DATCP: Dead Spotted Lanternflies Detected On Nursery Stock From Out-of-State

Posted on by brenna.denamur

On Nov. 3, 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) received a report of spotted lanternfly from a Walworth County landowner. The observant landowner had found multiple dead and a single dying adult spotted lanternfly on nursery stock purchased from an Illinois nursery. This serves as a reminder to always inspect your stock upon arrival in the nursery trade and prior to planting in your yard.

See the full article in DATCP’s What’s Growing On? November Newsletter.

Learn more about spotted lanternfly on DATCP’s website.

Spotted Lanternfly with wings outspread

Bur Oak Blight Confirmed In Fond du Lac County

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

Recent lab examination has confirmed bur oak blight in Fond du Lac County. The disease affects only bur oaks and is caused by the fungus, Tubakia iowensis.

Map of Wisconsin counties where bur oak blight has been confirmed.

Map of counties where bur oak blight has been confirmed. Map credit: Wisconsin DNR.

Continue reading “Bur Oak Blight Confirmed In Fond du Lac County” →

Free Seedlings For Wisconsin Fourth-Graders

Posted on by Kirsten Held
sugar maple seedlings

One-year-old sugar maple seedlings growing in Wisconsin nursery bed.

Every year since 1984, Wisconsin 4th-grade students have been eligible to receive a free tree seedling from DNR state nurseries to complement their Arbor Day observations. The application period for the “2022-23 Arbor Day Free Tree Seedlings for Wisconsin 4th Graders” is now open. School principals, 4th-grade teachers and 4th-grade homeschool parents are encouraged to visit the DNR’s tree planting webpage to order seedlings for Wisconsin 4th-grade students.

The seedlings will be shipped next spring in time for Arbor Day celebrations.  They come with a plastic bag for protection and instructions on how to plant and care for them. Planting a seedling and watching it grow can be a great learning tool for students. Find ideas for planning an Arbor Day celebration on this DNR webpage.

If you have any questions about the free seedling program for Wisconsin 4th-graders, please contact Carey Skerven at the Griffith State Nursery (Carey.Skerven@wisconsin.gov).

Urban Wildlife Management Grants Available

Posted on by kirsten.biefeld

Applications for the Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control Grant are open. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1.

Municipalities in an eligible urban area can apply. The grant provides a 50% cost share with a maximum award of $5,000.

Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control (UWDAC) Grants help urban areas develop wildlife plans and implement specific damage abatement and/or control measures for white-tailed deer and/or Canada geese. Continue reading “Urban Wildlife Management Grants Available” →

 ISA 2022 International Conference Registration Open

Posted on by kirsten.biefeld

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is hosting its 3rd Annual International Virtual Conference on Dec. 13-14. Join ISA for this engaging and compelling virtual event and take advantage of the opportunity to network with colleagues, businesses and arboricultural professionals worldwide.

This year’s virtual event provides a lineup of on-demand educational breakout sessions led by industry leaders from around the globe, sharing their thoughts and views about research, practice and technology. Continue reading ” ISA 2022 International Conference Registration Open” →

Ambrosia Beetles Attack Sugar Maple Regeneration

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

This summer, the Forest Health Lab received sugar maple seedlings with brownish yellow leaves, which were sent by a Waukesha County landowner who observed many understory sugar maple seedlings and saplings quickly turning brown throughout the summer. This mortality continued until the end of September. The landowner wanted to know why these plants were dead and dying.

Seeding with yellow leaves surrounded by green seedlings.

Affected seedlings exhibit yellow and brown leaves. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

Continue reading “Ambrosia Beetles Attack Sugar Maple Regeneration” →

Don’t Dump Your Garden Waste

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Jaqi Christopher, DNR Forest Invasive Plant Specialist, Rhinelander, Jacquelyn.christopher@wisconsin.gov

When cleaning up your garden this fall, be sure to dispose of yard waste properly. Not only is dumping on public lands illegal, but it is harmful to the environment.

A large pile of pine needles, leaves and branches dumped along the forest edge.

This garden waste was dumped along an ATV trail in a state forest and can be a pathway for invasive plants and diseases that affect our public lands. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

Continue reading “Don’t Dump Your Garden Waste” →

Attention Hunters: Help Slow The Spread Of Invasive Species!

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Jaqi Christopher, DNR Forest Invasive Plant Specialist, Rhinelander, Jacquelyn.christopher@wisconsin.gov

With the dropping temperatures and changing leaves, it’s beginning to feel like fall hunting season.

While you travel across the state to check hunting spots or tend to food plots, look for unwanted hitchhikers on your clothing and equipment. Seeds from invasive plants like garlic mustard, tansy and spotted knapweed can travel far distances in the mud on your vehicle, trailer, ATV, shoes and clothing.

Two women on either side of a mud-covered black truck with gear and a black dog in tow prepare for a day of duck hunting.

Inspecting and cleaning vehicles, equipment, gear and pets before and after recreating can help slow the spread of invasive species. Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR

Continue reading “Attention Hunters: Help Slow The Spread Of Invasive Species!” →

Twolined Chestnut Borer Attacks On The Rise

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920

Twolined chestnut borer (TLCB) attacks on oak trees have increased in numerous Wisconsin counties, with decline and associated mortality in the last two growing seasons, most noticeably since August.

Symptoms of infestation by this native beetle are initially seen in mid-July on the outer portions of branches in the upper crown. Leaves begin to fade from green to yellow to red. Within a matter of weeks, they turn brown and remain on the branches for weeks to months. Their foliage may also appear sparse or completely bare (Fig. 1).

Trees with twolined chestnut borer symptoms

Figure 1. Northern red oaks with symptoms of twolined chestnut borer, ranging from crown thinning and leaf chlorosis like the tree on the left (early stage) to dead top branches like the tree on the right (intermediate stage). Photo: Wisconsin DNR

Continue reading “Twolined Chestnut Borer Attacks On The Rise” →

Moving Firewood Can Spread Invasive Species

Posted on by brenna.denamur
An image of an insect walking away from burning firewood in a forest with the caption, “Buy it where you burn it.”

Don’t Move Firewood, The Nature Conservancy

October is Firewood Month! Help prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases by buying firewood where you burn it.

Firewood Scout can help you find local firewood for sale.

See the DNR website for more information on invasive species and forest health. Continue reading “Moving Firewood Can Spread Invasive Species” →