Shield trees from lawn mower nicks with ample mulch
Many of us have trees growing in the middle of our lawns. Trees and grass aren’t natural companions, but you can make it easier for them to live together, according...
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Brown leaves in summer probably signal scorched plants
Sometimes, in the height of summer, the tips of leaves on trees and plants turn brown and crispy. This condition is rarely caused by an insect or disease, according to...
What does scorching heat mean for trees and plants?
The summer has just begun and already it’s a scorcher, with stretches of 90-degree-plus days beginning in May. What does that mean for trees and garden plants? “Plants can cool...
You may love the look of lush perennials, but too-close plants breed problems
Many gardeners love a lushly planted perennial border or dense privacy hedge. But there’s such a thing as too much closeness, according to Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at The...
Many plants die when grown near black walnut trees. These are the ones that survive.
Many Midwestern yards are adorned by black walnut trees. The black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a large, handsome native tree that bears edible nuts. There’s just one problem with black...
If your garden grass is patchy, consider a ground cover instead
Homeowners often are frustrated when the lawn looks bad beneath trees. Starved for sun, the grass is thin and patchy. The problem is that most popular lawn grasses are full-sun...
‘Plants aren’t sponges’: Soil that’s too wet, too long can spoil your garden
If there’s an area of your yard where plants just won’t seem to grow, check to see if wet soil might be the problem. “Plants need moisture, but there’s a...
Orange growths on juniper trees signal cedar-apple rust
Many homeowners have been startled this spring by strange growths on juniper trees, sprouting orange tentacles like miniature sea anemones. The orange growths are nothing new, according to Sharon Yiesla,...
Have a dying spruce tree? Fungus may be the culprit
In most Chicago suburbs, you can’t drive a block without seeing a spruce tree. Norway spruce, blue spruce and white spruce are among the most popular trees in the area,...
About a week after spring-flowering shrubs bloom, it’s time to prune
Spring-flowering shrubs and small trees light up our home landscapes: viburnums, forsythias, redbuds, cherries, quinces, crabapples, lilacs. Within a week or two, the show will be over, and then it's...