

TRUNKS & STUMPS
There are several ways to deal with the trunk (AKA bole) of a tree. The ways rarely get consideration and several of the options will...
Dec 1, 2022


Trunk Wounds
Other than root damage and the resulting stress, one of the biggest problems associated with transplanting large caliber trees is...
Nov 1, 2022


Gardening Impediments
Gardening impediments are the things (mostly behavioral) which prevent one from being a better gardener, thus having a better garden. I...
Oct 1, 2022


Goldenrod, a Lovely Garden Thug
There are nearly two dozen Solidago species in the Midwest flora and all but one are native -- the exception being the interstate...
Sep 1, 2022


Farmers and Farming
The efforts of plant explorers, plant breeders, and farmers have freed most people from the never-ending and onerous task of gathering...
Aug 1, 2022


Cats and Plants
Despite horrible cat related experiences in my youth, and even though I have a confirmed (although mild) cat allergy, I AM A CAT LOVER....
Jul 1, 2022


US vs THEM, and being objective
Labelling, like native and nonnative, flummoxes me and hamstrings us. On the surface the distinction, essentially us vs them, seems...
Jun 1, 2022


Leaves of Three
Remember the old adage, leaves of three, let it be OR leaflets three, quickly flee? These proverbs were meant to help identify poison ivy...
May 1, 2022


A TALE OF TWO CITIES, and a Dane
I recall loathing my time in Mrs. Sailor's English (Literature) during high school (late 1960s) in south central Illinois. Boy, was I...
Apr 1, 2022


Gold Thread False Cypress - Commonly (Mis)used
Gold thread false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) is a Sawara cypress frequently (mis)used in landscaping -- 'Golden Mop' is predominant...
Mar 1, 2022