Community Spotlight: Cedarburg’s UF Program – 2025 Report

Posted on by janness
tree-lined street

Photo Credit: City of Cedarburg

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744
and
Kevin Westphal, City of Cedarburg City Forester
kwestphal@cityofcedarburg.wi.gov or 262-375-7662

Annual program reports can be a very useful tool. One example is Cedarburg’s 2025 urban forestry report. It is detailed, yet not overwhelming, and the format provides for easy comprehension at a quick glance. The annual report includes things like: a mission statement, the number and location of vacant plantable sites, removal/planting/pruning numbers, specific cultivars planted, types and reasons for pruning and a comparison to previous years.

The report is shared with Cedarburg’s Parks & Forestry Board, City Council, and other leadership and can also be found on their website. Cedarburg’s city forester attends these local meetings, goes over the main points in the report and answers any questions they may have. Additionally, some of the information is useful when filling out their Tree City USA application. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Cedarburg’s UF Program – 2025 Report” →

Land And Water Conservation Fund Program Grant Application Due May 1, 2026

Posted on by janness

DNR LogoThe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program through May 1, 2026. The DNR will consider all complete applications received by this date.

Eligible applicants include towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governing bodies and school districts.

Application materials are located on the DNR’s website. Please contact your regional Project Manager prior to submitting an application.   Continue reading “Land And Water Conservation Fund Program Grant Application Due May 1, 2026” →

Submit Proposals For Partners In Community Forestry Conference

Posted on by janness

Arbor Day Foundation LogoThe Partners in Community Forestry Conference is currently seeking speaking proposals for the upcoming conference Nov. 18-19 in St. Louis.  Any passionate speakers, community leaders and learners are encouraged to send a proposal submission. These speeches are an opportunity to share your expertise and passion about community forestry with others. The topics for this year’s speaker proposals include: Continue reading “Submit Proposals For Partners In Community Forestry Conference” →

Upcoming Training

Posted on by janness

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

See below for training on urban forestry basics, tree risk fundamentals in Spanish, plant diseases and pests, invasive species, student apprenticeships, nut trees and other urban forestry resources. Continue reading “Upcoming Training” →

Forest Health Specialists Plan Appearances

Posted on by akabelowsky
Tim Shively, Wisconsin DNR Forest Health specialist for the West Central zone.

Tim Shively, Wisconsin DNR Forest Health specialist for the West Central zone. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

A list of public appearances planned by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health specialists over the coming weeks:

  • Tim Shively, DNR Forest Health specialist for the West Central zone, will present a forest health overview tailored for landowners, land managers and volunteers at a meeting of the Chippewa County Land Conservancy, set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Lafayette Town Hall, 5765 197th Street, Chippewa Falls
  • Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health specialist for the Northeast zone, will present a forest health overview to loggers, truckers and foresters at the 21st annual Sustainable Forestry Conference, set for Wednesday, April 15, inside the ski lodge at the Keyes Park Recreation Area, 4960 County Hwy. 101, Florence. Registration is required. More event information can be found on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension website.
Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist for the Northeast Zone, addresses forestry workers.

Linda Williams (left), DNR Forest Health specialist for the Northeast zone, addresses workers during a forestry seminar. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Look For Spongy Moth Egg Masses And Take Action

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of a person scraping spongy moth egg masses into a cup.

A putty knife, plastic knife or similar object can be used to gently scrape spongy moth egg masses into a cup of soapy water. The water can be discarded after two days. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov

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.

Property owners who have oak, birch, crabapple, aspen, willow and linden (basswood) trees should be particularly watchful because the caterpillars of this invasive insect prefer these species. However, they will feed on many other kinds of trees and shrubs.

Continue reading “Look For Spongy Moth Egg Masses And Take Action” →

Oak Wilt Information Updated

Posted on by akabelowsky
University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension online tool to help with oak wilt decisions.

A University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension online tool provides users localized information about the estimated emergence status of the two most important insects that transmit oak wilt in Wisconsin. / Graphic Credit: University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension

By Kyoko Scanlon, DNR Forest Pathologist, Fitchburg
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov

In 2025, oak wilt was detected for the first time in Hughes Township, Bayfield County, a northern Wisconsin location where oak wilt remains uncommon. There were no new county finds in 2025.

Based on the findings in 2025, the maps in the Oak Harvesting Guidelines To Reduce The Risk Of Introduction And Spread Of Oak Wilt (the oak wilt guidelines), oak wilt fact sheet and were updated. The maps in the oak wilt guidelines are good through the end of 2026.

Continue reading “Oak Wilt Information Updated” →

Stilt Grass StoryMap Updated For 2026

Posted on by akabelowsky
Main page of the Wisconsin DNR's StoryMap on Japanese stilt grass.

The main page of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ StoryMap titled “Japanese Stilt Grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest.” / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@wisconsin.gov

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health program has updated the Japanese stilt grass StoryMap to reflect all the work completed in 2025. The StoryMap documents the history of this invasive species on the Coulee Experimental State Forest in La Crosse County.

A StoryMap is a web-based content creation and communication tool that allows creators to share maps, apps and multimedia in the context of a narrative. Users can see an overview of Japanese stilt grass, how to identify it and what control efforts have been implemented since the plant was first detected in Wisconsin in 2020.

Continue reading “Stilt Grass StoryMap Updated For 2026” →

Oak Wilt High Risk Period Quickly Approaches

Posted on by akabelowsky
A closeup of a fungal pressure pad under the bark of an oak tree infected with oak wilt.

A fungal pressure pad formed on the outside of the sapwood underneath the bark of an infected tree. The pad will create cracks in the bark, where beetles can enter and visit the pad and become covered in spores. They will then leave and move on to infect new trees through open wounds. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Alex Hornung, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Plover
Alexandra.Hornung@wisconsin.gov or 715-340-3810

It is again that time of year to pause operating in oak stands or pruning oak trees during the high-risk period for oak wilt, which begins in April. The high-risk period begins April 1 in the South, April 15 in the North, and ends in both zones on July 15.

The high-risk period is determined by when the beetles that carry the fungus that causes oak wilt have emerged for the year and when they are carrying the highest number of fungal spores. When wounds are created by logging operations or other activities that expose sapwood, the beetles carry the fungus to the wounded tree, and the disease process begins.

Continue reading “Oak Wilt High Risk Period Quickly Approaches” →

Watch For Squirrel, Porcupine Damage In Spring

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of small squirrel tooth marks on a tree's mainstem.

Squirrel tooth marks are small and look like narrow scratches from which the animals have removed the tree’s bark. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

As winter transitions into spring, you may notice patches of tree bark that have been removed. But what did the damage?

Several animals, including squirrels and porcupines, can chew or strip bark from trees. This can occur on hardwoods and conifers, older trees and young saplings. Damage can be enough to kill branches or even the entire tree.

Continue reading “Watch For Squirrel, Porcupine Damage In Spring” →