Proper pruning is critical to young trees.
Young shade trees face a variety of challenges in the landscape, resulting in surprisingly low survival rates for many of these plants. While planting practices and follow-up care are major factors in the mortality of younger trees, canopy failure from poor branch structure is a bigger risk for trees that make it beyond establishment.
Proper pruning early in a tree’s life can drastically reduce the risk of canopy failure or hazard development from structurally unsound limbs later in life. Learn more about the issues young trees face and how early pruning can set them up for a lifetime of healthy canopy structure.
Presenter: Ryan Pankau, horticulture educator, Illinois Extension
About the Four Seasons Gardening Series
University of Illinois Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening series focuses on home gardening, environmental stewardship, and backyard food production. Four Seasons Gardening sessions are monthly online sessions led by Illinois Extension experts beginning at 1:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays and are free to attend. Registration is required. Learn more about the series and register for individual events at go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons.
Have a gardening topic on your mind and want to know more? Share suggestions for upcoming sessions with the series coordinators: Nancy Kreith at kreith@illinois.edu, Gemini Bhalsod at gbhalsod@illinois.edu, or Andrew Holsinger at aholsing@illinois.edu.
Additional Winter Session
Creating Simply Lovely Nature Art | Feb. 10
Learn how to create a nature-inspired living heart craft with freshly cut willow. Learn how to add a touch of rustic romance to bouquets that showcase flowers in the sweetest way possible.
Presenters: Chris Lueking, horticulture educator, Illinois Extension
