We are back with our series on the common tree diseases and insect pests in Illinois with a closer look at a dangerous fungal disease, verticillium wilt.  Verticillium wilt is known to affect more than 350 species of flowering plants including shrubs, trees, fruits, and vegetables.  This disease affects the xylem, or tissue responsible for the movement of water within the tree, which makes it difficult for water to get to the branches.  As a...

Just about every living thing on Earth from animals to plants needs water to survive.  When it comes to plants, the water they receive typically comes from rain and humidity.  However, mother nature does not always provide enough water for plants and trees as droughts can leave areas dry for weeks or even months.  If your area does not receive enough rain, especially during the hot months of the summer, you will need to water your plants and...

Today we continue with our series on the common tree diseases and insect pests in the Chicago area to discuss an invasive pest, the Japanese beetle.  Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) are native to Japan but considered an invasive species in the U.S. as they are known to feed on the leaves of more than 300 species of plants including bushes and trees.  Adult Japanese beetles skeletonize leaves, destroying the foliage of affected plants and...

This summer in the Chicago area is going to be different than previous summers.  Sure, Illinois is in Phase 4 of the re-opening plan, but the threat of COVID-19 is not gone.  This will likely motivate people to continue to stay at home and ride out the pandemic safely.  As you spend more time at home this summer, you can transform your yard into an oasis that makes your time at home more enjoyable.  A great place to start is in your own...

We return this week with our series on the common tree diseases and insect pests in the Chicago area with a closer look at a pest responsible for widespread defoliation, the gypsy moth.  The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar), also known as the European gypsy moth, is an invasive species from Europe.  It is known to devour the foliage of hundreds of species of trees and shrubs and can destroy millions of acres of trees in a single season. ...

You may have noticed that a terrifying insect has been trending and showing up in headlines lately, referred to as the murder hornet.  The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), also known as the Japanese giant hornet and murder hornet, is the largest hornet in the world.  As its name suggests, these hornets are native to many areas in Asia, but they have recently been discovered in the U.S. for the first time ever. The Asian giant hornet is a...