Wisconsin’s Mass Timber Future: Building Strength From Forest To Facility

Posted on by akabelowsky

Various panels of cross-laminated timber awaits a return trip to Madison, Wisconsin, for testing at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Ram Dahal, DNR Forest Economist, Madison;
Ram.Dahal@wisconsin.gov

A recent study conducted by Michigan State University and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources highlights Wisconsin’s strong potentiality to locate mass timber industry in the state, leveraging its abundant forest resources, existing forest products infrastructure and growing market demand.

Continue reading “Wisconsin’s Mass Timber Future: Building Strength From Forest To Facility” →

Survey Coming For Secondary Wood Manufacturers

Posted on by akabelowsky
Icon of a survey under the DNR Forestry News banner

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources soon will launch a survey of secondary wood manufacturers.

By Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and University of Wisconsin-Madison Wood Products Extension will conduct a survey involving Wisconsin’s secondary wood products manufacturers. This survey will be used to update the Wisconsin Wood Users Industry Directory.  The directory, last updated in 2018, is currently available, and we plan to have the updated version online as part of the forestry products section of the DNR website.

Continue reading “Survey Coming For Secondary Wood Manufacturers” →

Symposium On Wood-based Construction Scheduled

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Products team is pleased to share an upcoming symposium focused on the latest advancements in wood design and construction. This event, scheduled for Sept. 23 at the Milwaukee Art Museum, is tailored for architects, engineers, designers, developers, general contractors and all professionals with an interest in innovative wood applications.

Continue reading “Symposium On Wood-based Construction Scheduled” →

Oak Leaf Issues That Are Not Oak Wilt

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup photo showing oak wilt leaf symptoms on a red oak leaf. Leaves often show browning on the outer portions of the leaf while the base of the leaf will still have some normal green color.

Oak wilt leaf symptoms on a red oak leaf often show browning on the outer portions of the leaf while the base of the leaf will still have some normal green color. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Oak wilt symptoms are active right now, but so are several other oak issues that may be mistaken for oak wilt.

Issues including Tubakia leaf spot, mite damage and leaf scorch are all causing problems in northern Wisconsin and may be mistaken for oak wilt.

Continue reading “Oak Leaf Issues That Are Not Oak Wilt” →

Which Witches’ Broom Is It?

Posted on by akabelowsky

Witches’ broom on serviceberry. The leaves of this infected shrub are dying because of prolific spore production on their undersides. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Tim Shively, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Eau Claire
Tim.Shively@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-6974

Witches’ broom is a term that describes a disease of many different plants. It’s a distinctive, abnormal growth typically caused by a pathogen — though in some cases it can result from insect feeding.

The namesake symptom appears as abnormally dense clusters of stunted shoots, branches, and foliage that strongly resemble a witch’s broom from storybooks and folklore. In Wisconsin, this is not often a critical forest health concern that merits management action, but Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health staff recently observed widespread incidence of two particular witches’ broom diseases.

Continue reading “Which Witches’ Broom Is It?” →

Periodical Cicada Damage Still Visible In Some Areas

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing dieback discovered on red cedar branches in Beloit (Rock County) in August 2025.

Dieback discovered on red cedar branches in Beloit (Rock County) in August 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By River Mathieu, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg
River.Mathieu@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-2758

In August, random branch dieback was observed by a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forester on red cedars in a 10-acre stand near Beloit in Rock County.

At first, the pattern of dieback was perplexing. Based on a photograph, the damage was first presumed to be caused by a fungal disease. Once a site visit was conducted, it was determined that the branch dieback was caused by cicada oviposition (egg-laying) damage from last year’s emergence of periodical cicadas.

Continue reading “Periodical Cicada Damage Still Visible In Some Areas” →

Jack Pine Showing Dead, Brown Branch Tips

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing jack pine branch tips killed by the jack pine tip beetle.

Jack pine branch tips killed by the jack pine tip beetle. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Jack pine tip beetle (Conopthorus banksianae) is a tiny bark beetle that bores into the twig tips of pines. Damage from jack pine tip beetle was observed this summer on jack pine in Vilas County. In some areas, each tree showed 2-10 dead branch tips in its crown.

Continue reading “Jack Pine Showing Dead, Brown Branch Tips” →

Barklice Don’t Damage Trees

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing a group of immature bark lice show their characteristic striped abdomens.

A group of immature barklice show their characteristic striped abdomens. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Barklice, sometimes called tree cattle, tend to congregate in large groups on trees, which can lead some people to worry about tree health. However, they are actually quite harmless.

Immature barklice don’t have wings, so you can see their heavily striped abdomens. Adults have dark-colored wings that form a tent over the abdomen. Both immature and adult barklice congregate in groups.

These insects feed on the algae, lichen and other debris that collects on the surface of tree bark. They do not feed on the tree itself.

Continue reading “Barklice Don’t Damage Trees” →

DNR, UW Offer Fall Invasive Plants Workshops

Posted on by akabelowsky

Buckthorn beneath dead ash trees at Big Foot Beach State Park. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Is buckthorn taking over your urban property? Would you like to be able to determine which plants are doing harm to the native landscape? Are you ready to arm yourself in the fight against invasives?

If so, this day-long workshop is for you!

Continue reading “DNR, UW Offer Fall Invasive Plants Workshops” →