Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
As I've written in previous blogs, the droughts of 2012 and other recent weather events continue to take a toll on tree health. Trees can take three to five years to show symptoms from a severe event such as drought.
Unfortunately...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Every year I get questions about bizarre oak leaf damage that most people think is caused by a terrible insect infestation. Although some insects feed on oak trees, often the samples I see have a condition called Oak Tatters.
I...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Oak trees are majestic, but some are in danger of a disease. One of the best ways to protect oak trees is to prune them at the proper time.
You have probably heard that it is not wise to prune oak trees during the active growing...
Original article found at http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=826 Adult Japanese beetles have been reported in southern, central, and northern Illinois. Early control reduces damage through the six weeks that they are actively feeding as beetles are attracted to previous feeding damage....
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I continue to get calls about large, old trees that are in major decline. Many of these are just now showing symptoms from the severe drought of 2012. Major weather events have a detrimental long term effect on landscape plants....
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Parsnips are not only a root vegetable, but also a common weed in Illinois. Unfortunately, wild parsnips also cause allergic reactions in some people. Knowing how to identify wild parsnips can help prevent skin problems later.
Wild...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Winning at a county fair brings great notoriety. Remember how excited Farmer Zuckerman was in the book "Charlottes Web" when Wilbur won! The county fair is meant to bring together exhibitors in many categories across the county to...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Old fashioned flowers and flowering shrubs are the most recent gardening trend. Roses, hydrangeas, sweet pea, lilac, and more are becoming commonplace again in our gardens.
Technically, an heirloom is defined as a plant that is open...
Did you know that the sweet corn you eat this summer most likely has direct ties to the University of Illinois?
John R. Laughnan, a University of Illinois professor of botany and plant genetics, discovered supersweet corn in 1953. He discovered that the kernels of a mutant of corn were "unusually...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Many spruce trees are showing dieback this year. According to Rhonda Ferree, extension educator in horticulture, the cold, wet spring has brought out many trees diseases. Many of these diseases are causing significant damage on...
