Blogs

Did periodical cicadas make their presence known around your house? Are you now seeing the ends of tree branches turning brown and dying? The dead branch tips are the result of our recently deceased cicadas laying their eggs inside these tree branches near their tips. This damages the branch...

Magnolias are popular trees and shrubs in many landscapes. Their large, showy flowers can range from white to pink to yellow and provide a burst of color in the spring. While they are relatively pest-free, one of the biggest pests is the magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum), which...

We are stuck with the trees planted by those who came before us. At least I am at my house. Mostly because they are so expensive to cut down. One species I am left dealing with is Norway maple (Acer platinoides).Am I referring to the maple with purple leaves? Yes, that maple. The original...

Welcome to summer! The heat, periodic drought, and summer storms can really take a toll on your trees. Here are some tips on how you can help your trees weather the weather.Planting Summer is not a great time to ...

Early 2024 features some excellent, once-in-a-lifetime natural events.  If you missed the solar eclipse in April, get ready for a rare ecological event about to unfold in the coming weeks.  Whether we want to experience it or not, we’ll be immersed in a mass emergence of periodical...

As May flowers begin to bloom and we celebrate the arrival of spring, we also turn our attention to Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial period dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and promoting well-being. During this time, we acknowledge the highs and lows that life can...

We have been hearing for months that two broods of periodical cicadas will emerge from the ground this May in central Illinois: the 13-year Brood XIX and the 17-year Brood XIII. These cicadas have been living underground, feeding on tree roots for either 13 or 17 years, depending on the brood. Is...

Happy Arbor Day!  Every year people around the globe celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees in their communities.  To celebrate Arbor Day the ag way, we’re going to discuss how farmers can incorporate trees into their operations (aka agroforestry).Agroforestry is the integration of trees...

If you’ve been out and about in central Illinois this past week, you’ve probably noticed quite a few things in bloom. Early blooming plants are easy to spot since most of the rest of the landscape is bare now, and most plant lovers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring, with anything...