Now is the time to sign up for Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K! Run, walk or roll to support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks. The program was started in 2019 when Bob Ross Inc. partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to raise awareness of and money for tree planting and has since expanded to 13 states. Continue reading “Run For The Trees”
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 trainings about healthy soil, pruning, research projects, natural disaster resilience and urban woodland management. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”
A Wonderful Winter Display: Phomopsis Galls
Phomopsis galls are plentiful on branches of a 120-year-old red oak tree in Clark County, Wisconsin, in 2024. / Photo Credit: Kris Wimme, retired Wisconsin DNR forester
By Alex Hornung, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Plover
Alexandra.Hornung@wisconsin.gov
It is the perfect time of year to be on the lookout for galls – woody growths or swellings on tree branches that are typically oblong in shape and of varying sizes.
They can often be found on small branches, but occasionally they can affect large branches or even the main stem. Galls can occur for several reasons, ranging from fungi to bacteria to insect activity.
One type, Phomopsis gall, can be particularly impressive to see. Galls formed due to this native fungus mostly occur on oak, hickory and maple trees in Wisconsin.
Continue reading “A Wonderful Winter Display: Phomopsis Galls”
Frost’s Bite: How Do Insects Survive Winter?
An emerald ash borer larva overwinters by curling into a J shape inside a channel in an ash tree in Brookfield in 2019. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
As winter’s chill persists, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health staff members are often asked how cold it needs to get to kill insects, especially invasives.
The answer varies from species to species, but many insects are well adapted to dealing with freezing winter temperatures. Some, such as monarchs, avoid the issue and migrate south for the winter. Others, such as multicolored Asian ladybeetles, annoy us with their presence in our homes and offices as they try to avoid the cold until spring.
Continue reading “Frost’s Bite: How Do Insects Survive Winter?”
Spring Dreaming: Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Garden Plans
Originally planted as a garden ornamental, Japanese barberry can quickly escape cultivation and invade Wisconsin’s woodlands. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Wisconsin DNR
Even though winter’s grip has taken hold in Wisconsin, many gardeners are already thinking ahead to the next spring planting season.
While dreaming of spring blooms and designing your next garden or landscape layout, be on the lookout for invasive plants that may try to weed their way into your plans.
Continue reading “Spring Dreaming: Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Garden Plans”
Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching
Volunteers at a garlic mustard-pulling event on the Montreal River in Iron County, part of a control project planned by a previous WMA-PFGP recipient. / Photo Credit: Ramona Shackleford, Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area
By Wisconsin DNR
The April 1 application deadline for Weed Management Area-Private Forest Grant Program (WMA-PFGP) grants is coming up. There is still time to apply for funding to help you control invasive plants on your forested land in 2025.
Controlling invasive plants on your forested property can be a challenging and costly endeavor. WMA-PFGP grants help to make this process a little easier for its recipients.
Continue reading “Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching”
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: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh;
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942
It might be a bit chilly these days, but spring is coming. When the weather warms up, the annual return of spongy moth caterpillars will begin.
There’s a way for landowners to make a dent in the population of the hungry caterpillars: Get out now to locate and properly dispose of spongy moth egg masses, produced by adult moths last summer.
Continue reading “Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses”
What Are Those White Fluffies On Trees?
Lots of beech scale, covered in white wool, makes this tree’s bark look fluffy. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
Last month, we introduced readers to the woolly alder aphid, which is easier to spot in the winter as the insects congregate on alder branches and grow strands of white, waxy material to cover themselves for winter.
But there are other white, fluffy things that you might notice on tree bark or branches as well.
Beech scale, the insect associated with beech bark disease, is covered in white wool and remains on the tree throughout the winter. In areas with high beech scale populations, the beech trees can be so white with insects that the bark looks white, like a birch.
Urban Forestry Internship Application Period Now Open
The application period is now open for hundreds of internships with the state of Wisconsin, including two positions with the DNR’s Urban Forestry program!
The urban forest interns will focus on data collection and analysis projects to expand our knowledge of the sustainable management of community forests. Daily work will mostly consist of different tree inventory projects, with opportunities to learn about the wider forestry and urban forestry fields in Wisconsin. Continue reading “Urban Forestry Internship Application Period Now Open”
Register Now For The WAA/DNR Annual Conference, Feb. 16 – 18. 2025
What: 60+ Years of Enhancing the Urban Forests in Wisconsin 
When: Feb. 16-18, 2025
Where: Hyatt & KI Convention Center – Green Bay, WI
Green Bay can’t wait for arborists to return for the WAA and Wisconsin DNR Annual Winter Conference! The program committee outdid themselves again with this year’s lineup. Continue reading “Register Now For The WAA/DNR Annual Conference, Feb. 16 – 18. 2025”