Care for your woods

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” →

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!” →

DNR Participates In Beech Leaf Disease Detection Survey

Posted on by akabelowsky
Map of Wisconsin

A Wisconsin map showing results of a beech leaf disease survey that ran from 2023 to 2026. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Forest Health Communications, Fitchburg;
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov; 608-335-0167

To date, there have been no confirmed discoveries of beech leaf disease (BLD) in Wisconsin landscape, and we are on the lookout for this disease.

The disease is primarily found on American beech (Fagus grandifolia) but can also be found on ornamental species like European, Oriental, and Chinese beech (F. sylvatica, F. orientalis, and F. engleriana). Although it has not yet been found in Wisconsin, recent discoveries of the disease in Michigan and other states highlight the continued importance of monitoring BLD’s expansion.

Continue reading “DNR Participates In Beech Leaf Disease Detection Survey” →

Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances

Posted on by akabelowsky
Two DNR workers discuss tree issues in the forest.

Alex Hornung, Wisconsin DNR Forest Health specialist for Central Wisconsin, discusses the tree disease phomopsis with Chief Forester Heather Berklund during a site visit near Minocqua in July 2026. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Forest Health Communications, Fitchburg;
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Alex Hornung, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Specialist for Central Wisconsin, will discuss oak wilt biology at a workshop this month.

Hornung will take part in a Wisconsin Forestry Center/Wisconsin Natural Resources Foundation workshop on oak wilt biology and management, focused on information for landowners and the public. The discussion will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Schmeeckle Reserve, 2419 N. Point Drive, Stevens Point. She will be joined by Dr. Holly Petrillo, Professor of Forestry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances” →

2027 Urban Forestry Grants Now Open

Posted on by janness

By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099

newly planted trees

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

As of July 1, 2026, 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 2027 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry grant.

Regular Urban Forestry grants range from $1,000 to $25,000 and grant recipients must match each grant dollar for dollar. These grants fund projects that improve a community’s capacity to manage its trees (e.g., management plans, ordinances, staff training, tree board development, inventories and public education) and projects that help conserve, protect, expand or improve the urban forest resource (e.g., planting, hazard tree removal, pest control). Continue reading “2027 Urban Forestry Grants Now Open” →

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

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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” →

First Populations Of Invasive Pale Swallow-wort Confirmed In Wisconsin

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of pale swallow-wort flower cluster.

Pale swallow-wort flowers along the stem at the leaf axils. / Photo Credit: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

By Mackenzie Manicki, DNR Natural Resources Research Scientist

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that the state’s first populations of the invasive vine pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) have been found.

The populations were first detected in Oconto and Shawano counties, within the outskirts of Krakow along the shared county line.

These are the first known populations in the state, making rapid response efforts critical in preventing the establishment of this species in Wisconsin.

Continue reading “First Populations Of Invasive Pale Swallow-wort Confirmed In Wisconsin” →

Forest Health Team Debuts Two New Fact Sheets

Posted on by akabelowsky
An image of the front page of a DNR fact sheet.

The front page of the Wisconsin DNR’s new Forest Health Fact Sheet on oak decline. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team has published two new fact sheets, bringing the total count of its fact sheet offerings to 26.

The new fact sheets:

  • Fall Webworm: DNR Publication FR-622u discusses basic information on the biology of the insect (Hyphantria cunea), its life cycle, potential lookalike caterpillars and management options.
  • Oak Decline: DNR Publication FR-622v covers the tricky topic of oak decline, which is not caused by one distinct forest pest or problem but instead is the result of multiple factors — some predisposing, some inciting and some contributing — that work in combination to cause decline.

The fact sheets are designed in full color, with photos, and are meant to be printed out for reference or to carry into the field. They can also be viewed online. They can be printed on standard letter-sized paper. Most fact sheets are two pages, meant for two-sided printing; a few are four-page documents.

A complete directory of links to all DNR Forest Health fact sheets is available online.

Forest Health Staffers Plan Appearances

Posted on by akabelowsky
Two workers inspecting a tree's leaves.

Mike Hillstrom and Linda Williams of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team look over a tree during a walking tour put on by the Cambridge Tree Project on July 10, 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Mike Hillstrom, Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator for the Wisconsin DNR Forest Health Team, will make a presentation on forest health to the Heartland National Christmas Tree Organizations Convention, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, at Hann’s Christmas Farm, 848 Tipperary Road, Oregon, WI 53575.

Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Appearances” →