Year: 2017

Emerald ash borer trapping in 2017

Posted on by colleenrobinson

The Wisconsin DNR forest health team is planning to trap for emerald ash borer (EAB) at 20 locations in 2017.

Emerald ash borer traps will be placed at 12 locations in northwest Wisconsin in 2017: Big Bay State Park, Amnicon Falls State Park, Pattison State Park, Brule River State Forest, Governor Knowles State Forest, Interstate State Park, Willow River State Park, Eau Claire, Smith Lake County Park, Flambeau River State Forest, Big Falls County Park, and Pershing State Wildlife Area.

EAB trap locations in northwest Wisconsin in 2017.

Emerald ash borer traps will be placed at 8 locations in northwest Wisconsin in 2017: Northern Highlands American Legion State Forest, Governor Thompson State Park, Hartman Creek State Park, Poygan Marsh Wildlife Area, River Side Park, Princeton, Dodge Memorial Park, and Grand River Marsh Wildlife Area.

EAB trap locations in northeast Wisconsin in 2017.

Traps will mostly be placed on state properties. A couple traps will be placed on county land where state properties are not in the local area. Traps are deployed close to 400 growing degree days so they are ready when EAB adults start emerging at approximately 450 degree days. In 2016, southern Wisconsin hit 450 degrees days (modified base 50°F) in late May.

Written by: Mike Hillstrom, forest health specialist, Wisconsin Dells (Michael.Hillstrom@Wisconsin.gov), 715-459-1371.

Emerald ash borer trapping by a few northern county forestry departments

Posted on by colleenrobinson

Douglas, Oneida, and Sawyer County Forestry Departments will be trapping emerald ash borer on select sites across their properties this year. As needed, the DNR Forest Health Program and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will provide guidance to county forest departments that are responsible for purchasing, installing and monitoring their EAB purple prism traps.

Any new EAB detections will be tracked at the state level and may be used by forest managers to prioritize stand management based on EAB proximity, and by communities to inform the timing of ash management in community forests.

The abundance of ash forest resources and limited known distribution of EAB in the state’s north spurred interest by these counties to continue trapping.

Written by Paul Cigan, forest health specialist, Hayward (Paul.Cigan@Wisconsin.gov), 715-416-4920.

Lesser celandine is an emerging threat to Wisconsin forests – be on the lookout.

Posted on by colleenrobinson
Spherical bulbils of lesser celandine form during the spring growing season. Later they drop off and sprout to form new plants.

Spherical bulbils of lesser celandine form during the spring growing season. Later they drop off and sprout to form new plants.

Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), also known as fig buttercup, is a ground layer plant and an aggressive invader of forests in North America. So far, it is relatively unknown in Wisconsin but has been found in the southeastern part of the state, especially in moist (mesic and wet-mesic) forests and along river banks.

Lesser celandine is a spring ephemeral that emerges in early spring, develops flowers, dies back by early summer, and remains dormant in underground tubers. During the short growing period the plant produces bulbils which sprout and give rise to new plants. After the round bulbils drop off they are spread by gravity, water, small animals, and like the tubers, transported when soil is moved. Continue reading “Lesser celandine is an emerging threat to Wisconsin forests – be on the lookout.” →

Wildfire activity increases; DNR ready for the battle

Posted on by Kirsten Held

Wisconsin has already had more than 200 wildfires in 2017 since the snow-cover disappeared with the potential of more before vegetation greens up and the fire danger subsides.

More than 98 percent of all wildfires in Wisconsin are caused by people. The majority of these fires result from careless burning of debris on the ground in piles or burn barrels. Something as simple as getting a burning permit or being aware of the daily fire danger can prevent a wildfire.

Find out which counties have suspended burning permits and witness real-time fire activity by visiting dnr.wi.gov and enter keyword “fire.” To see the DNR fire control ‘gearing up for fire season,’ visit the DNR homepage and watch the short video of all the efforts it takes protect Wisconsin’s valuable resources.

Read more in this news release or contact Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele (catherine.koele@wisconsin.gov), 715-356-5211 x208 (office), 608-219-9075 (cell).

DNR shipping trees; last chance to purchase seedlings

Posted on by Kirsten Held

DNR’s reforestation program is busy harvesting seedlings from our nursery fields and shipping them to woodland owners throughout the state. If you own forest land in Wisconsin and still need seedlings for planting this spring, contact Carey Skerven (carey.skerven@wisconsin.gov) as soon as possible or call the Wilson Nursery (608-375-4123) in Boscobel or the Griffith Nursery (715-424-3700) in Wisconsin Rapids. We will do our best to fill your orders.  Here are the species still available as of April 3:

Conifers: Jack pine 1-0, red pine 2-0, white pine 2-0, tamarack 2-0, and white cedar 3-0.

Hardwoods: Aspen 1-0, river birch 2-0, butternut 1-0, black cherry 1-0 and 2-0, hackberry 1-0, bitternut hickory 2-0, shagbark hickory 3-0, hard maple 2-0, red maple 2-0, silver maple 1-0 and 2-0, red oak 2-0, and black walnut 1-0.

Shrubs: Chokecherry 1-0, ninebark 1-0, and American plum 1-0.

For more information, contact Jeremiah Auer at (715) 459-1999 or jeremiah.auer@wisconsin.gov

Welcome to the new Forest Health News

Posted on by colleenrobinson

The DNR Forest Health Program has transitioned to a new online newsletter format. You will no longer receive Pest Updates and Regional Forest Health Newsletters directly from DNR Forest Health Specialists. Instead, if you are subscribed to Forest Health News you will receive an email, typically once per month, when new information is posted by the Forest Health Program on this new Wisconsin DNR Forestry News site. You can also access the articles directly anytime.

If you haven’t already, consider subscribing and please take a moment now to include widnr@service.govdelivery.com in your email address book, so the emails avoid your spam box.

Monthly emails will have Forest Health articles organized by:

  • Information that is relevant statewide and
  • Information specific to certain parts of the state.

The Forest Health News zones have changed too, so check out which counties each zone covers.

Continue reading “Welcome to the new Forest Health News” →