Urban Forestry News

DNR Staff Drafted To Plant Trees In Green Bay

Posted on by janness

Governor Tony Evers addresses the crowd prior to planting 15 large shade trees.

As part of the 2025 NFL Draft festivities in Green Bay during the week of April 21, the Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry Team proudly served as a key technical partner for the tree planting event. Held in partnership with the NFL, Oneida Nation, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers and Verizon as part of the NFL Green initiative, the event brought attention to the importance of community trees and environmental stewardship. Continue reading “DNR Staff Drafted To Plant Trees In Green Bay” →

Arbor Day Foundation Reporting Dashboard

Posted on by janness

Arbor Day Foundation USA Interactive Map
Do you know how many Tree Campus Healthcare facilities are in Wisconsin or how many trees were planted by Arbor Day Foundation partners in the state? Find this and other eye-opening information by visiting the new Arbor Day Reporting Dashboard. Scroll to select Wisconsin on the left side of the page to see state-specific data. Select a tab at the top to see specific information about the Tree City USA, Tree Campus or Tree Line programs. Continue reading “Arbor Day Foundation Reporting Dashboard” →

Upcoming Trainings

Posted on by janness

*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 the Wisconsin Arborist Association Summer Conference, the Trees and Utility Conference, the International Society of Arboriculture International Conference, webinars on birch health, storm damage, chipper operation and tree equity and educational resources. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings” →

Spongy Moth Population In Decline

Posted on by akabelowsky
A photo of a tree trunk showing spongy moth caterpillars killed by nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) hang in an inverted “V” orientation; caterpillars killed by the fungus Entomophaga maimaiga hang vertically.

Spongy moth caterpillars killed by nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) hang in an inverted “V” orientation; caterpillars killed by the fungus Entomophaga maimaiga hang vertically. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Michael Hillstrom, Wisconsin DNR Forest Health Specialist
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov; 608-513-7690

Spongy moth caterpillars began hatching at the end of April in 2025 and are now actively feeding on leaves. In most Wisconsin locations, though, the population will not be as high as it has been in the last few years.

Wisconsin has had the largest outbreak in state history over the past few years. Fortunately, the outbreak collapsed in many areas of the state in 2024. The wet spring weather in April and May of 2024 allowed a fungus and a virus that infects spongy moth caterpillars to cause heavy mortality. Although some hot spots still exist in south central and northeast Wisconsin, we expect those populations to decline in 2025.

Continue reading “Spongy Moth Population In Decline” →

Watch For Oak Wilt Symptoms

Posted on by akabelowsky
A wide-angle photo showing an oak tree in the center that died rapidly from oak wilt during the summer of 2024.

An oak tree (center) that died rapidly from oak wilt during the summer of 2024. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Michael Hillstrom, Wisconsin DNR Forest Health Specialist
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov or 608-513-7690

Oak wilt symptoms typically begin to appear in southern Wisconsin in late June and in northern Wisconsin during July.

Watch for browning leaves, starting at the top of the canopy and progressing downward. Most leaves will fall from infected trees as they die, typically within two to four weeks.

Continue reading “Watch For Oak Wilt Symptoms” →

Take Action On Invasive Species This Month

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing volunteers smiling while they spend a busy day pulling garlic mustard from a Wisconsin forested area.

Volunteers smile while they spend a busy day pulling garlic mustard from a Wisconsin forested area. Volunteers provide thousands of hours of annual help in the fight against invasive plant species. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Mackenzie Manicki, Wisconsin DNR Invasive Plants Specialist
Mackenzie.Manicki@wisconsin.gov or 608-206-4561

June is Invasive Species Action Month in Wisconsin. This tradition of spreading awareness and taking action began back in 2005.

Twenty years ago, the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council collaborated with partners such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin (IPAW) to hold the first Invasive Species Action Awards, aimed at recognizing and celebrating professional or volunteer groups and individuals that exemplify what it means to make an impact on invasive species.

Continue reading “Take Action On Invasive Species This Month” →

Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Wisconsin DNR

With 145 invasive plants regulated under Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule NR40, it can be challenging to identify some of these plants while out in the woods.

The task can be further complicated by the presence of native lookalikes – plants that have a similar appearance to harmful invasive species but are actually native plants that benefit wildlife, pollinators and ecosystems in Wisconsin.

Continue reading “Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know” →

DNR’s Hillstrom To Discuss Invasive Species

Posted on by akabelowsky
A photo of Michael Hillstrom, invasive forest pest coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team.

Michael Hillstrom, invasive forest pest coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Michael Hillstrom, Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will present a public talk on invasive species and forest health on Sunday, June 22.

Hillstrom’s talk will be part of a two-hour presentation, running from 10 a.m. to noon at Lake Kegonsa State Park, 2405 Door Creek Rd., Stoughton. It is open to the public.

The event is one of several statewide gatherings organized by the DNR as part of Invasive Species Awareness Weekend.

Arbor Day 2025: Growing Together Across Wisconsin

Posted on by janness

By Jay Dampier, DNR IRA Grant Coordinator
Jason.Dampier@wisconsin.gov or 920-765-1935

Arbor Day story time

This April and early May, communities across Wisconsin came together to celebrate Arbor Day. The DNR supported over 40 in-person events statewide. From Marshfield to Menasha and from New Richmond to New Glarus, staff fanned out across the state engaging communities in Arbor Day celebrations. Continue reading “Arbor Day 2025: Growing Together Across Wisconsin” →

Watch Out!

Posted on by janness

Have you ever walked through a patch of poison ivy or brushed up against wild parsnip? If so, you probably learned an uncomfortable lesson about encountering harmful plants. Luckily, there is a less painful way to learn about dangerous vegetation hidden among Wisconsin’s natural beauty. Now is the time to brush up on hazards you may encounter while working or recreating outdoors.

Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin, a guide published by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, will help you recognize, avoid and handle potential problems caused by wildlife, insects and plants. Continue reading “Watch Out!” →