As temperatures warm, Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) (SLF) eggs laid last fall will begin to hatch later this spring. The National Phenology Network is forecasting SLF egg hatch in North America based on growing degree day (GDD), base 50F. The map below was captured on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. You can continue to monitor the USA NPN website for SLF egg hatch at: https://usanpn.org/data/maps/forecasts/spotted_lanternfly

Bamboo is used to create beautiful furniture and other products for homes. These products often originate offshore and may come with a surprise. Here's another example of how these ‘guests' ended up in the United States.

Just in time for the upcoming season, Ohio State University Extension's FactSheet, How and Why to Hire an Arborist, has been updated and is posted on the Ohioline website. The updates include information about the different types of arborists and the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). There are also links to additional references and resources on the subject.

As weather warms...and it will - the calendar says it is officially spring - people will hopefully be spending an increasing amount of time outdoors. As they are outside, they may notice some things that they had not observed last year, and it may catch them by surprise and they may begin seeking answers. We had just the situation in the OSU Lucas County Extension office when a resident stopped by to ask what happened to their tree over the winter.  Their verbal description of "vertical raised lines" on the main trunk of some of their trees in their landscape, and photos on their cell phone...

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in collaboration with the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced yesterday that a 5.2 square mile area that includes portions of East Fork State Park and Tate Township has been removed from the ALB quarantined area.

The first day of Spring is synonymous with the Vernal Equinox, meaning equal day and equal night: 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The daylight hours are increasing. In the garden, Spring is marked by the emergence of crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and eventually tulips. But another plant is blooming; Vernal Witchhazel.

Brood XIV (14) of the 17-year periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) will appear this spring with high populations over a wide geographical area that includes southern Ohio. A newly posted OSU fact sheet describes what to expect.

Several years ago, I authored two articles titled ‘Crimes against Trees.’ Safety around large trees is important. Cutting all heavy branches back to a stub may seem to make sense. But overall, the tree becomes even more hazardous to people and property.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced yesterday that the box tree moth (BTM) (Cydalima perspectalis, family Crambidae) quarantine zone has been expanded in southwest Ohio.

We are nearing the end of winter. You may be thinking of adding a tree or shrub to your landscape. Besides researching what plant you should consider, you may want to consider site selection. Especially if you are replacing a plant that died. The “Why” behind why plants die can be related to site selection. An NOW is the time to go out in your yard and dig a hole. Soil Percolation Rates and Percolation Tests can help guide you planting decisions.