Yellow poplar weevil, also known as sassafras weevil, is a small (1/8”), stout, black, snout beetle that can damage yellow poplar, sassafras, and magnolia. In spring, adults can be found on these trees or, when numerous, in buildings and on…
Blog Archives
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Hatch Underway
Last week, Dr. Dan Potter, UK Entomologist, reported that eastern tent caterpillar eggs have begun to hatch (Figure 1). This is a bit later than they typically hatch, which is in mid-March. Since egg hatch occurs over a 2-week period,…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Last Year’s Ornamental Diseases Equal This Year’s Disease Risk
Disease presence last year can indicate a risk for the same disease this year. Many pathogens overwinter in Kentucky on infected plant material or as pathogen survival structures. Poor sanitation practices can lead to an increased risk of these diseases…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs, Ornamentals
From Tree Thief to Holiday Tradition: The Story of Mistletoe
Once autumn leaves have fallen, mistletoe becomes highly visible on large trees throughout Kentucky. Phoradendron, the scientific name for Kentucky’s most common type of this parasitic plant, means tree thief. These small leafy plants are commonly found on twigs and…
Posted in Forest Trees, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Leaf Scorch and Winter Drying of Woody Plants
Leaf scorch occurs whenever water needed for growth and health of plant foliage is lost from leaves faster than it can be replaced from soil. Any factor that interferes with uptake or movement of water through plants cause water deficiency…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Japanese Rose of Sharon Moth Found Just North of Kentucky Border
Caterpillars of Rusicada privata (formally Anomis commoda) (Walker, 1865) have been observed in Scioto County, Ohio, approximately 5 aerial miles north of Greenup County, Kentucky. The species, known as the rose-of-sharon moth or hibiscus leaf caterpillar moth (Figure 1), is…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Landscape Sanitation: Clean Up for Clean Plants
Autumn has arrived in Kentucky and, as leaves will soon begin to change color and fall from trees, it is time to focus on landscape sanitation. Good sanitation practices can help reduce disease-causing pathogens. These organisms can survive for months…
