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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.
Urban Forestry News
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.
A New, Intuitive Way To Measure Species Diversity
By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578
Especially in the wake of emerald ash borer, urban foresters have stressed species diversity as an important goal in the management of local trees. Now there is a new, intuitive way of tracking species diversity by simply counting how many species it takes to make up half of your community’s trees.
This metric is called the top diversity index, or TD-50 index, and was proposed in a 2022 article in Urban Forestry and Urban Greening by Natalie Love and others. The index is deceptively simple — by counting the minimum number of species it takes to comprise 50% of your trees, you have an easy benchmark to improve upon to reduce your reliance on a few species. Continue reading “A New, Intuitive Way To Measure Species Diversity”
Application Deadline March 1 For Federal Recreational Trail Program (RTP) Grants
The deadline to apply for federal Recreational Trail Program (RTP) grants has changed from May 1 to March 1 annually.
This change is occurring because the RTP grant program guidance and application will no longer be combined with the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Local Assistance Program and the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant programs.
The goal of the federal RTP is to encourage the maintenance, rehabilitation and development of trails and trail-side amenities by providing cost-sharing assistance to governmental units and qualified trail organizations. Funding is available for both motorized and non-motorized trails. Continue reading “Application Deadline March 1 For Federal Recreational Trail Program (RTP) Grants”
Upcoming Trainings
* 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 tree diseases and treatments, pest management, landscaping, career advancement, invasive species, pruning, volunteer management, new research, partnerships and developing an urban forest management plan. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”
Forest Health Annual Report Hot Off The Presses
The cover of the 2025 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Annual Report. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made its 2025 Forest Health Annual Report ready to view and download.
This year’s edition contains 55 pages of reporting on forest health issues throughout Wisconsin, detailing methods employed by the DNR and other agencies to control pests, diseases and invasive plants.
Continue reading “Forest Health Annual Report Hot Off The Presses”