By Linda Williams, Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff;
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
What can learn new things, move toward and acquire food, remember where food was and what foods are preferred, figure out the shortest route through a maze, remember where it has traveled and seem to disappear as quickly as it first appeared?
It’s slime mold, of course!
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh Service Center;
Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
A forest road is covered by a blanket of Woodland forget-me-not. / Photo Credit: Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org
These easy-to-grow, sweet-sounding, small blue flowers may seem appealing, but you should forget about forget-me-nots. A garden plant frequently found in mixed bouquets, forget-me-nots can easily escape the confines of a garden and spread aggressively.
There are two species regulated as invasives in Wisconsin: an Aquatic forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpiodes) and Woodland forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica). Both species are restricted under Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule NR40, so control is encouraged if they are found on your property. These species cannot be transferred, transported or introduced without a permit.
Both the aquatic and woodland species of forget-me-not bloom in early spring and can share many visual characteristics. Continue reading “Forget About Planting Forget-me-nots”
By Kyoko Scanlon, Forest Pathologist, Fitchburg;
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov
With the recent warm-up and little snow on the ground in February, you may wonder if the insects responsible for transmitting oak wilt (oak wilt vectors) may emerge earlier this spring.
Though it is impossible to know precisely when they emerge, there is a tool that can be used to help you ease your anxiety a bit.
Continue reading “Sign Up For Oak Wilt Vector Emergence Emails”
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh;
Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
While not native to the Midwest, popular garden plants such as tulips and daffodils do not spread outside of gardens or cause harm, therefore they are not invasive. / Photo Credit: Lesley Ingram, Bugwood.org
As the conversation around invasive plants grows, it’s easy to get “stuck in the weeds” when it comes to invasive terminology.
A simple Google search of “invasive plant” will produce a variety of definitions, bringing in technicalities or muddying your understanding with each new idea of what invasive means. Continue reading “‘In The Weeds’ With Invasives Tech”
By Michael Hillstrom, Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg; Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
Caterpillars wandering the snow in February? Yes, the “winter cutworm,” Noctua pronuba, is a hardy species that is sometimes observed active in temperatures as low as the 20s.
By Michael Hillstrom, Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg;
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
Closeup of a periodical cicada, showing its black body and orange-colored wing veins and legs. / Photo Credit: Ward Upham, Kansas State University, Bugwood.org
2024 will be a big year for periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.).
For the first time since 1803 — when Thomas Jefferson was president — 13-year Brood XIX and 17-year Brood XIII cicadas will co-emerge in the millions.
If you want to observe this spectacle, you can see the Brood XIII cicadas in southern Wisconsin. Expect to see and hear them in June, and bring your ear protection because some of the louder choruses of males can reach 90 decibels.
By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward;
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/foresthealth/staff, 715-416-4920
This winter, the spread and impact of emerald ash borer (EAB) have been confirmed in several new northern townships in previously invaded counties.
These include Marengo (Ashland County); Gordon, Hawthorne and Oakland (Douglas County); Cadott and Colburn (Chippewa County) and Balsam Lake and St. Croix Falls (in Polk County).
Continue reading “Emerald Ash Borer Spreads Through The North”
By Linda Williams, Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff;
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
Have you ever wondered just how much sap can be sucked out of a tree by aphids?
Aphids insert their piercing, sucking mouthparts into needles, twigs or bark, depending on the species of aphid.
Once their mouthparts are inserted, they begin to suck sap and will excrete excess moisture as small droplets of water called honeydew.
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh;
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942
Numerous tan-colored spongy moth egg masses on a bur oak in Walworth County. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages property owners to examine their trees for spongy moth egg masses and determine whether control measures are needed this spring.
Spongy moths thrive in warm and dry weather. Even if weather conditions are more typical this spring and summer, the current spongy moth outbreak — which defoliated a state-record total of 373,000 acres of woodland last year — will likely continue and spread.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced it is accepting applications for the Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant program. The program, which launched in January, uses federal funds to support projects that positively impact trees and people within disadvantaged communities* in Wisconsin.
The DNR is hosting a webinar on March 14 at 1 p.m. to provide an overview of the application and answer questions. A link to register is available on the DNR Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants webpage. The application deadline is June 3, 2024.
Potential projects may involve conserving, protecting, expanding or improving urban forests. Examples include tree planting, hazard tree removal and pest control. Projects can also be capacity-building endeavors, such as urban forestry management plans, tree inventories and public education.
Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations conducting their projects in Wisconsin may apply for an Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant. Eligible projects must occur in or benefit those living in disadvantaged communities as identified by the DNR on this map and list.
