The 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”
Urban Forestry News
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 Grants. Please 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. / 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
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”
Japanese Beetle Defoliates Some Forest Trees In The North
Japanese beetles defoliating a basswood leaf. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is an invasive insect that feeds on many plant species. The adult beetles “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.
Japanese beetles favor birch, mountain ash and basswood (linden) trees, but they have also been observed feeding on the leaves of young oaks.
Continue reading “Japanese Beetle Defoliates Some Forest Trees In The North”
2026 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Now Open
Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting urban forestry projects in Wisconsin can now apply for a regular or startup 2026 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry grant. The total 2026 available funding is $559,680, with a possible release of $139,920 of catastrophic storm reserve to fund a second round in March 2026. Continue reading “2026 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Now Open”
DNR Urban Forestry Council Welcomes New Members
By Jenn Janness, Urban Forestry Council Liaison, jennipher.janness@wisconsin.gov or 715-815-7173
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Division of Forestry recently welcomed six new members to the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council and said farewell to three members who contributed much to the council. In addition, four council members renewed their commitment for another three-year term. Linda Cadotte was also confirmed as the chair and will serve for two years.
New council members left to right: Greg Blick, Mitch Lannan, Evan Miller, Kristi Sherfinski and Allen Pyle (not pictured, Jeff Kluslow)
Continue reading “DNR Urban Forestry Council Welcomes New Members”
Invasive Species – Fall Workshops
By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the UW-Madison Division of Extension to host a series of fall workshops on invasive species plant identification and management. Learn about invasive plants in urban settings, focusing on identification, impacts, management and available resources. Dr. Mark Renz (professor and Extension specialist with UW-Madison) will lead the instruction, with Travis Wilson, Matt Wallrath and John Zabrosky assisting. Each workshop will include morning classroom instruction followed by hands-on field demonstrations in the afternoon. The cost of the workshop is $40 and includes lunch. Continue reading “Invasive Species – Fall Workshops”
Collaborative Reforestation – Sheboygan Area School District
By Tony Fessler, Co-Coordinator – Restoration Of Our Trees Sheboygan, www.sheboyganrotary.com or 920-946-6770.
Photo Credit: Tony Fessler
A collaborative urban reforestation project involving the Sheboygan Area School District, the Sheboygan Rotary Club Restoration of our Trees Sheboygan (ROOTS) and the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) completed a second major milestone on May 10, 2025. This first-of-its-kind urban reforestation collaboration was initiated in 2024 through a matching $25,000 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry Grant to ROOTS and LNRP. Continue reading “Collaborative Reforestation – Sheboygan Area School District”