Month: June 2019

Needle and leaf diseases are back!

Posted on by margueriterapp

Mike Hillstrom, forest health specialist, Fitchburg, Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov, 608-513-7690

It’s nearly summer and the usual cast of disease characters are on the scene following wet spring conditions. Rhizosphaera needlecast and other needle diseases impacting spruce continue to be a major concern for landowners and homeowners. Diseases in hardwoods are also popping up. For more information on needle and leaf diseases affecting trees in Wisconsin and resources to learn more, click below to read full article. 

A row of spruce trees with dead branches and missing needles caused by Rhizosphaera needlecast.

Spruce trees impacted by Rhizosphaera needlecast.

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Branch tips littering the ground under your trees?

Posted on by margueriterapp

Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665

Have you been noticing branch tips scattered on the ground beneath spruce, fir or pine trees this spring? You may be seeing one of a few things – damage from small animals or breakage caused by the harsh winter we had. Fortunately, the damage from either is unlikely to do serious harm to your trees. 

Spruce branch tips found on ground were clipped from tree by squirrels.

Spruce branch tips found on ground were clipped from tree by squirrels.

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Educational EAB DVDs available for order

Posted on by margueriterapp

Educational EAB DVDs.

Marguerite Rapp, communications and education/outreach specialist, Madison, Marguerite.Rapp@wisconsin.gov, 608-843-3506

The Forest Health Program has educational DVDs on the emerald ash borer (EAB) available for order. Produced in 2010 by the Wisconsin Cooperative EAB Program, the DVDs contain three videos to help viewers identify emerald ash borer, ash trees and signs of infestation. Each video is between 3-6 minutes in length.

If you would like free copies of this DVD for yourself or to share with partners and organizations in your community, please send an email to Marguerite.Rapp@wisconsin.gov that includes your name, mailing address and total number of copies needed. Please share this offer with anyone who may be interested.

Northwestern county forests trap for EAB

Posted on by margueriterapp

Paul Cigan, forest health specialist, Hayward, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov, 715-416-4920

Several forestry partners will be trapping EAB in the northern region in 2018 using baited prism traps similar to this one.

EAB purple prism trap in ash tree.

A number of county forestry partners in northwest Wisconsin are trapping for emerald ash borer (EAB) on their properties this year with technical assistance from the DNR forest health team. Potential captures of EAB may give officials a better understanding of the invasive beetle’s distribution in the region that can support forest management planning and public awareness. Partners conducting trapping include Bayfield, Douglas, Rusk, Sawyer counties and the Barron County Conservation District. Landowners and property managers are encouraged to report signs and symptoms of EAB activity to their regional forest health specialist.

Learn more about emerald ash borer and signs/symptoms of infestation at the DNR emerald ash borer page.