We are pleased to announce that two of our researchers are recipients of industry awards.

Donald R. Hodel, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Los Angeles County, who specializes in environmental horticulture has recently been honored with two awards.

The San Diego Regional Urban Forest Council and the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture honored him with the Award of Merit for Research in Palms. The award recognized the value of five research projects: "Effect of Sand Backfill When Transplanting Palms," "Effect of Leaf Removal and Tie Up on Transplanted Palms in Extreme Heat," "Effect of Container Configuration on the Nursery Growth of King and Kentia Palms," "Effect of Glyphosate on Suppression of Basal Branching in Mediterranean Fan Palm" and "Effect of Fertilizer and Nitrogen Source on Growth of Majesty Palms."

The Palm Society of Southern California of the International Palm Society presented Hodel with the Award of Merit in Education for his continuing contributions to the Southern California chapter's journal, The Palm Journal.

For the second consecutive year, Dennis Pittenger, UC Cooperative Extension advisor based in Los Angeles County, has received the Arboriculture Research Award from the International Society of Arboriculture Western Chapter. Pittenger, who specializes in environmental horticulture and serves Southern California, was honored at the society's 78th Annual Conference in Pacific Grove on April 30. The award is bestowed in recognition of outstanding contribution of research that has added to the sum knowledge of arboriculture.

"It is very rewarding to have your work appreciated by the industry and to know it has had a positive impact on them," Pittenger said.

For more information on Hodel's and Pittenger's programs, please visit our Environmental Horticulture website.