The bizarre-looking Ash Inflorescence (flower) Galls produced by the eriophyid mite, Aceria fraxiniflora (Syn. Eriophyes fraxiniflora) (family Eriophyidae) are gracing ash trees in Ohio. The growths consist of variably sized clusters of distorted flower parts.

The distinctive-looking eriophyid mite bladder galls produced by the so-called Poison Ivy Leaf Gall Mite on Eastern Poison Ivy are now apparent. The irregular, wart-like, light green to reddish-green galls arise from the upper surfaces of the leaflets. Heavily galled leaves may be twisted and deformed.

Check out the latest Turfgrass Team Times. Full of important turf related information you will not want to miss.

Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L., family Apiaceae (previously Umbelliferae)) is in full bloom in Ohio with recent hot temperatures accelerating seed development, particularly in the southern part of the state. This means it’s too late to reduce the seed bank of this highly dangerous non-native invasive weed by targeting flowering plants with herbicides.

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is in full flower in much of Ohio with some plants showing signs of senescence in the southern part of the state meaning flowers are mature and seeds will soon follow. This means it’s too late to reduce the seed bank by targeting flowering plants with herbicides or mowing.

Trees can be a great asset to our landscape and environment. But it pays to plan ahead.

Bronze Birch Borer (BBB) (Agrilus anxius) is native to North America and only targets trees belonging to one genus, Betula. Historically, BBB ranged across the northern U.S. and southern Canada which is not coincidently the same range as many of our native birches such as paper birch (B. papyrifera) and gray (grey) birch (B. populifolia).

I enjoy sitting out on the deck just absorbing the sunshine, watching leaves flutter on my wife’s favorite magnolia, Magnolia X brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird'.  This deciduous tree has an upright, pyramidal form with beautiful three inches high, vase-shaped blooms with butter-yellow petals, which emerge in late spring.  The large elliptical-shaped leaves are 4-8 inches long and 4-6 inches wide.  Suddenly, I was struck by the thought… Hey, just a minute, I can see blue sky through the leaves!  What the heck is going on here?

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Over the past several years, The Ohio State University Extension has partnered with Holden Forests and Gardens to promote the benefits of trees. Using i-tree, calculations can be made on the economic value of trees. Recently, signs we installed on trees at Kelleys Island State Park.

This can be a particularly tough time of the year to learn plant identification. With the warm temperatures and plentiful rainfall, vegetative growth is rapid, and we’re often left looking at a wall of green on green (on green). A common mix up is the misidentification of common milkweed and dogbane. Learn how to tell these two species apart.