Urban Forestry News

DNR To Accept Seedling Orders For The Spring Starting Oct. 7

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will accept seedling orders from Wisconsin landowners for planting trees and shrubs in spring 2025 starting Oct. 7, 2024. The high-quality seedlings are native species appropriate for planting throughout Wisconsin and grown at the F.G. Wilson State Nursery in beautiful Boscobel.

Seedlings grown by the state nurseries are used for reforestation and conservation plantings on private, public and tribal lands. These seedlings can provide future forest products and revenues, wildlife habitat, soil erosion control, living snow fences, carbon storage, aesthetics and shade for landowners and public land managers in every county. Any seedlings planted will also get Wisconsin closer to the goal of planting 100 million trees across the state by 2030; a part of the national Trillion Tree Pledge.

A minimum order consists of a packet of 300 trees or shrubs of the landowner’s choosing in increments of 100 of each species, 500 shrubs or 1,000 tree seedlings. Youth groups and educational organizations can also purchase seedlings for their reforestation and conservation planting projects.

Conifer species available this year include white cedar, balsam fir, eastern hemlock, jack, red and white pine, black and white spruce and tamarack. Hardwoods available include aspen, basswood, river, white and yellow birch, butternut, black cherry, American elm, hackberry, bitternut hickory, silver and sugar (hard) maple, bur, red, southern pin, swamp white and white oak, sycamore and black walnut. Shrubs include buttonbush, highbush cranberry, gray, red-osier and silky dogwood, hawthorn, American hazelnut, Juneberry, ninebark and American plum.

Some species are limited in supply and we anticipate high demand. Please order early for the best chance to obtain these seedlings and provide a preferred replacement species or age class in case a species is sold out. If you are interested in knowing about the seedlings prior to purchase, refer to our stock descriptions for a description of seedling size and characteristics.

Customers may contact any reforestation staff or a DNR forester who serves their area for personal assistance. This can include reforestation advice or even a planting plan. Printed copies of the order form are also available; call a local forester or nursery for details. All orders are batched and input into the ordering database every day, at random, regardless of how a customer orders (online, fax, mail, etc.). This process ensures that all customers, whether private landowners, groups or public land managers, have the same opportunity to get the seedlings they need. In years past, we have accepted phone orders; however, with the anticipated order volume and staff limitations, we are not accepting phone orders until Oct. 21, 2024.

Customers may create an order using our online form found on the DNR website or by printing the order form, completing it and mailing it to:

Griffith State Nursery

473 Griffith Ave

Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

In addition to ordering online, customers can also find information related to current inventory, frequently asked questions, additional tree planting information and a listing of private nurseries.

For more information, contact the Griffith State Nursery office at 715-424-3700 or Carey.Skerven@wisconsin.gov.

Gov. Evers, DNR Announce Inflation Reduction Act Urban Forestry Grant Recipients

Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced Urban Forestry Grant (UF) recipients, funded through the Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“Wisconsin’s forests are a critical resource for our state, promoting clean air, preserving natural habitats, and bolstering our statewide economy,” said Gov. Evers. “Thanks to our local and federal partners, these investments help build a stronger, more resilient forestry industry, and will protect our environment and grow our economy for generations to come.”
Continue reading “Gov. Evers, DNR Announce Inflation Reduction Act Urban Forestry Grant Recipients”

A Busy Summer For Urban Forestry Interns

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist; daniel.buckler@wisconsin.gov or (608) 445-4578

Every year, the summer ends faster than one could pronounce Liquidambar styraciflua, and this year was no exception. Hopefully, while you are trying to recall proper Latin pronunciations, your summer is still filled with enjoyable, productive or illuminating activities. That was certainly the case for the DNR Urban Forestry summer internship program. This summer, staff worked with Southern University students Taylor Colman and Priscilla Loh on a variety of different data collection projects, filling the internship’s eight weeks with species identification, tree mensuration and tree health assessments. Continue reading “A Busy Summer For Urban Forestry Interns”

First Downs For Trees Celebrates 14 Years

By Patricia Lindquist, Urban Forestry Coordinator; patricia.lindquist@wisconsin.gov or (715) 574-1314

Group planOn Aug. 20, 2024, the First Downs for Trees program celebrated its 14th year with a ceremonial tree planting at Amelia Cornelius Park, Oneida Nation. The program is a cooperative effort between the DNR, the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Public Service and corporate sponsor Green Bay Packaging, Inc. The donated trees offset the Packers’ carbon footprint when flying to away games.

In 2024, 402 landscape-sized trees were planted by sixteen communities: Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Brown County, De Pere, Green Bay, Hobart, Howard, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Morrison, Oneida, Pulaski, Scott, Suamico and Wrightstown. The trees were provided by Meacham and Leaves Inspired nurseries. Since its inception, the First Downs for Trees program has donated 7,194 trees. Continue reading “First Downs For Trees Celebrates 14 Years”

Japanese Beetles Finding New Locations

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

A closeup photo of Japanese beetles defoliating basswood leaves. The invasive pest is becoming more prevalent in northern Wisconsin.

A closeup photo of Japanese beetles defoliating basswood leaves. The invasive pest is becoming more prevalent in northern Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is an invasive insect that feeds on many plant species. The pests “skeletonize” leaves by eating the material between the veins.

Adult Japanese beetles feed on the flowers and leaves of more than 300 plant species, including trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Forest trees can be defoliated, with open-grown or edge trees suffering the highest defoliation rates.

Continue reading “Japanese Beetles Finding New Locations”

CISMAs Plan Invasive Plant Events

When it comes to fighting invasive plants, Wisconsin’s Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) are often the first line of defense (and offense).

These regional groups provide a localized resource for landowners looking for invasive plant education, identification support and assistance with controlling invasives on their properties.

Continue reading “CISMAs Plan Invasive Plant Events”

Oak Decline Continues In Southern Wisconsin

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

Oak decline at Big Foot Beach State Park caused by flooding, drought, spongy moth defoliation, twolined chestnut borer and Armillaria. / Photo Credit: Michael Hillstrom, Wisconsin DNR

Bur and white oaks, most of them more than 100 years old, have experienced rapid mortality (within one to two years) over the past four years in southern Wisconsin and neighboring states. Research into the cause is ongoing, but the evidence so far suggests it’s an oak decline.

Oak declines are not caused by a single issue, but rather by the stacking of multiple health issues. Drought, flooding, storm damage, age, twolined chestnut borer, Armillaria and other root pathogens, and spongy moth and oak leafroller defoliation all play a role in the damage.

Continue reading “Oak Decline Continues In Southern Wisconsin”

New Invasive Pest Discovered In Wisconsin

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

A closeup of an elm zigzag sawfly caterpillar consuming a leaf. The invasive insect, new to Wisconsin, was found on an elm tree near the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources office in Oshkosh on July 16, 2024.

A closeup of an elm zigzag sawfly caterpillar consuming a leaf. The invasive insect, new to Wisconsin, was found on an elm tree near the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources office in Oshkosh on July 16, 2024. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

The invasive insect elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopada) has been detected in Wisconsin for the first time.

Following the initial Wisconsin discovery in Portage County on July 4. Through Aug. 12, the pest has since been detected in 17 Wisconsin counties. Continue reading “New Invasive Pest Discovered In Wisconsin”