Trees and shrubs : article
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some gardeners take a hands-off approach to leaves. But leaves left on lawns can pack down into a tight mat, preventing sunlight from reaching the grass, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Leaves also trap and hold moisture, which increases the…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you have the sniffles or a bad infection, a visit to your doctor can usually put things right. Plants can get sick too and the University of Missouri Plant Diagnostic Clinic is where you can turn for help.
Gardening reduces food costs, boosts physical health, improves well-being and benefits the environment, while connecting people through learning and community.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ashes produced by wood-burning fireplaces or stoves are an excellent example of the idiom “don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Asian needle ants, an invasive species, may reach Missouri in 2025. Stay alert to protect local environments and health.
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Patience and a bucket of soapy water are your best friends when fending off Japanese beetles in the garden, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — An ideal soil is half solid and half pore space by volume, and that pore space should be equal parts air and water. Gardening practices greatly influence pore space in cultivated soils.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Not all topsoil is created equal.
Learn how to assess and care for snow‑damaged trees safely: when to prune, wait, or call a pro to protect tree health.
Enjoy a Thanksgiving hike through tallgrass prairie and spot big bluestem’s turkey-foot seed stalks for a festive outdoor adventure.
Emerald ash borer threatens ash trees across Missouri. Learn signs of infestation, treatment options, and ways to protect valuable trees.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Salt does more than melt the ice on your sidewalks and driveways.It can harm your lawn and shrubs, says University of Missouri Extension turf management specialist Brad Fresenburg.Too much salt can leave dead strips along sidewalks and driveways. It can kill shrubs and flowers.
Minimize chainsaw risks with proper safety gear, techniques, and precautions. Learn key steps to avoid injury during operation.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For many, the holiday season would not be complete without evergreens, holly, mistletoe and other traditional plants. But it’s important to exercise care with some of these plants for happy and safe holidays, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You don’t have to break your back when transplanting a tree, said a University of Missouri horticulturist.
Research on tree root growth after transplanting suggests that you do not have to dig a deep hole, said Chris Starbuck.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Few spring scenes are as spectacular as the annual display provided by dogwood trees in the Ozark woodlands,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Landscape plants have flourished over an ideal spring. Azaleas and hydrangeas have never looked better, but many of the lush leaves that developed during the mild weather will scorch, turn brown or even fall off when the summer heat returns, said a University of Missouri Extension…
Free wood ashes boost calcium, phosphorus and potassium, helping raise garden soil pH safely—avoid ashes from cardboard, trash, coal or treated wood.
Test your garden soil before adding fertilizer to avoid waste, nutrient imbalance, and poor plant growth.
The leaves have dropped, branches are bare, and the garden blooms are gone, but trees and flowering plants still bring us cheer during the winter holidays.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - They're here: Emerald ash borers, which have killed tens of millions of ash trees in eight states, are now in Missouri. On July 23, USDA scientists discovered seven of the insects in traps in Wayne County in southeast Missouri.
Plan and grow a home orchard by choosing the right fruit plants, considering pollination, soil, and disease resistance.
Missouri’s hills might not be alive with the sound of music, but they soon will transition into a kaleidoscope of color. The foliage of trees, shrubs and vines is about to burst into its full glory.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Fall is a good time to clean up your garden and plant trees and shrubs, said a University of Missouri horticulturist."The key factor in plant establishment is root growth, and the faster the roots grow into the back-fill area of a new plant, the more successfully the plant will…
Turn fallen leaves and faded garden plants into nutrient-rich compost for a healthier garden and easier seasonal cleanup.
As autumn paints Missouri’s landscapes in brilliant hues, it also signals the start of the best season for planting trees, says University of Missouri Extension state forestry specialist.
Learn to support pollinators through hands-on classes covering bees, butterflies, habitat, and conservation starting in May.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Home gardeners who want to try something different might want to grow a sour orange or other citrus tree indoors, said a University of Missouri fruit researcher."There are many different types of citrus trees that can be grown indoors," said Michele Warmund.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two of the three gifts of the Wise Men – frankincense and myrrh – remain in high demand more than 5,000 years after gaining popularity in religious rituals, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.
Sarah Havens helps Missouri women landowners engage in forestry through programs, workshops, and resources that inspire leadership and stewardship.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Those unsightly round, brown growths seen on oaks this time of year won’t harm the tree, says a University of Missouri Extension fruit specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If a little is good, a lot must be better.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mulches benefit gardens throughout the year, but they are particularly helpful during the heat of summer, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo.
Discover the benefits of wildcrafting in Missouri, including plant identification tips and preparation methods for edible spring greens
COLUMBIA, Mo.
HANNIBAL, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a Specialty Crop Block Grant workshop 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, in Hannibal
Ensure healthy lawns and gardens by choosing topsoil with the right texture, pH, and organic matter for optimal plant growth.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many landscapes have problem spots where nothing grows well or looks attractive, such as the area below a large tree with a dense leaf canopy.
Celebrate 70 years of Missouri’s flowering dogwood, known for its stunning spring blooms and cultural history.
Harvesting timber selectively boosts forest health, wildlife habitat, and provides landowners with sustainable income.
Enhance your garden's health by improving soil structure with organic matter like compost, manure, and peat moss for better plant growth and water retention.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some Missouri gardeners are finding a new type of flatworm in landscape soils.The hammerhead worm is a “voracious, top-level predator,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Kelly McGowan. “It will eat anything in its path,” she says. It primarily feeds on native…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Dry soil conditions can significantly reduce the life span of valuable landscape trees.
“Because they are difficult and expensive to replace, your trees need attention during and after periods of drought,” says University of Missouri Extension state forestry specialist Hank Stelzer.
COLUMBIA, Mo.- Homeowners should be careful when using ice melters close to trees this winter, said a University of Missouri Extension forester.
"Nearly all ice melters are salts," said Hank Stelzer. They work by lowering the freezing point of water to well below 32 degrees.
Discover how herbs like lavender and rosemary were used historically to freshen homes and enrich gardens.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
Related story: Proper pruning prevents problems
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Now that the leaves have fallen, it’s time to think about pruning your trees.
Learn how to pick a fresh Christmas tree, care for it with water, and keep it safe and vibrant through the holiday season.
Put fallen leaves to work: leaving them in place provides insulation, boosts soil health, and creates winter havens for pollinators.
Leaving fallen leaves provides habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects while enriching your garden naturally.
Discover the allure of magnolias, from the early-blooming star magnolia to the native cucumber tree, each offering unique beauty and fragrance.
HILLSBORO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension in Jefferson County will hold Master Gardener classes Monday evenings at Jefferson College’s Hillsboro campus.
Weekly classes will be 6:30-9:30 p.m., Feb. 26 to May 7, said MU Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly.
COLUMBIA, Mo. -Over time, a sunny garden may become a shady one as surrounding trees and shrubs mature.
"Landscapes change their degree of shade, making it a challenge to grow garden plants," said Chris Starbuck, University of Missouri Extension horticulturalist.
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – Missouri farmers may have grown the peanuts that you enjoy in holiday candies like peanut brittle or peanut clusters.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many of the world’s finest wines and whiskeys begin in Missouri’s hardwood forests.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The dogwood tree’s stunning beauty echoes from the Ozark hillsides in April.The spectacular show of color bears witness to why the dogwood is worthy of being Missouri’s state tree, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Use it to steal a kiss, but keep it away from children, pets and yourself. Every part of mistletoe, an evergreen plant with white berries, is highly toxic.
Learn how mowing or composting leaves can enrich soil, control disease and support healthier lawns and gardens.
HILLSBORO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a one-night session in Hillsboro on June 13 to help landowners learn how to market timber.Too many landowners sell their timber for only a fraction of its worth, says MU Extension horticulture specialist Debi Kelly.
MU Extension’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, offers free testing for all common oak tree diseases.
Mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and enriches soil. Use 2–4 inches of organic mulch like pine bark or grass clippings for best results.
No spotted lanternfly detected in Missouri yet, but residents and growers are urged to stay vigilant and report sightings.
NEVADA, Mo. – If you don’t have time or space for a large Christmas tree, consider a Norfolk Island pine.
Apply spring preemergent herbicides at the right soil temperature to prevent crabgrass and other weeds in your lawn.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Given most nuts ripen late in the year, they have long been associated with the holiday season,” said David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. It also is one of the few times when consumers see what nuts looks like in nature.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Pest control in the garden might conjure images of a season-long battle with bugs, weeds and diseases. But sometimes four-legged “friends” such as deer, rabbits and squirrels can inflict far more damage, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Many tropical plants thrive in the heat and humidity of a typical Missouri summer and can make great outdoor patio plants. But as temperatures drop in the fall, conditions can quickly become deadly.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Homeowners eager to apply aggressive first aid to storm-damaged trees could be removing trees that might have survived.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners sho
Ornamental Callery/Bradford pear trees easily escape cultivation, form dense thickets, and resist control efforts in natural areas.
Related story: It’s tree pruning time
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Pruning trees when they’re young can prevent structural problems and the need to remove large limbs later, says a University of Missouri Extension state forestry specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The best time to prune fruit trees in Missouri is midwinter, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Debi Kelly.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– The long, harsh winter coupled with last fall’
After biting into an unripe persimmon, most experience a reaction called “pucker mouth.” Some liken it to having their tongue covered with fur. The offending substances behind this sensation are tannins, naturally occurring compounds that are so astringent they have the power to turn an…
Learn key chainsaw safety tips and maintenance steps to prevent accidents and keep your equipment in top condition.
Registration is open for the MU Extension Master Gardener online spring 2026 course. The 15-week class runs Jan. 2-April 27. The online core training is designed to provide in-depth horticultural knowledge. The course includes presentations and weekly discussion forums.
After serving two tours in Iraq, Marine veteran Jeremy Beaver returned to his rural Missouri roots and found peace in making maple syrup with his family.
Gardening enhances physical and mental well-being by providing exercise, time in nature and healthy food. Follow safety guidelines to maximize these benefits.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners sho
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The second annual Mid-Mo Expo for backyard gardeners and small farmers offers presentations and demonstrations to improve productivity and profits.
Discover smoketrees, vibrant small trees with colorful foliage and airy panicles that brighten your garden all year.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Many garden and home-improvement stores offer a seemingly endless selection of fertilizers.
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) goes by many common names; American persimmon, common persimmon, eastern persimmon, simmon, possumwood, and even sugar-plum. It ranges from southern Connecticut/Long Island to Florida, and west to Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa.
White oak (Quercus alba) is one of the preeminent hardwoods of eastern and central North America. It can be found from Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia south as far as northern Florida and eastern Texas.
Bring festive cheer with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for holiday memories that last a lifetime.
Spotted lanternfly may arrive in Missouri this summer, threatening grapes and vineyards—early detection and control are vital to protect industry.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Trees, hedges and bushes…. When spring comes, the impulse is to hand out haircuts.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardeners should make a pruning tour of their landscape now to touch up trees and shrubs, especially those planted in the past two years, said a University of Missouri horticulturist.
“There are several advantages to spring pruning,” said Chris Starbuck. “With no leaves…
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – It's the time of year when walnuts will start dropping off their trees."Picking these walnuts up to sell can be a great moneymaker, but don't forget that you can actually eat those nuts," says Tammy Roberts, University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education…
Sunny days and cool nights create the vibrant reds, purples, and golds of autumn leaves in deciduous trees.
Discover Missouri’s woods for wild fruits, nuts, and edible plants that add flavor and nutrition to your meals.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Sometimes fruit trees try to produce more fruit than is good for the plant. Poor fruit size and flavor, plant stress, and alternate bearing can result when certain types of fruit trees aren’t properly thinned.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri’s black walnut trees could be in trouble if thousand cankers disease (TCD) moves in from bordering Tennessee.
TCD is a serious threat to one of the state’s most valuable hardwood species, says Hank Stelzer, University of Missouri Extension state forestry specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Despite their association with fall colors, you’ll want Jack Frost and Indian Summer to stay away if you’re hoping for vivid autumn leaves.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – How does your garden grow? No grow or slow grow? It could be your H2O.
How and when you water your garden often makes the difference between healthy or diseased plants, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tom Fowler.