Porcelain Berry is a perennial, woody vine native to Asia. It was introduced into the U.S. in the 1870s as a landscape ornamental. The vigorous growth of the vines and beautiful berries made it a favorite in landscape designs. Unfortunately, the Jekyll and Hyde nature of porcelain berry was not discovered until it was too late to turn back the tide.

You may have heard of Spotted Lanternfly. You may have visited a state like Pennsylvania and seen it. You may have read that Spotted Lanternfly (aka SLF) have been found close to home in Ohio. You may have even seen one. What should I do when I find them?

Tobacco and Tomato Hornworms are beautiful native moths belonging to the Sphynx (Hawk) Moth family, Sphingidae. We don’t often see sphynx moths because most are night flyers. Their undulating markings and color patterns allow them to blend with tree bark where they commonly rest during the day.

Magnolia Scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum) is a native “soft scale” (order Hemiptera, family Coccidae). Coccids are called soft scales because the females are hidden beneath a helmet-like, soft, leathery covering that provides some protection. However, they are easily crushed.

Fungal rusts belonging to the genus Melampsora are making Poplars (Populus spp.) in southwest Ohio look pretty rough. Although Eastern Cottonwoods (P. deltoides) appear particularly hard hit, all species of poplar are being affected to some degree.

We’re excited to invite you to the 101st Ohio Plant Diagnostic Workshop, taking place on September 5, 2025, at the Secrest Welcome and Education Center in Wooster, Ohio. This year’s workshop promises a lineup of expert speakers, hands-on diagnostics, delicious lunch, and a diagnostic walk through the beautiful Secrest Arboretum.

Check out the latest edition of the online recording of this week's OSU Turfgrass Team Times (TTT) - seasonal highlights of everything turf, including fall renovation information. 

Asian Longhorned Beetle is potentially the most devastating non-native pest to have ever arrived in North America. ALB kills trees belonging to 12 genera in 9 plant families, including all native maples. Early detection is critical to avoiding an ecological catastrophe in the U.S.

Oak Rosette Galls are produced under the direction of a small gall wasp. At last count, there are around 800 types of galls that may be found on oaks in the Nearctic, which includes Ohio. Of that number, around 700 are produced by gall wasps (family Cynipidae).

Check out last Friday's recording of the Turfgrass Team Times (TTT).