Botryosphaeria Canker, Kermes Scale Can Kill Oak Branch Tips

Photo showing dead branch tips on an oak tree, caused by Kermes scale feeding. An ant mound is present next to the tree as ants protect scale insects and collect sweet honeydew from the scales.

Dead branch tips on an oak tree caused by Kermes scale feeding. Note the ant mound in the lower right. Ants protect scale insects and collect sweet honeydew from the scales. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Botryosphaeria canker and kermes scale can cause symptoms that look similar at first glance. Both can cause the outer tips of branches to die, with leaves turning tan/brown while remaining attached to the branch.

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Sawflies On Jack Pine Are Neodiprion Maurus

Photo showing five Neodiprion maurus larvae feeding on jack pine needles.

Neodiprion maurus larvae, feeding on jack pine, are gregarious. Can you spot all five larvae? / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

In mid-July, a few sawfly larvae were found feeding on jack pine in northern Vilas County. After delving into associated literature and reaching out to a sawfly researcher at the University of Kentucky, the sawflies were identified as Neodiprion maurus. There is no official common name for this insect; it is generally referred to as “a sawfly on jack pine.”

These sawflies are gregarious and feed in groups on older needles, doing relatively minimal damage. They are often referred to as “rare” and have been found in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada.

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Pink Striped Oakworm Seen Feeding On Red Oaks

Closeup photo showing young pink striped oakworm caterpillars feed gregariously on northern red oak leaves.

Young pink striped oakworm caterpillars feed gregariously on northern red oak leaves. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Young larvae of the pink striped oakworm (Anisota virginiensis) have been observed feeding gregariously on northern red oak leaves in Vilas County. Northern red oak is their preferred host, but they can feed on other oaks.

Young caterpillars start life with a shiny black head capsule, but older larvae develop an orange head. Their pinkish body coloration develops as they get older, as well; young caterpillars are dark green in color.

Pink striped oakworm has several fly parasitoids, along with a couple of wasp parasitoids. Populations of pink striped oakworm in Wisconsin don’t usually grow too large or cause problems.

 

Northern Pitch Twig Moth Creates Pitch Blisters On Jack Pine

Closeup photo showing that hollow pitch blisters get darker with age and may resemble cones until closer examination.

Hollow pitch blisters get darker with age and may resemble cones until closer examination. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Northern pitch twig moth (Petrova alhicapitana) is also called the pitch nodule maker or pitch blister moth.

It feeds on branches and twigs of young jack pine and scotch pine, causing a hollow blister of gooey pitch to form around the larvae as it feeds at the base of a lateral branch. It prefers trees that are 20 feet tall or smaller, although it can attack older trees.

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Urban Forestry Grants Webinar Announced: Updated Application Process

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a webinar to help you develop a competitive urban forestry grant application. This webinar will guide you through the application form so you can submit a strong application that aligns with the DNR’s Urban Forestry Program funding priorities.

Register today to reserve your spot in the upcoming webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Continue reading “Urban Forestry Grants Webinar Announced: Updated Application Process”

Networking At Riveredge Nature Center

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

Tree managers met at Riveredge Nature Center (RNC) for a networking meeting/field tour at the end of July. RNC is located in Saukville, ground zero for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Wisconsin, which was discovered in 2008.

The indoor portion of the meeting consisted of updates from DNR Urban Forestry and Forest Health staff.  There was also time for open sharing amongst attendees and an overview by Matt Smith (RNC) about what we’d be seeing in the field. Continue reading “Networking At Riveredge Nature Center”

Trees And Insurance Survey

2 men assessing an ash treeThe Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) Industry Trends committee – charged with monitoring the issues impacting your work – is seeking information on your experiences with insurance companies and urban tree canopy. There is growing evidence that insurance companies are directing the pruning or removal of trees, and the committee wants to fully understand the issue. Your responses to the survey below will help compile stories and evidence so that UCFS can work with industry partners and draft position statements. Continue reading “Trees And Insurance Survey”

The DNR Reforestation Program Needs Seeds

By Jeremiah Auer, DNR Regeneration Specialist; Jeremiah.Auer@wisconsin.gov

The DNR’s Reforestation Program needs red and white pine cones – more specifically, we need the seeds found within those cones for our reforestation needs. The Reforestation Program produces millions of pine seedlings every year at the Wilson State Nursery in Boscobel, and the only way we can produce those seedlings is with seed collected from the fields and forests of Wisconsin. Continue reading “The DNR Reforestation Program Needs Seeds”

American Forests Launches Tree Equity Coaching Network

American Forests LogoThe American Forests National Coaching Network is a community for urban foresters, community advocates, city leaders and allied professionals to connect, learn, inspire and cultivate city commitments to advance tree equity. This network is a way for people to address challenges and build their tools and resources. Continue reading “American Forests Launches Tree Equity Coaching Network”