Urban Forestry News

Log Into Safety: The Free Digital ANSI Z133 Updates Are Almost Here!

Posted on by janness

By Brian Wahl, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Brian.Wahl@wisconsin.gov or 608-225-7943

What is the ANSI Z133, and why should you care?

man cutting a branch with a chainsawThe American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z133, more affectionately known at “The Z”, is the standard that contains arboriculture safety requirements for pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing trees, cutting brush and using equipment in such operations. If you’re reading this newsletter, you, your staff or your contactors likely participate in work that falls under the purview of this standard. Continue reading “Log Into Safety: The Free Digital ANSI Z133 Updates Are Almost Here!” →

Cemetery Trees Of Southeast Wisconsin Study Now Available

Posted on by janness

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

Cemeteries are important and, to many people, sacred spaces in our communities. The landscaping of these places serves the dead, of course, but can also have a profound impact on the experiences of cemetery visitors and nearby residents. This is accomplished by vegetation and art, which encourages expressions of grief and melancholy but also celebration and hope.

Trees are a prominent part of this landscaping and this mission.

DNR Urban Forestry staff in the Milwaukee office became interested in these spaces and exploring whether we could offer ways to assist cemetery managers. Continue reading “Cemetery Trees Of Southeast Wisconsin Study Now Available” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness

group of people learning to plant a tree* These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute endorsement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

See below for information on training topics and events including i-Tree, American elm research, oak health issues, invasives and private equity. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

Species Spotlight: Japanese Honeysuckle

Posted on by akabelowsky

Japanese honeysuckle climbing up nearby trees. / Photo Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

By Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@Wisconsin.gov  

Note: This is the first installment in the Forest Health News “Invasives Spotlight” series, a monthly series of Forest Health News articles.

Many people recognize honeysuckle as a fast-spreading invasive shrub that can quickly displace native vegetation. But did you know that some honeysuckles exist as a vine?

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is an invasive perennial vine that can grow to a length of 80 feet or longer. Birds will often eat and disperse the berries the vine produces, allowing for the creation of new populations.

Continue reading “Species Spotlight: Japanese Honeysuckle” →

Take Precautions to Prevent Tick Bites

Posted on by akabelowsky

An adult deer tick looks for a spot to attach. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov

Adult blacklegged (deer) ticks are already active this year, as of March 2026. The adults start looking for a host as soon as it warms up to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

In Wisconsin, between 20-60 percent of adult ticks are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. However, the risk of getting Lyme disease is higher with bites from nymphal ticks, which are most abundant in June and July, because they are so tiny and difficult to find. While only 10-28 percent of nymphs are infected with the Lyme disease bacteria in Wisconsin, rapid removal of a tick can reduce the risk of infection because it takes at least 24 hours for the Lyme bacteria to spread.

Continue reading “Take Precautions to Prevent Tick Bites” →

Campers Reminded: Don’t Move Firewood

Posted on by akabelowsky

A self-service firewood point of sale at Mirror Lake State Park in Sauk County. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications,  Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

With camping season about to enter full swing, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges campers to think twice before giving invasive species or harmful hitchhikers a ride in their firewood.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and campfires are a Wisconsin summer staple. And campers should know it’s a big help to the state’s trees when they help to prevent the spread of invasive pests by making smart firewood choices.

Continue reading “Campers Reminded: Don’t Move Firewood” →

Controlling Buckthorn With Plants

Posted on by janness

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator, Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744 and Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator, Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675

buckthorn The Cover It Up project is a suite of related research projects conducted by multiple partners in Minnesota that are evaluating the ecology and management of buckthorn and other invasive plant species. Buckthorn is an invasive understory plant that was introduced to Wisconsin well over 100 years ago. It was used primarily in hedgerows, prized for its lack of pest issues and the fact it greens up early and holds its leaves well into the fall. These once desirable characteristics are also what turned this non-native into one of our state’s worst invasive species, easily outcompeting our natives, taking over Wisconsin’s forests, riparian woods, savannas, prairies, old fields, roadsides and vacant lots. Continue reading “Controlling Buckthorn With Plants” →

Call For Urban Forestry Presentations: Due July 1, 2026

Posted on by janness

Wisconsin Arborist Association LogoThe Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) is accepting presentations for the 2027 Annual Conference to be held in Green Bay, WI on Feb. 14-16, 2027. This three-day event attracts approximately 950 attendees including professional arborists, community foresters, nursery professionals, utility workers, park/recreation staff, other green industry professionals, educators and students.

If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please complete the online form. Please make sure that the form is filled out completely to be considered. Continue reading “Call For Urban Forestry Presentations: Due July 1, 2026” →

Community Spotlight: Tree Canopy Cover On Milwaukee School Properties

Posted on by janness

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

The thought of increasing a community’s tree canopy cover is sometimes overwhelming given how many landowners are present. Think about all the stakeholders who have to buy into the initiative, not only with enthusiasm, but likely contributing money and time as well.

Contrast that with a more actionable approach focused on areas where there’s a single landowner or manager.

This was the route taken by graduate student Michelle Hess in a recent paper for a UW-Milwaukee Geography course. Michelle investigated tree canopy on Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) properties to identify which schools should be prioritized for future greening initiatives, like those organized through ReFlo. The goal was to use canopy data provided by the DNR, identify which schools had lower canopy cover, merge those data with median household income of the local Census tract and come up with a prioritized list of schools in need of tree planting. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Tree Canopy Cover On Milwaukee School Properties” →

Register For Tour Des Trees 2026

Posted on by janness

Tour des Trees 2026The Tour des Trees is a multi-day bike ride that not only raises funds for TREE Fund but also hosts multiple outreach events throughout the week, getting people together to learn more about the importance of tree research, proper tree care and why the industry is so vital to maintaining our urban forests.

Ride dates are Sept.12-18, 2026, riding from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Can’t ride all five days? Ride one to four days as your schedule allows.

See information on this year’s ride and register today on the TREE Fund website.

The 2026 Tour des Trees will be an epic ride that you won’t soon forget, so make this the year that you sign up and ride with us to support tree research. Continue reading “Register For Tour Des Trees 2026” →