Protect yourself from ticks and tickborne illnesses

Posted on by margueriterapp

Bill McNee, forest health specialist, Oshkosh, Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

Adult deer tick. Credit: Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, bugwood.org.

So far this spring we are off to a busy tick season, with many reports and photos being sent in to DNR staff. Ticks can be found year-round in Wisconsin but are most active from May to September. Some species, including the deer tick responsible for Lyme disease, carry infectious diseases that elevate them from mere nuisance to serious health threat.  Lyme disease is most often spread by very small, immature ticks known as “nymphs.” Adult deer ticks can also transmit Lyme disease, but because they are larger, they are more likely to be discovered and removed compared to the tiny nymphs which can be as small as a chia or sesame seed.

Continue reading “Protect yourself from ticks and tickborne illnesses” →

Needle and leaf diseases are back!

Posted on by margueriterapp

Mike Hillstrom, forest health specialist, Fitchburg, Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov, 608-513-7690

It’s nearly summer and the usual cast of disease characters are on the scene following wet spring conditions. Rhizosphaera needlecast and other needle diseases impacting spruce continue to be a major concern for landowners and homeowners. Diseases in hardwoods are also popping up. For more information on needle and leaf diseases affecting trees in Wisconsin and resources to learn more, click below to read full article. 

A row of spruce trees with dead branches and missing needles caused by Rhizosphaera needlecast.

Spruce trees impacted by Rhizosphaera needlecast.

Continue reading “Needle and leaf diseases are back!” →

Branch tips littering the ground under your trees?

Posted on by margueriterapp

Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665

Have you been noticing branch tips scattered on the ground beneath spruce, fir or pine trees this spring? You may be seeing one of a few things – damage from small animals or breakage caused by the harsh winter we had. Fortunately, the damage from either is unlikely to do serious harm to your trees. 

Spruce branch tips found on ground were clipped from tree by squirrels.

Spruce branch tips found on ground were clipped from tree by squirrels.

Continue reading “Branch tips littering the ground under your trees?” →

Educational EAB DVDs available for order

Posted on by margueriterapp

Educational EAB DVDs.

Marguerite Rapp, communications and education/outreach specialist, Madison, Marguerite.Rapp@wisconsin.gov, 608-843-3506

The Forest Health Program has educational DVDs on the emerald ash borer (EAB) available for order. Produced in 2010 by the Wisconsin Cooperative EAB Program, the DVDs contain three videos to help viewers identify emerald ash borer, ash trees and signs of infestation. Each video is between 3-6 minutes in length.

If you would like free copies of this DVD for yourself or to share with partners and organizations in your community, please send an email to Marguerite.Rapp@wisconsin.gov that includes your name, mailing address and total number of copies needed. Please share this offer with anyone who may be interested.

Northwestern county forests trap for EAB

Posted on by margueriterapp

Paul Cigan, forest health specialist, Hayward, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov, 715-416-4920

Several forestry partners will be trapping EAB in the northern region in 2018 using baited prism traps similar to this one.

EAB purple prism trap in ash tree.

A number of county forestry partners in northwest Wisconsin are trapping for emerald ash borer (EAB) on their properties this year with technical assistance from the DNR forest health team. Potential captures of EAB may give officials a better understanding of the invasive beetle’s distribution in the region that can support forest management planning and public awareness. Partners conducting trapping include Bayfield, Douglas, Rusk, Sawyer counties and the Barron County Conservation District. Landowners and property managers are encouraged to report signs and symptoms of EAB activity to their regional forest health specialist.

Learn more about emerald ash borer and signs/symptoms of infestation at the DNR emerald ash borer page.

Another low year for forest tent caterpillar

Posted on by margueriterapp

Paul Cigan, forest health specialist, Hayward, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov, 715-416-4920 and Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665

Newly hatched forest tent caterpillars on egg mass.

Forest tent caterpillar larvae emerging from egg mass.

Forest tent caterpillar egg surveys conducted in northern counties indicate hardwood defoliation from this native insect will remain low in 2019, sustaining a 16-year trend. The last FTC outbreak affected northern Wisconsin from 1999 – 2002. Cooler and wetter than average spring weather may indirectly reduce caterpillar populations by enhancing the activity of pathogenic fungi. Please report any possible defoliation to your regional forest health specialist.

To learn more about this insect, visit the DNR forest tent caterpillar webpage.

Wildfire Report 5-16-19

Posted on by laurahayes
Torching pine during a wildfire.

Lower moisture levels in pines increase the possibility for torching pines.

A total of 51 wildfires burned in DNR Protection Areas over the past week, burning 86 acres. The majority of the fires were caused by debris burning, with several railroad and powerline fires. Four structures were threatened and all four were saved. One significant wildfire occurred in the Woodruff Area and burned approximately 40 acres before containment. Widespread rain is expected across the state into the weekend.

As starch and carbohydrate levels build up in our red and jack pine species, their moisture levels will drop significantly. Over the next week, we will be at the low point of this moisture level, and the possibility is highest for torching pines and surface fires transitioning to crown fire activity. There is also still plenty of dead grass and fallen leaves on the land that makes it easy for a wildfire to start and spread. Stay apprised of fire weather conditions by checking the DNR fire danger webpage each day after 11 a.m.: dnr.wi.gov, keyword “‘fire”.

Firewise Tip: Make sure your burn sites are completely out and not retaining heat before leaving the area!

Wildfire Alert

Posted on by laurahayes

Fire danger is at High to Very High today, May 15 in several areas.  The WI DNR is suspending burning permits for debris piles and broadcast burns in many counties due to forecasted winds, low humidity and dry vegetation.  Please use caution outdoors with anything that could cause a spark including chainsaws, dragging trailer chains, and even hot exhaust systems from off-road vehicles.  For the current fire restrictions, visit https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestFire/restrictions.html

People from across the state celebrate trees

Posted on by Ellen Clark

In 1872, J. Sterling Morton recognized the power of and need for trees. Morton helped set aside a special day for planting trees. After the success of the first Arbor Day that year, it became a legal holiday and now is celebrated across the world.

There is a lot to celebrate when it comes to trees, they shade us and reduce cooling costs, they help clean our air and water, they create a safe and inviting community, and they beautify our cities, streets and neighborhoods. Continue reading “People from across the state celebrate trees” →

Trees clean the air and prevent respiratory illness

Posted on by Ellen Clark

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Did you know trees help prevent asthma and other respiratory diseases? Trees filter particles out of the air we breathe, which decreases our risk of respiratory illnesses, including asthma. One study found that in 2010, trees removed 17.4 million tons of air pollution across the US, which prevented 850 human deaths and 670,000 cases of acute respiratory symptoms. Continue reading “Trees clean the air and prevent respiratory illness” →