Landscape ManagementUniversity of Nebraska—Lincoln

Extension

Know Your PlantsSoil and water requirementsFertilizer and pruning timingEnvironmental preferencesCommon pest problemsCommon environmental problemsPast problems

Plant Spreadsheet

What is Your Tolerance Level for the Problem?Serious threat

Quickly spreading insect or disease problem (ie. Pine Wilt)Root diseases or root-feeding insects Heavy populations of insects or diseases anywhere on the plantWeeds shading or crowding new plantings

UNL Plant Pathology

Picture: Pine Wilt in September 2003 on campus

What is Your Tolerance Level for the Problem?

Non-serious threat

Usually aesthetic problemsPrimarily leaf diseases or leaf feeding insects

UNL Horticulture

Management of many pests can be accomplished through proper management practices

and plant selectionLandscape PrepPlantingMulchingPruningFertilizingIrrigationPlant Selection

Landscape PreparationAdd organic matter to landscape beds

Improves health of the plantsReduces chance of crown and root rots in clay soilsReduces drought stress in sandy soils

Photo: University of Nebraska

Planting TreesPlace on firm surfaceShould be at or slightly above grade Flare should not be buried

Photo: University of Nebraska

MulchingReduces mower and trimmer damageImproves weed controlCools soilModerates soil temperature Reduces competition for water

Photo: University of Nebraska

Benefit of Mulch

Morton Arboretum

Research at Morton Arboretum: More tree roots are developed

under a mulch bed than under turfgrass.

Pruning TreesMost trees and shrubs should be pruned in late winterSpring flowering trees and shrubs should be pruned after flowering

To avoid fireblight, prune crabapples, hawthorns, pears, mountain ash, and other susceptible species during dormancy

Photo: University of Nebraska

Pruning TreesMake correct pruning cutsClean tools between cuts on diseased plantsAvoid heavy thinning of tree canopies

Photo: University of Nebraska

Pruning Herbaceous Plants

Cut back foliage to eliminate insect or disease problems -rejuvenate fresh foliageRemove collapsed foliage - due to wind, ice or snow

Photo: University of Nebraska

FertilizingAdd as needed depending on plant signsAvoid mid-fall (N) applications, this encourages continued growth and prevents proper hardening off

IrrigationEarly morning (4-10 a.m.) to reduce leaf wetness and disease incidenceAvoid saturated soil conditions to reduce root diseases, especially in groundcoversAvoid watering turf and landscape beds with the same irrigation head

Picture: Overwatered turf stressing a littleleaf linden (thin canopy)

Photo: University of Nebraska

Plant Selectionhttp://ianrpubs.unl.edu/horticulture/

http://arboretum.unl.edu/plantinfo.html

Contact your local county extension office more more information.

When Pesticides Are Needed

Use curative, spot applicationsApply at the correct time using the appropriate productPotentially use preventative products in troublesome areas

CreditsContent Specialist

Anne Streich, UNL ExtensionContent Editor

Erin Bauer, UNL ExtensionPhotos

Anne Streich, UNL ExtensionLoren Giesler, UNL ExtensionDon Steinegger, UNL ExtensionMorton Arboretum