THE EMERALD ASH BORER
The emerald ash borer has been found in northern Illinois
DIPLODIA
A common disfiguring disease of pines.
PLANT HEALTH CARE REPORT
Access the latest information on plant diseases and insect pests in our areaFeatured articles and help
- Salt-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs
Across the Midwest, the use of deicing salts (primarily sodium chloride) in winter to maintain safe roadways, sidewalks, and driveways is a common practice. Despite the benefits, deicing salt deposited on trees and shrubs can cause extensive damage....
- Boxelder Bugs (Leptocoris trivittatus)
While the boxelder bug can cause minor damage to its preferred host plant, the boxelder tree (Acer negundo), it is primarily a nuisance for the homeowner who finds large colonies of adults seeking places to overwinter. The boxelder bug will seek...
- Spruce Diseases
CYTOSPORA CANKER Cytospora canker, caused by the fungus Cytospora kunzei (also known as Valsa kunzei var. piceae), is the most prevalent and destructive fungal disease of Norway and Colorado blue spruce. Occasionally, Cytospora canker is found on...
- Pruning Trees
WHY Pruning is done for a variety of reasons. Most pruning is aimed at improving structure and safety, or for controlling size. Other objectives can be to open vistas, repair storm damage, and provide clearance for structures and traffic. Good...
- Pruning Deciduous Shrubs
The objectives of pruning shrubs are to maintain vigor, remove damaged or diseased branches, help maintain the natural size and shape of a plant, and improve flowering and fruiting. There are four basic pruning techniques used for maintaining...
- Pruning Evergreens
Evergreen refers to a group of plants that retain their foliage during winter. Most evergreens have a strong central branch leader, which requires little pruning except to control plant height, increase the density of branching, or to shear into...
- Landscaping Your Home for Energy Efficiency
How does landscaping help? Landscaping enhances your home, not only by improving its appearance and creating useful outdoor spaces, but also by helping to maintain comfortable indoor living spaces. Careful selection, placement,...
- Mulching Trees and Shrubs
Mulching plants is both functional and decorative. Mulch typically is an organic material spread on the soil surface to protect roots from heat, cold, and drought, and to provide nutrients to plants as it decomposes. Once you have chosen the right...
- Winter Injury to Trees and Shrubs
The frequency and severity of winter damage is determined by a number of factors, including the plant species or cultivar involved, the location and conditions under which the plant is grown, and the exact timing of weather extremes during the...
- Animal Damage
Deer Damage Deer can cause two types of damage to plants: rubbing or battering by antlers and browsing. Battering usually occurs prior to the deer's rutting season, in late summer and early fall, as male deer rub their antlers against young trees,...