Urban Forestry Council Highlights: Departing Members, Urban Forestry Updates, Awards

Posted on by patricialindquist

Wisconsin DNR Division of Forestry thanks departing Urban Forestry Council members Marla Eddy, Mark Freberg, August Hoppe and Gail Sumi for their time and dedication to the council. Pictured above are August Hoppe (far left), Heather Berklund, Wisconsin State Forester (left middle), Gail Sumi (right middle) and Mark Freberg (far right).

The Urban Forestry Council met on June 22, 2022, for the first in-person meeting since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was a bittersweet mix of saying goodbyes to departing council members, sharing exciting updates and voting on new council member recommendations. DNR forestry staff provided updates about the newly released Urban Forestry Economic Report, grant overview and general updates and highlights.

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Launch of New Strategic Plan

Posted on by Kirsten Held

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has begun implementation of a new forestry strategic plan for fiscal years 2023-2027.

The Division of Forestry’s Strategic Direction is a five-year plan that builds off of the Wisconsin forestry community’s 10-year Statewide Forest Action Plan. Tying into that plan allowed the division to define tangible strategies and actions that support the broader vision for the sustainable management of Wisconsin’s forest resources.

Find the new plan and learn more about the process used to develop it by visiting FY2023-2027 Strategic Direction.

Summer Of Spongy Moth

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Andrea Diss-Torrance, Invasive Insects Program Coordinator, Madison, Andrea.DissTorrance.wisconsin.gov

Spongy moth* (formerly known as gypsy moth) populations are entering an outbreak phase in southern Wisconsin due to last year’s dry, hot weather. This pest is rising most rapidly in oak-dominated areas, especially in landscaped spaces with turf and high human activity (i.e., parks, picnic areas, campgrounds and yards). This open ground and human disturbance deter spongy moth’s predators and diseases.

Large, defoliated yard trees along road in neighborhood.

Oak trees are more vulnerable to defoliation in disturbance-heavy environments. These oak trees in Middleton, Wisconsin are facing heavy defoliation by spongy moth. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

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Catastrophic Hail Injury To Trees In Northwest Wisconsin

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

Conifer and hardwood trees have begun showing more apparent and often substantial signs and symptoms of damage from a severe hailstorm that spread across several northwestern Wisconsin counties on May 9, 2022.

The storm produced golf ball-size hailstones and high-speed winds causing catastrophic injury to tree branches and stems, in addition to defoliation. Few tree species were spared in its path. The heaviest impact occurred in northeastern Polk County, where defoliation of aspen and black locust reached nearly 100%, and pine exceeded 90% (Fig. 1). Red and white oaks show more moderate damage.

Aspen trees nearly entirely defoliated.

Figure 1. Polk County had nearly 100% defoliation from a severe May hailstorm. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

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Giant Hogweed Or Cow Parsnip?

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

Giant hogweed is a large invasive species commonly confused with the native look-alike cow parsnip. Although giant hogweed is uncommon in Wisconsin, it’s important to know the difference between the two.

Person standing with giant hogweed towering over them.

Giant hogweed can invade woodlots and get 8-20 feet tall. Photo Credit: Ramona Shackleford

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20 Year Anniversary Of Emerald Ash Borer Confirmation In North America

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh, bill.mcnee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

Five metallic green beetles against a white background.

Early photo of EAB adults taken in June 2002, prior to the insect species being identified. Photo: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

The beginning of July marked 20 years since we received news of an unidentified beetle that turned out to be the emerald ash borer (EAB), one of North America’s greatest tree killers. On July 1, 2002, DNR forest health staff received an email from USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service about this beetle being associated with declining ash in southeast Michigan:

This is to notify you that in the past few days we have responded to a report of an insect pest feeding on ash in the western suburbs of Detroit. This follows what has been a series of reports of declining ash in this area over the past couple of years. However, in the past we have not been able to associate it with any particular insect or disease. We are now seeing a boring insect emerging from the infested trees in various sites… The adult, which is emerging now, resembles the shape and size of two lined chestnut borer. It is emerald, metallic green in color and leaves a D-shaped exit hole, similar to bronze birch borer… Continue reading “20 Year Anniversary Of Emerald Ash Borer Confirmation In North America” →

Leafroller Charged With Severe Oak Defoliation

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920; Mike Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg, Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov or 608-513-7690; and Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Oak leafrollers feed on leaves and roll/fold them with strands of silk. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

An outbreak of oak leafroller moth, Archips semiferanus, has been observed in many parts of Wisconsin this year. Oak leafrollers are native, early-season defoliators. This year they have consumed and rolled up oak leaves, giving the tree crowns a thin, yellow appearance. Continue reading “Leafroller Charged With Severe Oak Defoliation” →

Lecanium Scale: A Sticky Situation

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

Lecanium scale is popping up in a few areas of Oneida and Vilas counties. These scale insects insert their mouthparts into twigs and suck the sap of the tree. They release honeydew, which can be collected by ants or may coat leaves and anything located under infested trees (i.e., yard furniture or vehicles). Sooty mold can grow on that sticky material and turn things black, so homeowners may want to rinse off the honeydew from outdoor items on a regular basis.

Brown lumps on a twig.

The brown lumps on this stem are lecanium scales. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

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Another Year Of Spruce Budworm Defoliation

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

Spruce budworm is a native insect with periodic outbreaks that defoliate spruce and balsam fir in the Midwest. While these caterpillars have pupated and moths are already emerging to mate and lay eggs, spruce budworm defoliation is now becoming noticeable in northern and central Wisconsin as clipped needles stuck in caterpillar webbing turn rusty red.

Dark colored spruce budworm caterpillar feeding on new balsam fir foliage.

Spruce budworm larvae had webbed together the new growth. Note some clipped needles in the webbing that will turn rusty red in color. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

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