Statewide Forest Health

Heterobasidion Root Disease Resources Updated

Posted on by akabelowsky
Heterobasidion root disease fruiting bodies grow on base of tree

A tree shows fruiting bodies of Heterobasidion root disease at the base of its trunk. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Kyoko Scanlon, DNR Forest Pathologist
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov or 608-235-7532

In 2025, Heterobasidion root disease (HRD), a destructive fungal disease, continued to be found in Wisconsin counties where the disease had previously been detected. There were no new county finds in 2025.

Based on the findings in 2025, the maps in the HRD stump treatment guidelines and online viewer have been updated. The 6-mile and 25-mile buffer zone maps in the guidelines are updated annually and good through Dec. 31, 2026.

Continue reading “Heterobasidion Root Disease Resources Updated” →

Make Plans For National Invasives Week

Posted on by akabelowsky
Workers spray water from a hose to clean the wheels of a tractor in a woodlot.

Workers follow the practice of pressure-washing the tires and frames of a tractor to rid the vehicle of possible invasive plants after a workday in the forest. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

The North American Invasives Species Management Association (NAISMA) has organized a series of activities to take place as part of its National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), set for Feb. 23 through 27.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will participate by presenting a news release and daily social media posts in the days leading up to the start of NISAW’s 2026 activities.

Continue reading “Make Plans For National Invasives Week” →

Time To Consider A WMA-PFGP Grant Application

Posted on by akabelowsky
Volunteers working to remove invasive plants from a riverside forested area.

Volunteers at a garlic mustard-pulling event on the Montreal River in Iron County, part of a control project planned by a previous WMA-PFGP recipient. / Photo Credit: Ramona Shackleford, Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

With an April 1 deadline on the horizon, it’s time for eligible Weed Management Groups (WMGs) to consider applying for a Weed Management Area-Private Forest Grant Program (WMA-PFGP) grant to address invasive forest plants in 2026.

The WMA-PFGP helps eligible groups both by dealing directly with the invasives and by providing education, information and outreach to others. The grants are meant as reimbursements that cover up to 75% of eligible costs, with a 25% match required.

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Forest Health Specialists Spread The News

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

A DNR group in a forest discusses forest health issues .

Wisconsin DNR Forest Health specialist Bill McNee presents a hazard tree training talk to other DNR workers at Lizard Mound State Park in 2023. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Did any of your trees explode during the recent cold snap? Likely not.

Social media — and some traditional news outlets — grabbed hits and headlines by warning folks that the January cold snap could spark a phenomenon they called “exploding trees.”

But Bill McNee, an Oshkosh-based Forest Health specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), was there to prune the branches of the fast-growing viral story.

Continue reading “Forest Health Specialists Spread The News” →

Upcoming Trainings

Posted on by janness

* These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute an endorsement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

See below for information on training topics and events, including tree diseases and treatments, pest management, landscaping, career advancement, invasive species, pruning, volunteer management, new research, partnerships and developing an urban forest management plan. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings” →

Forest Health Annual Report Hot Off The Presses

Posted on by akabelowsky
The cover of the 2025 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Annual Report.

The cover of the 2025 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Annual Report. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made its 2025 Forest Health Annual Report ready to view and download.

This year’s edition contains 55 pages of reporting on forest health issues throughout Wisconsin, detailing methods employed by the DNR and other agencies to control pests, diseases and invasive plants.

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Be Mindful Of Invasives During Holiday Clean-Up

Posted on by akabelowsky
A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility.

A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Invasive plants and insects don’t mind playing the long game. After all, they’re just trying to survive and thrive, like the rest of us.

They’ll hang out as part of your holiday decorations throughout the season, just on the chance humans might dispose of them improperly, giving them an opportunity to find a new home in your yard or neighborhood.

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Invasive Species Action Awards Nominations Open

Posted on by akabelowsky
A group photo showing the winners of the 2025 Invasive Species Action Awards, given by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Winners of the 2025 Invasive Species Action Awards, given by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council will accept nominations for the 22nd annual Invasive Species Action Awards through Feb. 15, 2026.

Award recipients are Wisconsin residents and organizations who have made significant contributions to prevent, control or eradicate invasive species that harm Wisconsin’s native forests, wildlife, wetlands, prairies, lakes and rivers.

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Forest Health Staffers Hit The Airwaves

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo of Mike Hillstrom, who became the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator on Sept. 9, 2024.

Mike Hillstrom became the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator on Sept. 9, 2024. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Mike Hillstrom and Bill McNee, members of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Health team, made notable radio appearances during November.

Hillstrom, the DNR’s invasive forest pest coordinator, appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio to discuss the invasive pest hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). The insect has not yet established a presence in Wisconsin.

Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Hit The Airwaves” →

Increased Tree Mortality Seen As Spongy Moth Outbreak Ends

Posted on by akabelowsky
Mature spongy moth larva on a tree at Potawatomi State Park in Door County, July 2025.

Mature spongy moth larva on a tree at Potawatomi State Park in Door County, July 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov  

Wisconsin’s recent period of high spongy moth populations (an “outbreak”) came to an end in 2025, as the remaining known hotspots were aerially sprayed or naturally collapsed. Only a handful of large larvae were observed or reported by property owners.

Spongy moth populations are likely to be low across the state for at least the next few years. However, it is possible that some sites may experience a population increase before then, if local weather conditions are favorable for the insect.

Continue reading “Increased Tree Mortality Seen As Spongy Moth Outbreak Ends” →