News & Media

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Illinois Extension strives to provide relevant, science-based information that serves residents and businesses in our area and across the state. We offer impactful insights backed by the research and public engagement resources of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

Extension Forestry News
A hand saw cutting into a branch to prune it at the proper location
Cutting back branches leaves trees with healthier outlook
URBANA, Ill. — To stay healthy, sometimes trees need a little help in the form of a trim. Pruning is an essential maintenance activity to promote tree health, safety, and aesthetics. Since trees are large, long-living plants in our landscape, pruning throughout the life of a tree can have a...
Up close on brown tree bark with text overlay reading Community Tree Care.
Sharpening knowledge of tree care leads to healthier, better-looking trees
URBANA, Ill. — Trees are a beautiful and vital part of our communities, providing many long-term benefits to the public. Routine maintenance and proper care techniques contribute to a longer, healthier life. “Trees improve the local environment, economy, and overall quality of life,”...
A gloved hand holds open a bat wing up to the light
ACES expert: Bats take spotlight during Bat Week
URBANA, Ill. — Bats come out of the shadows during Bat Week, Oct. 24-31, an international awareness campaign that aims to educate the public about bat conservation in the week leading up to Halloween. University of Illinois Urbana...
green acorns on an oak branch
Tree identification workshop highlights importance of Illinois' native oaks
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois is home to 21 different native oak species whose populations provide habitat and food for wildlife, support biodiverse ecosystems, contribute to improved air and water quality, and provide residential shade benefits that help to reduce energy use. Gain a better...
An Indiana Bat with a metal band on its wing
Illinois landowners can support bats with backyard trees, forests
URBANA, Ill. — Fluttering overhead at night, quiet except for their squeaks, bats can be easily overlooked, but these small mammals play a big role in the ecosystem. Bats are also at risk. Illinois is home to 13 species of bats, and more than half of them are listed as endangered, threatened by...
Split trunk of pear tree
Reduce storm damage by looking for tree defects before bad weather strikes
URBANA, Ill. — High winds during summer storms wreak havoc on trees. Tree defects increase the likelihood of failure, and those close to homes can quickly become dangerous. Learn to look for these weak points to be better prepared for severe weather events.   Trees experience damage from...
wild parsnip
Identify, avoid, and manage troublesome wild parsnip
URBANA, Ill. — Often parsnips, large white carrot-like root vegetables, are substituted for celery in soups and stews. The cultivated parsnip that we eat heralds from the appropriately named wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa. However, wild parsnip is a plant to avoid. The wild version of cultivated...