PhD., Ornamental Horticulture, Ohio State University, 1977
M.S., Ornamental Horticulture, Ohio State University, 1975
B.S., General Agriculture, Pennsylvania State University, 1968

U.S. Army 1969 to 1972

Professor of Ornamental Horticulture with an extension/research appointment at Penn State from 1977 to 1997. I conducted educational programs for the nursery, landscape, and garden center industries; Christmas tree growers; and street tree managers. In 1998 I changed from an extension to a teaching appointment to develop the newly created landscape management option in our Landscape Contracting major. I teach courses on Landscape Establishment and Maintenance, Weed Control in Turf and Ornamentals, and Issues in Landscape Contracting. I have served on the University Faculty Senate and on the Promotion and Tenure Review Committees of the Department and College.

1. Served on the Board of Directors of The Garden Council, a national nursery marketing group (1988-1991).

2. Research Coordinator and member of the executive committee of the Northeastern Weed Science Society (1992-1994).

3. Served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Nurserymen's and Allied Industries Conference (1977-1998).

4. Completed 'Herbicide Action Course' conducted by Purdue University (1994).

5. Own and operate a 40 acre Christmas tree farm and nursery.

1. The Kenneth Post Award for outstanding graduate student research in floriculture, ornamental and landscape horticulture; presented by the American Society for Horticultural Science (1979).
2. First place in the Research Poster competition at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Weed Science Society (1987).
3. Nurseryman of the Year, presented by the Eastern Regional Nurserymen's Association (representing nine states), in recognition of contributions to the nursery industry in the northeastern part of the country (1987).
4. Second place in the Research Poster competition at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Weed Science Society (1990).
5. Contributed three chapters to "Nursery Production, Second Edition", which won the Eastern Region Outstanding Publication Award presented by The American Association of Teacher Educators in Agriculture (1990).
6. Mid-career Award from the Pennsylvania chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, national honorary extension fraternity; for excellence in developing and presenting extension education programs (1991).
7. Outstanding Extension Educator Award, presented by the American Society for Horticultural Science; for excellence in developing and presenting extension education programs (1992).
8. Co-leader of the Penn State Roadside Vegetation Management Project, which received the 'Award for Excellence in Roadside Management', presented by the National Roadside Vegetation Management Association (1993).
9. Named to Who's Who in American Education (1993).
10. The 82nd Annual Penn State Horticulture Show was dedicated to me (1995).
11. Extension Aides Award, presented by the American Society for Horticultural Science for the production of the video, 'Calibrating Herbicide Sprayers' (1995).
12. Award for Outstanding Applied Research in Turf and Ornamentals, presented by the Northeastern Weed Science Society (1996).
13. First place in the Research Poster competition at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Weed Science Society (1998).
14. Recognized by the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association for outstanding support of the Christmas tree industry in Pennsylvania at their annual meeting, January 16, 1998.

My research centers on vegetation management along roadsides and in nursery, landscape, and Christmas tree plantings; with an emphasis on the proper selection and use of herbicides and low maintenance grasses. I have been a leader in an ongoing roadside vegetation management project funded by PennDOT for the past 14 years, with funding established through 2003; and have served as co-principal investigator on a project studying the artillery fungus for six years.

 The Roadside Research Project
The American Chestnut

Elmore, C.L., L. Kuhns, T. Harpster 1996. Rorippa sylvestris, Creeping Fieldcress: A threat to production ornamentals and its control. HortScience 31:578.

Gover, A.E., S.D. Guiser, C.W. Spackman, J.M. Johnson, L.J. Kuhns 1996. Evaluation of spring-applied herbicide treatments for the control of sakhalin knotweed. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:52-53.

Gover, A.E., C.W. Spackman, R.W. Parks III, and L.J. Kuhns 1996. Comparison of low volume applications of two picloram:2,4-D formulations to locust, cherry and oak. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:185-186.

Gover, A.E., C.W. Spackman, R.W. Parks III, and L.J. Kuhns 1996. Effect of spray adjuvants on brush control provided by low volume applications of fosamine plus imazapyr. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:185-186.

Gover, A.E., C.W. Spackman, R.W. Parks III, J. M Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns 1996. Effects of spray volume, herbicide concentration, and adjuvants on early season control of cherry and maple with triclopyr. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:187-188.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman, A.E. Gover, L.J. Kuhns 1996. Evaluation of brush control provided by dicamba with low volume applications. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:45-46.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman, L.J. Kuhns, A.E. Gover 1996. Effect of basal bark application timings on the control of tree-of-heaven and sumac. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:110-111.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman, L.J. Kuhns, A.E. Gover 1996. Effect of herbicide diluent on control of ash, birch, and cherry with basal bark applications. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:112-113.

Kuhns, L.J. 1996. Establishment of trees in the landscape. Groundwork August 1996:10-11&20-25.

Kuhns, L.J., T.L. Harpster 1996. Comparing potting media available to consumers through garden centers and national chain stores. HortScience 31:658.

Kuhns, L.J., T.L. Harpster 1996. Horticulture needs more weed scientists. HortScience 31:653.
Kuhns, L.J., and T. Harpster 1996. The tolerance of four Christmas tree species to clethodim, clopyralid, and oxyfluorfen. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:65.

Kuhns, L.J., T. Harpster, and C. Elmore 1996. Controlling circling roots in container grown ornamentals with root inhibiting herbicides. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:23-24.

Kuhns, L.J., T. Harpster, C. Elmore 1996. Controlling circling roots in container grown ornamentals with root inhibiting herbicides. HortScience 31:659-660.

Kuhns, L.J., T. Harpster, and A. Michael 1996. Controlling weeds in container grown herbaceous perennials. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:68-69.

Spackman, C.W., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns 1996. Evaluation of wildflower establishment in tall fescue suppressed with herbicides. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 50:47-48.

Ahrens, J.F., L.J. Kuhns, T.L. Harpster, and T. L. Mervosh. 1997. An evaluation of four glyphosate formulations on dormant conifers. HortSci. 32(3):493.

Gover, A.E., Johnson, J. M. C.W. Spackman, and L.J. Kuhns 1997. Evaluation of glyphosate for dormant applications to brush resprouts Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:124-125.

Johnson, J.A., L.J. Kuhns, and T.L. Harpster. 1997. The effect of composted organic wastes on weed control provided by preemergence herbicides. HortSci. 32(3):470.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman, L.J. Kuhns. 1997. Evaluation of burn-down materials for total vegetation control under guiderails. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:72-73.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman, L.J. Kuhns. 1997. Brush control provided by low volume foliar applications. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:120-121.

Kuhns, L.J., E.A. Brantley, and D.D. Davis. 1997. Fungi in landscape mulches - are they a problem? HortSci. 32(3):493.

Kuhns, L.J., T.L. Harpster, M. A. Rose, and S. Guiser. 1997. Controlling weeds in nursery and landscape plantings. Cooperative Extension Bulletin, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. (44pp).

Kuhns, L.J. and T. L. Harpster. 1997. Mile-a-minute control in nursery, landscape, and Christmas tree plantings. Proceedings of a conference on mile-a-minute. pp 31-34.

Kuhns, L. J. and T. L.Harpster 1997. Tolerance of fine fescues to Clethodim. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:7-8.
Kuhns, L. J. and T. L.Harpster 1997. Controlling Quackgrass with Clethodim. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:9-10.

Kuhns, L. J. and T. L.Harpster 1997. Inhibiting the Development of Circling Roots in Container Grown Ornamentals with Oryzalin. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:96-99

Kuhns, L. J. and T. L.Harpster 1997. Controlling roadside vegetation with thiazopyr, oxyfluorfen, glufosinate, and glyphosate. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:115-117.

Kuhns, L. J. and T. L.Harpster 1997. Agriculture needs more weed scientists. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. (Suppl.). 51:192-193.

Kuhns, L. J. and T. L.Harpster 1997. Tolerance of fine fescues to Clethodim. HortSci. 32(3):429-430.

Spackman, C.W., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns 1997. Evaluation of wildflower establishment in turfgrasses suppressed with herbicides. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:67-68.

Spackman, C.W., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns 1997. Evaluation of brush control provided by accord with basal bark applications Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:70-71.

Spackman, C.W., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns 1997. Evaluation of herbicides for control of Canada thistle in fine fescue Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:118-119.

Spackman, C.W., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns 1997. Evaluation of imazameth for weed control in wildflower establishment. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 51:126-127.

Gover, A.E., J.M. Johnson, C.W. Spackman and L.J. Kuhns. 1998. Influence of herbicide, target, and application timing and methods on dormant season brush treatments. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:97.

Gover, A.E., J.M. Johnson, C.W. Spackman and L.J. Kuhns. 1998. Control of red maple, pin cherry and black locust provided with basal bark applications of fosamine ammonium. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:100-101.

Gover, A.E., J.M. Johnson, C.W. Spackman and L.J. Kuhns. 1998. Control of resprouts of red maple, pin cherry and black locust with cut surface applications of fosamine ammonium. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:102-103.

Johnson, J.A., L.J. Kuhns and T.L. Harpster. 1998. The effect of composted organic wastes on weed control provided by preemergence herbicides. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:8-11.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman, L.J. Kuhns and A.E. Gover. 1998. Evaluation of herbicides for control of canada thistle and tolerance of crownvetch. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:95-96.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman and L.J. Kuhns. 1998. Evaluation of Sakhalin knotweed control and conversion into fine fescues. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:98-99.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman and L.J. Kuhns. 1998. Evaluation of R-6447 for total vegetation control. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:104-105.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman and L.J. Kuhns. 1998. Evaluation of glufosinate-ammonium for total vegetation control under guiderails. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:109-110.

Johnson, J.M., C.W. Spackman and L.J. Kuhns. 1998. Evaluation of imazameth for total vegetation control under guiderails. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:111-112.

Kuhns, L.J. and T.L. Harpster. 1998. Weed control studies with Rorippa sylvestris. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:12-13.

Kuhns, L.J. and T.L. Harpster. 1998. The efficacy of two formulations of oxyfluorfen and thiazopyr and the tolerance of ornamental trees to them. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 52:127-129.

Brown, K.M., C.R. Miller, L. Kuhns, D.J. Beattie, and J.P Lynch. 1999. Improvement of Rhododendron and Forsythia growth with buffered-phosphorus fertilizer. J. Environ. Hort. 17(4)153-157.

Daniels, Stevie, G. Hoover, L. Kuhns, G. Moorman, R. Nuss, D. Suchanic, and E. Swackhamer. 1999. Creating Healthy Landscapes. Cooperative Extension Bulletin and 7 IPM Fact Sheets. College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State Univ.

Elmendorf, William, H. Gerhold, and L. J. Kuhns. 1999. A Guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects. Cooperative Extension Bulletin. College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State Univ. 25pp.

Gover, A.E., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns. 1999. Comparison of rehabilitation sequences for Japanese and Sakhalin knotweed, infestations. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 53:98-99.

Holcomb, E.J., T. Harpster, R. Berghage, and L. Kuhns. 1999. Evaluation of weed control and productivity on field grown cut flowers. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 53:7-12.

Kuhns, L.J. and T.L. Harpster. 1999. An evaluation of sulphosate and four glyphosate formulations on conifers. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 53:127-133.

Sellmer, J. and L. Kuhns. 1999. Guide to Selecting and Specifying Quality Nursery Stock. In, Urban and Community Forestry in the Northeast. Plenum Publishing Corp. In Press.

Gover, A.E., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns. 2000. Comparison of spring-applied herbicides for control of giant knotweed during roadside renovation. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 54:78-80.

Gover, A.E., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns. 2000. Effects of pre-plant herbicides on the establishment of fine fescues during roadside renovation. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 54:152.

Gover, A.E., J.M. Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns. 2000. Brush control with dormant season herbicide applications in January and April. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 54:150-151.

Holcomb, E.J., T. Harpster, L. Kuhns, and R. Berghage. 2000. Weed control and yield of cut flowers treated with two herbicides. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 54:13-16.

Johnson, J.M., A. E. Gover, and L.J. Kuhns. 2000. Evaluation of azafenidin for preemergence weed control under guiderails. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 54:73-74.

Johnson, J.M., A. E. Gover, and L.J. Kuhns. 2000. Backpack-based brush management on a limited access right-of-way. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 54:76-77.

Senesac, A. F., L. J. Kuhns, and T. Harpster. 2000. Tolerance of ornamental groundcover species to postemergence applications of clopyralid. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 54:85.

Elmendorf, William, H. Gerhold, and L. J. Kuhns. 2001. Planting and After Care of Community Trees. Cooperative Extension Bulletin. College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State Univ. 30pp.

Gover, A.E., J.M Johnson, and L.J. Kuhns. 2001. Comparing sequences to convert Canada thistle-infested crownvetch to cool-season grass mixture. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 55:40-41.

Johnson , J.M., Gover, A.E., and L.J. Kuhns. 2001. Influence of basal bark applications of triclopyr and imazapyr on Ailanthus resprouting. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 55:37-39.

Kuhns, L.J. and T.L. Harpster. 2001. The tolerance of Christmas trees to pre- and post budbreak applications of azafenadin. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 55:63-67.

Kuhns, L.J. and T.L. Harpster. 2001. The tolerance of crabappple, honeylocust, and red maple to directed spray applications of fluroxypyr. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 55:92-93.

Kuhns, L.J. and T.L. Harpster. 2001. The tolerance of Colorado spruce, Douglas fir and Fraser fire to over-the-top applications of fluroxypyr. Proc. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 55:94-95.