items of interest for visiting students and their families:

  • Location and Hours : The Office of Admission is located at 220 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002. We are open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. We have limited hours on selected Saturdays from August through November.
  • Parking : There are several parking spaces for visitors directly in front of the Admission building, but you may also park in the lot behind the Admission building; anywhere along the long, semicircular driveway between Orr Hockey Rink and South Pleasant Street/Route 116; in the Orr Hockey Rink lot at the south entrance of the driveway; or on Hitchcock Road, running perpendicular to South Pleasant Street/Route 116 directly across from the south entrance of the driveway. On particularly busy days, should all those areas be full, additional parking may be found in the lot behind Alumni House. Upon exiting our semicircular driveway, turn right onto South Pleasant Street/Route 116, proceed to the traffic light, turn right onto College Street/Route 9, take the first left turn onto Seelye Street and proceed to the parking lot on your left. From the Alumni House parking lot, the Office of Admission is a ten-minute walk across campus. (If you should receive a parking ticket while parked on the Amherst College campus, please bring it to the Admission receptionist and we will take care of it for you!)

View our Virtual Campus Tour

Can’t make it to campus in person? Join three Amherst students — Alexandre, Clara and Lauren — to explore our beautiful campus and learn more about academic and student life in our extraordinary college community. And hear our summer student interns talk about their experiences at Amherst.

Campus Tour Video

WELCOME TO AMHERST COLLEGE

Join three Amherst students — Alexandre, Clara and Lauren — to explore our beautiful campus and learn more about academic and student life in our extraordinary college community.

Admission Summer Conversations

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

Our summer interns talk about their experiences at Amherst. They discuss making Amherst a second home, orientation activities, first-year seminar & open curriculum, student support resources, and affinity groups and clubs.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst Transfers: 2024 Requirements, Dates, GPAs & More

How effective are university of massachusetts-amherst virtual tours.

It depends how you use them. University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a hustling, bustling campus and community. The beauty of University of Massachusetts-Amherst virtual tours on CampusReel is that authentic video tours, made by real students, can be spectacular at capturing the University of Massachusetts-Amherst vibe. We also go well beyond the confines of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst campus by taking you around Amherst. In traditional virtual tours, you will mostly see still, unengaging images and will not see the surrounding area at all – which is why CampusReel virtual tours are so important.

Can a University of Massachusetts-Amherst virtual tour replace a traditional in-person visit?

If you cannot visit University of Massachusetts-Amherst in person, then we can honestly say that we believe a CampusReel virtual tour of University of Massachusetts-Amherst is absolutely the most effective and holistic way to understand the University of Massachusetts-Amherst people, campus and community. However, if you do plan on visiting University of Massachusetts-Amherst and other colleges in person, we strongly recommend that you at least prescreen your college options on CampusReel before spending the time and money to visit. Most prospective families find that as soon as the step on campus, they instantly know whether or not they like the school – but they’ve already spent all that time and money getting there! Our goal is to eliminate all the time and money visiting University of Massachusetts-Amherst in person until you can make a strong educated guess that it’s worth the investment.

What places can I virtually tour at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?

For your convenience, below is a list of University of Massachusetts-Amherst places you can virtually tour on CampusReel.

  • Chi Omega at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Whitmore Administration Building at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Mackimmie Hall at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Goodell Hall at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Berkshire Dining Commons at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Morrill Science Center at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Blue Wall at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • W. E. B. Du Bois Library at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Commonwealth Honors College at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Lederle Graduate Research Center at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Berkshire Dining at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Mullins Center at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • University of Massachusetts Integrative Learning Center at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Haigis Mall at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Downtown Amherst Contradance at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

What are the downsides of a University of Massachusetts-Amherst virtual tour?

The downside of virtually touring University of Massachusetts-Amherst on CampusReel is that, admittedly, our technology does not yet mimic the exact feeling and experience of visiting University of Massachusetts-Amherst in person. We are working on this though! A common request we also receive from users is to add more perspectives (e.g. student guides) to the platform. Rest assured we are working on adding more CampusReel guides to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst virtual tour. However, our selection of guides still far outweighs the available perspectives of traditional virtual tour platforms.

What are the benefits of a University of Massachusetts-Amherst virtual tour?

The most obvious benefit of a University of Massachusetts-Amherst virtual tour on CampusReel is that is can be accessed from anywhere. This can save families a lot of time and money compared to visiting University of Massachusetts-Amherst in person . Another often overlooked benefit of a CampusReel virtual tour is that it goes far beyond a traditional in person tour University of Massachusetts-Amherst . Campus visits are limited both in time and scope – how are you expected to truly understand a college in a 1 hour tour? That’s why we stress the added benefit of CampusReel virtual tours – experience University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Amherst during different seasons, days of the week, and even hours of the day. What’s game day like? What is finals week life? Again, traditional virtual touring platforms don’t include this benefit.

Check out these related virtual tours:

  • Virtal tour to Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
  • Virtal tour to UCLA
  • Virtal tour to Boston University (BU)
  • Virtal tour to University of Florida (UF)
  • Virtal tour to The University of Texas at Austin (UT)
  • Virtal tour to University of Southern California (USC)
  • Virtal tour to Harvard University
  • Virtal tour to UC Berkeley
  • Virtal tour to New York University (NYU)

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Admission & Financial Aid Campus Visits: Information Sessions & Campus Tours

Section navigation, interested in visiting campus.

a tour group walks past the Beneski Museum of Natural History

  • First, read about our visiting options below.
  • Next, check out our calendar of information sessions and campus tours.
  • Then, sign up online for the information session and campus tour option of your choice. (Groups of 10 or more should submit the group visit form )

REGISTER FOR ON-CAMPUS VISIT

Visiting Options

We love having visitors on campus! We encourage you to visit Amherst to see the campus for yourself and meet our students, staff and professors. There are several ways to visit us:

Scheduled Visits

Each of our scheduled visits starts with a one-hour information session (presented by an admission dean) followed immediately by a one-hour campus tour (led by a student tour guide), a sequence that is designed to maximize the value of your time with us. All visits begin at the Office of Admission at 220 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. The Office of Admission is open to visitors from 8:30am - 4:30pm on weekdays. We recommend arriving at least fifteen minutes before the start of your scheduled visit.

On some dates, only an information session or a tour may be offered, so be sure to check the registration schedule for the date you're planning to visit. For groups of 10 or larger, don't forget to fill out our group visit form .

Self-Guided Tours

If you will be visiting our campus at a time when student-led tours are not offered, you can access our interactive campus map , follow our online virtual tour or pick up our self-guided tour map, available in the visitor information box outside the front door of the Admission Office.

Financial Aid Information Sessions - Virtual Only

Want to learn more about our approach to financial aid, including our commitment to meeting the full calculated need of every admitted student with a no-loan financial aid package? Then be sure to sign up for a virtual Financial Aid Information Session with one of our financial aid deans. 

As you plan your visit...

Some additional important items of interest for visiting students and their families:

  • Location and Hours : The Office of Admission is located at 220 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002. We are open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. We have limited hours on selected Saturdays from August through November.
  • Parking : There are several parking spaces for visitors directly in front of the Admission building, but you may also park in the lot behind the Admission building; anywhere along the long, semicircular driveway between Orr Hockey Rink and South Pleasant Street/Route 116; in the Orr Hockey Rink lot at the south entrance of the driveway; or on Hitchcock Road, running perpendicular to South Pleasant Street/Route 116 directly across from the south entrance of the driveway. On particularly busy days, should all those areas be full, additional parking may be found in the lot behind Alumni House. Upon exiting our semicircular driveway, turn right onto South Pleasant Street/Route 116, proceed to the traffic light, turn right onto College Street/Route 9, take the first left turn onto Seelye Street and proceed to the parking lot on your left. From the Alumni House parking lot, the Office of Admission is a ten-minute walk across campus. (If you should receive a parking ticket while parked on the Amherst College campus, please bring it to the Admission receptionist and we will take care of it for you!)

View our Virtual Campus Tour

Can’t make it to campus in person? Join three Amherst students — Alexandre, Clara and Lauren — to explore our beautiful campus and learn more about academic and student life in our extraordinary college community. And hear our summer student interns talk about their experiences at Amherst.

Campus Tour Video

WELCOME TO AMHERST COLLEGE

Join three Amherst students — Alexandre, Clara and Lauren — to explore our beautiful campus and learn more about academic and student life in our extraordinary college community.

Admission Summer Conversations

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

Our summer interns talk about their experiences at Amherst. They discuss making Amherst a second home, orientation activities, first-year seminar & open curriculum, student support resources, and affinity groups and clubs.

2024 Accounting Young Alumnus of the Year: Nick Markey '13

March 22, 2024.

Nick Markey

When Nick Markey arrived at Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Boston offices as a new hire, he didn’t have trouble creating a space for himself within such a large and complex environment. His experience at The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management had prepared him well.

“UMass is a very big place,” says Markey. “What you’re looking for isn’t going to jump out and say ‘here I am.’ You have to actively search for what you’re trying to find. At Deloitte it’s similar; we have somewhere between two and three thousand employees in the Boston offices alone. There are so many opportunities and paths to explore. But you must go out and navigate the system.”

A Distinguished Career

Ten years into his career at Deloitte, Markey is a successful senior manager within Deloitte’s Boston Audit & Assurance business. He is recognized for his exceptional interpersonal skills and self-aware leadership style and plays a pivotal role in driving business development efforts.

“For most of my tenure here, I’ve focused on financial services clients,” Markey says, “so I’ve audited mutual funds, hedge funds, and private equity funds, which often include complex investment structures, strategies, and a wide variety of financial instruments. I find it all truly fascinating.”

The Isenberg Edge

Deloitte has a strong history of including Isenberg alumni among its ranks. Markey estimates that Deloitte usually has more than 200 UMass alumni on the payroll, most of which are based either in Boston or New York. What this could mean for UMass new hires is that there is a support network waiting for them when they start. 

“I do a lot of interviews on campus, and students wonder how they’re going to navigate an organization of our size,” he says. “I always say, ‘You have a network that you don’t even know exists yet, right when you walk in the door.’ Deloitte does a great job at fostering connection. For example, when new UMass grads start, we’ll get a big group of alums together with them to connect. I think that really helps them feel comfortable and set up for success.”

What is it exactly that makes Isenberg grads such great candidates for Deloitte and similar large accounting firms? Markey gives a lot of credit to the faculty. “It’s a combination of their academic background with their real-world experience that was so compelling to me,” he says. “It wasn’t just teaching out of a textbook; they also demonstrate how a concept applies to work based on experience.”

Giving Back

Markey currently serves as a director on the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation Board and is a member of the Finance & Audit Committee and Development Committee. Markey’s philanthropic spirit is exemplified through the creation of multiple endowed scholarship funds that provide vital support to undergraduate students, recognizing both academic excellence and financial need.

“I don’t know if I’d be where I am today without my Isenberg education,” says Markey. “I think it’s important to give back to the next generation of students. Some recent grads might think that means they have to write a check, but giving back can be going back to campus and speaking to students, recruiting, or signing up for an interview or skill session. Choose an area you’re passionate about and do what you can.”

A “Recognition of Commitment”

Never a spotlight seeker, Markey is nonetheless proud and honored to be named the Accounting Young Alumnus of the Year for 2024 . “I see it as a recognition of my commitment and my giving back to the university and to Isenberg,” he says. “My target audience at the banquet is going to be the recent alumni in the room, and my focus is going to be in communicating the importance of giving back. They need to know that they likely wouldn’t be where they are without the support of others, much of which they might not even have known existed.”

Markey is pleased to be honored alongside this year’s Accounting Alumnus of the Year, his colleague Jody Steel '97, Audit & Assurance Partner at Deloitte. “Jody helped recruit me to Deloitte, and she’s become a friend and mentor. Deloitte is sure to have a prominent presence at this year’s banquet. Accepting our awards together amongst Deloitte colleagues and the Isenberg community will be a fun and special moment!”

Accounting Department News

Ceremonial Beam Signing

Make Your M ark on the Future of Computing. 

Members of the campus community are invited to make their mark on the future of computing at a ceremonial beam signing on UMass Amherst's Founders Day.

The event marks a milestone in the construction of a new building for the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences set to open in 2025.  More information about the 90,000 sq. ft. integrated research and academic space is available at cics.umass.edu/building . 

Ceremonial Beam Signing Monday, April 29, 2024 | 2-4 p.m. CS Building Atrium (or outside weather permitting) Refreshments will be served. 

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CAFE main line 413-545-4800 is experiencing technical issues. To contact the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment and its units, please call 413-230-4538.   

Landscape Message: March 22, 2024

UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data. 

Welcome to the 2024 growing season, and Happy Spring! This is the first Landscape Message of 2024.  The next message will be published in two weeks, on April 5.  To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list  

To read individual sections of the message, scroll down to see the different section headings. The collapsible headings are unavailable while we undergo a software upgrade.

Scouting Information by Region

Environmental data.

The following data was collected on or about March 20, 2024. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50ÂșF baseline temperature collected via regional NEWA stations ( http://newa.cornell.edu ) for the 2024 calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.

US Drought Monitor:   In Massachusetts, only Nantucket island has an official drought designation at this time, classified as D1 (Moderate Drought).  State map as of Thursday 3/21: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA

Regional Notes

Cape cod region (barnstable).

General Conditions:

Overall, the winter has been mild. Average temperatures for the months of December, January, February and March have been above freezing with extreme lows in December, January, and February in the mid-teens and extreme highs near 60Âș F each month. The ground did not freeze at a depth of 4” all winter; shallow freezing occurred off and on in January and February. Precipitation has been plentiful.

There was only one significant snow event (February 13), resulting in 6-10 inches of snow. The snow in the upper Cape remained for about a week. There were numerous high wind/Northeaster type weather events, resulting in a near constant cleaning up of dead and broken limbs. Soil moisture is adequate at this time; but has been excessive for much of the winter.

The mild conditions have resulted in earlier than normal plant development in some species. Crocuses and snowdrops were first seen in bloom in mid/late Feb. Other plants seen in bloom include winter aconite ( Eranthis hyemalis ), hellebores ( Helleborus orientalis ), Siberian squill ( Scilla siberica ), and daffodils ( Narcissus spp.). Woody plants seen in bloom include Japanese andromeda ( Pieris japonica ), slippery elm ( Ulmus rubra ), and random cherry and Forsythia flowers can be seen.

Pests/Problems: Plant development is advancing rapidly with the mild conditions; many species are tolerant of the ups and downs of late winter/early spring. However, bud development in big leaf hydrangea is occurring rapidly and is susceptible to freezing temperatures possible for many more weeks.

The abundant soil moisture in Dec. and Jan. will likely contribute to some poor performance of plants that don’t like wet feet. There is not much to report on insect activity. The mild conditions have resulted in some fungi remaining active nearly all winter; red thread is one that could be seen active in turf nearly all winter.

Invasive plants that bud out before many other species are doing so; growth on privet (L igustrum spp.), multiflora rose ( Rosa multiflora ) and honeysuckle ( Lonicera spp.) can be observed. Weedy plants such as hairy bittercress ( Cardamine hirsuta ), fig buttercup ( Ficaria verna ), and chickweed ( Stellaria media ) are in bloom.

Seeing a lot of rabbits before dawn and after dusk.

Cardamine hirsuta (R. Norton)

Southeast Region (Dighton)

The winter of 2023-2024 was quite mild in Bristol County, with little snow cover and few storms needing plowing. Since the last landscape message on November 19th, there was a total of 1.5 inches of precipitation for the remainder of November. The high temperature for the month after the 19th was 59°F on the 22nd, with a low of 22°F on the 26th. The maximum sustained wind speed was 22 mph on the 27th.

In December, there was a significant increase in precipitation, with a total of 5.3 inches. The high temperature for the month was 64°F on the 10th, 11th, and 18th. The low temperature for December was 17°F on the 23rd. The peak wind speed for the month was 32 mph on the 18th.

January brought a total of 7.2 inches of precipitation. The high temperature for the month was 59°F on the 13th, while the low temperature was 17°F on the 22nd. The maximum wind speed for January was 28 mph.

February was drier than the previous two months, with only 2.5 inches of precipitation. The high temperature for the month was 61°F on the 27th, with a low of 16°F on the 21st. The peak wind speed for February was 24 mph.

Finally, in March, leading up to the arrival of Spring, we had 5.1 inches of precipitation. The high so far for the month has been 64°F, with a low temperature of 22°F on the 1st. The peak wind speed for March was 25 mph on the 11th.

With all the precipitation we had over the winter, water tables are quite high. Vernal pools and streams are all full. The Spring peeper chorus can be heard on warmer days. Redwing blackbirds have arrived and are still flocked up. Robins are patrolling lawns and have begun squabbling over the best territories. The warmer winter temperatures seemed to have resulted in early blooms. Winter aconite has already set seed. Snowdrops are fading. Crocus are still going off while daffodils are just beginning to flower. American elm, silver maple, swamp red maple ( Acer rubrum), Cornelian cherry dogwood ( Cornus mas), weeping willow, Japanese black pussy willow, Japanese andromeda, and Chinese witchhazel ( Hamamelis mollis ) are all in flower.

Pests/Problems:

Annual weeds have begun germinating. I've found a single adult rose chafer although that seems an anomaly. Ticks are very active and have survived the winter in large numbers. Be sure to take appropriate precautions.

North Shore (Beverly)

This writing is on the first day of spring. The winter was very mild with limited snowfall at Long Hill and less than average for the region, and there was only one major snowfall during the winter season. 12.82 inches of precipitation has been recorded at Long Hill since January 1. The average daily air temperature was above the freezing point on most days this winter. Temperatures below 20ÂșF were recorded on only 14 days during this winter. The lowest temperature of 11ÂșF was recorded on both January 9 and January 20. Signs of spring are evident with some plants starting to bloom. Early spring flowering plants seen in bloom include winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) , glory-of-the-snow (Chinodoxa forbesii ) , Siberiam squill ( Scila siberica ), snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) and Hellebore ( Helleborus spp .). Blooming trees include: ‘Arnold Promise' witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia) , Chinese witchhazel (Hamamelis mollis) , pussy willow (Salix caprea ) , winter honeysuckle ( Lonicera x purpusii), Farrer viburnum ( Viburnum farreri ), and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) . Cornelian cherry dogwood ( Cornus mas ) is beginning to bloom but the buds are not yet open. Some homeowners and landscapers are already starting to do spring cleanups as weather permits.

Ferrer viburnum in bloom (G. Njue)

Deer browsing has been observed with some plants showing serious damage. Vole feeding activity has also been observed on apple trees. Vole tunnels were also observed in a perennial garden.

East (Boston)

Happy spring! We had a mild winter with minimal snow cover. January daytime temperatures averaged 38ÂșF with overnight lows averaging 26ÂșF. We received 3.2 inches of snow on January 6 th and 7 th , a high temperature of 60ÂșF on the 13 th and another 3.5 inches of snow on 16 th . The two snow events were followed by our only extended cold snap of the season. We had a daytime high of 25ÂșF on the 17 th with five consecutive days not going above 30ÂșF. Overnight lows averaged 15ÂșF during this period. Total rainfall equivalent precipitation for January was 6 inches.

February was mild and dry. Daytime temperatures averaged 43ÂșF with a high of 60ÂșF on the 10 th . Overnight lows averaged 27ÂșF with a low of 14ÂșF on the 25 th . We received no measurable snow and a total of 0.73 inches of precipitation. By February 19 th a significant number of Galanthus nivalis (common snow drop), Eranthus hyemalis (winter aconite), and Helleborus spp. (hellebores) were flowering throughout the landscape.

March to this point has had daytime highs consistently in the 40’s and 50’s, averaging 50ÂșF with a high of 60ÂșF on the 17 th . Overnight lows have averaged 36ÂșF with only one extreme of 20ÂșF on March 1 st . We had one high wind/rain event on the 7 th delivering 1.03 inches of precipitation. We have accumulated 3.20 inches through March 20. Many Hamamelis x intermedia (witchhazel hybrids) ‘Arnold Promise’, ‘Diane’ and ‘Jelena’ have been flowering for several weeks. Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry dogwood) has just begun to bloom. For extended winter interest, the fragrant Lonicera x purpusii (winter honeysuckle) has been in bloom since mid-February.

Entering spring, there do not appear to be any visible weather-related concerns. Despite the dry February, most soils are now adequately moist. Winter annuals in bloom include:  Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepards purse), Cardamine hirsuta (hairy bittercress), and Stellaria media (common chickweed). First year rosettes of the invasive biennial Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) are visible along roadsides and forest edges.

Metro West (Acton)

Welcome back and to Spring! The season officially began this past Tuesday on the 19 th  and we already have been treated to some spring-like weather with temperatures rising to the low 60’s earlier this month. For the most part, this past winter was fairly mild with limited snowfall and with not one subzero temperature recorded.  Only once did the temperature fall into single digits and that was on January 22 nd when 8° F recorded. Doesn’t it just figure that as I am writing this message, it is snowing outside?

Water levels are high with the recent rain. Average monthly rainfall for March is 4.62”. 3.96" has been recorded so far with much of that rain, 1.29” and 0.9” respectively, on the 7 th and 10 th .

Central Region (Boylston)

Happy Spring! A very mild winter has passed with very few snow events (of course this morning we had some nice flurries with no accumulation). Including warmer days so far this month, there were a few occasions of hitting warmer than usual temperatures both in January (56.7ÂșF) and February (60.8ÂșF), which caused major melt of any snow accumulation present at the time. The lowest temperature was recorded on only a couple of occasions in January, barely dipping below 10ÂșF. Definitely a wet season; just at the start of this month we’ve had 5.9 inches of precipitation. Many bulbs, shrubs, and trees are in full bloom or starting to bloom, including Hamamelis vernalis , Hamamelis x intermedia , Hamamelis mollis , Lonicera x purpusii , and even  Rhododendron dauricum (Dahurian azalea) has been observed starting to bloom. Only a few larger Acer rubrum are starting to bloom just at the top of the canopy, but are sure to pop more later this month.

Being an unusually warm and wet season, the soil seemed to not freeze as much and created a lot of flooded areas. Knowing this, a lot of plant material is blooming earlier than previously recorded. This could be potentially troubling, especially if a hard frost rolls through. With the soil being so workable, a lot of vole/mole activity has been seen and plants have been uprooted some.

Pioneer Valley (Amherst)

Welcome back for another season of the Landscape Message. Spring has already taken hold across the Pioneer Valley as last fall’s prediction of a warm and wet El Niño winter held true. The tri-counties saw only limited snowfall and we had just one significant storm in early January, when ~7–9” of snow accumulated and then quickly melted. In addition, the region experienced only a brief stretch of very cold temperatures, from January 18–22, when lows hovered in the single digits. February, typically the snowiest month of winter in recent years, was sunny, mild and dry. Witchhazels and snow drops started flowering early and by the beginning of March, high temperatures were consistently hitting the lower to upper 50s. A brief stretch in the upper 60s (to even 70°F) on March 13 & 14 really pushed plants along. Flowering cherry, viburnum, clematis, honeysuckle and multiflora rose have all started leafing out while elm, silver maple and red maple are in full flower. Peach, Forsythia , andromeda, and azalea have started flowering (some are full flower) and numerous other plants have swollen buds, including yew, pine, and Japanese maple. Right now, there are major differences in plant phenology between warm, south-facing microclimates and north-facing, shaded landscapes. Ah, but the meteorological start of spring has brought a return to winter. At the time of writing, the forecast calls for a low near 20°F on 3/21 and the possibility of sleet and snow over the weekend. Hopefully this doesn’t damage flower buds and newly developing leaves.

Beech leaf disease is certain to be more widespread throughout the tri-counties this year with higher levels of disease severity. While scientists continue to learn more about the nematode and disease development, management efforts remain limited. This upcoming season should prove helpful in determining which treatments are effective. The threat of frost and freeze can last well into early May in southern New England (and some years even later based on last year’s frost event on May 18). Therefore, when plants start flushing new growth in mid-March, some level of frost injury is a serious concern. Winter burn on rhododendron, azalea, andromeda, mountain laurel, and holly appear to be minimal this spring due to the mild winter, but exceptions always exist. The foliar blight and premature leaf shedding late last summer on lilacs caused many plants to flush scattered new growth and blooms last fall. Some buds that broke last fall on these plants are now burned and desiccated. Saturation and flooding in heavy, poorly drained soils could be an issue for plants that don’t tolerate wet feet (boxwood, yew, and rhododendron). The resulting condition, known as edema, is likely to be a problem as the season begins. Symptoms include chlorotic areas of the upper leaf surface and dark-colored, callus-like blisters on the underside of the foliage. White pine weevil is active early in the growing season, feeding on the terminal shoot of eastern white pine and Norway spruce, among others. Spruce spider mite is active during mild periods of spring, so scouting and treatment of this pest should commence soon once the weather warms. Ticks have been very active this spring season so pay extra attention to these nefarious pests. Light-colored pants and permethrin applications to footwear can be very helpful.

Berkshire Region (West Stockbridge)

This has been another odd winter with unusual warm periods. Earlier this month, there were record high temperatures recorded at Pittsfield airport of 65ÂșF on March 13 and 63ÂșF on March 14. Perhaps most unusual has been the lack of significant snowfall this past winter. The total for the season was only 28 inches, compared with the normal of 54.1 inches. Nevertheless, the precipitation total from January 1 to March 19 was 9.67 inches. That’s 2.57 inches above normal. As such, soil moisture is moderate to high. Yet, it is not frozen, and this is a good time for digging and planting dormant trees and shrubs. The biggest concern this winter has been high wind events which brought down many trees or caused considerable damage to limbs.

Turfgrass is just beginning to show signs of a bit of growth. Given the high soil moisture levels, it is best to avoid repeatedly traversing the same path across turf as this will cause soil compaction. Early season bulbs are in full bloom. These include crocus ( Crocus spp.), snowdrops (Galanthus spp.), scilla ( Scilla lucilia ), and dwarf iris ( Iris danfordiae , Iris reticulata ). Another herbaceous plant now in bloom is winter aconite ( Eranthis hyemalis ).

Pest activity at this time is limited to blacklegged (a.k.a. deer) ticks ( Ixodes scapularis ). These have been active for much of the year and the usual precautions should be taken when performing outdoor work. Voles have been very active this winter and their tunnels and trails are prominent. Some damage to roots and crowns of herbaceous perennial plants in plant borders has been observed.

Regional Scouting Credits

  • CAPE COD REGION - Russell Norton, Horticulture and Agriculture Educator with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, reporting from Barnstable.
  • SOUTHEAST REGION - Brian McMahon, Arborist, reporting from the Dighton area.
  • NORTH SHORE REGION - Geoffrey Njue, Green Industry Specialist, UMass Extension, reporting from the Long Hill Reservation , Beverly.
  • EAST REGION - Kit Ganshaw & Sue Pfeiffer, Horticulturists reporting from the Boston area.
  • METRO WEST REGION – Julie Coop, Forester, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, reporting from Acton.
  • CENTRAL REGION - Mark Richardson, Director of Horticulture, and Anna Petrie, reporting from New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill , Boylston.
  • PIONEER VALLEY REGION - Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, reporting from Amherst.
  • BERKSHIRE REGION - Ron Kujawski, Horticultural Consultant, reporting from Great Barrington.

Woody Ornamentals

Recent pests, pathogens, or problems of interest seen in the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab , a select few :

Root rot of true fir ( Abies ) at a Christmas tree farm caused by Phytophthora and Armillaria . The trees were seven-years-old and well-spaced, growing in full sun with loam-based soils that can be wet and poorly drained. Last summer, needles on the lower canopy branches became pale green to pale brown while the upper canopy developed a chlorotic appearance. Two entire trees were submitted, and dissection of the roots detected two common and destructive root rot pathogens. Roots infected with Phytophthora had a brown to blue-gray discoloration of the vascular tissue and were easily pulled apart. Infection by Armillaria resulted in roots that were spongy, with bleached and stringy wood tissue. The abundant rainfall last summer, especially in July, likely facilitated disease development for Phytophthora.

Symptoms and signs of Septorioides needle blight on lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia). Photo by N. Brazee

Poor root development and stunted growth on Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) due to transplant shock and poor site conditions. Several trees that are approximately 15-years-old were transplanted last year to a site with full sun and no supplemental irrigation. The clay soils are compacted and wet and the mulch ring surrounding the trees is limited. Erosion on the downhill side of the trees has exposed the root ball and there is no root expansion past the dripline. The submitted branch segments showed last year’s growth (2023) was severely stunted but generally had good color. The roots showed no sign of disease and aside from some scattered eastern spruce gall adelgid, the samples were free of insect pests.

Canopy dieback of recently transplanted hollies ( Ilex ×'Nellie R. Stevens') due to transplant shock and two fungal pathogens ( Botryosphaeria and Pestalotiopsis ). The trees are roughly seven-years-old and were transplanted (from ball and burlap) in November. Over the next several weeks into December, the foliage became brown to black but remained attached throughout the canopies. Samples from three separate trees all had blackened shoots, which is typical of fungal cankering, and, after a brief incubation,  Botryosphaeria emerged. This pathogen is especially common in stressed and weakened hollies. The foliage was pale green to brown with darker, scattered blotches. Pestalotiopsis was present from the foliar tissue and this pathogen occurs regularly on broadleaved evergreens. The trees were diseased prior to planting and became visibly symptomatic shortly after installation.

Decline and death of privet ( Ligustrum ) in an established hedge due to root rot caused by Armillaria . A dense, double row of privet was established 10 years ago in a residential setting. It receives full sun and supplemental water from lawn sprinklers. To maintain their height and shape, the plants are pruned three times per growing season. The loam-based soils have good drainage. In spring of ’23, decline was noted in several plants that did not leaf out properly. The dieback has worsened with the death of some plants. The submitted branches and stems were harboring a cankering pathogen ( Phomopsis ) but root disease was suspected. A subsequent submission of the base and roots of a recently dead plant revealed a well-established infection by Armillaria .

Report by Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass Amherst

Insects and Other Arthropods

The Professional Insect and Mite Management Guide for Woody Plants is freely available at  https://ag.umass.edu/insectmiteguide . Please let me know how it is or isn’t working for you here . Your feedback is valuable and I cannot wait to hear from you!

Invasive Updates:

  • Asian Longhorned Beetle  is still present in Worcester, Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston, and parts of Holden and Auburn, MA. If you suspect you’ve found this insect or the damage it causes, please report it to the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program office in Worcester, MA at 508-852-8090 or toll free at 1-866-702-9938 .

To report an Asian longhorned beetle find online or to compare it to common insect look-alikes, visit: http://massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pests-diseases/alb/report .

A box tree moth caterpillar on boxwood. Photo: Russ Norton, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension.

  • Emerald Ash Borer is well established across most of Massachusetts. A map of these locations from the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation is available.
  • Jumping Worms are non-native earthworms that impact natural ecosystems. Available resources include a fact sheet about earthworms in Massachusetts and jumping worm FAQ’s .
  • Spotted Lanternfly now has established populations in the following locations in Massachusetts: Holyoke, Springfield, West Springfield, Agawam, Fitchburg, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Ashland, Wellesley, Weston, and Chelmsford. If you believe you have found this insect, please take a photo, note your location, and report it immediately  here . Available resources include a map of spotted lanternfly locations in Massachusetts from the MA Department of Agricultural Resources, MDAR’s spotted lanternfly fact sheet , UMass Extension’s Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide , and an SLF InsectXaminer episode .

Medically Important Pests:

  • Ticks are a serious public health concern and may be active in managed landscapes any time temperatures are above freezing. Available resources include tick information from Cape Cod Cooperative Extension , personal protective measures , and a list of potential tick testing resources . The New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases ( NEWVEC ) also provides the latest tick information and resources.
  • Mosquitoes and the diseases they vector are also a serious public health concern in Massachusetts by summer. Available resources include Mosquito Repellents from the Department of Public Health and Prevent Mosquito Bites from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health tests for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) from June to October. Beginning in June, risk maps will be available here .

Tree & Shrub Insect & Mite Pest Suggested Scouting:

  • Bagworm is overwintering on Juniperus spp., Thuja spp. , Quercus spp. , Platanus spp., and others as 500-1000 eggs found in the bags of last season’s deceased females. Now is the time to remove and destroy overwintering bags of eggs prior to egg hatch at approximately 600 GDD’s (approx. mid-June).
  • Balsam Twig Aphid overwinters as eggs on host plant bark, trunks, and branches (primarily Abies and Picea spp.). Eggs hatch roughly between 30-120 GDD’s, approximately April-May. Nymphs quickly mature into stem mothers, which produce 20-40 young (each) without laying eggs. These young feed on buds and tender needles, and cause most of their feeding damage during that time. Scout now for curled or stunted needles from feeding in prior years.
  • Boxwood Leafminer is overwintering as a partially developed larva within Buxus spp. leaves. Larvae will become active as temperatures warm, with pupae present by late April. Adult emergence occurs by mid-May, with pupal cases left behind clinging to leaves. Shake bushes in late April to detect flying adults. Resistant varieties of boxwood are available; see previous link.
  • Boxwood Mite feeds on upper and lower leaf surfaces of Buxus spp. hosts. Overwintered eggs hatch into larvae in the spring, which mature into nymphs and eventually adults. The entire life cycle takes approximately 18-21 days. Most feeding injury occurs in the spring and hosts may appear off-color.
  • Boxwood Psyllid nymphs have overwintered within eggshells inserted between bud scales last summer. As soon as buds expand, nymphs will emerge and begin feeding on Buxus spp. developing buds and leaves. Upward cupping and yellowing of leaves can be a sign of previous or current season’s damage. Dormant season horticultural oil applications may be made in the spring, as temperatures and weather conditions allow.
  • Cankerworms can be found feeding on similar host plants in the spring, despite fall and spring cankerworm being different species of insects. Spring cankerworm adult moths are active in February and March, laying masses of 100 or so eggs in the rough bark of larger branches or the trunk of the host plant. Fall cankerworm adults have already laid their masses of eggs on host plant branches and twigs, back in late November and early December of last year (sometimes the current year’s January). Egg hatch of both species will occur by approximately mid-May, with caterpillar feeding through roughly the end of June.
  • Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid typically overwinters as an immature female near spruce twig terminals. By early spring, this female matures into a stem mother which will lay hundreds of eggs on lateral terminals. Following egg hatch, nymphal feeding induces gall formation on spruce hosts. Green galls on spruce may be removed and destroyed. On Douglas fir, the Cooley spruce gall adelgid’s alternate host, look for woolly masses in the spring and distorted or crooked needles. Do not plant spruce and Douglas fir close together when possible.
  • Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid overwinters as a partially grown female, maturing into a stem mother by early spring. Stem mothers lay 100-200 eggs by budbreak. Eggs hatch and nymphs feed on the needles of their Picea spp. hosts. As green galls develop, prune out and destroy when possible.
  • Eastern Tent Caterpillar overwintering eggs hatch in the spring and caterpillars emerge as cherry leaves begin to open. Look for groups of caterpillars feeding in silken tents at that time.

Diseased elongate hemlock scales showing infection with Colletotrichum fioriniae, a fungus that sometimes kills up to 90% of the scale population on a tree. Photo: Richard Grant, Lynnfield, MA (2/23/2024).

  • Euonymus Caterpillar tiny, overwintered larvae have spent their time beneath egg shells from last year. As temperatures increase in the spring, groups of caterpillars will begin feeding on newly emerging Euonymus spp. leaves. Additional resources include an InsectXaminer episode about euonymus caterpillar.
  • Euonymus Scale overwinters as a fertilized female. Eggs are laid beneath dark brown female scale covers in the early spring. Egg hatch occurs over a 2-3 week period, with crawlers present by early June. While Euonymus spp. host plants are preferred, additional host plants have been reported.
  • European Pine Sawfly eggs have overwintered in slits in last year’s needles. Egg hatch begins in approximately late-April and early May.
  • Forest Tent Caterpillar egg masses overwinter and will hatch as leaves expand in the spring. Small caterpillars will search for expanding flower and leaf buds to begin feeding on.
  • Hemlock Looper collectively refers to two species of geometrid (inchworm; looper) caterpillars. Overwintered eggs hatch by late May or early June, at which time young larvae begin their messy feeding on host plant needles. Hemlock and balsam fir are preferred hosts.
  • Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has been favored this winter by the mild temperatures we’ve experienced in Massachusetts, according to the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. Very little overwintering mortality has been measured at sites sampled across the state. Overwintered sistens generation females produce viable eggs in February and March.
  • Imported Willow Leaf Beetle adults overwinter in loose bark or other sheltered areas near susceptible Salix and Populus spp . host plants. Once the host plant leaves emerge in the spring, adults will begin to feed and lay tiny, yellow eggs in clusters on leaf undersides. Additional resources include an InsectXaminer episode about imported willow leaf beetle.
  • Lecanium Scales , including most notably in Massachusetts, the oak lecanium , are soft scales that overwinter on host plant twigs as second instar immatures. In the spring, these immatures begin feeding and mature into hemispherical shaped adult females who lay their eggs by late May and into June. Between April and May, much honeydew (sugary excrement) may be produced by the active adult females.
  • Lily Leaf Beetle , while not a pest of trees and shrubs, can be an important insect found in ornamental landscapes. As soon as lilies break through the ground in the spring, bright red overwintered adult beetles begin feeding on the foliage. This typically occurs in April, with adults mating and laying eggs by May. 250-450 eggs may be laid per female. Additional resources include an InsectXaminer episode about lily leaf beetle.
  • Magnolia Scale overwinters as nymphs (immatures) found on 1 and 2-year old twigs of the host plant. Nymphs begin feeding as temperatures warm in the spring, molting once by late April or May and again by early June.
  • Pine Bark Adelgid overwinters in an immature life form which begins feeding again as springtime temperatures increase. This is the time when the insects begin secreting a white, waxy layer over their bodies. High populations can make the trunks of eastern white pine appear as if coated in snow. Typically, management is not necessary. Syringing (washing adelgids off the trunk of larger trees with a strong jet of water) is an option.
  • Snowball Aphid overwinters as an egg on the twigs and buds of Viburnum spp. hosts. Egg hatch occurs at the same time host plant buds are opening in the spring. Newly hatched aphids will begin to feed on and distort the newly developing leaves of their hosts. Aphids may be protected from contact insecticides within curled leaves.
  • Spruce Bud Scale overwinters as an immature scale on the undersides of host plant needles. Once spring temperatures warm, the dormant scales become active by late March and in April female spruce bud scales move to host plant twigs. Adult females are reddish-brown and round, and usually found at the base of new twig growth.
  • Spruce Spider Mite is a cool season mite which causes most of its feeding damage on coniferous hosts in the spring and fall. Monitor for discolored needles and the mites themselves. Monitoring for spruce spider mite can be done by shaking 3-4 branches over a white piece of paper and viewing mites with a hand lens.
  • Tuliptree Scale is a soft scale pest of Liriodendron and Magnolia spp. among others. Second instar nymphs overwinter, begin feeding as temperatures warm in the spring, and mature into adults by the late spring/early summer.
  • Viburnum Leaf Beetle overwinters on susceptible viburnum as eggs laid in pits chewed near the ends of twigs last season. These egg laying locations are covered with an oval-round cap. Prune out and destroy infested twigs prior to egg hatch in May.
  • White Pine Aphid eggs overwinter in rows on the needles of their host plants. Egg hatch will occur as spring temperatures begin to warm. Aphids may feed on the needles, twigs, and small branches of their host plants.
  • White Pine Weevil overwinters as an adult in the leaf litter in sheltered areas near host plants. As spring temperatures warm, adults fly to the leaders of Pinus and Picea spp. hosts where they mate, dig round holes in the bark, and deposit 1-5 tiny eggs in the cavity. Eggs hatch and the larvae tunnel as they feed, killing the previous season’s leader. Adult white pine weevils are active in March (through May), as soon as 7 GDD’s are reached.
  • Woolly Apple Aphid overwinters as eggs in the cracks and crevices of Ulmus spp. host plants. As spring temperatures warm, these eggs hatch and stem mothers begin feeding on developing elm leaves. Their feeding and the feeding of the wingless nymphs they produce causes leaf distortion and a rosette to form on elm. If no elm is present, the aphids will complete their life cycle on apple year-round.
  • Woolly Beech Leaf Aphid overwinters as eggs in host plant bark crevices near buds. At budbreak, eggs will hatch and wool covered aphids will begin feeding on host plant leaf undersides ( Fagus spp.). Even though aphid populations may be very noticeable, they seldom require chemical management.
  • Woolly Elm Aphid overwinters as eggs hidden in cracks and crevices of elm bark. As leaves unfold in the spring, eggs hatch and young aphids feed on the underside of elm leaf tissue. These aphids mature and give birth to hundreds of additional females. Feeding causes leaves to curl around the aphids. Curled leaves may also turn reddish brown.

Beneficials/Non-Pests:

  • March Flies (Family Bibionidae) have again been spotted by homeowners in Massachusetts (first report, 3/14/2024 from Medford, MA). This time, swarms of flies were observed aggregating on the trunk of a spruce tree. While this can be a startling event that is quite noticeable, it is ephemeral and of little concern for tree or shrub health. They pose no threat to human, animal, or plant health and require no management. March fly larvae (maggots) develop in decaying organic matter, such as rotting leaf litter or wood. Adult flies may visit flowers for nectar. Following these large mating swarms, adult flies lay 200-300 eggs in the soil. The larvae will feed in this area until pupation and adult emergence occurs again the following spring. March flies may be seen emerging in March and again in April, depending on the species. Emergence may also be reported in the fall. For more information, visit: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/march-flies . Additional photos may be found, here .

Reported by Tawny Simisky, Extension Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, & Urban Forestry Program

Additional Resources

Pesticide License Exams - The MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is now holding exams online. For more information and how to register, go to:  https://www.mass.gov/pesticide-examination-and-licensing . 

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For a complete listing of landscape, nursery, and urban forestry program upcoming events , see our calendar at  https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/upcoming-events .

For commercial growers of greenhouse crops and flowers - Check out UMass Extension's Greenhouse Update website.

For professional turf managers - Check out our  Turf Management Updates .

For home gardeners and garden retailers - Check out our  home lawn and garden resources . 

Diagnostic Services

UMass Laboratory Diagnoses Landscape and Turf Problems - The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed identification, and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. For sampling procedures, detailed submission instructions and a list of fees, see the  Plant Diagnostic Laboratory  web site.

Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing - The University of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory is located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Testing services are available to all. The lab provides test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments. For more information, including current turn-around times, visit the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory web site.  The lab is currently accepting orders for Routine Soil Analysis (including optional Organic Matter, Soluble Salts, and Nitrate testing) , Particle Size Analysis, Pre-Sidedress Nitrate (PSNT), Total Sorbed Metals, and Soilless Media (no other types of soil analyses available at this time). Check   for current turnaround time . Please plan for the fact that date of receipt in the lab is affected by weekends, holidays, shipping time, and time for UMass Campus Mail to deliver samples to the lab.

Tick Testing - The UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment provides a list of potential tick identification and testing options at  https://ag.umass.edu/resources/tick-testing-resources .

Acknowledgements: UMass Extension gratefully acknowledges the support of the following funding sources for the production of the Landscape Message –

  • The Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association Fund
  • The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Award #ISADCR28219926UMA24A
  • Stakeholders like you! The Landscape Message is partially supported by educational program user fees.

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Asian American Resistance Collective Awarded UMass OEI Grant

Jane Yeahin Pyo , communication postdoc, and team – Nora Suren, Larri Miller, and Tessa Masis – have been awarded a campus-wide Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) Advancing Community, Democracy, and Dialogue Grant to support the Asian American Resistance Collective (AARC). The Collective serves as a hub for research on and community action against Asian Hate. 

To learn more about related projects and events, please visit the newly-established GloTech Lab . 

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  1. Visit : UMass Amherst

    UMass Amherst Undergraduate Admissions offers group tours to high schools, community-based organizations and community colleges that work with students at the 9th-grade level and above. To request a group tour (10-60 students) for your high school group, community-based organization or community college, please see the schedule linked below.

  2. MAPS & TOURS

    If you are visiting UMass for a campus admissions tour & information session, please go to our Visitor Information Page for events for prospective students, maps, parking and other details.. Campus Planning is your best resource to explore the UMass Amherst campus environment through interactive maps, virtual tours and more, including guided tours that are open to the public throughout the year.

  3. UMass Amherst Campus Views

    Enjoy an aerial view of UMass Amherst, and then join us on campus for a tour.https://www.umass.edu/admissions/visits/visit-campus

  4. UMass Amherst Virtual Tour

    Can't visit UMass Amherst in person? Take our virtual tour and explore campus on your phone or computer.There are 14 stops, and lots of additional content at...

  5. Visit Us : Isenberg School of Management : UMass Amherst

    Visit Campus. LEARN EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW about visiting UMass Amherst, including key sites and services; on-campus dining and lodging; and hours of operation. Take a student-led campus tour and discover our W.E.B. Dubois Library Learning Commons, our new 120,000 square-foot student Recreation Center, and our state-of-the-art Integrated ...

  6. Virtual Tour of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus

    Inevitably, on-campus tours of classrooms, libraries, dorms, and dining halls will start to blend. Jog your memory using the virtual tour and even explore the area surrounding the campus using the interactive mapping tool. If you're just beginning your college search, a virtual tour can be a great way to get a feel for a campus before your visit.

  7. Experience UMass Amherst in Virtual Reality.

    Open the accessible version of University of Massachusetts Amherst's virtual experience. Experience UMass Amherst Virtually explore UMass Amherst in a fully immersive 360-degree experience.

  8. Campus Visits, Tours & Information Sessions

    Due to the small size of Amherst classes, groups cannot be accommodated for classroom visits. On-Campus Parking for Admission Office Visitors: The Admission Office is located at 220 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts. There are several parking spaces for visitors directly in front of the Admission building, but you may also park in ...

  9. Visiting UMass Amherst

    This virtual tour series will tell you if it's worth spending time, money and sick days on an in-person visit to University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Learn about not just University of Massachusetts-Amherst social life, dorm life, and campus life, but also how to survive it - exclusively on CampusReel.

  10. UMass Amherst

    Tour the University of Massachusetts Amhersts' Flagship Campus in Autumn. Subscribe for more videos!Gear đŸ“·A Cam: https://amzn.to/37xzf04B Cam: https://amzn....

  11. UMass Amherst

    UMass Amherst at a Glance. With more than 28,000 students and over 200 distinct academic programs - including highly ranked programs in business, computer science, health care and the social sciences - UMass Amherst is the largest public research university in New England and one of the most comprehensive institutions in the Northeast.

  12. Campus Visits: Information Sessions & Campus Tours

    All visits begin at the Office of Admission at 220 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. The Office of Admission is open to visitors from 8:30am - 4:30pm on weekdays. We recommend arriving at least fifteen minutes before the start of your scheduled visit. On some dates, only an information session or a tour may be offered, so be sure to check the ...

  13. 2024 Virtual Tour

    This is the complete virtual tour for University of Massachusetts-Amherst on CampusReel. This virtual tour showcases real videos made by real students who will tell you what the University of Massachusetts-Amherst experience is really about. Learn about not just University of Massachusetts-Amherst social life, dorm life, and campus life, but also how to survive it - exclusively on CampusReel.

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  15. Tour the Isenberg School : Isenberg School of Management : UMass Amherst

    On-Campus MSBA Expand Menu Item. Academics. Career. ... If you are interested in scheduling an Isenberg Tour with a student ambassador ... below. Watch Video in modal: Virtual Tour of Isenberg Virtual Tour of Isenberg Isenberg School of Management. University of Massachusetts Amherst 121 Presidents Drive Amherst, MA 01003. Quick Links. Apply ...

  16. University of Massachusetts Amherst

    #umass #campustour #massachusetts We visited UMass Amherst and tried to make a video log of the campus tour. This video also includes some visuals of the roa...

  17. Admissions Information Session & Campus Tour : UMass Amherst

    Event Website. Undergraduate Admissions. [email protected]. 413-545-0306. We offer daily in-person campus tours and info sessions where you can discover more about the UMass experience, and learn about the application process. You can sign up for a combined information session and tour, or just the tour alone.

  18. Campus Visits, Tours & Information Sessions

    Reservations are not required for campus tours or information sessions, but we do encourage you to sign up online in advance. Planning a later visit? Schedules for Summer 2019 are not yet finalized. Please check back in mid-March for our Summer 2019 calendars or call the Office of Admission at (413) 542-2328 for preliminary information.

  19. 2024 Accounting Young Alumnus of the Year: Nick Markey '13

    Markey currently serves as a director on the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation Board and is a member of the Finance & Audit Committee and Development Committee. Markey's philanthropic spirit is exemplified through the creation of multiple endowed scholarship funds that provide vital support to undergraduate students, recognizing ...

  20. Ceremonial Beam Signing

    Members of the campus community are invited to make their mark on the future of computing at a ceremonial beam signing on UMass Amherst's Founders Day. The event marks a milestone in the construction of a new building for the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences set to open in 2025.

  21. University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst)

    Walking around the UMass Amherst campus on a cloudy Wednesday morning. It is the flagship and the largest campus in the University of Massachusetts system. U...

  22. Landscape Message: March 22, 2024

    80 Campus Center Way University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA 01003-9246 Phone: (413) 545-4800 Fax: (413) 545-6555 [email protected] Civil Rights and Non-Discrimination Information. Our Covid-19 Response & Resources. College of Natural Sciences

  23. Asian American Resistance Collective Awarded UMass OEI Grant

    Content. Jane Yeahin Pyo, communication postdoc, and team - Nora Suren, Larri Miller, and Tessa Masis - have been awarded a campus-wide Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) Advancing Community, Democracy, and Dialogue Grant to support the Asian American Resistance Collective (AARC). The Collective serves as a hub for research on and community action against Asian Hate.