Faculty
Dennis Pittenger
Cooperative Extension Area Environmental Horticulturist, Central Coast & South Region
(M.S., The Ohio State University, additional graduate studies in Soil Science, U.C. Riverside)
Office: 4114 Batchelor Hall
Phone: (951) 827- 3320
Fax number: (951) 827-4437
Email: dennis.pittenger@ucr.edu
Dennis supports and works closely with industry groups, U. C. Cooperative Extension colleagues, and U.C. campus-based faculty to conduct field research projects, interpret research results, prepare educational materials, and organize educational events for landscape-related professionals, retail nursery professionals, agencies, and the public. His education and applied research program centers on helping the landscape industry and associated agencies in Southern California resolve problems in managing and using woody plants in urban areas, particularly in landscape water management. Tree species selection, culture of landscape palms, and managing tree roots and groundcovers are also issues addressed by his research and education programs. Dennis is the editor of the California Master Gardener Handbook, which is a comprehensive reference on basic horticulture from the University of California.
Recipient of the 2002 Extension Materials Award form the American Society for Horticultural Sciences for the publication, The California Master Gardener Handbook. Some Representative Publications:
Paine, T. D., C. C. Hanlon, D. R. Pittenger, D. M. Ferrin, and M. K. Malinoski. 1992. Consequences of water and nitrogen management on growth and aesthetic quality of drought-tolerant woody landscape plants. J. Environ. Hort. 10(2): 94-99.
Hodel, D. R. and D. R. Pittenger. 1994. Responses of eight groundcover species to renovation by mowing. J. Environ. Hort. 12: 4-7.
Schuch, U. K., D. R. Pittenger, and P. A. Barker. 2000. Comparing effects of container treatments on nursery production and field establishment of trees with different root systems. J. Environmental Hort. 18(2): 83-88.
Pittenger, D. R. (editor). 2001. The California Master Gardener Handbook. Oakland: University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 702 pp. (executive editor and author/co-author of 5 chapters). Pittenger, D. R., D. A. Shaw, D. R. Hodel, and D. B. Holt. 2001. Response of landscape groundcovers to minimum irrigation. J. Environ. Hort. 19(2):78-84.
Hodel, D. R., D. R. Pittenger, A. J. Downer, and W. R. Richie. 2003. Effect of leaf tie up on juvenile, transplanted Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis) and queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana). Palms 47(4): 177-184.
Hodel, D. R. and D. R. Pittenger. 2003. Studies on the establishment of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera ‘Deglet Noor’) offshoots. Part I: Observations on root development and leaf growth. Palms 47(4): 191-200.
Hodel, D. R. and D. R. Pittenger. 2003. Studies on the establishment of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera ‘Deglet Noor’) offshoots. Part II: Size of offshoots. Palms 47(4): 201-205.
Shaw, D. A. and D. R. Pittenger. In press. Performance of landscape ornamentals given irrigation treatments based on reference evapotranspiration. Proc. 4th International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops, U. C. Davis, Sept. 2004. Acta Hort.
California Master Gardener Handbook The California Master Gardener Handbook is available at the U. C. Riverside campus bookstore. Information about the book plus ordering information are available at: http://groups.ucanr.org/csatwork/CS@Work_2002/California_Master_Gardener_Handbook.htm
Co-Hort Newsletter
Palm Management Information
- Review Transplanting Specimen Palms HortTech 2005
- Palm Leaf TieUp Removal
- Date Palm Offshoot Establishment_I
- Date Palm Offshoot Establishment_II
Landscape Water Management and Conservation Information
Report: Evaluation of Weather-sensing Irrigation Controllers Study (available in PDF)