June To October: Oak Wilt Watch!

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg, michael.hillstrom@wisconsin.gov

An image of two red oak leaves that are part brown and part green, symptomatic of oak wilt infection.

Typical browning leaf symptoms of red oak trees infected with oak wilt. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

Now is the time to watch for oak wilt! Symptoms typically appear in southern Wisconsin in late June and in northern Wisconsin during July. Watch for browning leaves starting at the top of the canopy and progressing downward. Most leaves will fall from infected trees as they die, typically within two to four weeks.

Several management methods are available to contain oak wilt pockets, so consult your local forest health specialist for guidance on your best options.

The forest health team is also working to evaluate new control methods. Rapid response is currently being tested to more formally evaluate if a new oak wilt infection in a single tree can be stopped before it reaches the roots and spreads to nearby oaks. There is observational data that this method works, but more formal tests are desired. Continue reading “June To October: Oak Wilt Watch!” →

I Spy… Browning White Pine Stands Along Roads

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

As you begin your summer travel, you may notice that many white pine trees along northern Wisconsin roadways have a lot of brown needles on them. Although it may seem concerning, most of these trees are sending out new needles as we speak.

Three young conifers with varying levels of browning needles

Different conifer species can be impacted differently by salt spray. The white pine in the middle also shows lower branches that are green because they were protected by snow. Photo: Wisconsin DNR.

Continue reading “I Spy… Browning White Pine Stands Along Roads” →

When It Rains, It Spores! Orange Spore Horns Emerge

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Ethan Wachendorf, DNR Forest Health Lab Technician, Fitchburg, ethan.wachendorf@wisconsin.gov or 608-273-6276

Have you noticed orange, jelly-like growths on cedars this spring? These growths may look like tiny octopus creatures with legs extending all directions, but they’re actually spore horns caused by a fungus.

Orange jelly-like horns extending 1/2 inch long and 1/8 inch in diameter on cedar

Orange jelly-like spore horns caused by cedar-apple rust fungus. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

Continue reading “When It Rains, It Spores! Orange Spore Horns Emerge” →

Basswood Thrips: Tiny Terrors Of Basswood Leaves

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

Introduced basswood thrips are tiny, invasive insects that feed inside tree buds in early spring. Leaves are then deformed when they expand and can look like frost or wind has damaged them.

A long and thin introduced basswood thrips rests on the underside of a small green leaf.

An adult introduced basswood thrips on the underside of an emerging basswood leaf. This photo is enlarged under a microscope. To the naked eye, they appear as tiny black specks on the underside of the leaf. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

Continue reading “Basswood Thrips: Tiny Terrors Of Basswood Leaves” →

White Trunk Rot In Aspen Trees

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

White trunk rot (Phellinus tremulae), sometimes called aspen trunk rot, is a fungus that causes decay columns to form in aspen. The fungus enters the tree through branch stubs, wounds or small dead branches that remain on the tree. Perennial conks, or fungal bodies, then grow from these sites.

A cross section of the trunk of an aspen with significant decay in the center and a fruiting body conk on the side of the wood.

White trunk rot causes decay in aspen trees. Note the conk (fruiting body) from the fungus on the left side of the pic. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

Continue reading “White Trunk Rot In Aspen Trees” →

Slow Oaks And Maples With Too Many Seeds And Not Enough Leaves

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

Maples

Have you noticed any maple trees that appear brown or reddish and have fewer leaves than usual? The seeds, not the leaves, make the tan/red color. Those seeds are so plentiful this year that they can easily be spotted from a distance.

Reddish tan maple trees with thin canopies.

Maples with heavy seed crops may appear tan or reddish due to the color of the seeds and having very few green leaves in the canopy. Photo: Wisconsin DNR.

Continue reading “Slow Oaks And Maples With Too Many Seeds And Not Enough Leaves” →

Urban Forestry Economic Analysis In Wisconsin

Posted on by patricialindquist

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

Laura Buntrock, DNR Urban Forestry Partnership and Policy Specialist in Rhinelander, laura.buntrock@wisconsin.gov or 608-294-0253

Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist in Madison, daniel.buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

Ram Dahal, DNR Forest Economist in Madison, ram.dahal@wisconsin.gov or 715-225-3892

We know that urban forests are a vital component of our economy and environment, making significant financial contributions to local, state and national economies, as well as providing critical ecosystem services. But until recently, the economic contribution of urban forestry has typically been aggregated into the broader green industry.

 

Background On The Study

In the Urban Forestry Economic Study, a ground-breaking study led by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and funded through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Landscape Scale Restoration grant, a comprehensive analysis of the economic contributions of urban and community forestry was completed across the Northeast-Midwest region, which includes 20 states and Washington, D.C. (Figure 1). This analysis includes economic impact numbers, employment numbers, industry outlook and a resource valuation.

Figure 1. Map depicting the 21 states involved in the survey.

Continue reading “Urban Forestry Economic Analysis In Wisconsin” →

DNR Welcomes New Urban Forestry Council Liaison & Outreach Specialist

Posted on by patricialindquist

By Jeff Roe, DNR Urban Forestry Team Leader, Madison, jeffrey.roe@wisconsin.gov or 608-535-7582

We are excited to announce the newest addition to our team! Kirsten Biefeld has accepted the position of Urban Forestry Council Liaison and Outreach Specialist. Her first day was Monday, June 6, 2022. Kirsten is based in the Madison office. 

Kirsten is a recent graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she received a Master’s of Environmental Science and a GIS certificate. She has an undergraduate degree in Biology and Spanish, with an Art minor, from Augustana University in Rock Island, Illinois.

Continue reading “DNR Welcomes New Urban Forestry Council Liaison & Outreach Specialist” →

2023 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Opening Soon

Posted on by patricialindquist

Applications for an Urban Forestry Grant are opening soon!

Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting their project in Wisconsin can apply for a regular or startup 2023 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant beginning July 1, 2022.

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 its benefits.  

Continue reading “2023 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Opening Soon” →