Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting urban forestry projects in Wisconsin can now apply for a regular or startup 2026 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry grant. The total 2026 available funding is $559,680, with a possible release of $139,920 of catastrophic storm reserve to fund a second round in March 2026. Continue reading “2026 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Now Open”
Care for your woods
Invasive Species – Fall Workshops
By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the UW-Madison Division of Extension to host a series of fall workshops on invasive species plant identification and management. Learn about invasive plants in urban settings, focusing on identification, impacts, management and available resources. Dr. Mark Renz (professor and Extension specialist with UW-Madison) will lead the instruction, with Travis Wilson, Matt Wallrath and John Zabrosky assisting. Each workshop will include morning classroom instruction followed by hands-on field demonstrations in the afternoon. The cost of the workshop is $40 and includes lunch. Continue reading “Invasive Species – Fall Workshops”
Collaborative Reforestation – Sheboygan Area School District
By Tony Fessler, Co-Coordinator – Restoration Of Our Trees Sheboygan, www.sheboyganrotary.com or 920-946-6770.
Photo Credit: Tony Fessler
A collaborative urban reforestation project involving the Sheboygan Area School District, the Sheboygan Rotary Club Restoration of our Trees Sheboygan (ROOTS) and the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) completed a second major milestone on May 10, 2025. This first-of-its-kind urban reforestation collaboration was initiated in 2024 through a matching $25,000 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry Grant to ROOTS and LNRP. Continue reading “Collaborative Reforestation – Sheboygan Area School District”
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 training topics, including biochar, advanced arboriculture, selecting resilient tree species, The National Urban Tree Canopy Application, invasive species, wildlife and educational resources. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”
New Forest Health Specialists Take To The Woods
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
It’s time for River Mathieu and Tim Shively to put all their education and research to work.
Mathieu and Shively are the newest additions to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health team. Both started on June 30, filling Forest Health Specialist vacancies.
Continue reading “New Forest Health Specialists Take To The Woods”
Tan Tamaracks? It Could Be Larch Casebearer
Severe defoliation of a tamarack tree by larch casebearer shows most needles mined out by the larvae. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
If you’ve noticed tamarack trees with tan or light-brown foliage, you’re probably seeing the work of the larch casebearer.
As foliage began to expand this spring, the caterpillars of this invasive moth became active and began to feed. The tiny caterpillars mine out the needles of tamarack and use them as “cases” to protect themselves, hence their name.
Continue reading “Tan Tamaracks? It Could Be Larch Casebearer”
Maple Petiole Borer Sawfly Causing Leaf Drop
Prematurely fallen sugar maple leaves with normal appearance except for characteristic darkened petiole stubs caused from feeding damage of the maple petiole borer. / Photo Credit: Paul Cigan, Wisconsin DNR
By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920
Fallen maple leaves have been observed under Wisconsin maple trees since late May.
The fallen leaves are typically of normal shape, size and color, but have a darkened petiole stub (i.e., leaf stem) remaining. A closer examination of the petiole may reveal a hollow feeding tunnel containing tiny larvae of the insect responsible for the damage inside: the maple petiole borer.
Continue reading “Maple Petiole Borer Sawfly Causing Leaf Drop”
Anthracnose Infecting Hardwood Leaves
Ash leaves infected with anthracnose. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
and Abby Krause, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Abigail.Krause@wisconsin.gov
Anthracnose is a common disease of hardwood trees during cool, wet spring seasons. Some parts of Wisconsin have been cooler and wetter than others this spring, so anthracnose damage may be patchy.
Ash, maple, white oak, sycamore and walnut are the most impacted tree species. Each species has its own species of anthracnose that infects it, but if weather conditions are right, then we tend to see damage on multiple species.
DNR Debuts Fact Sheet On White Grubs
A white grub feeds on a root. / Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
White grubs, the larvae of Wisconsin’s native May/June beetles (Phyllophaga spp.), can cause significant damage to forest plantings.
To help those who plan to plant seedlings and saplings, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Forest Health team has produced a fact sheet on white grubs, aimed specifically at forest plantings.
Yellow Needles On White Pine This Spring
Current-year white pine needles emerge among yellow needles that show spots and banding. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
In North Central Wisconsin, some Eastern white pine had needles that turned a bright yellow color in early June, then quickly dropped from the trees by the end of June.
These trees will now look rather thin throughout the summer, until new foliage can fully expand and start to fill in the crown. Most damage has been noted in Oneida and Vilas counties, with scattered instances in other counties. Continue reading “Yellow Needles On White Pine This Spring”