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Campers Reminded: Don’t Move Firewood

Posted on by akabelowsky
A stock photo of a family roasting marshmallows over a campfire.

Going camping? It’s important to remember not to move firewood. Instead, buy it within 10 miles of where you will use it. This will help to prevent the spread of invasive pests. / Photo Credit: Istockphoto.com

By Wisconsin DNR

Camping season is about to enter full swing, and campfires are a Wisconsin summer staple.

That makes this a good time for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to remind the public of the importance of protecting Wisconsin’s forests and trees by not transporting firewood long distances.

Even after a tree has died, firewood can carry pests or diseases — on its surface or inside the log —  which can attack or infect other trees. To help prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases, always get your firewood near where you will use it.

Continue reading “Campers Reminded: Don’t Move Firewood” →

DNR Offers Two Knotweed Fact Sheets

Posted on by akabelowsky
A roadside photo showing how quickly species in the knotweed complex can grow and create large infestations.

Species in the knotweed complex grow very quickly, causing large infestations on roadsides like this one. / Photo Credit: Randy Westbrooks, Invasive Plant Control, Inc., Bugwood.org

By Wisconsin DNR

With the scourge of knotweed about to gear up for another growing season, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering information.

The DNR has created two fact sheets to instruct general and urban landowners on the best control methods for the fast-growing invasive plant.

Continue reading “DNR Offers Two Knotweed Fact Sheets” →

Columbian Timber Beetle Fact Sheet Debuts

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing staining, in the shape of a many-pointed star, evident in the cut ends of silver maple logs.

Staining, in the shape of a many-pointed star, is evident in the cut ends of silver maple logs. / Photo Credit: Chris Firgens, Oconto County Forest

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Columbian timber beetle (Corthylus columbianus) is an ambrosia beetle native to the eastern United States.

In Wisconsin, we have had reports of Columbian Timber Beetle (CTB) attacking silver maple in the northeastern and lakeshore areas of the state, dating back to the early 1990s. The insects have caused significant staining from repeated attacks. In southern Wisconsin, CTB can attack oaks to a lesser degree, including bur, northern red and white oak.

Continue reading “Columbian Timber Beetle Fact Sheet Debuts” →

Japanese Stilt Grass History StoryMap Debuts

Posted on by akabelowsky
The main page of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' new StoryMap on Japanese Stilt Grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest.

The main page of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ new StoryMap on Japanese Stilt Grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest. / Graphic Credit: Carter Hellenbrand, Wisconsin DNR

Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@wisconsin.gov

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health program has created a new StoryMap documenting the history of Japanese stilt grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest in La Crosse County.

Users will be able to see an overview of Japanese stilt grass, how to identify it and what control efforts have been implemented since this plant was discovered in 2020.

Continue reading “Japanese Stilt Grass History StoryMap Debuts” →

UW-Madison’s Raffa Talks Trees’ Natural Defenses

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo of Ken Raffa, professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology.

Ken Raffa, professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology. / Photo Credit: University of Wisconsin-Madison

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

Do you pity the poor tree, forced to stand defenseless against the ravages of insect pests, fungi and disease?

Then, you have not listened to Dr. Ken Raffa discuss the impressive natural defenses trees have developed.

Raffa, a professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Entomology Department, recently appeared on Proforest Podforest podcast to discuss the topic “Inside the Tree’s Natural Defense.”

Continue reading “UW-Madison’s Raffa Talks Trees’ Natural Defenses” →

Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances

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

Forest Health specialists with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are booked to give public presentations during May.

The list of events that are open to the public: Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances” →

2025 DNR Spongy Moth Spray Plans Announced

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing an airplane spraying pesticide over trees at Devils Lake State Park in Sauk County to help in the control of spongy moth caterpillars.

An airplane sprays pesticide over trees at Devils Lake State Park in Sauk County to help in the control of spongy moth caterpillars. / Photo Credit: Sue Johansen, Wisconsin DNR

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has finalized aerial spraying plans for its 2025 Spongy Moth Suppression Program, with maps for the five selected treatment areas available online.

The treatment sites are at three state parks in Juneau, Marinette and Sauk counties that are highly valued for their recreational use. A total of 544 acres of trees will be treated with an aerial spray of “Foray” bacterial insecticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki.

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La Crosse County Added To Spongy Moth Quarantine

Posted on by akabelowsky
A closeup photo of a spongy moth caterpillar consuming a leaf.

A spongy moth caterpillar consumes a leaf. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

La Crosse County has become the latest Wisconsin location to be added to the state and federal spongy moth quarantine, joining most eastern and central Wisconsin counties already considered to be infested by the invasive insect.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced the change on April 1, based on trapping data collected last year.

Continue reading “La Crosse County Added To Spongy Moth Quarantine” →

April Offers Opportunities For Tree Lovers

Posted on by akabelowsky
Wide-angle photo showing that a beautiful view of Wisconsin forestland awaits visitors to Roche a Cri State Park in Adams County.

A beautiful view of Wisconsin forestland awaits visitors to Roche a Cri State Park in Adams County. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

“Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.”

Those were the words of Wisconsin’s most prominent conservation expert, Aldo Leopold, who authored the famous book, “A Sand County Almanac” among his many achievements.

This month, everyone in Wisconsin will have the chance to follow Leopold’s advice – even if in a small way, because many small efforts can add up to a prominent positive impact on Wisconsin’s trees and forests.

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Fight The Bite! Watch For Ticks

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov

Ticks are active now, so it’s time to start taking precautions to prevent tick bites and transmission of the diseases they carry. Whenever temperatures at ground level get above 40-42 degrees Fahrenheit, ticks will start to be active.

Continue reading “Fight The Bite! Watch For Ticks” →