About this episode
The episode discusses tree selection and the evolving recommendations for planting trees with expert Jeff Iles.
When you plant a tree, the hope is that it will remain healthy and strong for decades but the recommendations for what to plant often change faster than the trees themselves, sometimes creating frustration and even controversy. On this Horticulture Day, we talk with Jeff Iles, professor of horticulture at Iowa State University, about how recommended plant and tree lists are created and why they sometimes spark debate.
People in this episode
Host: Iowa Public Radio
Guest: Jeff Iles
Topics covered
- tree selection
- horticulture
- plant recommendations
- gardening advice
- tree health
Keywords
- tree planting
- horticulture
- plant lists
- gardening
- tree health
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Iowa State University
More episodes of Garden Variety
- Grape vines think alike · June 12, 2026 · 13 min
- Closer I am to vine · June 5, 2026 · 13 min
- Grow with the flow · May 29, 2026 · 13 min
- Diversi-tree is key · May 22, 2026 · 13 min
- We didn't start the fire blight · May 15, 2026 · 13 min
- Lawn story short · May 1, 2026 · 13 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Garden Variety podcast page.