Ep. 249 Common Tree Diseases and Insect Pests in Illinois and What to Do About Them | #GoodGrowing
As we reach Arbor Day this month of April, the Good Growing team dives into the biotic world of tree pests and diseases, breaking down what’s really going on when insects and pathogens show up in your landscape.
Horticulture educators Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart explore common (and not‑so‑common) tree troubles, including eastern tent caterpillars, bagworms, wood‑boring insects, cedar apple rust, needle cast diseases, and oak wilt. Along the way, they explain the difference between biotic and abiotic problems, how environmental stress sets trees up for decline, and why some “pests” are actually just doing their ecological job.
Skip to what you want to know:
00:31 Hey Ken! Are you there?
01:15 Welcome, Emily!
01:54 What are biotic problems?
06:05 How did we choose what biotic tree problems to share today?
07:49 Eastern tent caterpillar
16:01 Wood boring insects
31:25 Cedar apple rust
43:59 Bagworms
52:01 Spruce needle cast diseases
01:00 Oak wilt
14:25 Thank yous and see you next week!
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu
Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu
Emily Swihart eswihart@illinois.edu
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Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
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Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk
--
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Horticulture educators Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart explore common (and not‑so‑common) tree troubles, including eastern tent caterpillars, bagworms, wood‑boring insects, cedar apple rust, needle cast diseases, and oak wilt. Along the way, they explain the difference between biotic and abiotic problems, how environmental stress sets trees up for decline, and why some “pests” are actually just doing their ecological job.
Skip to what you want to know:
00:31 Hey Ken! Are you there?
01:15 Welcome, Emily!
01:54 What are biotic problems?
06:05 How did we choose what biotic tree problems to share today?
07:49 Eastern tent caterpillar
16:01 Wood boring insects
31:25 Cedar apple rust
43:59 Bagworms
52:01 Spruce needle cast diseases
01:00 Oak wilt
14:25 Thank yous and see you next week!
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu
Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu
Emily Swihart eswihart@illinois.edu
Like what you see? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.
Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk
--
Prefer audio? You can find us on most podcast platforms.
iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377
Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR
Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/
Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/
Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902
Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Enroth
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties
Host
Ken Johnson
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Morgan, and Scott Counties
