Forest Health News

Correction On Plans For Discarding Holiday Decorations

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A pile of discarded Christmas trees in a drop-off lot.

A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

An article in the January edition of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Health News contained some incorrect information on the disposal of wreaths, trees, boughs and other holiday decorations.

The article focused on disposing holiday plant matter in ways that avoided the spread of invasive insects, seeds and spores that can spread to harm trees, plants and habitats.

Continue reading “Correction On Plans For Discarding Holiday Decorations” →

Phomopsis, Black Knot Easily Found In Winter

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Phomopsis galls are found on branches of a northern red oak.

This northern red oak has many large Phomopsis galls. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Winter is a great time to admire the structure of trees. When they are without leaves, you can see how the branches are arranged, how large or small the branches are, and if they are fairly straight or contorted. You might also notice some swellings or growths on those branches.

Two types that can really make a statement are Phomopsis and black knot.

Continue reading “Phomopsis, Black Knot Easily Found In Winter” →

WMA-PFGP Grant Application Deadline Extended

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Volunteers working to remove invasive plants from a riverside forested area.

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

The deadline has been extended for eligible Weed Management Groups (WMGs) to apply for grants from the Weed Management Area-Private Forest Grant Program (WMA-PFGP).

The deadline has been pushed back to April 13, giving WMG administrators almost two additional weeks to apply for financial help as they plan to address invasive forest plants in 2026.

The WMA-PFGP helps eligible groups both by dealing directly with the invasives and by providing education, information and outreach to others. The grants are meant as reimbursements that cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs, with a 25 percent match required.

 

Continue reading “WMA-PFGP Grant Application Deadline Extended” →

Forest Health Specialists Spread The News

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

A DNR group in a forest discusses forest health issues .

Wisconsin DNR Forest Health specialist Bill McNee presents a hazard tree training talk to other DNR workers at Lizard Mound State Park in 2023. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Did any of your trees explode during the recent cold snap? Likely not.

Social media — and some traditional news outlets — grabbed hits and headlines by warning folks that the January cold snap could spark a phenomenon they called “exploding trees.”

But Bill McNee, an Oshkosh-based Forest Health specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), was there to prune the branches of the fast-growing viral story.

Continue reading “Forest Health Specialists Spread The News” →

Forest Health Annual Report Hot Off The Presses

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The cover of the 2025 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Annual Report.

The cover of the 2025 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Annual Report. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made its 2025 Forest Health Annual Report ready to view and download.

This year’s edition contains 55 pages of reporting on forest health issues throughout Wisconsin, detailing methods employed by the DNR and other agencies to control pests, diseases and invasive plants.

Continue reading “Forest Health Annual Report Hot Off The Presses” →

Hemlock Borer Attacks Stressed Hemlock

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Closeup photo of a hemlock borer larva feeding inside channels in a hemlock tree.

A hemlock borer larva inside channels in a hemlock tree. / Photo Credit: Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org

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

Woodpeckers are often the first to know that a hemlock tree is being attacked by hemlock borer.

Woodpeckers will flake off the outer layers of bark to get at the tasty hemlock borer larvae under the bark, leaving the tree with a reddish hue that, once you’ve seen it, is unmistakable. The woodpecker damage quickly makes it obvious that the tree was fully infested from top to bottom by hemlock borer.

Continue reading “Hemlock Borer Attacks Stressed Hemlock” →

Be Mindful Of Invasives During Holiday Clean-Up

Posted on by akabelowsky
A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility.

A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Invasive plants and insects don’t mind playing the long game. After all, they’re just trying to survive and thrive, like the rest of us.

They’ll hang out as part of your holiday decorations throughout the season, just on the chance humans might dispose of them improperly, giving them an opportunity to find a new home in your yard or neighborhood.

Continue reading “Be Mindful Of Invasives During Holiday Clean-Up” →

Invasive Species Action Awards Nominations Open

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A group photo showing the winners of the 2025 Invasive Species Action Awards, given by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Winners of the 2025 Invasive Species Action Awards, given by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council will accept nominations for the 22nd annual Invasive Species Action Awards through Feb. 15, 2026.

Award recipients are Wisconsin residents and organizations who have made significant contributions to prevent, control or eradicate invasive species that harm Wisconsin’s native forests, wildlife, wetlands, prairies, lakes and rivers.

Continue reading “Invasive Species Action Awards Nominations Open” →

Shively, McNee To Make Public Appearances

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Tim Shively, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialist for the West Central zone.

Tim Shively, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialist for the West Central zone. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Tim Shively, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health specialist for West Central Wisconsin, will give a presentation titled “Forest Health for Everyone” at a meeting of the Juneau County Men’s Shed at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, in Mauston.

The event is part of a program put on by the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eagle Country, and will take place at W4890 County Hwy. N, Mauston. It is open to the public. Continue reading “Shively, McNee To Make Public Appearances” →

White Pine Blister Rust Can Devastate Young Stands

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By Tim Shively, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Timothy.Shively@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-6974

A close-up photo of a white pine blister rust canker as seen on a young white pine tree.

A white pine blister rust canker as seen on a young white pine tree. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) has historically held great ecological, cultural and economic value throughout Wisconsin, a tradition which continues today. For more than 100 years, however, it has been threatened by a non-native, invasive fungal pathogen called Cronartium ribicola, or white pine blister rust (WPBR).

Continue reading “White Pine Blister Rust Can Devastate Young Stands” →