Urban Forestry News

Urban Forestry Grants Webinar Announced: Updated Application Process

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a webinar to help you develop a competitive urban forestry grant application. This webinar will guide you through the application form so you can submit a strong application that aligns with the DNR’s Urban Forestry Program funding priorities.

Register today to reserve your spot in the upcoming webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Continue reading “Urban Forestry Grants Webinar Announced: Updated Application Process”

Networking At Riveredge Nature Center

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744

Tree managers met at Riveredge Nature Center (RNC) for a networking meeting/field tour at the end of July. RNC is located in Saukville, ground zero for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Wisconsin, which was discovered in 2008.

The indoor portion of the meeting consisted of updates from DNR Urban Forestry and Forest Health staff.  There was also time for open sharing amongst attendees and an overview by Matt Smith (RNC) about what we’d be seeing in the field. Continue reading “Networking At Riveredge Nature Center”

Trees And Insurance Survey

2 men assessing an ash treeThe Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) Industry Trends committee – charged with monitoring the issues impacting your work – is seeking information on your experiences with insurance companies and urban tree canopy. There is growing evidence that insurance companies are directing the pruning or removal of trees, and the committee wants to fully understand the issue. Your responses to the survey below will help compile stories and evidence so that UCFS can work with industry partners and draft position statements. Continue reading “Trees And Insurance Survey”

The DNR Reforestation Program Needs Seeds

By Jeremiah Auer, DNR Regeneration Specialist; Jeremiah.Auer@wisconsin.gov

The DNR’s Reforestation Program needs red and white pine cones – more specifically, we need the seeds found within those cones for our reforestation needs. The Reforestation Program produces millions of pine seedlings every year at the Wilson State Nursery in Boscobel, and the only way we can produce those seedlings is with seed collected from the fields and forests of Wisconsin. Continue reading “The DNR Reforestation Program Needs Seeds”

American Forests Launches Tree Equity Coaching Network

American Forests LogoThe American Forests National Coaching Network is a community for urban foresters, community advocates, city leaders and allied professionals to connect, learn, inspire and cultivate city commitments to advance tree equity. This network is a way for people to address challenges and build their tools and resources. Continue reading “American Forests Launches Tree Equity Coaching Network”

DNR Now Accepting Applications For Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants

By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager; Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099

APPLICATIONS DUE OCT. 10

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it is now accepting applications for Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm GrantsPlease note: The Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant CANNOT cover damage caused by water saturation due to flooding.

This round of grant funding became available through Executive Order #272, signed by Gov. Tony Evers on Aug. 11, 2025 declaring a state of emergency for the date of Aug. 9, 2025 due to recent severe weather across Wisconsin. Continue reading “DNR Now Accepting Applications For Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants”

Upcoming Trainings

*These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute an endorsement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

See below for information on training topics, including Z133 updates, urban tree lifespan, maintaining urban trees on private lands, conferences and watering. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”

Monitor Your Trees For Spongy Moth-Related Decline And Mortality

A photo taken June 20, 2025, shows dead and dying oaks near Whitewater Lake in Walworth County, following a period of defoliation and summer drought.

A photo taken June 20, 2025, shows dead and dying oaks near Whitewater Lake in Walworth County, following a period of defoliation and summer drought. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Property owners are encouraged to monitor their trees for signs of decline and mortality, as the last few years have been marked by drought and spongy moth defoliation.

Landowners who have oak, birch, crabapple, aspen, willow, tamarack and basswood (linden) trees should be particularly watchful, because the caterpillars of this invasive insect prefer these species. Many other tree species are not preferred by the caterpillars and are less likely to be heavily defoliated, but are more likely to die if heavy defoliation should happen.

This article focuses on oak impacts.

The 2021-24 spongy moth outbreak has now collapsed statewide; no defoliation has been observed as of late July 2025. Only a few reports of single caterpillars were received by Wisconsin DNR Forest Health staff. (Note: Parts of Wisconsin may be experiencing a continuing outbreak of different caterpillars known as “oak leafroller” and “larch casebearer.”)

Continue reading “Monitor Your Trees For Spongy Moth-Related Decline And Mortality”

Herbicide Damage To Trees? Always Read The Label

Closeup photo showing active ingredients listed on the front label of pesticide containers. The complete label, including instructions, may be on the front or back of the bottle and will require opening to read.

Active ingredients are listed on the front of pesticide containers (yellow arrow above). The complete label, including instructions, may be on the front or back of the bottle and will require opening to read (blue arrow above). / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

This is your reminder to always read pesticide labels, even if you think the product you are using is the same product you’ve always used.

Do you always check the active ingredients listed on the front of pesticide containers – and read instructions on the use of the product – every time you buy a new container of pesticide? It has become more important than ever to do so.

Continue reading “Herbicide Damage To Trees? Always Read The Label”