The black death of trees, the black knot is as ghastly as it is apparent. The fungus Apiosporina morbosa causes black knot. Black knot galls are most conspicuous during the fall and winter after all the leaves have fallen. So before the first buds of spring emerge, give your cherry trees a quick scan.

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), originally native to Japan, has become an invasive species in the United States. Minnesota is one of the many states where the Japanese beetle is considered a firmly established pest.

Ever wanted that secluded, peaceful feeling of a getaway without having to leave your backyard? Why not make your yard more sheltered by planting a privacy border?  Privacy modifications can make an attractive addition to your yard. We’re sharing design tips and the best trees and plants to plant for privacy and noise reduction.

Visiting a garden is a vastly underrated way to spend a beautiful Minnesota summer day. Gardens can be a peaceful and relaxing alternative to bustling, noisy crowds of other popular destinations. You can only catch most of these Twin Cities public gardens for a few months of the year, but they all are worth the effort for the spectacular views, scents and atmosphere.

It’s that time of year when the fresh green grass begins to emerge in homeowners’ yards, signifying the spring is here to stay. But grass doesn’t always make its debut alone—sometimes crabgrass threatens to steal the spotlight. After hiding in the soil all winter long, this course, yellow weed can begin to sprout and damper the look and feel of your lawn. Learn how to prevent and control this unappealing grass so your yard is looking pristine for the summer.

As the weather warms up and it's finally time to work outside again, you’ll want to be ready with new tools that will let you kill weeds, keep your wheelbarrow organized and water your lawn efficiently. With the right tools you can avoid strained back muscles, scratched hands and other backyard nuisances

It’s heartbreaking to have an attractive young tree in your landscape begin to decline. When you examine the trunk, you may see bark at the base peeling off, splitting or generally looking unhealthy, which usually means one thing—the tree has been planted too deeply. 

Unfortunately, there is little you can do to get rid of above ground roots. Things like pruning or cutting exposed roots can make a tree unhealthy and have the potential for creating irreversible harm the tree. So what can be done? Here are some potential solutions.