Wood Mulch and Tree Health

Wood mulch can contribute to tree and shrub health in many ways, but at times can be harmful. Learn more in this factsheet.

Prairie Primer

Whether a beginning or experienced gardener, you’ll appreciate the step-by-step instructions for planting, landscaping, and managing your own prairie plot. This booklet has more than 50 illustrated descriptions of plants to help you make the best selections.

Tar Spot of Trees and Shrubs

Tar spot is a common, visually distinctive and primarily cosmetic fungal leaf spot disease that can affect many species of maple, including silver maple, sugar maple and Norway maple. Learn more in this factsheet.

Spongy Moth

Spongy moth (formerly gypsy moth) is a destructive insect when the caterpillars occur in large numbers and defoliate trees. This factsheet will help with identification and management of this pest.

Aphids

Aphids are soft-bodied, insects that feed on plant sap and subsequently excrete a sugary substance that can attract ants as well as support a saprophytic fungus called sooty mold. Learn about aphids found in home gardens in this factsheet.

Herbicide Damage

Herbicide damage is any adverse, undesired effect on a plant that is caused by exposure of that plant to a pesticide designed for weed control. Learn symptoms and more in this factsheet.

Viburnum Leaf Beetle

The viburnum leaf beetle (VLB), Pyrrhalta viburni, is an invasive insect that feeds exclusively on and can significantly damage Viburnum species. Identification and control are described in this factsheet.

Armillaria Root Disease

Armillaria root disease, also known as shoestring root rot, can affect most conifer and hardwood species, and is an often lethal disease of tree and shrub roots and lower stems. Learn more in this factsheet.

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