Now is the time to sign up to Run for the Trees! Racers can complete their Happy Little (Virtual) 5K anywhere outdoors between April 18-26, 2026. The nine-day window includes Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 24). Continue reading “Run For The Trees”
Urban Forestry News
Upcoming Training
* 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 and events, including shade trees, fruit trees, chainsaw certification, tree diseases and pests, pruning and public perspectives on trees. Continue reading “Upcoming Training”
USDA Forest Service Requests Proposals for Wood Innovations Grants
A stack of logs guards an old conifer seed orchard near Lake Tomahawk in the Town of Hazelhurst in 2024. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today announced up to $95 million in competitive grant funding through its Wood Innovations program for projects that advance innovative wood uses, expand wood-based construction, and grow U.S. wood energy markets and forest product processing capacity.
Continue reading “USDA Forest Service Requests Proposals for Wood Innovations Grants”
USDA Forest Products Lab Offers Newsletter
The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory, based in Madison, is now offering a free newsletter to interested subscribers.
The newsletter covers a variety of topics related to forest products research and can be accessed online on the USDA Forest Service website.
To sign up for the newsletter, go to the bottom of the linked webpage under the heading “Sign Up for Our Newsletter” and enter your contact information.
Forest Products Services Calendar Of Events
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Various panels of cross-laminated timber, made from Eastern white pine grown in Wisconsin by Michigan Technological University, awaits a return trip to Madison, Wisconsin, for testing at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Lake States Lumber Association 2026 Trainings (visit their website as dates near for more information):
- Topic: LSLA Ed. OSHA Safety Class. When: May 15.
- Topic: LSLA Ed. Lumber Grading. When: July 27-29.
- Topic: LSLA Ed. Sawing, Edging And Trimming. When: July 30.
- Great Lakes Kiln Drying Association Kiln Drying Course:
- When: Aug. 11-13
- WI DNR Forest Products Services Webinar Series:
- Topic: Urban Wood: Getting More Out Of Your Community Tree. When: Feb. 24, 2026, 10 a.m. Central Time (US and Canada). Register in advance for this webinar via Zoom.
- Topic: Biochar: Practical Applications For Transportation And Urban Stormwater Management. When: March 11, 2026, noon Central Time (US and Canada). Register in advance for this webinar via Zoom.
- Topic: Mass Timber In Wisconsin. When: April 21, 2026, 11:30 a.m. Central Time (US and Canada). Register in advance for this webinar via Zoom.
Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses
Large egg masses are seen on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov
It certainly has been chilly in recent weeks, but spring is coming. When the weather warms up, the annual return of spongy moth caterpillars will begin.
The overall spongy moth population is currently low in Wisconsin. However, egg mass numbers may remain high enough to cause nuisance problems and heavy tree defoliation on individual trees or in small areas.
There’s a way for property owners to help keep the population down: Get out now to locate and properly dispose of spongy moth egg masses, which were produced by adult moths last summer. Each spongy moth egg mass contains hundreds of eggs that will hatch into hungry, leaf-eating caterpillars in the spring.
Continue reading “Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses”
Make Plans For National Invasives Week
Workers follow the practice of pressure-washing the tires and frames of a tractor to rid the vehicle of possible invasive plants after a workday in the forest. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
The North American Invasives Species Management Association (NAISMA) has organized a series of activities to take place as part of its National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), set for Feb. 23 through 27.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will participate by presenting a news release and daily social media posts in the days leading up to the start of NISAW’s 2026 activities.
Community Spotlight: Introducing The New City Forester For City Of Milwaukee
By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675
Erin Stoekl was selected in late October to lead the Forestry Services Section for the City of Milwaukee. Erin has worked for City of Milwaukee forestry for 11 years and has been in the industry for 16 years. Over the past three years, she has served as one of three District Managers, overseeing forestry operations for the southern portion of the city. Prior to this position, Erin served for seven years as the Property Maintenance and Compliance Manager.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Alverno College and an Associate of Applied Science degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Landscape Horticulture. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Introducing The New City Forester For City Of Milwaukee”
Funding Lapse Poses Threat To i-Tree
The cooperative agreement between the USDA Forest Service and the Davey Tree Expert Company, which typically funds the delivery of i-Tree, has been indefinitely halted. Without this funding, maintenance for i-Tree will be impacted and the tools could eventually cease to function.
When Is The Best Time To Prune Trees?
By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675
To best answer the titular question, I like to start by flipping the question on its head: When is the worst time to prune trees?
To answer this reworded question, we first need to acknowledge that “pruning is wounding.” Anytime you cut off a living portion of a tree, you are doing two main things:
- Removing photosynthetic material.
- Creating a potential entry point for decay.