"Symptoms of pine wilt begin to occur in mid summer and continue into early winter in Kansas," the Kansas Department of Agriculture states. Pine wilt disease is caused by a pine wood nematode, a type of parasitic roundworm. Pine wilt disease is commonly seen in Scots pine, especially in the Eastern part of the state.

• Balance. According to National Geographic, good compost contains carbon-rich "browns' (long-dead items like dried leaves) and nitrogen-rich 'greens' (fresh materials like grass clippings).
• Moisture. Home compost piles whould contain 40 - 60% moisture, according to the University of Washington.
• Aww, manure. The old tales are true...this stuff works. Plus, it is low-cost.
• Aeration. Proper aeration helps composting microorganisms grow, according to the University of Illinois. Aerating a pile can be as simple as turning it with a pitchfork or punching holes. There are also good, more complex mechanisms on the market.
• Avoid. Try not to use smelly materials that take a while to break down. This includes diary, meat, and bones. Also, avoid non-organic content. And don't have a compost heap too close to open water or wells.

Which perennials bloom the best in Kansas City? Our research revealed some beautiful local flowers:

Anthracnose strikes tree species including sycamores, maples, ash and some oaks. According to the University of Missouri, Anthracnose is an umbrella term for a number of fungal diseases.

Fire blight, a bacterial infection, has hurt Missouri trees this spring, according to the University of Missouri. Susceptible breeds include ornamental pear trees, crab apples and apple orchards.

Here in the Midwest, Spring brings temperate weather and the opportunity to improve the home. Although most regular tree maintenance and tree pruning can be done at any time of the year, spring is a popular season. Here are some of the services clients request the most in Missouri and Kansas:

As we have mentioned several times in our previous posts on Arbor Day, the observance of Arbor Day focuses greatly on planting new trees, with observances occurring in most states that corresponds with the best time of the year to plant new trees. If you decided to plant a new tree or two to commemorate Arbor Day, it is very important to make sure that you plant your trees correctly.

A quick glance around your yard on the weekend can reveal some work that needs to be done in order to improve the look of your yard – for example, weeds that need to be pulled from the garden or tree branches that need to be cut. Many homeowners immediately think to get out the power tools and take care of things themselves. However, it’s important to remember that some jobs are best left to the professionals before you begin working on your trees.

Early spring is a great time to get ahead of tree healthcare issues with preventative treatments. Today we wanted to tell you about two treatments that should be applied in April – fungicidal sprays and pine tip blight/needle cast treatments.

When was the last time you had a tree care professional take a close look at your trees to evaluate their health? According to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), trees should be treated much like people when it comes to their health and should have periodic exams and treatments in order to preserve and prolong their health.