Pine bark adelgids covered in white, waxy fluff on a white pine tree. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
Pine bark adelgids are tiny, aphid-like insects that suck the sap of white pines. The bugs protect themselves from predators with a fluffy, white wax covering. Pine bark adelgids generate concern when thousands of them gather on white pines to feed, making the pine bark appear covered with sap.
Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh Service Center Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
This garden waste was dumped along an ATV trail in a state forest and can be a pathway for invasive plants and diseases that affect our public lands. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
When a pile of more than 500 pounds of uncooked pasta was found in the woods in New Jersey in early May, no one was quite sure why or how the piles had appeared — but it was clear that they didn’t belong there.
Whether spaghetti noodles, broken electronics or old furniture, some things shouldn’t be in our woods, waters or roadsides, no matter the reason.
Though it may seem obvious that you should avoid dumping these types of waste in your local woods, some items aren’t as straightforward.
A female spongy moth lays a tan-colored egg mass on an oak tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit on July 25. Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh; bill.mcnee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942
In many areas across Wisconsin, conditions were right for the worst outbreak of spongy moth caterpillars (Lymantria dispar) in more than a decade.
The caterpillars of this invasive insect — formerly known as gypsy moth — prefer to feed on oak, birch, crabapple, aspen and willow leaves, but will also feed on many other tree and shrub species. As of early August, caterpillars have pupated, but adult moths remain present.
Continue reading “Spongy Moth Update: State Defoliation Record Set”
Spruce budworm defoliation this spring on hemlock makes the trees look thin. Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff; Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
Spruce budworm is finished feeding for the year, but the damage from the insects is still being observed.
Spruce budworm prefers to feed on balsam fir and spruce, but a previous newsletter article noted that tamarack had been observed as 100% defoliated by spruce budworm. More recently, stands of hemlock with moderate to severe defoliation were also identified.
Continue reading “Hemlock Being Defoliated By Spruce Budworm”
A preview of the new Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health fact sheet on spongy moth. Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach/Communications Specialist, Fitchburg; Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Forest Health team has debuted seven new fact sheets, providing information on various forest insects and diseases as well as tips on how to deal with their emergence on your property.
The new fact sheets provide details on spongy moth, oak wilt management, spruce budworm, jack pine budworm, tamarack insects (larch casebearer and eastern larch beetle), red pine pocket decline and mortality and a comparison of common spring defoliator caterpillars (forest tent caterpillar, eastern tent caterpillar and spongy moth).
Additionally, the Forest Health team has updated and/or refreshed the look of its 13 existing fact sheets.
Continue reading “Forest Health Team Offers Seven New Fact Sheets, Updates Website”
By Art Kabelowsky, Wisconsin DNR Division of Forestry
Lori and Jim Livingston manage a species-diverse, 401-acre property outside Medford and adjacent to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
What’s one of the most underrated factors behind successful forest stewardship?
Good old-fashioned elbow grease.
“There used to be a time we’d both get up in the morning and work until it got dark,” Lori Livingston said with a laugh. “We don’t do that anymore.”
Still, elbow grease remains the not-so-secret ingredient behind the vast and diverse beauty of Jim and Lori Livingston’s 401-acre property, located adjacent to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in the Town of Hammel, near Medford in Taylor County.
“The north end is hilly, with a lot of rocks. The south end levels out but gets wet,” Jim Livingston said. “For this part of Wisconsin, we have a lot of diversity.”
“When we first saw this (property), it was just a rockpile,” Lori Livingston said. “Lots and lots of rocks. But we have so many resources here, we’ve been able to make it work.” Continue reading “Medford Couple Invests Elbow Grease”
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff; Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
Basswood leaves show damage after feeding of introduced basswood thrips. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR.
For the second consecutive year, damage from introduced basswood thrips (Thrips calcaratus) is significant in some northeastern Wisconsin counties. Introduced basswood thrips are tiny, invasive insects that feed inside tree buds in early spring. Leaves are then deformed when they expand and can look like frost or wind has damaged them.
Continue reading “Basswood Thrips Causing Crumpled Leaves, Thin Crowns”
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff; Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
A green maple leaf found on the ground with a broken petiole (leafstalk) due to damage by the maple petiole borer. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR.
Some sugar maple trees in the northern half of Wisconsin experienced leaves dropping to the ground this spring.
These leaves were green and had no apparent areas of damage, but they covered the ground under some trees. A closer look showed these leaves had short petioles (leafstalks) that had been broken off when they fell, which indicates a tiny sawfly larva called maple petiole borer was to blame.
Continue reading “Maple Petiole Borer Causes Leaves To Drop”
White pine with yellowing needles; new growth is not affected. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR.
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff; Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
White pine in north central Wisconsin, as well as scattered areas elsewhere in the state, have many needles that are bright yellow. Brown spot needle blight (Lecanosticta acicula, previously known as Mycosphaerella dearnessii) is the primary suspect, although samples have been sent to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health laboratory to determine if other fungal species are present.
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff; Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
A ladybug larva feeds on lecanium scale domes on an oak twig. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR.
Lecanium scale is infesting oak forests across Marinette, Oneida and Vilas counties. These scale insects insert their mouthparts into twigs and suck the tree sap. They release honeydew, which ants can collect, or coat leaves and anything located under infested trees (i.e., yard furniture or vehicles). Sooty mold can grow on that sticky material and turn things black, so homeowners may want to rinse off the honeydew from outdoor items regularly.
Continue reading “Lecanium Scale Creating A Sticky Situation”
