Columbian Timber Beetle Fact Sheet Debuts

Photo showing staining, in the shape of a many-pointed star, evident in the cut ends of silver maple logs.

Staining, in the shape of a many-pointed star, is evident in the cut ends of silver maple logs. / Photo Credit: Chris Firgens, Oconto County Forest

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

Columbian timber beetle (Corthylus columbianus) is an ambrosia beetle native to the eastern United States.

In Wisconsin, we have had reports of Columbian Timber Beetle (CTB) attacking silver maple in the northeastern and lakeshore areas of the state, dating back to the early 1990s. The insects have caused significant staining from repeated attacks. In southern Wisconsin, CTB can attack oaks to a lesser degree, including bur, northern red and white oak.

Continue reading “Columbian Timber Beetle Fact Sheet Debuts”

Japanese Stilt Grass History StoryMap Debuts

The main page of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' new StoryMap on Japanese Stilt Grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest.

The main page of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ new StoryMap on Japanese Stilt Grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest. / Graphic Credit: Carter Hellenbrand, Wisconsin DNR

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health program has created a new StoryMap documenting the history of Japanese stilt grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest in La Crosse County.

Users will be able to see an overview of Japanese stilt grass, how to identify it and what control efforts have been implemented since this plant was discovered in 2020.

Continue reading “Japanese Stilt Grass History StoryMap Debuts”

UW-Madison’s Raffa Talks Trees’ Natural Defenses

Photo of Ken Raffa, professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology.

Ken Raffa, professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology. / Photo Credit: University of Wisconsin-Madison

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Do you pity the poor tree, forced to stand defenseless against the ravages of insect pests, fungi and disease?

Then, you have not listened to Dr. Ken Raffa discuss the impressive natural defenses trees have developed.

Raffa, a professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Entomology Department, recently appeared on Proforest Podforest podcast to discuss the topic “Inside the Tree’s Natural Defense.”

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Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Forest Health specialists with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are booked to give public presentations during May.

The list of events that are open to the public: Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances”

Humble Holiday Keeps On Growing

By Andi Sedlacek, DNR Communications Director
Andrea.Sedlacek@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-3032

*To read more articles like this, check out the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine online.

A simple idea, to celebrate planting trees, and it’s grown into a national holiday: Arbor Day.

Arbor Day’s roots began in the late 1800s in Nebraska where, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, residents of Nebraska City felt a lack of trees in their community. The secretary of the Nebraska Territory at the time, J. Sterling Morton, proposed a statewide tree-planting holiday, and on April 10, 1872, the first Arbor Day was celebrated. Continue reading “Humble Holiday Keeps On Growing”

Resources to Help Urban Foresters Set And Meet Tree Diversity Goals

By Shahla Werner, Urban Forestry Council Member and Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Plant Protection Section Manager

Urban foresters are increasingly aware of the importance of tree species, age and size diversity to ensure resilient tree canopy and all the associated benefits in their communities. The 20-10-5 rule, which specifies that no more than 20% of trees planted should be from one family, no more than 10% from one genus and no more than 5% from one species (including cultivars), can be helpful in setting tree diversity goals. Applying these guidelines can provide urban forests some protection against huge losses caused by invasive forest pests. Continue reading “Resources to Help Urban Foresters Set And Meet Tree Diversity Goals”

Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)

For the last few years, our urban forestry team has been writing social media posts for Wisconsin communities to post during Arbor Week. We encourage you to use social media to celebrate the many benefits of trees and inform the public about the importance of tree care.

Feel free to use the suggested messages provided below or develop your own creative tree campaign. We encourage you to use pictures of local trees in your posts to inspire community members to get out and explore the forest outside their door. Continue reading “Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)”

Upcoming Trainings

*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 information on trainings about wood products, urban forest wildfire response, emerald ash borer (EAB), invasive plants and the educational resource of the month. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”

2025 DNR Spongy Moth Spray Plans Announced

Photo showing an airplane spraying pesticide over trees at Devils Lake State Park in Sauk County to help in the control of spongy moth caterpillars.

An airplane sprays pesticide over trees at Devils Lake State Park in Sauk County to help in the control of spongy moth caterpillars. / Photo Credit: Sue Johansen, Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has finalized aerial spraying plans for its 2025 Spongy Moth Suppression Program, with maps for the five selected treatment areas available online.

The treatment sites are at three state parks in Juneau, Marinette and Sauk counties that are highly valued for their recreational use. A total of 544 acres of trees will be treated with an aerial spray of “Foray” bacterial insecticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki.

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