u/AlabamaExtension-AU

Planting a tree is an investment that can provide shade, cleaner air, wildlife habitat, and beauty for generations—but only if it's planted correctly.

From choosing the right planting time to proper watering, mulching, and root care, following a few key best practices can help your tree establish strong roots and thrive for years to come.

Learn how to give your next tree the best possible start with these research-based recommendations from Alabama Extension: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/best-practices-for-successful-tree-planting/

Once known as the most iconic game bird in the South, Northern Bobwhite populations have faced major declines due to habitat loss.

Bobwhite quail depend on early succession habitats like native grasses for nesting, thickets for cover, and open ground for foraging. Landowners can help restore these habitats using key management practices:

Prescribed Fire: Clears dense litter and stimulates native seed growth.

Light Disking: Rotates vegetation and exposes bare ground.

Supplemental Planting: Boosts food sources and native cover.

Learn how to manage your property for quail restoration: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/bobwhite-quail-management/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTmr3pwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXFvT25KdVQwSG5vNVA0QWhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEekzLNVyuS6YpZc94FOlggbewQ02R522x-loE23kmfWhmJqbicBYLkmGA9CXs_aem_zp3ihFRvqt3oed6QqZyIrg

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) can be both a benefit and a nuisance to landowners. It is important to appreciate their contributions to the ecosystem and know the proper methods for managing their presence. Known widely for playing dead when frightened, the opossum is a creature with a unique place among Alabama's wildlife. The opossum is the only marsupial (pouched mammal) native to the United States.

Learn more about opossum here: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/virginia-opossum-our-only-native-marsupial/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTmriVwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXFvT25KdVQwSG5vNVA0QWhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe6Kw2a7VSpR6fmPndACYLM9lkTKPiwl-iLjSJQHJgJDgnRols00DHf8WEpNU_aem_Ibdk82GDIAVaHlppkoCc0g

Submerged vegetation growing in ponds, lakes, and streams provide valuable habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. However, several non-native invasive aquatic plant species are present in the Southeast and can quickly form dense mats under the water surface, disrupting aquatic habitats, impacting navigation and recreation, and creating costly management and repair challenges.

What's growing under the water near you?

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata): 4–8 leaves grow in whorls around the stem. The plant feels rough when pulled through your hand because of one or more teeth located on the underside of the leaf along the midrib.

Brazilian elodea / Egeria (Egeria densa): Leaves on the upper and middle sections grow in whorls of 4–6 (compared to whorls of 3 in native Elodea canadensis) and can reach 1.5 inches in length. Its white, three-petaled flowers are larger than those of hydrilla or native elodea and is a key distinguishing feature.

Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum): Features 3–5 feather-like leaves growing in whorls around a reddish-brown stem.

Curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus): Leaves can grow up to 4 inches long and often have wavy edges, though they may sometimes be straight and flat. Leaf color ranges from bright green to dark green or even reddish.

These invasive species are commonly found in lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams. Hydrilla, Eurasian watermilfoil and Brazilian elodea, as well as many other invasive aquatic plants, were likely introduced to the United States through the aquarium trade. Never release aquarium plants or animals into public waters.

Because these plants can spread from small stem fragments, they are easily transported on boats, trailers, motors and other water-related equipment. Be sure to inspect and clean your equipment before leaving the water to help prevent the spread of these invasive plants to new waterbodies.

Learn about management strategies for private waterbodies in the ACES publication, Weed Management in Lakes and Ponds, https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/fish-water/weed-management-in-lakes-and-ponds/

Application of herbicides to public waters may require permits issued by the Army Corps of Engineers & an aquatic labeled commercial pesticide applicator license. For additional information, contact your local Extension office.

The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is America’s most common native feline and is found throughout Alabama. Though widespread, spotting a bobcat is often considered noteworthy—and sometimes even a bit frightening.

Due to changing land use practices, habitat improvements, and stricter harvest regulations, bobcat numbers have increased across most states, including Alabama, during the last 40 years. Urban sprawl and habitat fragmentation are leading to more frequent human-bobcat encounters. With these facts in mind and to coexist more comfortably with this species, learn to identify the bobcat, its habitat and behavior, hunting and trapping requirements, and how to manage human-bobcat conflicts.

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/living-with-bobcats/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTgUixwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTN5bHkwT2JGMVlkNWJPS2dzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeKh6d5t4FEUu1-nfGvJlo8YLUUiHLoJ8vRy1i-fj-lsLw99RGwe2A0HXNTTQ_aem_FyJrgMI0xQjO4pBJloyv0A

Extensions latest article explores silviculture practices after hurricanes and storms, including assessing damage, determining when salvage harvesting is appropriate, reducing future storm risk and supporting healthy forest regeneration.

This collaborative article was developed by experts from Auburn University, Clemson University, the USDA Forest Service and the University of Georgia, bringing together research-based guidance to help forest landowners make informed management decisions.

Read the full article here: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/silviculture-management-after-hurricanes-storms/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTgRzJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTN5bHkwT2JGMVlkNWJPS2dzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeShXFAs0m2W-XHC7AADvr00UD7a4CKODMHlSS3lP3S0f9mSiWZdUG63377kQ_aem_r7T936QzHaBbEfZbfa4J3g

Our article explains how properly constructing and maintaining water diversion devices, such as water bars, broad-based dips and culverts, can reduce erosion, improve drainage and extend the life of forest roads. These best management practices help keep sediment out of streams while supporting safe and efficient forest operations.

Learn how these simple practices can make a lasting difference for your woodland.

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/forest-roads-and-construction-of-associated-water-diversion-devices/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTgRmBwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTN5bHkwT2JGMVlkNWJPS2dzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeSVWZZLV1s4JwX3W5Ds_Xbc2oWGEkKjfdtCEW7gWBX-BqbMVkOHm9OsG9-L4_aem_LGjDbRLeyFnEhHh4Oe2xgQ

Whether you’re new to gardening or have years of experience, this conference is designed to inspire, educate, and connect gardeners from across our community.

Join us September 25–26, 2026, at the Jon Archer Agricultural Center in Mobile, Alabama, for a day and a half of research-based gardening education designed for South Alabama homeowners.

This conference will bring together university experts, local gardeners, and Master Gardeners to share practical information on topics such as pollinators, lawn care, backyard greenhouses, new plants for the garden, and much more.

The registration fee is $25, and lunch and dinner are provided. Space is limited, so be sure to register early!

Click here to register: www.aces.edu/go/6407

We hope to see you there as we learn and grow together!

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)

An aggressive crawling and climbing woody vine that can quickly spread over trees, shrubs and other vegetation.

• Leaves are 2–3 inches long with smooth margins and are ovate to heart-shaped. They are dark green, shiny and have a leathery texture.

• Flowers are white, fragrant and showy with four petals, measuring about 1 inch across. Blooms appear from late summer through early fall.

• Commonly found in home landscapes where it was planted as an ornamental, as well as along roadsides and the edges of fields, forests and streams. It prefers full sun to partial shade.

This invasive vine is still commonly sold for home landscapes despite many suitable native and non-invasive alternatives. One common look-alike is the native Virgin's-bower (*Clematis virginiana*), which is often mistaken for Sweet Autumn Clematis.

Early identification and management can help protect Alabama's forests and natural areas.

A towering invasive grass, giant reed can grow 6–20+ feet tall, forming dense stands that crowd out native plants and reduce wildlife habitat.

• Leaves are long (1–2 feet), pale blue-green and to many, resemble corn leaves. The leaf blades clasp the stem and droop at the tips.

• Stems are tall, round and hollow between the leaf nodes. Even after turning brown during dormancy, dead stems often remain standing through winter and spring.

• In fall, giant reed produces large, dense flower plumes that can reach 1–2 feet long and often persist through the winter.

• While seeds produced in the U.S. are not known to be fertile, the plant spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes. Even small rhizome fragments can establish new infestations.

• Unlike the similar-looking common reed (Phragmites australis), which is typically found in wetlands, giant reed can thrive in both wet areas, such as along streambanks, as well as drier upland sites and roadsides.

Introduced to the United States in the 1800s for ornamental planting and erosion control, giant reed is still available for purchase but is not recommended due to its highly invasive nature. Dense thickets suppress native vegetation, reduce biodiversity and degrade habitat for native wildlife.

Early detection and management are key to preventing its spread.

Learn more about identification and control with articles from neighboring Florida and Mississippi Extensions.

https://extension.msstate.edu/.../topics/Giant_reed.pdf

https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR396

Whether you’re new to gardening or have years of experience, this conference is designed to inspire, educate, and connect gardeners from across our community.

Join us September 25–26, 2026, at the Jon Archer Agricultural Center in Mobile, Alabama, for a day and a half of research-based gardening education designed for South Alabama homeowners.

This conference will bring together university experts, local gardeners, and Master Gardeners to share practical information on topics such as pollinators, lawn care, backyard greenhouses, new plants for the garden, and much more.

The registration fee is $25, and lunch and dinner are provided. Space is limited, so be sure to register early!

Click here to register: www.aces.edu/go/6407

We hope to see you there as we learn and grow together!

Asian wisterias may look beautiful with their showy purple flowers, but these non-native climbing vines are highly aggressive invaders. They can climb trees to heights of 70 feet or more, shading out understory plants and causing severe ecological damage by girdling mature trees. Non-native wisterias are difficult to control, but diligent management can reduce or eliminate them from your property:

Manual Control: Small wisteria vines can be hand pulled from the ground.

Chemical Control: For large vines or dense populations, targeted herbicide applications—such as foliar sprays, basal bark sprays, or cut stump treatments—are the most effective methods.

Want to protect your woodlands and landscapes? Learn how to properly identify these non-native species and choose the right management techniques for your land through the link below.

Link: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/control-of-invasive-wisteria/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTW5rdwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUtiMzlsemt0RWRjTUFtZ0pzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNS_ogP9DXkv9vg3XEM_7TvPMw4Iy__qywl_293RNwAUczdZVSZfih8lh96c_aem_8rHyAmYHOgBxOwzifzgQAg

Healthy forests start with healthy soil.

Erosion control is an important part of responsible timber harvesting. Using forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs), such as protecting stream crossings, maintaining forest roads, and preserving streamside management zones, helps reduce sediment runoff and protect Alabama's water resources during and after a harvest. These practices support clean water, healthy wildlife habitat, and sustainable forests for generations to come.

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/importance-of-erosion-control-during-and-after-timber-harvesting/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTEyI1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwWHc1OGRkWlRZNDZQdld6c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlNw2V4U7Tac27H7IV3828cnLS96TeT_pH7yR5_WVL4XOtjTz2-NRRNd2SZG_aem_uwOiVBlX_oFs6MlVlATF-w

Don't let the name fool you—Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) can be a nightmare for your property.

This aggressive, invasive tree crowds out native plants, damages infrastructure with its strong root systems, and spreads rapidly thanks to those massive clusters of winged seeds you see in the photo.

Because it sprouts vigorously when cut down, proper control requires strategic herbicide timing rather than just a chainsaw.

Management can be difficult. Check out our comprehensive guide, Tree-of-Heaven Identification and Control, to learn how to properly identify this invader and get step-by-step management strategies that work.

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/tree-of-heaven-identification-and-control/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTExv5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwWHc1OGRkWlRZNDZQdld6c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlNw2V4U7Tac27H7IV3828cnLS96TeT_pH7yR5_WVL4XOtjTz2-NRRNd2SZG_aem_uwOiVBlX_oFs6MlVlATF-w

For the first time, Alabama is opening its annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey to the public! You can help wildlife biologists track nesting success and turkey populations across the state by reporting your sightings now through August 31.

Whether you see hens, poults, or gobblers, your observations provide valuable data. Learn how to participate using the Survey123 app or online. We suggest that before you report, you use our resources to brush up on how to accurately identify turkeys and their age class. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/alabama-opens-wild-turkey-survey-to-public-participation/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSzZxZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4ejRrSXVqdGRZRmhDOHBxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrpoccdYAzIhC7f7ukLbGGlZrgtcX60aWz2DaQEB6JEA8siBBehxXnqxtYLv_aem_T48OVZGkq8X_bfeg8pdjYA

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7d060830a08b4e24b3970798b7eeae99?fbclid=IwY2xjawSzZ1dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4ejRrSXVqdGRZRmhDOHBxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHh1wUbBcBPcc-S1mPvFat-dWF_erG4tmLDkzRQKVJ2x6Zyqp1e7_FIAtjqfv_aem_L9HQRPuptrop5ho52GqoQg

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Fireworks are a festive addition to 4th of July celebrations, but they can cause several dangers. To avoid the risk of wildfire, be prepared this Independence Day. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System offers the following tips for safe firework use. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/safe-firework-use-protecting-nature-this-independence-day/

Fire has long been an ecological force on Alabama’s landscape. Historically, lightning-ignited fires and indigenous land-management practices maintained open, park-like forests dominated by fire-tolerant species, such as longleaf pine, yaupon, and rivercane. Read more about growing season prescribed burns here: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/fire/prescribed-fire-burning-during-the-growing-season/

The annual grass typically grows 1–3 feet tall and often has multiple stems, branching near the base.

Leaves are pale green, 2–4 inches long, 0.5 inches wide, and grow alternately and well‑spaced along a delicate stem.

Leaf blades have pointed tips and bases, smooth edges, and often a silvery midrib.

This plant has a thin, weak root system. Rootlets (“stilt” roots) descend from nodes along lower sections of the stem into the soil.

In the fall or during droughts, the plant may turn a purple‑brown color, transitioning to a bright tan to orange thatch in some parts of its range.

Preferred habitat includes floodplain forests and streambanks, forest edges, road and trail edges, damp fields, ditches and lawns, and other shady areas prone to flooding.

This species can form dense infestations and crowd out native vegetation; however, it can be easily hand‑pulled due to the weak root system.

Repeated mowing or weed‑eating before seed set may be an effective control against this annual but the area will need to be monitored and treated for several years to eliminate seedbank reserves.

Learn more on how to recognize this plant and compare it to look‑alikes in the Field Guide to the Identification of Japanese Stiltgrass.

https://www.aces.edu/.../ANR-1457_FieldGuidetoStiltgrass...

With storms moving into Alabama today and tomorrow—and soils already saturated—trees are more likely to uproot and fall even in moderate winds. Learn why saturated soils increase tree failure risk and what to watch for around your home and community: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/saturated-soils-and-wind-a-recipe-for-toppling-trees/?fbclid=IwY2xjawShE-xleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3M0Y1SktWZktqY01xUUswc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrWlnEL56n27HlXO-Ln4KGZ-Nebdk6EhuwtM19lZbxdQYtL1n42j3f4Fpp6V_aem_iBYe53fhb0_tWqiwpvrbtg

Hurricanes, tornadoes and hail can all cause damage and major life disruptions. To help Alabamians better prepare for potential severe weather impacts, a group of experts with Alabama Extension at Auburn University is hosting the first Storm Ready workshop.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Gulf Coast Eco Center in Gulf Shores, Alabama, participants will learn everything from chainsaw and generator maintenance to food safety, insurance considerations and tree risk assessments. The workshop runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.aces.edu/go/5923