Care and How-To - Deciduous
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Learn how to protect plants from frost and freeze damage in fall and spring. Get tips on covering plants, using cold frames, and when to bring plants indoors for the season.
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Suckers are vigorous upright growing stems that form at the base of a tree or from the root system causing stems to appear inches or feet from the base of the trunk. They are problematic because they can reduce flowering and fruiting, alter the form of the tree, harbor pests and diseases, and look unsightly.
Learn about what causes suckers to form and how they can be managed in the home landscape.
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How to propagate deciduous shrubs and trees using softwood cuttings. Discover timing, techniques, and care tips for successful rooting.
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Shrubs enhance landscapes with beauty and function. Proper pruning is essential but is sometimes overlooked. Learn how to overgrown shrubs to get them back to their former glory.
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Occasionally the need arises to move trees within the home landscape. Follow these tips to move small, young trees successfully.
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Anyone can plant a tree, but to ensure success, sound installation practices must be followed. Use this guide to plant any tree.
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During the cold, gray days of winter, most Iowans look forward to the vibrant colors of spring. The explosion of colors in the home landscape in spring include tulips, daffodils, Siberian squill, other spring-flowering bulbs, the greening of lawns, and flowering trees. The following are excellent small, spring-flowering trees for the landscape.
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This page highlights shade tree options well-suited for the Iowa landscape. While it doesn't include every possibility, this list provides descriptions of many wonderful species and cultivars proven to be good options for many Iowa homeowners.
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Several factors cause branch dieback on trees. Correctly diagnosing the problem(s) is the first step in managing an unhealthy tree. Below are some common causes of branch dieback on trees in the landscape. Use this guide to evaluate your tree and determine the likely cause of the branch dieback.
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Shedding, peeling, or splitting bark on trees in the landscape can be a concerning sight.
Understanding what is causing the bark loss is an important first step to preventing further damage.
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Some individuals consider shady sites to be problem areas in the home landscape. However, shady areas actually provide opportunities for home gardeners. Wise plant selection can turn a shady site into an attractive landscape area. A number of trees and shrubs can be successfully grown in partial shade. (Partially shaded sites receive 3 to 4 hours of direct sun but are in shade the rest of the day.)
Selecting and planting shade tolerant trees and shrubs, along with suitable annuals and perennials, can transform bare shady areas into attractive landscape sites. Below is a list and brief description of trees and shrubs adapted to partial shade.
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Newly-planted trees need active and frequent care during the entire establishment period. In USDA hardiness zones 4 and 5, the establishment period lasts about 12 months per inch of trunk diameter. For a two-inch caliper tree, this translates into a 24-month establishment period. Good cultural practices during this period help reduce transplant stress and create a favorable environment for tree growth.
Consistent and proper care during the establishment period is the most important thing you can do to succeed with your new tree.
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The best time to rejuvenate large, overgrown shrubs is late winter or early spring (March or early April)
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In Iowa, the weather in spring is often erratic. Below-freezing temperatures in April and May can follow unseasonably warm weather in late March and early April. The cold spring temperatures can affect plants in gardens and home landscapes. The good news is that cold temperatures shouldn't affect most plants long-term. How to manage cold temperatures and the damage they can cause to trees, shrubs, fruit trees, spring bulbs, perennials, vegetables, and other plants is provided below.
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“What tree should I plant in my yard?” This is a difficult question to answer because the tree should be matched to its site. Tree lists like the ones provided are a good first step, but they must be interpreted and understood. So, if you see a species or cultivar that sounds interesting, do some research to find out what the tree needs in terms of space and growing conditions. Remember, tree lists are not like restaurant menus. Not every entrée or tree is suitable for every occasion.
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Hardwood cuttings is a propagation method done while the plant is dormant from the shoots that developed during the previous growing season. Learn more about this type of vegetative propagation if you want to propagate any trees, shrubs, or vines in the home landscape.
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While many woody trees and shrubs bloom in the spring, there are several great selections for Iowa that look their best in June, July, and August. Consider these shrubs to add color and interest to the garden in the summer.
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A shrub that flowers in winter? That sounds unlikely but witch hazels do just that - even in Iowa! Witch hazels (Hamamelis) are a group of shrubs that typically have the first (or last depending on what you are growing) blooms of the season in the garden.
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Hydrangeas, with their large, elegant flowers, are great for home landscapes and cut flowers. New cultivars offer diverse colors and shapes, suitable for Iowa.
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There are so many options in the garden center, and yet some plants seem to be everywhere (and some of them are even invasive)! These recommended alternatives are a great option for a similar plant that can introduce diversity and have fewer problems.