Forest Health News

A Wonderful Winter Display: Phomopsis Galls

Posted on by akabelowsky
Phomopsis galls are plentiful on branches of a 120-year-old red oak tree in Clark County, Wisconsin, in 2024.

Phomopsis galls are plentiful on branches of a 120-year-old red oak tree in Clark County, Wisconsin, in 2024. / Photo Credit: Kris Wimme, retired Wisconsin DNR forester

By Alex Hornung, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Plover
Alexandra.Hornung@wisconsin.gov

It is the perfect time of year to be on the lookout for galls – woody growths or swellings on tree branches that are typically oblong in shape and of varying sizes.

They can often be found on small branches, but occasionally they can affect large branches or even the main stem. Galls can occur for several reasons, ranging from fungi to bacteria to insect activity.

One type, Phomopsis gall, can be particularly impressive to see. Galls formed due to this native fungus mostly occur on oak, hickory and maple trees in Wisconsin.

 

Continue reading “A Wonderful Winter Display: Phomopsis Galls” →

Spring Dreaming: Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Garden Plans

Posted on by akabelowsky
Originally planted as a garden ornamental, Japanese barberry can quickly escape cultivation and invade Wisconsin’s woodlands.

Originally planted as a garden ornamental, Japanese barberry can quickly escape cultivation and invade Wisconsin’s woodlands. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Even though winter’s grip has taken hold in Wisconsin, many gardeners are already thinking ahead to the next spring planting season.

While dreaming of spring blooms and designing your next garden or landscape layout, be on the lookout for invasive plants that may try to weed their way into your plans.

Continue reading “Spring Dreaming: Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Garden Plans” →

Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching

Posted on by akabelowsky
Volunteers at a garlic mustard-pulling event on the Montreal River in Iron County, part of a control project planned by a previous WMA-PFGP recipient.

Volunteers at a garlic mustard-pulling event on the Montreal River in Iron County, part of a control project planned by a previous WMA-PFGP recipient. / Photo Credit: Ramona Shackleford, Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area

By Wisconsin DNR

The April 1 application deadline for Weed Management Area-Private Forest Grant Program (WMA-PFGP) grants is coming up. There is still time to apply for funding to help you control invasive plants on your forested land in 2025.

Controlling invasive plants on your forested property can be a challenging and costly endeavor. WMA-PFGP grants help to make this process a little easier for its recipients.

Continue reading “Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching” →

Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses

Posted on by akabelowsky
Large egg masses are seen on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021.

Large egg masses are seen on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh;
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

It might be a bit chilly these days, but spring is coming. When the weather warms up, the annual return of spongy moth caterpillars will begin.

There’s a way for landowners to make a dent in the population of the hungry caterpillars: Get out now to locate and properly dispose of spongy moth egg masses, produced by adult moths last summer.

Continue reading “Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses” →

What Are Those White Fluffies On Trees?

Posted on by akabelowsky
Lots of beech scale, covered in white wool, makes this tree’s bark look fluffy.

Lots of beech scale, covered in white wool, makes this tree’s bark look fluffy. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR

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

Last month, we introduced readers to the woolly alder aphid, which is easier to spot in the winter as the insects congregate on alder branches and grow strands of white, waxy material to cover themselves for winter.

But there are other white, fluffy things that you might notice on tree bark or branches as well.

Beech scale, the insect associated with beech bark disease, is covered in white wool and remains on the tree throughout the winter. In areas with high beech scale populations, the beech trees can be so white with insects that the bark looks white, like a birch.

Continue reading “What Are Those White Fluffies On Trees?” →

Make Plans Now To Fight Spongy Moth In 2025

Posted on by akabelowsky
A photo showing large egg masses on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021.

Large egg masses are seen on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

Part Two of a report on spongy moth in Wisconsin in 2024 and 2025. Part One was published in December.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging property owners to examine their property for spongy moth egg masses and plan for action this spring if needed. Each spongy moth egg mass contains hundreds of eggs that will hatch into hungry, leaf-eating caterpillars this spring. Large numbers of these invasive caterpillars can be a tremendous nuisance that may cause tree mortality.

Continue reading “Make Plans Now To Fight Spongy Moth In 2025” →

It’s A Good Time To Work On Oak Trees

Posted on by akabelowsky
A person prunes a tree during the winter months.

Winter is an ideal time to perform pruning and trimming work on oak leaves. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Winter is an ideal time to perform trimming, cutting and brush removal work on and near oak trees.

For one thing, it’s a low-risk period for the trees to be infected with oak wilt, a fungal disease spread by beetles. When a red oak is infected with oak wilt, it will die that year; the disease also stresses trees in the white oak group, often fatal with bur oaks and swamp white oaks.

Continue reading “It’s A Good Time To Work On Oak Trees” →

Woodpecker Flecking On Ash Means EAB

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing that woodpecker flecking on green ash and white ash, from birds feeding on emerald ash borer larvae, will often be extensive and very noticeable.

Woodpecker flecking on green ash and white ash, from birds feeding on emerald ash borer larvae, will often be extensive and very noticeable. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR

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

Ash trees that are flecked by woodpeckers will have the outer layers of their bark chipped off by the birds. Woodpeckers do this to punch through the remaining bark more easily to get at the tasty emerald ash borer (EAB) larvae living there.

Flecking usually starts at the top of the tree, providing a sure sign that insects are under the bark. Although the problem could be caused by ash bark beetles, the more common culprit is EAB.

Continue reading “Woodpecker Flecking On Ash Means EAB” →

Impacts Of Winter Weather On Trees

Posted on by akabelowsky
A photo showing that heavy, wet snow can bend and deform small trees and cause branch breakage or whole tree failure of larger trees.

Heavy, wet snow can bend and deform small trees and cause branch breakage or whole tree failure of larger trees. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Winter damage can significantly impact the health of trees. Keeping trees healthy through the fall is important for reducing winter stress. In dry falls, like the one Wisconsin experienced in 2024, you can help trees go into winter healthy by continuing to provide water to them until the leaves start falling (for deciduous trees) or until the ground starts freezing (for conifers).

Continue reading “Impacts Of Winter Weather On Trees” →

2024 Forest Health Annual Report Published

Posted on by akabelowsky
The cover of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 2024 Forest Health Annual Report.

The cover of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ 2024 Forest Health Annual Report. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Hot off the digital presses, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made its 2024 Forest Health Annual Report ready for review and download.

This year’s edition contains 58 pages of reporting on forest health issues throughout Wisconsin, detailing methods employed by the DNR and other agencies to control pests and diseases.

Continue reading “2024 Forest Health Annual Report Published” →