Homeowners can easily become injured – often fatally – while attempting to trim trees near overhead electrical wires. Though it is tempting to try to save money with this “do-it-yourself” approach, the potential for electrocution is not worth the risk. It is important to recognize when to call a professional arborist.
Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Landscape Report
Found 530 Articles
Hollyhock (Alcea spp.), an anchor plant for the back of the cottage garden, bloom mid-summer with numerous flowers on tall spikes, providing beauty for us, and food for bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. The most common varieties are biennial, taking two years to complete their lifecycle, although some persist as short-lived perennials. Fortunately, they are prolific…Read more about Jolly Hollyhock Rust[Read More]
The Purdue Landscape Report Team began a new, free online series that will continue Wednesday (Aug. 5th) 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 next…Read more about Purdue Landscape Report: Virtual[Read More]
Preemergence herbicides should be the primary tool for a landscape weed control program. The primary reasons to develop a strong preemergence herbicide program are 1) Decreased phytotoxicity (plant damage) to landscape plants and 2) Reducing the amount of times required to visit a property. With the difficulty of attracting quality labor in our industry, time…Read more about Single or Split Application of Preemergence Herbicides: Controlling while extending control[Read More]
Willows (Salix spp.) can be beautiful additions to the landscape. These iconic trees can be found growing naturally in river bottoms, along ponds, rivers, and streams; all areas with consistently moist soil. In the landscape, where soil moisture is much more variable, willows can be stressed by drought, increasing damage from a number of canker…Read more about Black Canker of Willow[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 about Purdue Landscape Report Team Begins New Virtual Series[Read More]
Several caterpillar pests feed on trees and shrubs in July. Although most trees can tolerate some defoliation, the injury can be unsightly for much of the summer. Damage to plants can be reduced by timely applications of insecticides. Proper choice of insecticides can reduce impacts on pollinators and natural enemies of spider mites that do…Read more about Safe Caterpillar Control[Read More]
Hot, dry summers are not that unusual in the Midwest, but 2020’s hot dry spell started considerably earlier than usual, before summer even officially began! To make it a triple whammy, the hard freeze in early May caused some landscape plants to burn up more stored carbohydrate reserves to produce a second round of foliage….Read more about Dog Days of Summer Barking Early This Year[Read More]
Slime flux (also known as wet wood) is a dark, foul-smelling and unsightly seepage of sap from tree trunks (fig. 1). The disease is not usually a serious problem but the appearance can be alarming. Slime flux is caused by common surface-inhabiting bacteria or yeast fungi that enter the trunk through wounds associated with improper…Read more about Slime Flux of Trees[Read More]
Don’t miss the opportunity to virtually attend the annual Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day! For the first time, we are offering cutting edge research and updated best management practices online. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Green industry professionals from landscape firms, lawn care companies, golf courses, sports turf companies, garden centers and more are invited…Read more about Join Us at the Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day[Read More]
Late frosts and wet weather were especially hard on oaks this spring. Surviving leaves on many oaks did not grow normally. Sustained warm weather in the summer will allow oaks to grow past their injury and thrive. Oak tatters is a common response to cold snaps in the late spring. Leaf growth is distorted. Affected…Read more about Oaks Will Persist After Ugly Summer Start[Read More]
Many are familiar with Rhizosphaera needlecast of spruce. If you aren’t, please see these two articles by Janna Beckerman and Megan Haas for more information about the disease and it’s management on spruce. The common name for the disease, needlecast, describes the ultimate fate of the needles: they are cast off. Loss of leaves or…Read more about Needlecast Diseases: Not Just a Spruce Problem[Read More]
Gray mold (causal agent = Botrytis cinerea) is one of the most common diseases affecting bedding plants. Host commonly include (but are not limited to): begonia, carnation, chrysanthemum, cyclamen, geranium, impatiens, marigold, million bells, petunia, vinca and zinnia. Fortunately, gray mold is one of the easiest diseases to manage. By changing cultural conditions that are…Read more about Gray Mold of Bedding Plants[Read More]
Trees and shrubs can lose their leaves for many reasons. The maple tree in the cover photo is planted in a parking lot, and mulched incorrectly. The parking lot location gives the tree much less access to rainwater than a tree planted in a park-like pavement free location. Deep mulch piled like a volcano aggravates…Read more about Oystershell scale may be killing tree and shrub branches in urban tree plantings[Read More]
Jumping worms (a.k.a. snake worms, crazy worms, Amynthas spp.) While you’re gardening in the coming weeks keep your eyes peeled for jumping, wriggling worms. Asian jumping worms are spreading in the Midwest and they can do serious damage to your yard. Where are they from? No one is sure exactly how jumping worms were…Read more about Asian jumping worms: ID, impact, and prevention[Read More]
Biology: Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia humistrata) is a summer annual broadleaf weed that can be found in dry/sandy and/or nutrient-poor soils along with compacted, weakened or disturbed turfgrass and landscape sites. Look for it first in driveways and sidewalks or in potted plants in a landscape or nursery as temperatures start to get warmer. Prostrate spurge can also…Read more about Spotlight on Weeds: Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia humistrata)[Read More]
A mild winter, followed by a brief warm-up, caused many plants to flower or leaf out before one last freeze. Unfortunately, that succulent new growth is much more susceptible to frost and freeze damage. Freeze injury in many plants will occur when the temperature falls below 32° F (0° C) and the water within the…Read more about 2020 has jumped the shark![Read More]
Soil is the ‘lifeblood’ of plant health. Many people tend to focus more on above ground portions of the plant than the below ground environment. We should always remember that a plant is only as healthy as its roots. Knowing the basics of soils will help in understanding the health of landscape plants (Fig. 1)….Read more about Soil Basics for Improved Plant Health[Read More]
It is the policy of the Purdue University that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue is an Affirmative Action Institution. This material may be available in alternative formats. 1-888-EXT-INFO Disclaimer: Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.
Sign-up to receive email news and alerts from Purdue Landscape Working Group:
This is US
For More Information
Purdue Home Page
Purdue Extension
Find your county office
