Paul Cigan looks for various species of invasive plants during a visit to a bog at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Kemp Research Station on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. / Photo Credit: Art Kabelowsky, Wisconsin DNR

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

Paul Cigan, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) forest health specialist for the northwest zone, recently appeared on the Ventures of the Land podcast, hosted by George Atwell, to discuss oak wilt’s past, present and future in Wisconsin.

The talk included details on how and when the invasive fungal disease arrived in the state, how it attacks oak trees and methods landowners can use to manage the disease.

Cigan also appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Garden Talk program to discuss the impacts of winter weather on trees and ways to protect trees from common winter weather damage, such as snow loading, salt, sunscald, root damage and animal damage. He also discussed ways to protect ash trees from the emerald ash borer in the spring.

Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR forest health specialist for the Northeast zone, was recently interviewed by Denise Thornton of the My Wisconsin Woods website for an upcoming article on current and emerging forest health issues. The website is a DNR partnership with the Aldo Leopold Foundation.

McNee discussed current forest health issues such as spongy moth, emerald ash borer, oak wilt and drought, and issues that could appear soon in Wisconsin forests such as hemlock woolly adelgid and beech leaf disease.