Contacts & Extension Specialists

The following individuals at the University Park Campus of the Pennsylvania State University provide extension education programming or diagnostic support on woody ornamental plants in Pennsylvania.

Entomology

Gregory Hoover
Pennsylvania State University
Department of Entomology
543 ASI Building
University Park, PA 16802
814.865.3256

Mr. Hoover is currently developing an integrated pest management system for arthropod pests of woody ornamental plants in southeastern Pennsylvania. He is also investigating the establishment of aesthetic and economic thresholds for arthropod pests of trees and shrubs. Mr. Hoover has presented over 600 extension programs, invited guest lectures, and workshops in Pennsylvania and surrounding northeastern states. He serves as a member of the University Tree Commission at the University Park campus where he has developed a native elm bark beetle and smaller European elm bark beetle integrated pest management program for use in maintaining healthy stands of American elm in urban landscapes. Mr. Hoover also provides diagnostic information for the effective management of arthropod pests of woody ornamental plants, Christmas trees, and forests.

Horticulture

Dr. Ricky Bates
Pennsylvania State University
Department of Horticulture
303 Tyson Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814.863.2198

Dr. Bates is an Ornamental Horticulture Extension Specialist whose responsibilities include the development of educational programs for woody ornamental producers and county extension personnel throughout the state. He states that the green industry represents the fastest growing segment of agriculture in Pennsylvania. Growers depend on relevant production and business management resources to remain competitive.

Dr. James Sellmer
Pennsylvania State University
Department of Horticulture
314 Tyson Building
University Park, PA 16802
814.863.2250

Dr. Sellmer is an Ornamental Horticulture Extension Specialist whose duties include developing educational programs, problem-solving tools, and informational resources. His research and educational efforts are directed toward county extension staff, nursery stock producers, landscape contractors and managers, and garden center personnel and operators throughout Pennsylvania.

Plant Pathology

Dr. Gary Moorman
Pennsylvania State University
Department of Plant Pathology
111 Buckhout Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802
814.863.7401

Dr. Moorman’s is an extension plant pathologist who keeps researchers informed of plant diseases that threaten growers' crops, while keeping growers informed of research that helps them understand and control plant pathogens. He serves the woody ornamental and floriculture industries, for which crop quality is of even more importance than quantity. Dr. Moorman’s main extension objective is to teach growers how to integrate production practices with disease-control considerations. This is accomplished through lectures, workshops, and demonstrations conducted statewide.

John Peplinski
Plant Disease Clinic
Pennsylvania State University
Department of Plant Pathology
220 Buckhout Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802
814.865.2204

Mr. Peplinski provides diagnostic expertise on samples submitted to the Plant Disease Clinic that are to be examined for the presence of plant pathogens.