Beth Botts – Page 37 –

Trees with problems: To avoid trauma, don’t dig too deep

August 14, 2019 at 4:00 a.m.

Many troubled trees suffer from the same long-term trauma: They were planted too deep. "It's the most common underlying cause of tree problems," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at...

Lady Macbeth wouldn’t be happy, but maple leaf tar spot is basically harmless

August 8, 2019 at 4:00 a.m.

They're everywhere. They're ugly. But they're basically harmless. The black blotches that we often see on maple leaves in late summer are collectively called "tar spot," according to Julie Janoski,...

Tree vs. power line: Plan ahead to avoid conflict

August 5, 2019 at 4:52 p.m.

It's always sad to see a tree that utility crews have been forced to prune drastically to keep its branches safely clear of a power line. That sad sight can...

Watering the garden: Sprinklers, soaker hoses and tuna cans

July 30, 2019 at 4:00 a.m.

Many homeowners struggle with the same question: How much to water? "The simple answer is that your plants need enough water in the soil for their roots to absorb what...

Mistakes you’re probably making when watering the garden

July 26, 2019 at 12:01 p.m.

The hotter it gets, the more rapidly plants lose water. "In the heat of summer, our trees and garden plants require more water than usual," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge...

Prune suckers from trees close to the ground

July 26, 2019 at 11:57 a.m.

Sometimes a tree starts to look more like a shrub, with stems sprouting from the base of the trunk. These stems are called "suckers" because they compete with the main...

Wet spring may have hurt some plants, but yards should be drying out now. And it might be time to …. water.

July 11, 2019 at 9:18 a.m.

Gardening in Chicago this year has sometimes felt more like wading in a swamp. "In spring and early summer, it was extremely wet," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist in...

Sudden oak death pathogen found in Illinois, but don’t panic yet

July 8, 2019 at 8:11 a.m.

The recent discovery that some plants sold at Illinois retailers carried the pathogen that causes sudden oak death is cause for concern, but not for panic, according to Patricia Bethke...

Large, old trees are an important part of the history of our country and communities

July 4, 2019 at 4:00 a.m.

The history we share is in our celebrations — fireworks, flags, hot dogs, parades. It's in our treasured old buildings and grand old parks. And it's in our trees. Large,...

Don’t pile it on when mulching around a tree

June 29, 2019 at 4:00 a.m.

To help a tree or shrub, spread mulch over its roots the right way — as a layer, not a mountain. "All too often, you see mulch heaped up around...

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