# Ep. 249 Common Tree Diseases and Insect Pests in Illinois and What to Do About Them | #GoodGrowing

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021/ep-249-common-tree-diseases-and-insect-pests-in-illinois-and-what-to-do-about-them-goodgrowing
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021/ep-249-common-tree-diseases-and-insect-pests-in-illinois-and-what-to-do-about-them-goodgrowing.md
Podcast: [Good Growing](https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021)
Published: 2026-04-24T20:12:45+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/369f8be3
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/369f8be3/61deeb78.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/good-growing-421021/episodes/ep-249-common-tree-diseases-and-insect-pests-in-illinois-and-what-to-do-about-them-goodgrowing
Duration seconds: 4643

## Resource

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 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://…

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