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”
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”
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”
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.
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.
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”
By Nicolle R. Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grants Manager; Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099
Beginning July 1, 2025, cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in –or conducting their projects in – Wisconsin can 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 2027. Continue reading “2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced”
By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744
With recent storms passing through Wisconsin, communities may still be working on clean-up. Depending on the intensity of the storms and the condition of the trees, damage from high winds, heavy rainfall, hail and lightning can be quite severe. Cracked or broken branches, trunk damage and root failure are some of the main concerns, but also the risk and liability of damage to people and property. Continue reading “Resources For Storm-Damaged Trees”
Volunteers smile while they spend a busy day pulling garlic mustard from a Wisconsin forested area. Volunteers provide thousands of hours of annual help in the fight against invasive plant species. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Mackenzie Manicki, Wisconsin DNR Invasive Plants Specialist
Mackenzie.Manicki@wisconsin.gov or 608-206-4561
June is Invasive Species Action Month in Wisconsin. This tradition of spreading awareness and taking action began back in 2005.
Twenty years ago, the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council collaborated with partners such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin (IPAW) to hold the first Invasive Species Action Awards, aimed at recognizing and celebrating professional or volunteer groups and individuals that exemplify what it means to make an impact on invasive species.
Continue reading “Take Action On Invasive Species This Month”
By Wisconsin DNR
With 145 invasive plants regulated under Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule NR40, it can be challenging to identify some of these plants while out in the woods.
The task can be further complicated by the presence of native lookalikes – plants that have a similar appearance to harmful invasive species but are actually native plants that benefit wildlife, pollinators and ecosystems in Wisconsin.
Continue reading “Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know”
