Trees

Training Young Fruit Trees

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

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.

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.

Fall Yard and Garden Cleanup

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

How to Plant Bare-Root Perennials

Many herbaceous perennial plants are sold as bare-root plants. A bare-root plant is just what it sounds like—a plant with bare roots and not growing in a container. Learn how to select, store, and plant these plants.

Ash Tree Issues

Ash flower galls are appearing on the twigs of ash throughout the state. The brown to black “balls” hang in clusters beneath the branch shoots. The galls are due to the feeding activity of the ash flower gall mite (Eriophyes fraxiniflora) and this mite only feeds on the male flowers of ash.

Aphids On Trees

Aphids are appearing on many trees at this time of year and their activity is generally noticed by the abundance of honeydew they excrete on the lower leaves and any plants or objects beneath the tree.

Cottonwood Galls

Just about every year I receive samples of fallen cottonwood leaves with a “bump” at the base and the first one for this year was from Winner. This is the cottonwood petiole gall formed by the feed activity of a very small green aphid.

Kentucky Coffeetree

Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a medium-sized tree that will fit into many landscapes and provide interest all year with its bark, leaves, flowers, fruit and even great fall color, if weather conditions are right.

What to Do About Ice Covered Trees?

We are experiencing periods of freezing rain across the state. This weather has left many trees covered with a 1/8 to 1/2 inch glaze of ice. The ice weight is resulting in bent and broken branches. Here are a few do’s and don’ts for dealing with ice on trees.