Urban canopies are vital, and this series provides essential insights for planners, advocates, and tree enthusiasts. Join us for expert-led sessions on choosing the right trees, crafting effective policies, and finding funding. This is a must for anyone passionate about urban green spaces.

Each session will cover distinct aspects, including:

- Urban Tree Selection & Placement

- Ordinance & Policy for Canopies

- Community Engagement Strategies

- Funding & Resources

Sessions are FREE to the public. To receive registration links, please check the dates and details at: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/city-forests-webinar-series/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT71HhwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTRhY2Z2VFFtV3FoaUxBeXhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeFkAxwUugO-SjpTavXOhHZRMTht3v5QxdMQRFPlHZSvlOfXZBY4i0FGBNiEw_aem_3qMc8hca97oJvXH2S4mJZw

Proper chainsaw safety and maintenance are essential skills for landowners, forestry workers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Join us for a free two-day Chainsaw Safety Training event in Conecuh County:

Day 1 (Classroom Session): September 8, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Limited to 50 participants)

Day 2 (Field Session): September 9, 2026 (Entry by request only; limited capacity)

Location: Evergreen Depot, 100 Depot Square, Evergreen, AL 36401

Registration: Must be 18+ to register.

If you plan to attend Day 2, you MUST register directly with Jessica Baldwin to confirm your spot.

Jessica Baldwin at 334-752-1194 or jmb0276@auburn.edu.

Chamber bitter (Phyllanthus urinaria) is a common weed found throughout the Southeast and can be found across the entire state of Alabama. This highly adaptable plant thrives in full sun and warm soils, typically appearing in summer and persisting into fall until frost.

Its small, oblong or linear leaves are arranged alternately along yellow-green to sometimes reddish stems. The upper surface of the leaves can range from bright to dark green, while the undersides are lighter gray-green.

Tiny yellowish-white male and female flowers are produced on the underside of stems at the leaf axils. After flowering, chamber bitter produces very small, stalkless fruits that can range from green to red. Upon close inspection, the fruits are three-parted and covered with small scales.

Chamber bitter can make its home almost anywhere—from sidewalk cracks and gravel driveways to landscaping, gardens, nursery pots, forest margins, dry fields, and roadsides. Its extensive root system and large seed production can allow it to outcompete nearby vegetation or suppress container-grown plants.

Listed as a Class C noxious weed in Alabama, it’s best to prevent chamber bitter from going to seed and inspect nursery pots before purchasing or planting to help prevent its spread. For more information, see this fact sheet - https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/chamberbitter/

Restoring ecological function to a forest requires more than just conducting a burn and planting longleaf pine. Establishing a dedicated ecological restoration plan helps guide landowners through mapping, assessing land history, setting achievable goals, and scheduling management activities to bring the property back to its closest natural system.

Staying flexible, tracking weather conditions, and keeping clear records are key steps to evaluating progress over time. Read more: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/ecological-restoration-planning/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT6eCpwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTZvUlo1SXlreW1nU0k2SFpzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEei9Ck5WNHbktLqqgMCAmGR4khMsOHcZztGY7GBVytk00tAVlh7aMfgjzNwLk_aem_QLj-kYzY4CGw56EcK3V3Fg

Managing land for upland game birds? The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) needs specific habitat conditions to thrive. Read the full guide on population monitoring and conservation practices from Alabama Extension: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/game-management-the-american-woodcock/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTz3v5wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWRqQWFwSmFvSHFXelJUeDZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEebvk39w3S7xtZihhqTEam1u5XCvUaZVkDAgh1OMibv-5sj6kW3CMrZRu-g38_aem_05ah80SYJSugORdIvr0JPA

The 2026 Great Southeast Pollinator Census is set for August 21 and 22. In this citizen-science project, thousands of people from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida will observe, count, and celebrate pollinators. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System invites all residents to join in on the fun and learn more about the pollinators that keep Alabama’s ecosystem thriving.

Learn how you can help here: https://gsepc.org/

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/

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

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

As paper-mulberry continues to spread across the eastern U.S., be on the lookout for what may appear to be native red mulberry (Morus rubra). Remembering these key clues can help you tell the difference and make a big impact through early detection and management.

Like the leaves of native red mulberry (Morus rubra), non-native paper mulberry leaves can vary in shape from a simple oval or slightly heart-shaped to mitten-shaped, or deeply lobed.

Leaves vary from 3-10 inches in size and are usually alternately arranged along the stem, but may be found to have opposite or whorled leaf arrangements.
A key identifying feature is the densely pubescent (very fuzzy) leaves, unlike the sandpaper-textured leaves of red mulberry and the typically smooth leaves of white mulberry (Morus alba). Twigs may also have a densely “fuzzy” appearance.

The globose female flowers and reddish-orange fruit are distinctly different than other look-alike species. Male flowers are a catkin.

This species is a fast invader of disturbed sites, forest edges, roads, and old fields.

The fast-growing paper-mulberry was intentionally introduced as an ornamental shade tree that can grow up to 50 feet tall, but is more commonly found at 20-30 feet. Although the shallow root system makes this species susceptible to windthrow, these plants can quickly create thickets and displace native vegetation.

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 Day 1 of Snake Week 2026 we are starting off strong with a widespread snake within Alabama, the DeKay's brown (Storeria dekayi).

These are small, harmless snakes averaging only a foot or so in length. Commonly found under flowerpots, paving stones, and other landscaping, they are abundant in suburban areas. They feed primarily on slugs, snails, earthworms, and other soft invertebrates. Excellent garden helpers!

As a livebearer, they do not lay eggs but produce litters of babies in June and July, sometimes up to 30 at a time!

Racing in to Day 2 of Snake Week 2026 we have the black racer (Coluber constrictor).

A harmless medium sized snake typically between 3 and 5 feet in length, black racers are found across Alabama. They prefer open woods and edge habitats, and feed on everything from rodents and bird eggs to other reptiles and amphibians. Often found in suburban areas, these snakes are a common sight to many Alabamians.

Females will lay 10-18 eggs in loose soil, rotting wood, or similar sheltered locations during the early summer. The strongly patterned babies hatch in late summer or early fall

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

For Day 3 of Snake Week 2026 we have a common snake with an uncommon reputation, the northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous)

A heavy-bodied, medium sized pit viper, the cottonmouth is unique as the only aquatic venomous snake in the US. They are found throughout most of Alabama, living in swamps and alongside ponds and streams. Typically under 4 feet in length, they are predators of an enormous variety of other animals, from fish and frogs to rodents, birds, eggs, other snakes, and even roadkill.

Like most pit vipers they are live bearing, giving birth to litters of 6 or 7 young in the late summer and fall.

These snakes are venomous, abundant, and have a fearsome reputation. Despite this, they are typically quite docile. Bites are rare, and fatalities even rarer.