By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
Forest Health specialists with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are booked to give public presentations during May.
The list of events that are open to the public: Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances”
By Andi Sedlacek, DNR Communications Director
Andrea.Sedlacek@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-3032
*To read more articles like this, check out the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine online.
A simple idea, to celebrate planting trees, and it’s grown into a national holiday: Arbor Day.
Arbor Day’s roots began in the late 1800s in Nebraska where, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, residents of Nebraska City felt a lack of trees in their community. The secretary of the Nebraska Territory at the time, J. Sterling Morton, proposed a statewide tree-planting holiday, and on April 10, 1872, the first Arbor Day was celebrated. Continue reading “Humble Holiday Keeps On Growing”
For the last few years, our urban forestry team has been writing social media posts for Wisconsin communities to post during Arbor Week. We encourage you to use social media to celebrate the many benefits of trees and inform the public about the importance of tree care.
Feel free to use the suggested messages provided below or develop your own creative tree campaign. We encourage you to use pictures of local trees in your posts to inspire community members to get out and explore the forest outside their door. Continue reading “Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)”
Avoid creating infestations of invasive plants — such as this huge patch of garlic mustard — on your wooded properties; don’t transport or plant aggressive spreaders as you head up north this summer. / Photo Credit: Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org
By Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Hitchhiking invasive plants, insects and pathogens are worthy of concern.
As you dream of days spent at the cabin up north, planting your garden or wandering in the woods, here are a few reminders to help you avoid bringing hitchhiking invasives along as you enjoy your spring and summer activities.
Oak decline and mortality at Big Foot Beach State Park in 2024. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
Oak decline and mortality continue to be an issue in Wisconsin, and because of the recent droughts and spongy moth outbreak, we expect these impacts to become more widespread this summer.
Forest decline is the progressive loss of tree and stand vigor and health over several years without obvious evidence of a single causal factor. Typically, trees die in a scattered fashion across a large area over several years. The additional stress from defoliation can result in pockets of heavy oak mortality, particularly on dry, sandy sites and steep, rocky ridges and hills.
Continue reading “Watch For Oak Decline And Mortality This Summer”
By Jenn Janness, DNR Urban Forestry Outreach Specialist
Jennipher.Janness@wisconsin.gov or 715-815-7173
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council presents annual awards for furthering urban forestry in the state.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council recently announced its annual awards honoring those dedicated to protecting, preserving and increasing the number of trees that line city streets, fill community parks and beautify neighborhoods throughout the state.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council advises the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on managing urban and community forest resources.
“Each year, these awards remind me of how special the people are in our industry and the numerous accomplishments they fulfill,” said Lee Fredericks, Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council Award Committee Chair. “Whether they are taking on projects to expand their leadership, involving the next generation of arborists or advancing species diversity in the urban forest canopy, the state as a whole truly benefits.”
This year’s recipients were announced at the 2025 Wisconsin Arborist Association/DNR Urban Forestry Conference in Green Bay. The categories and winners are: Continue reading “Wisconsin Tree Leaders Recognized For Exceptional Community Service”
By Jay Weiss, Cambridge Tree Project Executive Director
When the Cambridge Tree Project launched nearly 20 years ago, urban tree growth and survival data were nearly impossible to find. In response, I began tracking the trees my nonprofit donated to the Village of Cambridge to assess their performance.
To date, I have records for 1,375 trees planted throughout Cambridge and have taken nearly 9,000 annual tree growth measurements. This dataset, known as the Cambridge Tree Trials, is openly shared for educational purposes in the form of annual updates emailed to over 450 forestry professionals across America. To be added to the distribution list, email jay@cambridgetreeproject.org. Continue reading “Cambridge Tree Trials”
By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578
The Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Urban Forestry program cohosted their annual conference on Feb. 16-18 in Green Bay. One of the preeminent events in arboriculture and urban forestry, the gathering brought together hundreds of people from the private, public, nonprofit and academic sectors to network and share knowledge about urban forest management.
This year was a record-breaker: 946 attendees, the highest mark ever. Data was also compiled regarding organizational affiliations of attendees this year. Continue reading “WAA/DNR Conference, Another Huge Success!”
Carefully scraping spongy moth egg masses off trees and into a cup of soapy water will help to hold down caterpillar damage in 2025. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages property owners to examine their trees for spongy moth egg masses and determine whether control measures are needed this spring.
Property owners who have oak, birch, crabapple, aspen, willow and linden (basswood) trees should be particularly watchful because the caterpillars of this invasive insect prefer these species. However, they will feed on many other kinds of trees and shrubs.
Continue reading “DNR Urges Spring Spongy Moth Treatment Plans”
Pruning, cutting, or wounding oaks during April through July leaves them vulnerable to oak wilt. / Photo Credit: Paul Cigan, Wisconsin DNR
By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920
With warmer spring weather fast approaching, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends protecting oaks from the often-fatal disease, oak wilt, by refraining from pruning, cutting or injuring oak trees from April through July.
Oak wilt is a serious disease that kills trees in the red oak group (including pin oak, northern red oak and black oak) and weakens those in the white oak group (bur oak, swamp white oak, white oak and English oak).
Continue reading “Spring Brings Opportunities To Protect Oak Trees”
