Best Management Practices

Urban Forestry Fall Workshop: Tree Resilience: Planting, Pruning And Care

Posted on by janness
pruners

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

This Urban Forestry workshop is brought to you by UW-Madison Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Join us to learn about tree biology and the standards of care that have been developed by the American National Standards Institute to help get trees off to a great start. Led by Rich Hauer, Director of Urban Forestry at Eocene Environmental Group, we will build on tree biology to discuss pruning and planting methods to optimize tree health.

This day-long workshop begins with a morning classroom session covering:

  • Biological Basis of Tree Action
  • Terms, Technology and Standards of Care Best Management Practices
  • Tree Planting, Growth and Longevity Proper Tree Pruning

Continue reading “Urban Forestry Fall Workshop: Tree Resilience: Planting, Pruning And Care” →

Growing A Climate‑Ready, Wildlife‑Friendly Urban Forest In Eau Claire: CTMI Project

Posted on by janness

By Jane Mohler

Trees in Eau Claire

Trees flank the pedestrian High Bridge Trail in Eau Claire. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

As co‑chair of the Chippewa Valley Biodiversity Partnership and a member of the Eau Claire Urban Forest Board, I joined the 2025-26 Wisconsin DNR Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI) to expand my skillset and take advantage of networking opportunities. CTMI is an advanced training course designed specifically for people responsible for urban forest management who do not have a degree/formal training in urban forestry and/or would like to hone their leadership and management skills. This program culminates in a final project utilizing the skills and knowledge gained throughout the 38 hours of instruction.

The shared goal was simple and urgent: help Eau Claire grow an urban forest that can handle a changing climate while supporting birds, pollinators and people for decades to come. We saw a quiet but powerful opportunity in the city’s Recommended Tree List. This “go‑to” list guides what gets planted along streets, in new subdivisions, around schools and in parks—and therefore, what our canopy will look like 30–50 years from now. Updating this list with climate and biodiversity in mind became the focus of my CTMI project. Continue reading “Growing A Climate‑Ready, Wildlife‑Friendly Urban Forest In Eau Claire: CTMI Project” →

Hydrate Your Trees As Well As Your Body!

Posted on by janness

By: Kevin Sayers, sayersk@michigan.gov or 517-582-3209 or Lawrence Law, LawL1@michigan.gov or  313-316-4137

boy watering a spruce tree

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

You don’t go anywhere in summer without your water bottle, right? In hot weather, your trees may need a drink, too, especially if they’re recently planted.

“When it’s hot and dry outside, your trees may suffer if they are not getting at least an inch of rain each week,” said Kevin Sayers, Urban and Community Forestry Program manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Watering your trees during hot, dry spells can go a long way toward keeping them healthy.”

Deciduous trees – those that lose their leaves in fall – show drought stress through curling or drooping leaves. Leaves may “scorch,” or turn brown at the edges, fall off early or exhibit early fall color. Evergreen needles may turn yellow, then red or brown. Continue reading “Hydrate Your Trees As Well As Your Body!” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness
group learning about trees outside

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

See below for information on training topics and events, including planting, urban forestry risks, invasive species, tree selection, emergency response, tree biology, climbing and several upcoming conferences. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

Community Spotlight: Manitowoc’s Multifaceted Replanting Strategy

Posted on by janness

By Patricia Lindquist, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Patricia.Lindquist@wisconsin.gov or 715-574-1314

Parks staff Dave Blohowiak and Dawson Boettcher plant a quaking aspen at Fleetwood Park. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

As a long-time Tree City USA (43 years) and frequent Growth Award recipient (14 years in a row!), Manitowoc has a deep-rooted tradition of supporting urban forestry. After the emerald ash borer was detected in Manitowoc County in 2016, the city redoubled its efforts. Hundreds of dead and declining ash trees have been removed, and thousands of diverse, pest- and disease-resistant trees have been planted to replace the lost canopy.

Manitowoc utilizes a variety of programs, methods and funding sources to plant trees. Read on to learn more about their creative, multifaceted replanting strategy. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Manitowoc’s Multifaceted Replanting Strategy” →

Students Graduate From The Community Tree Management Institute

Posted on by janness

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

a group of people examining tree leavesCongratulations to the latest class of Wisconsin Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI) graduates! The CTMI wrapped up its sixth cohort mid-June.

CTMI is an advanced training course designed specifically for people responsible for urban forest management who do not have a degree and/or experience in urban forestry. Conversely, they may have technical skills but lack leadership and management experience.

Over six days of intensive training, students acquired the knowledge and skills needed to manage municipal trees and green space. Their exposure to various teaching perspectives gave them a well-rounded 38-hour training experience. The retreat-like setting created by the small class size and interactive learning curriculum reinforced the focus on support-network development with other students, staff and instructors. The capstone of the institute required each student to complete an applied project that benefited their community by utilizing their new skills and knowledge. Continue reading “Students Graduate From The Community Tree Management Institute” →

How Big Will My Tree Get?

Posted on by janness

By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675

This is one of my least favorite questions to get as an urban forester/arborist; it’s right up there with “how old is my tree?” The reason I despise this question is not because it is a bad question, but rather it is a complex one. A question that often requires much more discussion than the person who asked it is looking for… Continue reading “How Big Will My Tree Get?” →

When Can I Prune That Elm Tree?

Posted on by janness

By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675

Most urban foresters and arborists are aware of the historical significance of Dutch elm disease (DED). Introduced to the United States in the 1930s, this deadly fungus wreaked havoc on urban and rural forests throughout the United States. In many ways, DED was the impetus for many of the best practices of urban forestry we see today, such as species diversification and modern plant health care practices.

Likewise, most urban forest practitioners understand DED is still very much prevalent today, and if they are managing any lingering American elms, they know they can help decrease their susceptibility to the disease by not actively pruning or wounding them during the growing season. Pruning these elms during the growing season attracts bark beetles, which can carry thousands of DED fungal spores on their bodies. But elm is a complex genus; there are over 30 different species of elm and hundreds (if not thousands) of hybrids and cultivars in the landscape. So, which of these species and cultivars can you prune during the growing season, and which shall you not? Continue reading “When Can I Prune That Elm Tree?” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness
group of adult learning to identify trees

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

See below for information on training topics and events, including biopesticides, invasives, urban trees and fire, tree diseases, ecological restoration, safety and woodland trees and management. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

Cooperative Enlists Public To Make Tree Health A Snap

Posted on by akabelowsky
A worker speaks with colleagues in a forested area.

Dr. Scott O’Donnell, center, a forest geneticist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Economics and Ecology section, updates members of the DNR Forest Health team on upcoming genetic projects at an orchard near Lake Tomahawk in Hazelhurst during the Forest Health team’s summer meeting on May 25, 2024. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

It takes more than a village to foster healthy forests. More than a township, a city and a county, too. Sometimes, even more than a state.

That’s why the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Cooperative (GLB FHC) was formed five years ago by Holden Arboretum in Ohio and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Geographically, the group’s region encompasses an area from New Jersey to Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is an active member.

Continue reading “Cooperative Enlists Public To Make Tree Health A Snap” →