Courtesy of Tony Singh
Over the last 20 years, a conservationist in LeClaire has been trying to raise awareness about pesticide damage to his oak trees. He points to herbicide drift from nearby agriculture fields as the source of the problem.
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The oak is the state tree of Iowa and an important part of native Iowa ecosystems, but Iowa’s oak woodlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. On this Horticulture Day, Charity Nebbe talks with DNR District Forester Mark Vitosh about why oak woodlands are at risk and what we can do about it. Then, Iowa State University Horticulture Specialist Aaron Steil joins to help answer your questions about plants and trees. -
The oak is the state tree of Iowa. It’s a keystone species that provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including over 500 species of butterflies and moths. But Iowa’s oak woodlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. Iowa Department of Natural Resources District Forester Mark Vitosh said planting a diversity of trees is crucial for a resilient canopy. -
When plants start growing and insects start buzzing, plant diseases aren't far behind. On this Horticulture Day episode, Chelsea Harbach of the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic at Iowa State University joins to share what you can do to prevent some common diseases. Horticulture Specialist Aaron Steil and Iowa DNR forester Mark Vitosh also join to answer tree and gardening questions.
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Our relationship with fruit trees is a little different than our relationship with other trees. Iowa State University’s Suzanne Slack shares advice about when and how to prune fruit trees, vines and bushes.
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Oak wilt is a serious disease and the best way to protect your trees is by pruning them only in the dormant season. No one is telling you to go outside on one of the coldest days of the year to prune your oaks, but this is a great time to look out the window, make a plan, study the long-term forecast and put it on your calendar. On this Horticulture Day, Iowa Department of Natural Resources district forester Mark Vitosh joins to share everything you need to know about pruning and dispel myths around exploding trees. Then, Aaron Steil joins to help answer your gardening questions.
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Some trees, like oaks, need to be pruned during the dormant season to avoid diseases — though you'll likely want to wait for warmer winter days. Mark Vitosh, district forester with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, joins the show to talk about winter tree maintenance.
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Have you got your Christmas tree yet? If you haven't, there's still enough time to check out your local ditch. In this bonus episode, we hear from one caller about his holiday tradition of sourcing his tree from the side of the road.
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Snowstorms and cold temperatures dampened sales for many Christmas tree farms across the state. While the work is year-round, their retail season is typically condensed to a two or three week window in late November and early December. -
On this Horticulture Day, DNR Forester Mark Vitosh is here to give us some insight into the industry that brings so many people joy this time of year. When you buy a Christmas tree at a farm, tree lot or store, you’re buying an agricultural product. More than 35 million Christmas Trees are harvested every year in the United States, and there are approximately 200 Christmas tree growers in Iowa. Later, horticulture expert Aaron Steil joins the conversation and the two give their advice on sprucing up your Christmas tree traditions and answer gardening questions.
