Breathe in… breathe out. The clear air that fills your lungs has been purified by trees. Clean air is one of the many ecological, economic and social benefits trees provide us. Trees also reduce crime rate, increase property values, reduce heating and cooling costs, increase tests scores, beautify communities, and provide lumber by-products. In late April, people around the world, both old and young, took time to celebrate these and other benefits by participating in Arbor Day celebrations. Continue reading “Wisconsin celebrates Arbor Day”
NAASF UCF conference review
DNR Urban Forestry staff, led by Urban Forestry Coordinator Olivia Witthun, successfully planned and executed a 4-day annual meeting for the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters – Urban & Community Forestry Committee (NAASF UCF) in Madison in May. Continue reading “NAASF UCF conference review”
Learn about Green Tier
Green Tier, a voluntary program administered by the DNR, works with entities conducting their business beyond compliance requirements and looking for ways to improve. Currently there are 82 participants with 248 facilities in the program along with six Green Tier Charters, including the Legacy Communities [exit DNR] and Wisconsin Urban Wood charters. Continue reading “Learn about Green Tier”
Consider viewing the WAA job board
The Wisconsin Arborist Association recently created a job board, hosted on their website, to connect businesses and potential employees. These posts showcase available arboriculture positions in Wisconsin listed by region, company name, and are also grouped alphabetically. This webpage provides the opportunity for individuals to search for jobs as well as giving companies a venue for posting openings in their businesses. Continue reading “Consider viewing the WAA job board”
Trees help clean the air
A recently published report from The Nature Conservancy titled “Planting Healthy Air,” detailed which cities could benefit most from tree plantings, focusing on the benefit they could gain from the heat and PM (particle matter) reduction credited to tree plantings. This report found that investing $4 per resident in these cities for tree planting could improve the health of millions, further showcasing trees as a cost-effective solution for air pollution and heat islands, among many other urban difficulties. Continue reading “Trees help clean the air”
May 16th storm damages woodlands
A severe storm on May 16, 2017 left a path of destruction through some woodlands in Barron and Rusk counties. (See DNR news release.)
If you are among the impacted landowners, the Division of Forestry invites you to visit this storm recovery page for advice and links to resources. Your local DNR forester is always a good starting point for assistance.
This blog post from the University of Minnesota titled “Dealing with storm-damaged trees and woods” may also be of interest.
Posted by Kirsten Held, DNR Forestry Outreach Specialist, Kirsten.Held@Wisconsin.gov
Prepare now – gypsy moth caterpillars return
Gypsy moth caterpillar with distinctive blue and red dots
This June, gypsy moth populations may rise to damaging levels in parts of Wisconsin. High numbers of gypsy moth caterpillars are a tremendous nuisance and can strip trees of their leaves. Combined with other stresses, such as drought or attacks by additional tree pests, this may kill the tree. The insect’s favorite food is oak leaves, but it will feed on many other tree species such as aspen, birch, crabapple and willow. You can take action to reduce the number of caterpillars that will feed on your trees, including placing sticky barrier bands on the susceptible tree species. Continue reading “Prepare now – gypsy moth caterpillars return”
Oak wilt and hickory mortality Forest Health Fact Sheets are available
The forest health program is in the process of updating some of our publications as Forest Health Fact Sheets. These publications offer biology, impact, prevention and management information about specific threats to forest health. Our new oak wilt fact sheet and hickory dieback and mortality fact sheet are currently available on the DNR’s forest health oak wilt and bark beetle webpages and will be available in the DNR’s online publications catalog in the near future. Enjoy!
Written by: Mike Hillstrom, forest health specialist, Wisconsin Dells (Michael.Hillstrom@Wisconsin.gov), 715-459-1371.
Emerald ash borer treatment guides have been updated
Two UW Extension Garden Facts documents have been updated with the latest information on treating trees to protect them from emerald ash borer. Check out the Homeowner Guide and the Professional Guide.
Written by: Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Green Bay, (Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov), 920-662-5172.
Emerald ash borer new locations in Wisconsin
EAB quarantine map. Counties shaded in tan are quarantined for EAB, green areas are townships and municipalities where EAB has actually been identified.
Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) continues to be found in new areas. Wisconsin continues to track EAB at the municipality or township level; quarantine counties are shown in tan and infested areas are shown in green on the map.
If you know you have EAB, please contact us with that information so we can verify the infestation and update the maps. If your area:
- is not shaded in green on the map please contact DNR or
- is not shaded at all on the map please contact DATCP.
You can reach both agencies from the menu options when you call 1-800-462-2803.
New county quarantines
- none
New finds in counties already quarantined
- Brown County — village of Bellevue
- Door County — village of Egg Harbor
- Fond du Lac County — village of Rosendale and town of Springvale
- Vernon County — town of Franklin
Written by: Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Green Bay, (Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov), 920-662-5172.