PHC on the Lookout – Spring Cleaning for the Yard!

Just as we air out the house and clean areas neglected during the winter, it’s also important to tidy the yard and get it ready for the upcoming growing season. Leaves and plant debris left over from the previous year can harbor diseases that will carry over to the following year. Keep in mind, there […]

PHC on the Lookout – Fall Leaves are Falling!

The beautiful reds, yellows and oranges that brightened our trees are now littering our lawns. Leaf clean-up is not a fun chore, but it’s important for many reasons. Not only is leaf clean-up the neighborly thing to do, it may keep your landscape healthy the following year. Tree leaves are carriers for fungi and diseases […]

PHC on the Lookout – Fire Blight

Fire Blight is a bacterial disease that affects many commonly used trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs that are susceptible to Fire Blight include Pear, Crabapple and Hawthorn trees, plus Roses, Spirea and Cotoneaster shrubs. Symptoms appear in early spring, just after flowers have opened. Blossoms wilt and turn brown shortly after opening. Fire Blight […]

PHC on the Lookout – Verticillium Wilt

There’s a fungus among us! Verticillium wilt is a fungus that can be found in a variety of ornamental trees and shrubs, commonly used in Illinois landscapes. Examples of susceptible trees include, but are not limited to, the Horse Chestnut, Kentucky Coffee tree, Redbud and Maples. Susceptible shrubs include Barberry, Viburnum, Serviceberry and Spirea. Symptoms […]