Choctaw County-Alabama Extension

10/23/2026

When the Storm Hits: Identifying Hazard Trees and Assessing Risk After Hurricane Isaias.

City Forests Webinar on 11/11/2026 at 2:00-3:00 pm CST

Speaker: Georgios Arseniou, PhD; Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist of Urban Forestry; Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University

Hurricane Isaias caused widespread damage to trees and landscapes, highlighting the importance of recognizing hazardous tree conditions and understanding tree risk following severe weather events. This webinar will provide an overview of tree risk assessment with an emphasis on identifying common defects and conditions associated with failure, considering potential targets and consequences, and determining appropriate management strategies. The information will be useful to homeowners seeking to make informed decisions about trees on their properties as well as professionals, including Certified Arborists and City Foresters, involved in evaluating and managing storm-damaged trees.

Register here: https://au-academics.my.salesforce sites.com/pmtx/evt__conf_detail?id=a1Rju000000180LEAQ

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

October is a great time to plan ahead and give your perennials a little fall care! From coneflowers and black-eyed Susans to daylilies and hostas, here’s a quick garden to-do list:

Remove spent blooms, or leave seedheads to provide food for wildlife.
Cut back plants that had significant pest or disease problems.
Divide and relocate healthy plants that need more room, allowing four to six weeks for roots to establish before the ground freezes.
Keep weeding and watering as needed.

A little attention now can help your perennial garden thrive next season. Find more tips in “Keeping Perennials Healthy All Year” here: https://www.aces.edu/go/5912

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

This cranberry and spinach sweet potato recipe is a great way to enjoy seasonal produce during Farm to School Month!

Ingredients:
• Cooking Spray
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 6 cups fresh spinach
• 4 Tbsp dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup pecans, chopped

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray.
Pierce sweet potatoes several times with a knife and bake for 50 minutes or until soft.
With 15 minutes remaining, sauté spinach, oil, and garlic powder in a skillet for 2–3 minutes, until wilted.
Slice each sweet potato lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Divide spinach among the 4 potatoes and top with cranberries, pecans, and desired toppings. Enjoy!

Great for a side dish at dinner!

10/19/2026

Alabama After Dark - Spotted Salamander

When rain falls on a winter night, one of Alabama’s most secretive amphibians begins an important journey.

Spotted salamanders spend most of the year inactive underground. On rainy winter nights, they emerge and migrate to temporary, fishless pools to reproduce, sometimes crossing roads along the way.

These large salamanders measure between 6 and 9.5 inches long and are easily recognized by the yellow or orange spots covering their dark bodies. Their underground lifestyle also helps them live for more than 20 years.

If you are traveling on a rainy winter night, slow down and watch the road. Spotted salamanders and other amphibians may be making their way to breeding pools.

Learn more about this secretive amphibian here: https://www.aces.edu/go/5853

10/18/2026

A sweet taste of Alabama fall!

The American persimmon is Alabama’s only native persimmon species, and its ripe fruit offers plenty of delicious possibilities.

The key is patience! Harvest only fully ripe, soft fruit. Unripe persimmons are intensely astringent and unpleasant to eat.

Use a sieve or fruit pulper to separate the sweet pulp from the seeds and skin, then enjoy it in puddings, jams, fruit butters, pies or ice cream. Freeze the pulp to save some sweetness for later.

Ripe persimmons don’t store well, so process them promptly or refrigerate until you’re ready.

Learn more about this native fruit here: https://www.aces.edu/go/6992

10/15/2026

Wildlife habitat management starts with understanding the land! 🌿 Edge habitat forms where two or more habitat types meet, providing wildlife with access to different sources of food and cover. Learn how managing edge habitat can benefit wildlife and why creating too much edge can sometimes have negative effects.
Read more: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/managing-edge-habitat/

10/14/2026

What’s all the buzz about bumble bees?

These pollinators have a special way of collecting pollen. By vibrating muscles in their thorax (the middle section of their body) they shake loose pollen trapped inside flowers. This process is called buzz pollination!

Learn more about this Pollinator of the Month and others on our website or click here: https://www.aces.edu/go/6968

10/14/2026

Fall houseguests aren’t always welcome! As temperatures cool, brown marmorated stink bugs may gather around homes and slip through cracks and openings in search of winter shelter.

Recognizable by their shield-shaped bodies and white bands on their antennae, these insects can become an unwelcome indoor nuisance and release an unpleasant odor when crushed.

Help keep stink bugs outside with a little fall pest-proofing:

Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors and utility entry points.
Repair torn screens and replace worn weatherstripping.
Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
Keep shrubs trimmed and store firewood at least 20 feet from your home.

Taking these steps now can help keep your home cozy without inviting unwanted guests! Learn more about Stink bugs and other pests and ways to protect your home here: https://www.aces.edu/go/6983