Urban Forestry News

Community Spotlight: Cedarburg’s UF Program – 2025 Report

Posted on by janness
tree-lined street

Photo Credit: City of Cedarburg

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744
and
Kevin Westphal, City of Cedarburg City Forester
kwestphal@cityofcedarburg.wi.gov or 262-375-7662

Annual program reports can be a very useful tool. One example is Cedarburg’s 2025 urban forestry report. It is detailed, yet not overwhelming, and the format provides for easy comprehension at a quick glance. The annual report includes things like: a mission statement, the number and location of vacant plantable sites, removal/planting/pruning numbers, specific cultivars planted, types and reasons for pruning and a comparison to previous years.

The report is shared with Cedarburg’s Parks & Forestry Board, City Council, and other leadership and can also be found on their website. Cedarburg’s city forester attends these local meetings, goes over the main points in the report and answers any questions they may have. Additionally, some of the information is useful when filling out their Tree City USA application. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Cedarburg’s UF Program – 2025 Report” →

Land And Water Conservation Fund Program Grant Application Due May 1, 2026

Posted on by janness

DNR LogoThe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program through May 1, 2026. The DNR will consider all complete applications received by this date.

Eligible applicants include towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governing bodies and school districts.

Application materials are located on the DNR’s website. Please contact your regional Project Manager prior to submitting an application.   Continue reading “Land And Water Conservation Fund Program Grant Application Due May 1, 2026” →

Submit Proposals For Partners In Community Forestry Conference

Posted on by janness

Arbor Day Foundation LogoThe Partners in Community Forestry Conference is currently seeking speaking proposals for the upcoming conference Nov. 18-19 in St. Louis.  Any passionate speakers, community leaders and learners are encouraged to send a proposal submission. These speeches are an opportunity to share your expertise and passion about community forestry with others. The topics for this year’s speaker proposals include: Continue reading “Submit Proposals For Partners In Community Forestry Conference” →

Upcoming Training

Posted on by janness

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

* 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 training on urban forestry basics, tree risk fundamentals in Spanish, plant diseases and pests, invasive species, student apprenticeships, nut trees and other urban forestry resources. Continue reading “Upcoming Training” →

Look For Spongy Moth Egg Masses And Take Action

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of a person scraping spongy moth egg masses into a cup.

A putty knife, plastic knife or similar object can be used to gently scrape spongy moth egg masses into a cup of soapy water. The water can be discarded after two days. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages property owners to examine their trees for spongy moth egg masses and determine whether control measures are needed this spring.

Property owners who have oak, birch, crabapple, aspen, willow and linden (basswood) trees should be particularly watchful because the caterpillars of this invasive insect prefer these species. However, they will feed on many other kinds of trees and shrubs.

Continue reading “Look For Spongy Moth Egg Masses And Take Action” →

Watch For Squirrel, Porcupine Damage In Spring

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of small squirrel tooth marks on a tree's mainstem.

Squirrel tooth marks are small and look like narrow scratches from which the animals have removed the tree’s bark. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

As winter transitions into spring, you may notice patches of tree bark that have been removed. But what did the damage?

Several animals, including squirrels and porcupines, can chew or strip bark from trees. This can occur on hardwoods and conifers, older trees and young saplings. Damage can be enough to kill branches or even the entire tree.

Continue reading “Watch For Squirrel, Porcupine Damage In Spring” →

Oak Wilt High Risk Period Quickly Approaches

Posted on by akabelowsky
A closeup of a fungal pressure pad under the bark of an oak tree infected with oak wilt.

A fungal pressure pad formed on the outside of the sapwood underneath the bark of an infected tree. The pad will create cracks in the bark, where beetles can enter and visit the pad and become covered in spores. They will then leave and move on to infect new trees through open wounds. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Alex Hornung, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Plover
Alexandra.Hornung@wisconsin.gov or 715-340-3810

It is again that time of year to pause operating in oak stands or pruning oak trees during the high-risk period for oak wilt, which begins in April. The high-risk period begins April 1 in the South, April 15 in the North, and ends in both zones on July 15.

The high-risk period is determined by when the beetles that carry the fungus that causes oak wilt have emerged for the year and when they are carrying the highest number of fungal spores. When wounds are created by logging operations or other activities that expose sapwood, the beetles carry the fungus to the wounded tree, and the disease process begins.

Continue reading “Oak Wilt High Risk Period Quickly Approaches” →

Protect Valuable Ash Trees Against Emerald Ash Borer

Posted on by akabelowsky
An ash tree in Oshkosh shows damage from woodpeckers feeding on emerald ash borer larvae beneath the bark.

An ash tree next to a walking trail in Oshkosh has been damaged by woodpeckers feeding on emerald ash borer larvae beneath the bark. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Property owners with healthy, valuable ash trees are encouraged to treat them with insecticide this spring to protect against emerald ash borer (EAB).

The invasive pest is currently the most damaging threat to trees in Wisconsin, killing more than 99% of the ash trees it infests.

Woodpecker damage during the winter is often the first sign that an ash tree is infested. The birds remove pieces of bark while feeding on EAB larvae inside the tree. Insecticide treatment of infested ash trees is more likely to be successful if the trees have low or moderate levels of woodpecker damage.

Continue reading “Protect Valuable Ash Trees Against Emerald Ash Borer” →

Wisconsin’s Urban Forestry Council 2025 Biennial Report Published

Posted on by janness

By Jenn Janness, Urban Forestry Council Liaison
Jennipher.Janness@wisconsin.gov or 920-809-9330

2025 report coverThe purpose of the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is to advise the state forester and the Wisconsin DNR on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources. Members are appointed by the DNR Secretary and represent a wide array of stakeholders, including municipal and utility foresters, medical and higher education professionals, nursery and green industry staff, environmental groups, public works and parks staff, organizations such as the Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA), the Urban Wood Network Wisconsin, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and government agencies such as WisDOT and DATCP. Continue reading “Wisconsin’s Urban Forestry Council 2025 Biennial Report Published” →

LEAF Lessons

Posted on by janness

Leaf websiteArbor Day is right around the corner, but why wait to start celebrating and learning about trees? The LEAF K-12 Forestry Education Program provides resources to incorporate into the classroom for Arbor Day or any day! The downloadable Urban Forest Lesson Guide provides a pathway for teachers to engage students and teach them about the trees in their neighborhood. Forestry Education Kits on a variety of different themes are also available for checkout for both formal and non-formal educators. Check out the LEAF website and consider utilizing the resources they have to offer this spring. Continue reading “LEAF Lessons” →