Fall webworms form a tent on a tree at Kohler-Andrae State Park in September 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0942
The native insect known as fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) has been generating calls and emails from curious property owners over the past few weeks.
The caterpillars don’t draw much attention on their own; instead, what catches the eye at this time of year are the large webs (or “tents”) that they create on the tips of tree branches.
The grants range from $1,000 to $25,000, and grant recipients must match each grant dollar for dollar. A startup grant of up to $5,000 is available for communities that want to start or restart a community forestry program. Grants are awarded to projects that align with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy and the benefits it provides. These grants do not subsidize routine forestry activities. In total, $559,680 is currently available in regular and startup grant funding for 2026.
Trees grow, change and like all living things, eventually decline or die. Sometimes trees are removed from urban areas due to safety concerns, tree health or insufficient space. But when these urban and community trees are viewed not as waste, but as a valuable material resource, their story doesn’t end – it continues.