Forest Health News

Heterobasidion Root Disease Online Maps Updated

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Photo of a tree showing fruiting bodies of Heterobasidion root disease at its trunk.

A tree shows fruiting bodies of Heterobasidion root disease at its trunk. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Kyoko Scanlon, DNR Forest Pathologist
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov or 608-235-7532

Heterobasidion root disease (HRD), a destructive fungal disease, continues to be found in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed detections in several stands over recent months.

The DNR’s 6-mile and 25-mile buffer zone maps have been updated based on the locations of the newly confirmed stands. The most notable changes due to expanded buffer zones have taken place in Door, Marinette, Milwaukee and Pierce counties.

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Tune In: Forest Health Team In The Media

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Photo showing DNR Forest Health specialist Paul Cigan looking for various species of invasive plants during a visit to a bog at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Kemp Research Station

Paul Cigan looks for various species of invasive plants during a visit to a bog at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Kemp Research Station on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. / Photo Credit: Art Kabelowsky, Wisconsin DNR

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

Paul Cigan, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) forest health specialist for the northwest zone, recently appeared on the Ventures of the Land podcast, hosted by George Atwell, to discuss oak wilt’s past, present and future in Wisconsin.

The talk included details on how and when the invasive fungal disease arrived in the state, how it attacks oak trees and methods landowners can use to manage the disease.

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Mary Bartkowiak Retires As Forest Invasive Plant Coordinator

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Photo showing Mary Bartkowiak, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' recently retired Forestry Invasive Plants Coordinator, giving a presentation on invasive plants at the University of Wisconsin's Kemp Natural Resources Station in Woodruff.

Mary Bartkowiak, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Forestry Invasive Plants Coordinator, gives a presentation on invasive plants at the University of Wisconsin’s Kemp Natural Resources Station in Woodruff on June 25. / Photo Credit: Art Kabelowsky, Wisconsin DNR

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

It seems quite fitting that a natively grown expert has spent much of the last 15 years of her career fighting the expansion of invasive plant species in Wisconsin.

Mary Bartkowiak, a Wisconsin native who joined the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 2010 and has served as the Forest Invasive Plants Coordinator since 2020, announced her retirement in February.

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A Wonderful Winter Display: Phomopsis Galls

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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.

 

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Spring Dreaming: Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Garden Plans

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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.

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Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching

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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.

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Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses

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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.

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What Are Those White Fluffies On Trees?

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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.

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Make Plans Now To Fight Spongy Moth In 2025

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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

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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” →