Ryan Pankau is the Horticulture Educator for Illinois Extension serving Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties in central Illinois. He has over 20 years’ experience as an arborist and forester after earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in forestry from Southern Illinois University. Ryan has past work experience as a certified arborist, forest hydrologist, and USDA-NRCS Area Forester in southern Illinois. 

Currently, he specializes in forestry, tree care, and the use of native plants in both landscaping and restoration settings. He is the author of the Garden Scoop blog which discusses a wide variety of plant-related topics specific to Illinois.