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Trees

All Trees Content

black insect sitting on white background

Root Weevils: Accidental Invaders

The latest insects to find their way inside South Dakota homes are the root weevils, a kind of beetle characterized by a distinct snout on the front of its head.

hand with shears pruning evergreen branch

Shearing Evergreens

Shearing is an excellent means of maintaining a compact and dense evergreen with a more formal appearance.

John Ball standing next to summer wine ninebark shrub

Pruning Flowering Shrubs

Pruning not only benefits flowering but can also enhance bark color for shrubs with colorful canes.

juniper greens with noticable browning on shoot tips.

Vole Damage to Junipers & Small Trees

Vole-damaged junipers can be identified by distinct yellowing and browning shoot tips, as well as unique gnaw marks.

A bushy, brown to green plant with white flowers blooming throughout

May Showers Bring Spring Flowers

May is the month when our gardens, trees and shrubs really start to take off. It is an exciting time for all of us to see the color green again showing up throughout our yards and gardens.

A blue coat placed atop a medium-sized evergreen tree in a snowy clearing

It's Cold! How Can Our Plants Trees and Shrubs Withstand It?

The Northern Great Plains have experienced colder than normal weather over first few weeks of December. Cold temperatures certainly do affect our plants but there are some important differences.

A young, un-pruned fruit tree.

Training Young Fruit Trees

Training is probably the most neglected aspect of growing fruit trees.

A tree trunk with sawyer beetle damage.

Sawyer Beetles and Pine Wilt Disease

A sample came in from a recently felled Scotch pine tree down in Southeastern South Dakota. The hole and sawdust is due to a sawyer beetle that had infested the tree.

Wood burning in a indoor fireplace

Reducing the Risk of Wood Stove and Fireplace Fires

While wood can be an excellent heat source, burning wood in stove and fireplaces can result in stovepipe or chimney fires. These fires are often the result of a buildup of creosote, a tar-like material that forms due to incomplete combustion.

A cluster of yellow flowers with a large patch of green, wilting flowers on the right.

Fall Yard and Garden Cleanup

Before the snow falls, a few tasks can help make for a healthier yard and garden next year.