Now is the time to sign up for Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K! Run, walk or roll to support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks. The program was started in 2019 when Bob Ross Inc. partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to raise awareness of and money for tree planting and has since expanded to 13 states. Continue reading “Run For The Trees”
Care for your woods
Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching
Volunteers at a garlic mustard-pulling event on the Montreal River in Iron County, part of a control project planned by a previous WMA-PFGP recipient. / Photo Credit: Ramona Shackleford, Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area
By Wisconsin DNR
The April 1 application deadline for Weed Management Area-Private Forest Grant Program (WMA-PFGP) grants is coming up. There is still time to apply for funding to help you control invasive plants on your forested land in 2025.
Controlling invasive plants on your forested property can be a challenging and costly endeavor. WMA-PFGP grants help to make this process a little easier for its recipients.
Continue reading “Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching”
Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses
Large egg masses are seen on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh;
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942
It might be a bit chilly these days, but spring is coming. When the weather warms up, the annual return of spongy moth caterpillars will begin.
There’s a way for landowners to make a dent in the population of the hungry caterpillars: Get out now to locate and properly dispose of spongy moth egg masses, produced by adult moths last summer.
Continue reading “Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses”
What Are Those White Fluffies On Trees?
Lots of beech scale, covered in white wool, makes this tree’s bark look fluffy. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
Last month, we introduced readers to the woolly alder aphid, which is easier to spot in the winter as the insects congregate on alder branches and grow strands of white, waxy material to cover themselves for winter.
But there are other white, fluffy things that you might notice on tree bark or branches as well.
Beech scale, the insect associated with beech bark disease, is covered in white wool and remains on the tree throughout the winter. In areas with high beech scale populations, the beech trees can be so white with insects that the bark looks white, like a birch.
Register Now For The WAA/DNR Annual Conference, Feb. 16 – 18. 2025
What: 60+ Years of Enhancing the Urban Forests in Wisconsin 
When: Feb. 16-18, 2025
Where: Hyatt & KI Convention Center – Green Bay, WI
Green Bay can’t wait for arborists to return for the WAA and Wisconsin DNR Annual Winter Conference! The program committee outdid themselves again with this year’s lineup. Continue reading “Register Now For The WAA/DNR Annual Conference, Feb. 16 – 18. 2025”
Grant Opportunities
Great Lake Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
The Great Lake Thriving Communities Grantmaking Partnership will distribute $40 million to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region. All grants will be given to environmental and public health efforts in underserved communities across Region 5 as defined by EPA. Continue reading “Grant Opportunities”
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.
Below is information on the online Arborist Certification study group, Climate Adaptation Planning series, Extension Landscape and Grounds Maintenance workshops and Woody Species Management training. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”
Make Plans Now To Fight Spongy Moth In 2025
Large egg masses are seen on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942
Part Two of a report on spongy moth in Wisconsin in 2024 and 2025. Part One was published in December.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging property owners to examine their property for spongy moth egg masses and plan for action this spring if needed. Each spongy moth egg mass contains hundreds of eggs that will hatch into hungry, leaf-eating caterpillars this spring. Large numbers of these invasive caterpillars can be a tremendous nuisance that may cause tree mortality.
Continue reading “Make Plans Now To Fight Spongy Moth In 2025”
It’s A Good Time To Work On Oak Trees
Winter is an ideal time to perform pruning and trimming work on oak leaves. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
Winter is an ideal time to perform trimming, cutting and brush removal work on and near oak trees.
For one thing, it’s a low-risk period for the trees to be infected with oak wilt, a fungal disease spread by beetles. When a red oak is infected with oak wilt, it will die that year; the disease also stresses trees in the white oak group, often fatal with bur oaks and swamp white oaks.
Woodpecker Flecking On Ash Means EAB
Woodpecker flecking on green ash and white ash, from birds feeding on emerald ash borer larvae, will often be extensive and very noticeable. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
Ash trees that are flecked by woodpeckers will have the outer layers of their bark chipped off by the birds. Woodpeckers do this to punch through the remaining bark more easily to get at the tasty emerald ash borer (EAB) larvae living there.
Flecking usually starts at the top of the tree, providing a sure sign that insects are under the bark. Although the problem could be caused by ash bark beetles, the more common culprit is EAB.