Month: June 2017

Oak vein pocket gall

Posted on by colleenrobinson
Oak Vein Pocket Gall is characterized by lumpy bumpy veins on the back of oak leaves and is caused by the feeding of tiny gall midge larvae. Photo by Brenda Nordin.

Oak Vein Pocket Gall is characterized by lumpy bumpy veins on the back of oak leaves and is caused by the feeding of tiny gall midge larvae. Photo by Brenda Nordin.

The photo here shows oak vein pocket gall. This gall is caused by a tiny gall midge (fly) and causes the distortions that you see. It’s not really a problem for the tree, doesn’t cause premature defoliation, and won’t kill the leaves, but it will cause the leaves to be a bit gnarled for the remainder of the growing season. I’ve had a couple reports of this from Shawano and Brown Counties this summer so far. More info can be found on the Kansas State Research and Extension website.

Written by: Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, (Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov), 715-356-5211 x232.

Spruce budworm defoliation showing up

Posted on by colleenrobinson
The two center balsam fir are severely defoliated by spruce budworm while the outer two trees are less severely defoliated.

The two center balsam fir are severely defoliated by spruce budworm while the outer two trees are less severely defoliated.

Spruce budworm defoliation is starting to show up in the northern counties as the clipped foliage stuck in the caterpillar webbing turns rusty red. Defoliation this year may be reduced in some areas if the caterpillars were damaged by the multiple storms we’ve had this spring. Let us know where you’re seeing defoliation. The caterpillars should be pupating soon and moths will emerge a couple weeks after pupation. Spruce and balsam fir are defoliated by this pest, which is a native insect with periodic outbreaks. 

Outbreaks occur every 30-50 years, and last for 10 years on average. Our previous outbreak ran from 1970-1980. Mature balsam fir and spruce are preferred hosts, although younger balsam or spruce can be defoliated as well. Repeated defoliation can cause top-kill and eventually whole tree mortality. Balsam fir stands, or stands with a heavy component of balsam fir, are often more severely impacted, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it won’t defoliate pure spruce stands.  Continue reading “Spruce budworm defoliation showing up” →

Squirrel damage to spruce branch tips

Posted on by colleenrobinson
Spruce branch tips carpet the forest floor under a spruce tree. Squirrels will sometimes clip the ends of the branches off.

Spruce branch tips carpet the forest floor under a spruce tree. Squirrels will sometimes clip the ends of the branches off.

Have you ever found hundreds of green branch tips lying on the ground underneath or around a spruce tree? You’re probably observing squirrel damage. No one knows exactly why they do this although Shane Weber (former NOR Pest Specialist in Spooner) reported that he’s watched the little buggers clip and drop the tips of spruce branches without any apparent reason for doing so. There are also reports that they clip off the branch tips, nibble the new buds, and drop the remainder of the branch tip.

Michigan State University Extension has a document with photos of the squirrels eating the buds. I saw this damage near Woodruff this spring. Although it appears to be severe damage if you’re looking at the ground, when you look up at the trees you typically can’t see where any damage has occurred, so the health of the trees doesn’t appear to be compromised. 

Written by: Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, (Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov), 715-356-5211 x232.

Menomonie re-uses ash trees

Posted on by Ellen Clark

Every year, Urban Forestry grants provide assistance to communities throughout Wisconsin, and can be awarded to cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and nonprofit organizations. This year, the city of Menomonie received a $9,000 grant to help pre-emptively remove ash trees in the city parks to prevent the spread of emerald ash borer, a pest spreading throughout Wisconsin. Thirty trees will be removed and replaced with hackberry, honeylocust, Kentucky coffeetree, swamp white oak, Redmond linden and Princeton elm. Continue reading “Menomonie re-uses ash trees” →

Wisconsin celebrates Arbor Day

Posted on by Ellen Clark

   Breathe in… breathe out. The clear air that fills your lungs has been purified by trees. Clean air is one of the many ecological, economic and social benefits trees provide us. Trees also reduce crime rate, increase property values, reduce heating and cooling costs, increase tests scores, beautify communities, and provide lumber by-products. In late April, people around the world, both old and young, took time to celebrate these and other benefits by participating in Arbor Day celebrations. Continue reading “Wisconsin celebrates Arbor Day” →

Consider viewing the WAA job board

Posted on by Ellen Clark

The Wisconsin Arborist Association recently created a job board, hosted on their website, to connect businesses and potential employees. These posts showcase available arboriculture positions in Wisconsin listed by region, company name, and are also grouped alphabetically. This webpage provides the opportunity for individuals to search for jobs as well as giving companies a venue for posting openings in their businesses. Continue reading “Consider viewing the WAA job board” →

Trees help clean the air

Posted on by Ellen Clark

A recently published report from The Nature Conservancy titled “Planting Healthy Air,” detailed which cities could benefit most from tree plantings, focusing on the benefit they could gain from the heat and PM (particle matter) reduction credited to tree plantings. This report found that investing $4 per resident in these cities for tree planting could improve the health of millions, further showcasing trees as a cost-effective solution for air pollution and heat islands, among many other urban difficulties. Continue reading “Trees help clean the air” →