Students Graduate From The Community Tree Management Institute

Posted on by janness

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744

a group of people examining tree leavesCongratulations to the latest class of Wisconsin Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI) graduates! The CTMI wrapped up its sixth cohort mid-June.

CTMI is an advanced training course designed specifically for people responsible for urban forest management who do not have a degree and/or experience in urban forestry. Conversely, they may have technical skills but lack leadership and management experience.

Over six days of intensive training, students acquired the knowledge and skills needed to manage municipal trees and green space. Their exposure to various teaching perspectives gave them a well-rounded 38-hour training experience. The retreat-like setting created by the small class size and interactive learning curriculum reinforced the focus on support-network development with other students, staff and instructors. The capstone of the institute required each student to complete an applied project that benefited their community by utilizing their new skills and knowledge. Continue reading “Students Graduate From The Community Tree Management Institute” →

How Big Will My Tree Get?

Posted on by janness

By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675

This is one of my least favorite questions to get as an urban forester/arborist; it’s right up there with “how old is my tree?” The reason I despise this question is not because it is a bad question, but rather it is a complex one. A question that often requires much more discussion than the person who asked it is looking for… Continue reading “How Big Will My Tree Get?” →

Tree Species In An Uncertain Future Climate

Posted on by janness

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

One of the many challenges for urban foresters in navigating climate change is the fact that while temperatures are elevated across every season, it can still get pretty cold in Wisconsin, even along Lake Michigan. Nonetheless, hardiness zones are shifting, and there is plentiful experimentation underway by Wisconsinites to identify which tree species are appropriate for their location throughout the 21st century.

The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science produced species vulnerability lists for six locations in Wisconsin, projecting what species are likely at increased risk (i.e. more vulnerable) under different climate change scenarios. Those are great resources that use the same background methodology as a species vulnerability analysis done for the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Continue reading “Tree Species In An Uncertain Future Climate” →

Go Outside Funds Available

Posted on by janness
children learning outdoors

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

The Go Outside Fund provides funding that helps connect youth to outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. Teachers or partner organizations may apply for funding to cover costs that facilitate getting kids outside and hands-on with nature, such as purchasing field supplies or paying for transportation and educator costs. Grants between $100 and $1,500 are available. Educators, as well as eligible organizations, are welcome to apply, with the next deadlines for applications being Sept. 1 and March 1, 2026. Continue reading “Go Outside Funds Available” →

When Can I Prune That Elm Tree?

Posted on by janness

By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675

Most urban foresters and arborists are aware of the historical significance of Dutch elm disease (DED). Introduced to the United States in the 1930s, this deadly fungus wreaked havoc on urban and rural forests throughout the United States. In many ways, DED was the impetus for many of the best practices of urban forestry we see today, such as species diversification and modern plant health care practices.

Likewise, most urban forest practitioners understand DED is still very much prevalent today, and if they are managing any lingering American elms, they know they can help decrease their susceptibility to the disease by not actively pruning or wounding them during the growing season. Pruning these elms during the growing season attracts bark beetles, which can carry thousands of DED fungal spores on their bodies. But elm is a complex genus; there are over 30 different species of elm and hundreds (if not thousands) of hybrids and cultivars in the landscape. So, which of these species and cultivars can you prune during the growing season, and which shall you not? Continue reading “When Can I Prune That Elm Tree?” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness
group of adult learning to identify trees

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

* These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute endorsement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

See below for information on training topics and events, including biopesticides, invasives, urban trees and fire, tree diseases, ecological restoration, safety and woodland trees and management. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

First Populations Of Invasive Pale Swallow-wort Confirmed In Wisconsin

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of pale swallow-wort flower cluster.

Pale swallow-wort flowers along the stem at the leaf axils. / Photo Credit: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

By Mackenzie Manicki, DNR Natural Resources Research Scientist

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that the state’s first populations of the invasive vine pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) have been found.

The populations were first detected in Oconto and Shawano counties, within the outskirts of Krakow along the shared county line.

These are the first known populations in the state, making rapid response efforts critical in preventing the establishment of this species in Wisconsin.

Continue reading “First Populations Of Invasive Pale Swallow-wort Confirmed In Wisconsin” →

Public Hearing On Invasive Species Regulations Set

Posted on by akabelowsky
A wide-angle photo of an infestation of Japanese stilt grass in a forest.

A field at the Coulee Experimental Forest near La Crosse is infested by Japanese stilt grass. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Jenn Janness, DNR Urban Forestry Communications

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will hold a virtual public hearing on a permanent rule to revise Ch. NR 40, relating to changes to invasive species regulations.

Meeting details:

  • Date: Aug. 5, 2026
  • Time: 5 p.m.
  • Online: Join via Microsoft Teams
  • Phone: Join by calling 608-571-2209 and entering phone conference ID 496 793 478#

Continue reading “Public Hearing On Invasive Species Regulations Set” →

Forest Health Team Debuts Two New Fact Sheets

Posted on by akabelowsky
An image of the front page of a DNR fact sheet.

The front page of the Wisconsin DNR’s new Forest Health Fact Sheet on oak decline. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team has published two new fact sheets, bringing the total count of its fact sheet offerings to 26.

The new fact sheets:

  • Fall Webworm: DNR Publication FR-622u discusses basic information on the biology of the insect (Hyphantria cunea), its life cycle, potential lookalike caterpillars and management options.
  • Oak Decline: DNR Publication FR-622v covers the tricky topic of oak decline, which is not caused by one distinct forest pest or problem but instead is the result of multiple factors — some predisposing, some inciting and some contributing — that work in combination to cause decline.

The fact sheets are designed in full color, with photos, and are meant to be printed out for reference or to carry into the field. They can also be viewed online. They can be printed on standard letter-sized paper. Most fact sheets are two pages, meant for two-sided printing; a few are four-page documents.

A complete directory of links to all DNR Forest Health fact sheets is available online.

Forest Health Staffers Plan Appearances

Posted on by akabelowsky
Two workers inspecting a tree's leaves.

Mike Hillstrom and Linda Williams of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team look over a tree during a walking tour put on by the Cambridge Tree Project on July 10, 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Mike Hillstrom, Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator for the Wisconsin DNR Forest Health Team, will make a presentation on forest health to the Heartland National Christmas Tree Organizations Convention, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, at Hann’s Christmas Farm, 848 Tipperary Road, Oregon, WI 53575.

Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Appearances” →