Trees

Walnut Caterpillars

Walnut Caterpillars

A few weeks ago, I was exploring a woodland near Springfield and ran across a fuzzy cluster of feeding insects. It was slightly out of reach, congregated in a lower limb of a young black walnut tree (Juglans nigra).While grabbing a nearby stick and attempting to pull the limb down and get a closer...
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Green PawPaw fruit on tree

Pawpaw fruit ripening

North America’s largest native tree fruit is ripening in forest understories and home landscapes across central Illinois this week. Pawpaws (Asimina triloba) are an often-unknown fruit tree to many folks, but they offer a delicious, exotic taste that seems more like a tropical fruit...
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Fire blight is a rapidly spreading bacteria disease often characterized by rapidly dying shoots that turn black or brown and bend into a shepherds crook shape.

Fire blight

In Illinois, we are very fortunate to have the ability to grow multiple tree fruit crops in our climate. However, we do have quite a few insect and disease challenges to address when reaching for that perfect apple or pear. On a recent trip to the Pacific Northwest region, I was in awe of...
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Potted plants await spring planting at the Missouri Botanical Garden nursery production area

Spring tree planting considerations

Spring is a time of an awakening plant world full of blooms and endless possibilities for the coming growing season.  It’s a time that many of us think about updating our landscaping, making it the most popular time of year to plant trees and shrubs. When you combine the mild temperatures...
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A pawpaw tree outside a brick building

How sunlight can change tree shape

Several years ago, we had an extra pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) after all the plants were distributed at the East Central Illinois Master Naturalist’s Annual Native Tree and Shrub sale. Since this poor tree had no home, we decided to plant it outside one of the staff entrances at the...
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Brown leaves hanging off an oak tree that were damaged by cicadas

How to identify cicada damage on trees

The signs of this year’s historic cicada hatch are still around, although all of our periodic cicadas are now quietly underground, feeding away on tree roots for the next 13 years.  After piles of molted shells and dead adult cicadas earlier in the summer, we are now seeing their signature on...
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Magnolia scale on a magnolia tree.

Managing Magnolia Scale

Magnolias are some of the most popular ornamental trees across the US.  Known for spectacular flowering displays, they come in various shapes and sizes, from smaller shrub-sized plants to medium-sized shade trees.For the most part, these trees are usually a pretty safe bet in Illinois gardens...
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