Urban Forestry News

Prepare — Spongy Moth Caterpillars To Return

Posted on by akabelowsky

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

Spongy moth caterpillars clustered below a sticky barrier.

Spongy moth caterpillars clustered below a sticky barrier. Photo: Mark Guthmiller, Wisconsin DNR

This June and July, spongy moth populations are predicted to reach damaging levels in parts of Wisconsin. Populations began to rise in 2020, and this is likely to be the third year of the pest outbreak in some regions of southern Wisconsin.

At present, damaging populations are expected to be most noticeable in southern counties, counties to the north of the city of Green Bay, and in far northern Wisconsin near Lake Superior. Additional areas are likely to have high populations that are more concentrated in size.

Continue reading “Prepare — Spongy Moth Caterpillars To Return” →

Emerald Ash Borer Found In Vilas County

Posted on by akabelowsky
Adult emerald ash borer beetle.

Adult emerald ash borer beetle. Photo: Wisconsin DNR.

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

Vilas County has the dubious distinction of becoming the first new Wisconsin county in 2023 to have a discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB).

EAB continues to spread into areas of northern Wisconsin. The first Vilas County detection was in the town of Lincoln. Additional infested trees have since been found in the town of Cloverland and the city of Eagle River. Continue reading “Emerald Ash Borer Found In Vilas County” →

Effects Of Winter Take Toll On Trees

Posted on by akabelowsky
A group of planted white pine saplings with varying amounts of brown needles caused by winter desiccation.

Minor to moderate damage to white pine needles caused by winter desiccation. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

 

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg

michael.hillstrom@wisconsin.gov

Winter damage is one of the most commonly reported tree issues in early spring. The damage may be minor, such as off-color needles that are quickly replaced, but could be as severe as partial- or whole-tree mortality.

Winter desiccation occurs when conifers begin photosynthesizing on warm, windy days in late winter or early spring. Conifers may dry out in these conditions if they use their stored water and cannot replace it because the ground is still frozen.

Continue reading “Effects Of Winter Take Toll On Trees” →

Applying Directly To The Forest Service For Inflation Reduction Act Funds

Posted on by patricialindquist

The Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been announced. Please see the USDA press release here.

Overview:

The Forest Service is making up to $1 billion available in Urban and Community Forestry competitive grants for investments that:

  • increase equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated human health, environmental, and economic benefits in disadvantaged communities
  • broaden community engagement in local urban forest planning
  • improve community and urban forest resilience to climate change, pests and storm events through best management and maintenance practices

Continue reading “Applying Directly To The Forest Service For Inflation Reduction Act Funds” →

Report Tree-Of-Heaven To Help Monitor For Spotted Lanternfly

Posted on by patricialindquist

By Anne Pearce, Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin

Spotted lanternfly is on its way to Wisconsin

Tree-of-heaven showing leaves and fruits. Photo: Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect that threatens a variety of plant species, mostly woody plants. It has not yet been found in Wisconsin, but it is steadily moving toward us from the eastern United States. Both juvenile (nymphs) and adult spotted lanternfly feed by sucking sap from the stem, branches, twigs and leaves of host plants. This weakens the plant and can contribute to the plant’s death. Because spotted lanternfly impacts a wide variety of agricultural crops (like grapes and hops), nursery crops (like roses), and hardwood trees (like maple, walnut, willow, and poplar), it is a high priority pest in Wisconsin.

Continue reading “Report Tree-Of-Heaven To Help Monitor For Spotted Lanternfly” →

Tips For Arbor Day 2023

Posted on by patricialindquist

This year, Arbor Day will be observed in Wisconsin on Friday, April 28. Please see below for some tips for planning your own celebration.

Add Your Event To A Compilation Of Arbor Day Celebrations Nationwide

Spread the word about your celebration by adding your event to this Arbor Day Foundation webpage. Use this link to submit the details of your event.

Contribute To Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge

Encourage landowners and homeowners to contribute to Wisconsin’s Trillion Tree Pledge with a goal of planting 1 million trees in Wisconsin’s cities and villages by 2030. Record the trees you plant on Wisconsin’s Tree Planting Map!

Continue reading “Tips For Arbor Day 2023” →

Arbor Day Communications Ideas

Posted on by patricialindquist

Need Ideas To Talk With Your Community About Arbor Day? Let Us Help!

Keep reading for a variety of ideas with differing levels of involvement, from in-person events to social media and more. Feel free to use none of these ideas or all of them and change them in any way you like. Use them as a starting point and make them your own or post them as-is.

You may tag the Wisconsin DNR in your social media posts – we’d be happy to engage with them – but please know it is not necessary.

Continue reading “Arbor Day Communications Ideas” →

Wisconsin Forestry Center Seeks Industry Input

Posted on by patricialindquist

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are seeking the opinions of Wisconsin’s forestry professionals.

Researchers are conducting an online survey to understand the professional development and training needs of Wisconsin practitioners in fields including forest management, timber harvesting, forest products, and urban forestry. By participating, you will help inform the development of more relevant, accessible, and valuable training opportunities.

The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete, and your response is anonymous. Visit this link to participate and share your thoughts in their online survey. The deadline to participate is April 28. 

If you have questions related to this study, please contact Zoe Kaminsky, graduate research assistant, at zkaminsk@uwsp.edu.

Protect Oaks During Spring Clean-up

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Paul Cigan, DNR plant pest and disease specialist, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920

An oak tree with branches trimmed

To prevent the spread of often-fatal oak wilt disease, do not prune, cut or wound oaks from April through July. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

With the arrival of spring, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends protecting oaks from the often-fatal oak wilt disease by refraining from pruning, cutting or injuring oak trees from April through July.

The highest risk period for oak wilt introduction to a new site is in spring and early summer. Pruning and cutting oaks exposes living tree tissue beneath the bark to potential infection. The disease rapidly kills trees in the red oak group and weakens those in the white oak group.

Sap-feeding beetles spread the disease between oaks by carrying oak wilt spores from infected trees or firewood to fresh, exposed tree wounds. Healthy oaks and freshly cut oak stumps can become infected as quickly as 15 minutes after a wound is made from a pruning cut or broken branch.

Continue reading “Protect Oaks During Spring Clean-up” →

Eight Applicants Receive DNR Urban Forestry Grants In Second Round Of Funding

Posted on by patricialindquist

The DNR Urban Forestry Grant program awarded $108,220 to eight Wisconsin communities for urban forestry projects during the second round of our 2023 funding. Most of the funding ($104,920) was originally reserved for the Catastrophic Storm Grant program but was not needed through the winter months. The rest of the funding ($3,300) came from underspent grants.

The following communities will receive the funds:

  • Village of Allouez, $17,783.00
  • Town of Beloit, $11,804.80
  • Forest County Forestry & Recreation, $3,007.38
  • Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, $5,581.97
  • City of Kaukauna, $25,000.00
  • Mequon Nature Preserve, $7,250.23
  • City of Oshkosh, $25,000.00
  • Urban Tree Alliance, $12,792.62

Continue reading “Eight Applicants Receive DNR Urban Forestry Grants In Second Round Of Funding” →