In this month's Kansas Canopy Podcast, Scott Lamb discusses the formation of the new Kaw Valley Prescribed Burn Association, what membership and training involve, and how PBAs provide landowners with the equipment, expertise, and support needed to conduct successful prescribed burns to improve wildlife habitat, manage invasive species, and maintain healthy ecosystems.

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In honor of our latest book club pick, this month's tree is the lesser known pawpaw! Asimina triloba, or pawpaw, is native to eastern Kansas and grows naturally in the understory of hardwoods in moist soils found along river bottoms and creeks. It is a small tree that grows approximately 15-30 feet tall and resembles a tropical tree in appearance. Its fruit is a favorite of multiple wildlife species and can be eaten by humans as well. The fruit is rich in vitamins and has an unusual taste of a cross between bananas, mangos, and pineapple.

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The Kansas Forest Service Book Club has selected Pawpaw: In Search of America's Forgotten Fruit by Andrew Moore as our summer pick! We will meet online at 12 pm on August 26th to discuss the book and chat with southcentral Rural District Forester Chris Mullins about Kansas pawpaws!

jOIN THE BOOK CLUB

Noticing bright orange spots on your pear tree leaves this summer? It may be cedar-hawthorn rust, a common disease that causes cosmetic damage but rarely threatens the health of ornamental pear trees. If your tree is a Callery pear, this may be another reason to consider replacing it with a native tree, as Callery pears continue to spread into natural areas across Kansas.

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In 2025, 86 Kansas communities earned Tree City USA recognition, representing places where nearly 69% of Kansans live. Kansas communities invested more than $22.4 million in community forestry last year—about $11 per resident—and contributed 8,339 volunteer hours to tree planting, care, and advocacy efforts. In addition, Kansas has one Tree Campus Healthcare and seven campuses are recognized as part of the Tree Campus Higher Education program.

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