By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744

With recent storms passing through Wisconsin, communities may still be working on clean-up. Depending on the intensity of the storms and the condition of the trees, damage from high winds, heavy rainfall, hail and lightning can be quite severe. Cracked or broken branches, trunk damage and root failure are some of the main concerns, but also the risk and liability of damage to people and property.

Did your community experience damage from the storms that passed through the state recently? The list below contains resources individuals and communities may find useful. Feel free to include any of these links on your website or in social media posts.

• Storm Recovery – Arbor Day Foundation
• Storm-Related Tree Damage – International Society of Arboriculture
• Why Hire an Arborist – International Society of Arboriculture
• Find an Arborist – International Society of Arboriculture
• Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants – Wisconsin DNR – Grants are available to cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) organizations for a governor-declared state of emergency. Keep this website handy and check if grant applications are being accepted after a storm. Individual homeowners are not eligible to apply.
• Wisconsin Disaster Fund – Wisconsin Emergency Management – A state-funded reimbursement program that allows local governments to recoup costs incurred while responding to and recovering from disaster incidents.  A Uniform Disaster Situation Report is recommended to be submitted within 72 hours of the start of an incident.
• Oak Wilt – Wisconsin DNR – If oak trees need to be pruned/removed during the oak-harvesting restricted periods (April 15-July 15 in northern Wisconsin & April 1-July 15 in southern Wisconsin), apply wound sealer immediately after the wound is made to prevent the introduction of oak wilt spores by sap-feeding beetles.
• Replanting Trees – Wisconsin DNR