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Boxwoods losing leaves should not be ignored!!  Check them carefully for tell-tale symptoms of boxwood blight, a serious fungal disease that causes rapid defoliation and dieback (Fig. 1). The fungus that causes boxwood blight can infect all above ground portions of the shrub. The first symptoms of the disease are dark leaf spots (Fig. 2…Read more about Boxwood Blight – Be on the Look-Out[Read More]



An abiotic stress in plants is a stress due to a non-living factor, such as temperature, moisture, herbicides, etc.  Biotic stress includes a living organism, such as a fungi, insect, etc.  This series will explore some of the most common types of abiotic stress you may find in landscapes and nurseries.   What is wrong…Read more about Common Abiotic Problems of Ornamentals: Soil pH Effects on Fertility[Read More]


Diseases that affect the twigs, branches, and the main trunk of a tree are referred to as cankers or blights. Cankers appear as a general sunken area of darkened tissue on the twigs or branches, often surrounding a branch stub (Fig. 1). Canker diseases can be a serious problem in the landscape when they are…Read more about Opportunistic canker pathogens[Read More]


Q.  We have a large sycamore tree in our yard. Every summer it sheds its bark over a few weeks’ time. I think as it grows it is growing new bark and losing the old bark. Am I correct? – J.C., Walton, Ind. A.  You’re on the right track. Peeling bark is normal, and is a key…Read more about Peeling Sycamore Tree Bark is Normal[Read More]


The Purdue University College of Agriculture hosts a career fair every fall and spring semester. Over 150 companies attend, providing recruiters with the opportunity to educate students about their organizations, advertise positions and/or interview students for permanent or internship positions. During the fall, a Resume Blitz is held the day before the fair.  The evening…Read more about Purdue University College of Agriculture Fall 2018 Career Fair[Read More]



Getting calls from panicked customers about black spots on maple leaves? You’re probably not alone, because now is the time when people start to notice maple tar spot. Every summer we get questions about black spots on maple leaves that look like tar. These spots are not actually “tar” on maple, but are rather a…Read more about Tar Spot on Maple[Read More]




On July 17th, at the Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis, the Natural Resources Commission passed the preliminary adoption of the Terrestrial Plant Rule (TPR) (https://www.in.gov/nrc/files/lsa18316_proposed.pdf).  This rule restricts the sale, distribution, and transport of 44 invasive plants, which were determined invasive based on scientific literature by the Indiana Invasive Species Council’s subcommittee, the Invasive…Read more about Natural Resources Commission Preliminarily Adopts Invasive Plants Rule[Read More]



  The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) conducted an analysis of 62 civilian tree care-related accidents reported by the media from January 2017 to June 2018. TCIA is a trade association that promotes professional tree care and discourages homeowners from taking unnecessary risks caring for their trees themselves. While these numbers are not representative of…Read more about Homeowner Tree Care Accidents[Read More]


Most landscape professionals and gardeners have heard of the wise advice “leaves of three, let it be” referring to the pest plant poison ivy. While not quite as catchy, the saying really should be “leaflets of three, let it be.” Poison ivy leaves are compound rather than simple – a single leaf is divided into…Read more about Poison Ivy[Read More]


An abiotic stress in plants is a stress due to a non-living factor, such as temperature, moisture, herbicides, etc.  Biotic stress includes a living organism, such as a fungi, insect, etc.  This series will explore some of the most common types of abiotic stress you may find in landscapes and nurseries. We’ve all experienced the…Read more about Common Abiotic Problems of Ornamentals: Transplant Shock[Read More]



One of the most common problems of broadleaf shade trees is a group of diseases collectively known as anthracnose. Anthracnose diseases are caused by fungi and become severe when cool, wet spring weather persists as leaves are first emerging. The most commonly affected trees are ash, white oak, maple, and sycamore. Dogwood, birch, elm, walnut,…Read more about Anthracnose of Shade Trees[Read More]




People often select plants first for their beauty and second for their functionality in the garden. Frequently, we don’t know or don’t consider a plant’s behavior when we’re selecting them. Almost by definition, a species that is an effective ground cover will have a spreading habit. But does that make the species aggressive or invasive?…Read more about Spreading Ornamentals[Read More]


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