University of Illinois Extension

Events (1)

History of Forest Pest Outbreaks: Four Seasons Gardening Webinar

1:30 PM

Tue, 11/17/2020 - 12:00

Online

photo of forest trees

Blog Posts (37)

The gall of insects (tree bumps and lumps)

Plant Pathogen Spread

The alien-looking fingers protruding from these crabapples release spores that can infect trees in the juniper family to perpetuate cedar-apple rust disease.

Watering tips for hot weather

Tree troubles usually start at the base of the trunk

Tree troubles usually start at the base of the trunk

Early History of Pollinators and Plants

This two-spotted bumble bee forages pollen on the flower of a spirea shrub

Top 5 early summer topics for gardeners

How Much Water Does Your garden Need?

Too Much Moisture, More Tree Problems

Maple anthracnose, via U of I plant clinic

Sycamores and Anthracnose

Sycamores across central Illinois are late to leaf out this year due to a commonly occurring fungal infection.

Get Out on the Trails

Hedge Apple Woods, Bloomington, by Rick Tindall

Trees deserve to be mulched the right way

Recommended Replacements for Problem Trees

Native hawthorn trees are in full bloom this week with a canopy filled with tiny white flowers.

Two Trees You Should Never Plant in Illinois

Colorado blue spruce is a non-native, commonly planted landscape tree that suffers from many issues here in Illinois.

Fruit Trees and Winter Injury

Apple trees in our area are in full bloom this week. Unlike peach trees which suffered cold damage, many apple trees in central Illinois seem to have endured.

Magnolias and Pollination

Saucer magnolia is currently in full bloom in our area with an abundance of white to pinkish, showy flowers

How to Plant a Fruit Tree

Planting a fruit tree requires digging a hole the size of the roots.

Spring Pruning Can Hurt Your Tree’s Bank Account

Spring Pruning Can Hurt Your Tree’s Bank Account

Tree Identification

Ash trees have a distinctive, opposite branch arrangement observable by twigs that occur directly across from each other on each stem.

Urban Tree Planting

Newly planted urban trees are at risk of mortality if proper after-planting care, such as mulching and watering, is not carefully tended.

Rapid Response to Ramorum Blight

This rhododendron shoot is infected with the pathogen Phytopthora ramorum, displaying the typical symptoms of ramorum blight. PC UI Plant Clinic

Weeding out Invasives

The green foliage in this picture is bush honeysuckle, which is an invasive species that dominates forest understories in Illinois. If not weeded out...

Old Trees

Old Trees

Bringing Spring Indoors - Forcing Branches

branches from cherry tree blooming indoors

Recycle or Repurpose your Christmas Tree

New Year, New Yard: Making plans for your landscape in 2020

New Year New Yard

Christmas Trees After the Holidays

Christmas trees leaning against wooden pallets in a snow covered field

Pick the Christmas Tree Right for You - Artificial vs. Real

Selecting Your Christmas Tree

evergreen trees

Winter Dormancy in the Landscape

Winter Dormancy

Fall's Frequent Topic Review

Not All Trees Are Good Trees

Bronze leaves of Tree of Heaven

Using Fallen Leaves

fallen leaves on turfgrass

Why do tree leaves change color in autumn?

orange and yellow fall leaves

Enjoying the final hurrahs of a staple landscape tree

sunshine through ash tree leaves

Fall is for More than Tree Planting

Preparing Black Walnuts for Eating

Galls Abound All Around

News Releases (12)

Research drone photos spot invasive species

Prevent oak wilt from damaging your trees

Nature adapts when heat waves hit

Illinois’ big trees are on the map

Too much of a good thing, mulch volcanoes slowly kill trees

Grow apple trees in your urban garden

Increase life span of urban trees

Familiar tale: Victims of emerald ash borer and other exotic pests

Christmas tree hitchhikers

Oak Pests and Diseases Workshop

Learn how to identify trees correctly

University of Illinois Extension to Host Tree Selection and Care Workshop

Staff (2)

Doug Gucker staff photo

Douglas B. Gucker

Extension Educator, Local Food Systems and Small Farms

Sarah Vogel staff photo

Sarah Vogel

Extension Educator, Horticulture and Natural Resources