Mulches for Home Gardens and Plantings
Boost your garden’s production with mulches. This publication shows when to use organic mulches, like bark or leaves, and synthetic mulches, like plastic sheets, and teaches how to apply them.
Deciduous Trees & Shrubs
Trees and shrubs are the backbone of our landscapes. Properly placed and well-maintained landscape plants help conserve energy, provide shade, increase the property values, attract wildlife, offer privacy and help us create peaceful outdoor living environments. Many trees and shrubs also exhibit showy flowers, vibrant fall foliage colors, and edible fruits. Learn from our publications and fact sheets about selecting, planting and maintaining trees and shrubs in Wisconsin landscapes.
Featured Tree & Shrub Articles
Choosing the Right Landscape Plants: Factors to Consider
Plant selection is one of the most important decisions a gardener, landscaper or designer makes. Learn more about selecting plants in this publication.
Is My Ash Tree Worth Treating for Emerald Ash Borer?
When should I treat my ash tree for EAB? This factsheet addresses some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the treatment of ash trees for EAB, and the removal and disposal of infested trees.
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Articles
Woodpecker Ecology & Damage Management
Woodpeckers are attractive visitors to bird feeders and an integral part of the ecosystem, but can sometimes cause damage. Learn about the habits and management of these interesting birds.
Espalier
Interested in getting higher yields of fruit, want a fruit tree but don’t have much space, or just want an interesting plant as a focal point? Read this article to learn more about the classic technique of espalier…
Boxwood Blight
Boxwood blight (also known as box blight and boxwood leaf drop) is a devastating disease of boxwood (Buxus spp.) that can cause leaf loss and eventual death of affected shrubs. This factsheet covers symptoms and management.
Black Stem Borer
Black stem borer (BSB), is an invasive beetle from Asia. This factsheet describes the appearance, life cycle, scouting suggestions and control methods of this important pest.
Kiwifruit, Actinidia spp.
What’s brown and fuzzy all over and green inside? Well, the kiwifruit, of course. To learn more about kiwifruit, read this article…
Cicadas
The buzzing of cicadas means it’s the height of summer. Learn more about these insects in Wisconsin, including their biology and lifecycle, in this article…
Fothergilla
Fothergillas are multi-season beauties grown as ornamentals well outside their original range. Learn more about these easily grown members of the witch-hazel family…
European Larch, Larix decidua
Not all conifers are evergreen, and larch is one example of a conifer that loses its needles every year. Learn more about Larix decidua in this article…
Serviceberry, Amelanchier spp.
If you’re looking for a small tree with attractive white blossoms in spring and small fruits that can be food for animals or humans, consider one of several species of serviceberry. To learn more, read this article…
Sawflies
Sawflies are a group insects related to wasps. The plant-feeding larvae often look like caterpillars or slugs, and large numbers cause noticeable defoliation on their hosts. Learn more about sawflies in this article…
Eastern Filbert Blight
Eastern filbert blight is a potentially serious fungal disease found throughout the United States, affecting Corylus species, commonly known as hazelnuts or filberts. Symptoms and management are described in this factsheet.
