By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578
Much of what we know about our urban forests is limited to publicly maintained spaces such as in parks or along streets. However, the curtain covering other urban lands is rising, starting in Milwaukee and Madison.
The Urban Forest Inventory and Analysis (UFIA) program, a partnership between the USDA Forest Service and the DNR, has established 1,300 permanent plots in urban areas across Wisconsin. Project foresters captured loads of information on each plot, such as tree species and sizes, land ownership, tree damages, and wood volume. The data were extrapolated from those plots and made into estimates for each city. The data were also incorporated into i-Tree to calculate ecosystem services. Continue reading “Urban Forest Inventory And Analysis Release”
Earth Day, Arbor Day and spring are all quickly approaching, and now is the time to start thinking about your tree plantings! Choosing the proper tree for a specific location will help ensure your tree’s long-term health and survival.
The Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Urban Forestry program cohosted their annual conference on Feb. 16-18 in Green Bay. One of the preeminent events in arboriculture and urban forestry, the gathering brought together hundreds of people from the private, public, nonprofit and academic sectors to network and share knowledge about urban forest management.
This year was a record-breaker: 946 attendees, the highest mark ever. Data was also compiled regarding organizational affiliations of attendees this year. 
The Arbor Day Foundation is asking for presentation proposals for its annual conference on Nov. 18-19 in Henderson, Nevada. You can play a key role in making the Partners in Community Forestry Conference and Alliance for Community Trees Day even more impactful by sharing your expertise, innovative programs, and the incredible work you’re doing in urban and community forestry with fellow professionals from across the nation. 
*These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute an endorsement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Wisconsin winters with subzero weather can create problems for our trees. Frost cracks are one of those problems we’re seeing an uptick of lately. These longitudinal openings can run the entire length of the trunk, often extend deep into the wood, and permanently damage a tree. In wintertime, the tree may even look like it’s splitting in half! Then warmer weather comes, and the crack seems to close, repeating this process annually. Over time, frost cracks may even develop a raised area where callus tissue develops in an attempt to close over the wound, only to reopen again next winter. 
Have a job opening you need to get the word out about before the busy field season ramps up?
Now is the time to sign up for Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K! Run, walk or roll to support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks. The program was started in 2019 when Bob Ross Inc. partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to raise awareness of and money for tree planting and has since expanded to 13 states.