The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program’s webpage for “Ask A Gardening Question,” the best place for homeowners to ask questions about the health of their yard trees. / Graphic Credit: UW-Madison Division of Extension
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Forest Health Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg; Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a team of Forest Health specialists that focus on problems affecting state, county and municipal forests and private forests larger than 10 acres.
But, to twist a cliché, if you can’t see the forest for the trees when it comes to your yard trees, expert help is a few clicks away.
For help with problems affecting yard trees, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program offers the “Ask a Gardening Question” webpage.
Wisconsin residents are welcome to use a form on the webpage to describe their issue and attach up to three photos. From there, a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener or another Extension staffer will look into the issue and respond with helpful information.
The web form also allows visitors to sign up for an email list to receive information about upcoming Extension classes and workshops, and to receive research-based gardening information.
Follow the guide below to determine which agency to contact with your tree questions given your situation:
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Managers of state, county and municipal forestland; private foresters managing properties larger than 10 acres; landowners with more than 10 forested acres; forestry professionals; those seeking fact sheets and silviculture guidelines; and forestland owners seeking information on invasive plants, tree diseases and insects.
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Questions and reports from owners of nurseries and Christmas tree farms about new and emerging invasive plant pests and diseases, nurseries, Christmas tree farms, Slow the Spread (of Spongy Moth) program, pesticides and pest and disease quarantines and regulations.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program: Landowners with yard trees seeking information on weeds and invasive plants, tree diseases and insects.