December 29, 2017
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Preventing Cedar Apple Rust

Preventing Cedar Apple Rust Preventing Cedar Apple Rust Cedar-apple rust is an interesting and complex disease involving alternating hosts to complete its lifecycle. This disease is caused by the fungus (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae). Now that is a mouthful to pronounce and something great to discuss with guests while at a party […]
September 25, 2017
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Fungus Among Us

Fungus Among Us There is more going on with autumn leaves besides the color changes of yellow, orange, and red – fungus. September is when fungal spotting has reached its peak, causing many of your favorite plants to defoliate or go dormant early.See, in spring, fungal spores are everywhere, dancing […]
July 2, 2017
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Rabbit Resistant Perennials and Shrubs

Rabbit Resistant Perennials and Shrubs Recently, my husband and I were babysitting my cousin\’s kids, so we dusted off my husband\’s complete set of Looney Tunes DVD\’s and put it on to watch. I learned two things from this. 1) Kids today don\’t have an appreciation for the sophisticated comic […]
April 9, 2017
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Deer Protection, Buck Rub & Resistant Plants

Deer Resistant Plants, Buck Rub & Protection Deer resistant plants is a very common topic in Wisconsin, especially in fall. It\’s often an initial question on new landscape projects of all sizes. Deer resistant, repellent, deterrent, and deer proof can all be used synonymously with the topic. Ultimately, fencing is […]
April 9, 2017
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Black Walnut Toxicity

Black Walnut Toxicity Black Walnut Toxicity Occasionally, clients will call our offices with complaints about an area in their yard where nothing seems to grow. One of the questions we ask is “Is there a Black Walnut tree nearby?” Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) and a related species, Butternut (Juglans cinerea) […]
February 20, 2017
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Wisconsin’s Native Oaks – Pests

Native Oak Pests & Diseases Two-lined Chestnut borer “The most important insect cause of oak mortality is the two-lined chestnut borer (Agrilus bilineatus).” This statement by Phil Pellitteri, a former professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is one all who plant native oaks in Wisconsin should be aware of. These […]
April 29, 2015

Codling Moth: Apple Menace

Codling Moth: Apple Menace June is the start of our codling moth season. Codling moths are a major pest on apples and to a lesser extent on pears. Here in Wisconsin we normally have 2 generations of codling moths. Codling moths were originally native to Asia but are now found […]
March 14, 2015

Controlling Peach Pests, Disease & Insect

Growing peaches in S.E. Wisconsin is not a foolproof task. Due to our cold winters, success is limited by the cold temperatures and peach pests. Best results are obtained by planting very cold-hardy varieties, such as Reliance Peach, Contender, and Veteran. Peach tree flower buds are only winter hardy to […]