Dutch Elm Disease in Illinois: Still a Threat to Our Urban Forest
In the early 20th century, American elm (Ulmus americana) was the dominant street tree across much of the Midwest, admired for its graceful form and hardiness. When Dutch elm disease (DED) arrived, it decimated entire neighborhoods. Though the most severe outbreaks occurred mid-century, and are no longer making headlines, DED is still active today and […]
Benefits of Transplanting Large Trees
Planting trees has a huge impact on our communities. Most people are aware of the typical tree planting process. This usually includes a small diameter tree where the roots what is often referred to in the industry as balled and burlapped, where the tree is dug from the field and then the “root ball” wrapped […]
Watering Bags – Easy Way To Water Your Tree
With the drought conditions that we have been experiencing, this spring and now into summer, everybody is looking for some kind of relief for their lawns and gardens. Driving down the street you will see most yards have gone dormant without any rain. In this vast landscape of brown yards, you will see some yards […]
Planting & Watering Practices For Your New Tree
Spring is a time of year when tree planting comes to the forefront of many people’s minds. Arbor Day is April 28th and with that and other events in the Spring, come tree giveaways or discounted trees. If you are reading this before May 20th, 2023, come find our booth at Blooming Fest in West […]
Right Tree Right Place
Planting a tree is one of the best, low-cost investments property owners can do for themselves and for the community. Trees clean air, prevent erosion, manage stormwater, cool landscapes, provides beauty, and increases property values, to name a few. These benefits are only enjoyed when the right tree is planted in the right place. Proper […]
Mulch – Best Management Practices
Mulch – Best Management Practices When done correctly, top dressing tree rings and planting beds with mulch is one of the highest benefiting practices homeowners can do for the health of their trees and woody ornamentals. However, when mulch is applied incorrectly, it can adversely affect plants. Mulch that is too deep, piled against the […]
Tree of the Week – Hackberry
Hackberry, an awesome tree that does very well in our area and is an easier one to learn identification of for the dendrologists out there! Look for the raised bark along the trunk of the tree and/or the circular fruits that it produces, these fruits start out green and then turn a purplish color as […]
Tip of the Week – Aiming for Tree Diversity
Prior to the Emerald Ash Borer, streets in many local communities were lined with Ash trees. Elm trees in the area and all over the country have suffered from disease. Both tree species were heavily used and planted in urban settings. When a tree disease or insect is introduced into a community the devastation can […]
Tree of the Week – Sweetbay Magnolia
Also known by its’ botanical name, Magnolia virginiana, the Sweetbay Magnolia is a wonderful addition to the landscape in usda hardiness zones 5-9. Creamy, lemon scented flowers appear in late June and are one of the most spectacular features of the Sweetbay Magnolia. In late summer, the beautiful flowers are replaced by scarlet red fruit, which […]
Tree of the Week – Eastern White Pine
Eastern White Pine is a distinctly unique conifer belonging to the ‘soft pines’ sub group of the Pinus genus. Historically, it has a huge range of native stands in 31 states and several Canadian provinces. This includes isolated native stands in Illinois such as White Pines State Park in Oregon, Illinois. The native habitats of […]