Trees provide shade, ecosystem services, and economic value in both urban and rural landscapes. Because trees are dominant features, their health has a big impact on the function and aesthetics of community forests. We invest time, money, and effort in our backyards and parks. Understanding factors...
A Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop hosted by University of Illinois Extension continues to produce results months after participants left Christ Orchard in Elmwood. Twenty-one people attended the February 2026 program to learn how proper pruning can improve tree health, structure, and fruit production....
Every tree has a story to tell, you just need the right tools to read it. Those stories are written in tree rings, hidden in their height, and tucked away in details most of us walk right past.During Forestry Skills 101: Using Forestry Tools, 13 participants plus four Extension staff got to step...
By Deborah Lane, Extension Master Gardener, Serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell CountiesAs a Master Gardener volunteer, I have learned that many new homeowners arrive with the same concern: they have inherited a yard, but they are not sure what they have. Moving day may bring boxes...
Plant breeding and selection programs have provided homeowners and landscape managers with a huge variety of plant options. Many familiar woody plant species are now available in unique sizes, unusual shapes, or produce leaves in nontraditional colors. Many of these selections are derived from a...
With our cool, wet spring, conditions were perfect for the development of anthracnose. This common tree disease is present every year, but tends to ebb and flow with our spring weather. Although a variety of tree species experience anthracnose infection, the American sycamore (Platanus...
Did you plant a tree this past spring? How about last fall? Do you have a mature tree that you are caring for? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this article is for you because when you are caring for a tree, you are tasked with caring for the above-ground portion and the below-ground...
This week, we celebrate two holidays: Earth Day and Arbor Day. Although they were inspired by different moments in history, both share the purpose of inspiring environmental stewardship. Together, their histories and modern observances reflect our ever-evolving understanding of the human-nature...
As temperatures warm and spring progresses, our landscapes come alive. Plants resume growth and begin flowering, insects emerge, and hummingbirds return. These charismatic birds captivate us with their iridescent plumage and aerial agility. Many gardeners put out feeders to attract hummingbirds,...
Early spring often brings unpredictable weather, from 80-degree days to temperatures well below freezing. While many plants are adapted to withstand cold temperatures when dormant, they become far more vulnerable once they begin to emerge from dormancy. While early‑emerging plants such as...
