This presentation will focus on the science behind integrated pest management (IPM) and how those who provide pest management services can transition into a holistic IPM approach. Integrated approaches begin at the time of installation, and include biological control, proper cultural practices, c...

Join Craig, as he goes through a brief history of turf disease, where it started and where we are now. He will examine ideas and cures for treating common diseases. And also share updates to common fungicides used in managing turf disease.

2019 saw a record number of boxwood blight findings in landscapes and nursery production. Jill Calabro, with AmericanHort, provided a national perspective, including a preview of BMP’s to be released soon, and Scott Schirmer, with IL Dept. of Agriculture, gave an Illinois view, including detectio...

You’ve encountered this before: new customers want to see results, which may be challenging depending on the status of the property and time of year. And existing customers allow you to program proper timing for herbicide application using the entire calendar. In this session, you’ll learn to dev...

Buckthorn has been identified as an invasive plant by the State of Illinois. ILCA has partnered with the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, based at The Morton Arboretum, to teach landscape professionals how to manage and eradicate this invasive species and to communicate these concerns to their cl...

Chad Rigsby is a research scientist and technical support specialist for The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories and The Morton Arboretum. In this presentation he discusses proper integrated pest management (IPM) approaches to pest management in the urban landscape. He will cover what tools are i...

Stephanie Adams is the Plant Health Leader at The Morton Arboretum. In this presentation she will cover the current status of important plant diseases and insects like bur oak blight, Ralstonia on geraniums, oak decline, and root rots. The presentation will also include information on pests "on t...

For over 30 years, EQ biosolids have been used for both large- and small-scale projects in the Chicago area, most notably Maggie Daley Park in the city of Chicago has been one example with great success largely due to fast plant establishment and cost saving. The increase in soil organic matter t...

We all want the landscape vision we present to clients to succeed. Getting there is a balancing act between the ideals of horticulture and the realities of budget and time. Often a one size fits all approach is utilized for materials and practices. While there are some clear advantages to keep...

This presentation will include photos and descriptions of healthy root systems and diseased root systems. It will include diseases caused by true fungi (Rhizoctonia and Fusarium) and oomycetes (Phytophthora, Pythium, and Phytopythium (aka water molds). Regulatory, mechanical, cultural, biologic...

Trees, particularly large specimens, are an important component of a quality landscape environment. These trees have been proven to be valuable for their environmental function, as well as their positive impact to human health. To provide these functions trees need to be observed and assessed on ...

The Chicago Region Trees Initiative, including Green Industry partners, is focused on improving the health and longevity of urban trees. In December 2022, a roundtable forum was held with members of the green industry, including growers, contractors, designers, and foresters to identify and addre...

A comprehensive look at science behind the role of carbon in plant-soil systems, and a review of the efficacy of carbon-based products (humic acid, fulvic acid, biosolids, manure, compost, biochar, etc.) This presentation teaches which Carbon-based substance are valuable in plant-soil systems, a...

This presentation will be about getting a better understanding of what soil compaction is, why it happens, and how it's important to the health of your customer's lawn. Much of lawn care today is more focused on treating the turf and less on what the turf is growing in, the soil. If the soil is h...

A review of the roles micronutrients in plant biology, including how to spot micronutrient deficiencies in plants, and what ideal micronutrient levels should be in an ideal soil (including how to read and interpret a soil test).

With soil amendments increasing in interest and popularity, it's important to really understand why we are interested or choosing to use these tools. In this presentation we'll explore what they are. We'll look at the actual multiple reasons growers decide to implement the amendments. Lastly, we'...

This session will review the importance of porous, healthy, living soil, and the impact soil has on the health and appearance of turf, trees and woody ornamentals surviving in the urban environment. We will review how C20 Soil Builder works, the value to your customers, and how C20 can be used ...

This one-hour lecture will cover the most common turf diseases in landscape turf. Several diseases will be profiled with up-to-date research-based information. The biology of each causal pathogen, the predisposing conditions that lead to disease outbreaks, diagnostic tools, and integrated control...

This short teaser is for a longer video found at https://ilcabloom.vhx.tv/videos/23-10-03-ilca-diseases-of-turf

This session will be an overview of turfgrass diseases in the upper Midwest. The focus will primarily be on cool-season lawns. Aboveground Diseases: Some are relatively easily to ident...

Dr. Lee Miller, Purdue University
While fewer diseases may afflict turfgrass when the mower blade is raised, several can still raise eyebrows when raging through a lawn or sports field. Several of the illustrious diseases will be discussed, highlighting similarities that can guide similar control...

Paul Koch, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison
Diseases are often less common pests on lawns than weeds and insects, but they can cause serious damage in the right environment. In this presentation, we’ll cover the most common diseases from 2024, how to identify them, and strategies for mana...