The 2020 gypsy moth slow-the-spread program, operated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is expected to begin aerial spraying in the second half of May to slow the westward spread of gypsy moth.
Map of counties where slow-the-spread treatments will occur in 2020.
By Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
There are three things you may find interesting about gall rusts on jack pine at this time of year. The first is that as winter recedes, closer examination of the galls on jack pine shows that squirrels like to chew on them. The squirrels seem to prefer the smaller galls, with most chewing marks being observed on galls less than 2” in diameter. They eat the galls by scraping off the outer layers, leaving behind telltale teeth marks.
Squirrels sometimes feed on galls, scraping away the outer layers and leaving teeth marks behind.
By Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
Heavy ice and snow loads can cause significant problems for trees. Branches can break under heavy loads, and entire tree tops loaded with snow can come crashing down in windy conditions. Trees that are repeatedly weighed down or tipped over by snow, only to have more snow pile up on them, can be further impacted.
Clockwise from top left: jack pine broken at site of gall on main stem; trees that break at their base due to heavy snow loads are not able to recover; previous attack from pine root collar weevil (yellow arrow) weakened this tree near its base; heavy snow load and a major root weakened by Armillaria caused this tree to break (yellow arrow) and tip over.
By Todd Lanigan, forest health specialist, Eau Claire, Todd.Lanigan@wisconsin.gov, 715-210-0150
With the onset of spring and snow melt, you may have noticed bark missing at the base of trees and shrubs. This is most commonly noticed on sections of bark that were below the snow line. This damage, known as girdling, was caused by mice and rabbits feeding on the bark during the winter.
Mouse girdling damage at base of tree surrounded by older greyish-black wound.
Continue reading “Mouse, rabbit and squirrel damage from winter”
Warm, dry weather predicted for the next few days will increase fire danger across the state. So far this year 225 fires have burned 442 acres in DNR protection areas (approximately half the state); 7 buildings have been destroyed and another 120 homes and other buildings have been threatened but saved with firefighter assistance. Debris burning has been the most common cause (42 percent of all fires) even as burning permits have been suspended. Equipment has been the second most common cause (23 percent of all fires). Other minor causes include power line, railroads, campfires, and ash disposal. As the vegetation dries out on the days we don’t receive rain, expect fire danger to increase, particularly in areas where standing dead grass and other dry vegetation remains.
May 5th will be the 15th anniversary of the Cottonville Fire, which burned 3,410 acres in Adams County. The fire burned a swath of forest land and residential property 1.5 miles wide and 7 miles long; 90 buildings were destroyed, including 9 year-round homes, 21 seasonal homes, and 60 outbuildings. The fire was started by a person who failed to follow burning permit restrictions.
Stay aware of the fire danger in spring by checking our fire danger webpage at dnr.wi.gov (search ‘fire danger’). Put off any outdoor debris burning until burning permit suspensions have been lifted – compost or haul the material to a community collection site instead.
A chimney remains after the Cottonville Fire destroys the rest of the home.
Firewise Tip: Homeowners in high risk areas are encouraged to make weekly checks around your home for windblown leaves and needles on your roof, around your foundation, and under decks and elevated porches; keep these areas clean. The debris that collects in these places could be easily ignited by flying embers produced during a wildfire.
Happy Arbor Day! Join us in celebrating from home today. Post a photo of your favorite tree on social media, tag @arborday, and use the hashtag #arbordayathome. The Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree on your behalf.
Learn more at celebratearborday.com.
For more tips on how to honor Arbor Day using social media, check out this recent DNR newsletter post.
It’s Wildfire Prevention Week, and we’re here to remind you that spring in Wisconsin is fire season!
In the last week, there were nearly 50 wildfires across the state. Strong, gusty winds, low humidity and dry conditions mean that fire danger throughout Wisconsin remains Very High today and tomorrow (4/20-4/21). Although rain is in the forecast, grasses and other vegetation can dry out very quickly allowing fires to escape and grow rapidly.
Wildfires pose a serious threat to public safety, property and our natural resources. Over 98% of all wildfires in Wisconsin are caused by people. Debris burning is the No. 1 cause of wildfires in our state. If danger is elevated, high or very high, avoid burning of any kind, including campfires. Be aware of sneaky causes of wildfires – like sparks or hot exhausts systems from logging, farming equipment and off-road recreational vehicles.
On April 18, 2020 a 234-acre wildfire occurred in Juneau County near Necedah. The wildfire burned on private property and on the Necedah Wildlife Refuge. The wildfire was caused by someone debris burning in a campfire ring. Five structures were threatened but were saved. Residents needed to be evacuated but were allowed to return home late that afternoon. Fire Danger was Very high.
DNR burning permits continue to be suspended in Wisconsin. All burning of debris in barrels, burning of debris piles on the ground, grass or wooded areas, in DNR protection areas, is prohibited at this time
Remember, wildfires have many causes. Don’t be one of them!
Stay up-to-date on the fire danger and check for current wildfire activity at dnr.wi.gov, search “fire” https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestFire/
To keep everyone safe and healthy during this pandemic, the Arbor Day Foundation is suspending the requirement to hold a public Arbor Day celebration in 2020. Communities will be able to maintain their Tree City/Campus/Line designations without meeting this standard.
As an alternative to a public gathering, we encourage you to use social media to celebrate trees and their many benefits. Social media is an excellent tool for spreading the message that trees and tree care/management are vitally important to our communities. You could design your own campaign on a theme such as the health benefits of trees or how to properly plant a tree, or you could simply copy one or more of the messages below.
Feel free to cut and paste the following text and photos for your own social media campaign for Arbor Day – or any day of the year!
Message #1: (only valid through Arbor Day, April 24th): Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree from your couch! Post a photo of your favorite tree on social media, tag @arborday, and use the hashtag #arbordayathome. The Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree on your behalf. Learn more at celebratearborday.com.
Continue reading “Celebrate Arbor Day using social media (check out our suggested posts below)”
By Don Peterson, Wisconsin Urban Wood
With thousands of trees on their properties, municipalities and other urban ownerships sometimes need to remove a large volume of trees at once, such as after an insect or disease outbreak (i.e., emerald ash borer) or a catastrophic weather event (wind/tornadoes or ice/snow damage). When this need arises, what are the options available to remove these trees efficiently, safely, cost effectively and quickly?
Mechanized logging equipment has become the standard for traditional tree harvests in most of the country’s rural forests. Using this type of equipment in urban tree removal projects is in its infancy, but it can be a very effective tool in the right circumstances.
Advantages of tree removal by mechanized logging equipment include:
Continue reading “Large-scale urban tree removal using mechanized logging equipment”
By Olivia Witthun, DNR regional urban forestry coordinator, Plymouth, Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov, 414-750-8744
Are you going stir-crazy stuck inside your house or apartment? Take a visit to the forest outside your door! Step outside to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the trees and nature around you. It’s good for your mind, body and soul. Research shows exposure to nature reduces depression, anxiety and stress! Plus, we all know physical activity keeps your body healthy and boosts your mood.
Eighty percent of American adults are afflicted by stress. Forty million are affected by anxiety disorders, and nearly sixteen million experience major depression each year. If you live in the city, those numbers are even higher. Urban dwellers have a 20% higher risk for developing anxiety disorders, 40% for mood disorders and double for schizophrenia. Stress has become a constant in people’s everyday lives, and the COVID-19 just adds even more. The cumulative effects of chronic stress can have serious health consequences over time, including: depression, anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic pain and type 2 diabetes.
