
An arborist uses climbing safety gear to prune an oak tree along a road. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Mike Hillstrom, Forest Invasive Pest Coordinator, Fitchburg
Michael.Hilstrom@wisconsin.gov or 608-513-7690
Winter is an ideal time to perform trimming, cutting and brush removal work on and near trees, especially oak trees.
Winter is the best time to prune because the insects and diseases that attack oak trees, such as oak wilt, are not active. Pruning and other work can be done around oak trees from after the first hard freeze in the fall until the high-risk period for oak wilt begins in April.
Continue reading “Take Advantage Of Mild Winter Days To Prune Trees”


The online portal for Tree City USA (TCUSA) is
Do you know of a person or organization that is making a difference in community forestry? Maybe it is a volunteer who spends their free time planting trees in the community or an organization that is committed to increasing tree diversity or a municipal employee who has dedicated their career to transforming a city’s urban forestry program. If so, please complete this short 
Are you responsible for tree care in your community? If so, please complete this 
Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control grants help urban areas develop wildlife plans, implement specific damage abatement and/or control measures for white-tailed deer and/or Canada geese. They are available to any town, city, village, county or tribal government with a population density of not less than 125 persons per square mile. This grant provides a 50% cost share up to $5,000 for eligible costs. The application deadline is Dec. 1.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting seedling orders from Wisconsin landowners for trees and shrubs to be planted in spring 2026, starting Oct. 6, 2025.