The hard freeze last week had many homeowners concerned about their perennial and annual plants in their landscape. For the vast majority of perennial plants, there aren’t many issues long-term of concern. Some foliage and flowers have significant damage, but the plants will recover, and possibly release new vegetative buds in severe cases. The plants[Read More…]
Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Landscape Report
Trees, Shrubs, Vines
This week’s forecast is indicating unseasonably cold temperatures for most of the state with lows in the lower 20’s. While the temperatures shouldn’t reach record setting status, it could cause some plant stress. Plants are most susceptible to cold injury going into dormancy and coming out of dormancy, with maximum cold hardiness during the winter. [Read More…]
As bud break is currently occurring on early species in southern and central Indiana, remember to be on the lookout for callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) on properties that you manage for removal. Callery pear (multiple cultivars in the landscape from this species) has become a major invasive species of concern in wild and disturbed areas[Read More…]
The Indiana Arborist Association will be hosting a virtual conference from Jan. 26-29, 2021, in lieu of its 73rd annual in-person meeting. The virtual event will offer a diverse group of speakers and topics in order to engage professionals, volunteers, managers and decision-makers alike. “As our organization gathers virtually together in 2021, we have the[Read More…]
It’s that time of year that roadways and sidewalks begin to be treated with salt. To prevent accidents, both vehicular and slips, salt is an invaluable tool that keeps people safe. For all of the benefits for humans, plants aren’t as appreciative. We have two great resources available that explains salt damage in great detail[Read More…]
I hear this complaint or issue more frequently, “what can I do about the neighbor’s tree?” or “my neighbor just butchered my tree!”. Often, we see issues with a neighboring tree that may threaten safety or appears to be an elevated risk. For example, from the view of your window you see your neighbor’s tree[Read More…]
After you have decided on the best species and cultivar (right plant, right place!) for a location, it’s time to inspect the plants from the nursery or garden center. What should you be looking for when inspecting trees prior to transplanting into the landscape? Here are a few: Look for structural defects (Fig. 1). Ensure[Read More…]
Please join us Wednesday (September 16th) for our bi-weekly, live educational series. The event will take place at 12:00 pm (Eastern) on Zoom at https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/96190839031 or on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/PurdueLandscapeReport/. The following speakers and topics will include: Costs of Applying Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) for Shrub Maintenance-Ariana Torres Plant Selections You’ll Live to Regret-Tom Creswell Manganese Deficiency[Read More…]
This spring the PPDL received several samples, calls and emails related to dying weeping cherry trees (Fig. 1, 2, 3). Reports of this phenomenon came from as far away as Missouri. Ornamental cherry trees (and related Prunus spp.) are susceptible to multiple problems, including southwest injury (Fig. 4) Botryosphaeria dieback/canker (Fig. 5), bacterial canker and[Read More…]
The Purdue Landscape Report Team will begin a new, free online series that will start tomorrow (July 22) and follow the day after the newsletter every two weeks at noon Eastern time zone. The topics and speakers will vary each session, so check out the newsletter every two weeks to find out what follows the[Read More…]
As so many gardeners are staying at home these days, we’ve had more opportunity to enjoy the spring display. And then, perhaps inevitably, “normal” spring frost and freeze visited – some plants are vulnerable to damage. The amount of damage will depend on how far along they are in their development. Home fruit-growers may have[Read More…]
Labor issues and timing of tree care activities have been and will continue to be impacted by federal and state rulings as a result of CoVid-19. As a result of social distancing and confusion surrounding “essential services”, many plant health care technicians and business operations have been suspended. As the season progresses, these labor suspensions[Read More…]
This Nootka falsecypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) is showing severe dieback throughout much of the tree (fig. 1 and 2). The primary pathogen present is a fungus in the genus Diplodia. Small twigs are infected first, which eventually leads to dieback of larger branches (fig. 3). Note the spherical black spore bearing structures (pycnidia) at the base[Read More…]
The dead lower branches in these Austrian pines (Fig. 1) are due to Diplodia (= Sphaeropsis) tip blight. The causal fungus infects newly elongating shoots, in late spring, resulting in stunting and death of the new growth (Fig. 2). Black spore-bearing structures of the causal fungus are formed at the base of the stunted brown[Read More…]
Sign-up to receive email news and alerts from Purdue Landscape Working Group:
