Topics in Subtropics

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Topics in Subtropics Blog
You can subscribe to this  blog with multiple entries per week reflecting what's happening with subtropical crops and upcoming educational events.  Just click on the "Subscribe" button just to the right of this paragraph.  There's also our seasonal quarterly Topics in Subtropics newsletter found at our Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, San Diego, Tulare and Kern Counties Cooperative Extension websites.
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thomas dec 16

NASA's look at the difference of a few days in the Thomas Fire

December 22, 2017
By Ben A Faber
What a difference a few days can make in the life cycle of a fire. In this particular case, the Thomas Fire that is ongoing in the Ventura County around (and surrounding) in Southern California. The following images were taken by the Terra and Aqua satellites on Dec.
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IMG 2031

Fire Information from NRCS

December 21, 2017
By Ben A Faber
The USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service has a wealth of information on fire recovery and erosion management. They can also do site visits to make recommendations about fire recovery: https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=CA https://www.nrcs.usda.
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avocado suckers

Afer the Fire, Replant or Field Graft?

December 18, 2017
This is from past experience, and is still relevant. Availability of replant trees is a major issue to consider at this point. The wildfires in San Diego and Ventura Counties during the fall of 2003 were certainly devastating to many avocado groves adjacent to burning native chaparral.
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fire 1

Assessing Fire Damaged Avocado Trees

December 14, 2017
By Ben A Faber
The destruction after a fire can be pretty gruesome and sad. Many times, though the fire moves through the orchard so fast that, even though the canopy has turned brown, there is a good chance the trees can come back. It all depends on how much damage has been done to the trunk.
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