September 5, 2006 Sizzlin' Summer Silphiums and Sunflowers Having trampled through many prairies in eastern Nebraska, I have become very familiar with the big burly plants from the genus Silphium, also known as rosinweeds. In the prairie, these tall, bold-textured plants with bright yellow sunflower-like blossoms take center stage in late summer, a focal center among a sea of grasses. MoreAugust 23, 2006 Grant Funds Available for Tree Planting LINCOLN, Neb. — Millions of mature trees in communities across the state have been lost from diseases, insect pests, weather events and other causes over the last few decades. In addition, emerging threats such as emerald ash borer, pine wilt disease and worsening drought could kill millions more trees in the coming years. MoreAugust 9, 2006 Botanical Competition Focuses on Grasses LINCOLN, Neb. — Illustrations of grasses are being solicited for a botanical print competition sponsored by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. The winning illustration will be used to create the arboretum's 2007 botanical print. MoreAugust 9, 2006 Fall Landscape Management Workshops Take to the Road LINCOLN, Neb. — Whether the questions are about landscape design, tree care, turf or maintenance problems, the fall landscape management workshops September-October across the state will answer them all. MoreAugust 1, 2006 Dealing with Drought Challenges Gardeners Drought – "a prolonged period of dry weather" ( Webster's New World College Dictionary) In Nebraska, drought is not at all unusual. Historical records and tree ring studies clearly show that drought is a normal part of the Great Plains environment. Most of Nebraska suffers from drought conditions once every seven years. What is most frustrating for everyone choosing to live on the plains is that droughts are unpredictable. MoreJuly 26, 2006 Call for Conservation, Tree Planting and Educator Award Nominations LINCOLN, Neb. — Nominations now are being accepted for a variety of awards from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum that honor individuals and organizations for their contributions in the areas of tree planting, community beautification, landscaping, conservation and education. MoreJuly 20, 2006 Bagworms Make Yearly Debut, Check Trees and Shrubs LINCOLN, Neb. — Bagworm eggs hatched in late June and early July and larvae now are causing significant injury to trees in shelterbelts and landscapes, University of Nebraska-Lincoln entomologists say. MoreJuly 12, 2006 Tree Planting and Landscape Improvement Funds Available LINCOLN, Neb. — Tree planting and landscape enhancements for public spaces can get a boost from a grant program coordinated by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Nebraska Forest Service. MoreJuly 3, 2006 Care for New and Established Trees to Maintain Health During Drought LINCOLN, Neb. — Continued drought across Nebraska is causing community tree inventories to decline, a Nebraska Forest Service expert said. MoreJuly 3, 2006 Tough Trees Can Handle Whatever Nature Dishes Out LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is the home of Arbor Day and, as that implies, Nebraskans are tree planters, dotting our prairie state with trees that give us shade and shelter through the year. As we walk through our communities, it's easy to take trees for granted and forget our role in planting and caring for them for generations to come. We should take many lessons from our tree-planting forefathers: plant correctly, plant for the future and plant diversely. More |
