Are you responsible for tree care in your community? If so, please complete this survey to share the story of trees in your community. You can be an integral part of a 50-year data collection effort comparing tree activities across the country. Continue reading “Community Tree Care And Management Survey”
Care for your woods
Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement And Control Grants Now Open
Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control grants help urban areas develop wildlife plans, implement specific damage abatement and/or control measures for white-tailed deer and/or Canada geese. They are available to any town, city, village, county or tribal government with a population density of not less than 125 persons per square mile. This grant provides a 50% cost share up to $5,000 for eligible costs. The application deadline is Dec. 1.
DNR Tree And Shrub Seedling Sales To Begin Oct. 6
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting seedling orders from Wisconsin landowners for trees and shrubs to be planted in spring 2026, starting Oct. 6, 2025.
Wisconsin forest nurseries have provided high-quality, native tree seedlings, appropriate for planting throughout Wisconsin, for over 100 years. Seedlings grown at the state nurseries are used for reforestation and conservation plantings on private, industrial, tribal and public lands. Continue reading “DNR Tree And Shrub Seedling Sales To Begin Oct. 6”
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 and events, including tree management and planning, urban tree diversity, root pruning, invasive species, urban wood, evergreen diseases, EHAP, the TRAQ program and fall foliage. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”
Autumn Is A Great Time To Treat Invasive Plants
By Wisconsin DNR
Rosettes on a garlic mustard plant. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
As temperatures begin to fall the leaves of many plants and trees have begun to change color. Some trees in the northern part of the state have already started to drop their leaves.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public that fall is more than a great time to enjoy the changing hues in the woods. It also presents a good opportunity to spot the invasive plants persisting among the native plants and trees.
Continue reading “Autumn Is A Great Time To Treat Invasive Plants”
Upcoming Urban Forestry Grant Deadlines
Reminder: 2026 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Applications Due Oct. 1, 2025
Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting their project in Wisconsin are encouraged to apply for a regular or startup 2026 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry Grant.
The grants range from $1,000 to $25,000, and grant recipients must match each grant dollar for dollar. A startup grant of up to $5,000 is available for communities that want to start or restart a community forestry program. Grants are awarded to projects that align with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy and the benefits it provides. These grants do not subsidize routine forestry activities. In total, $559,680 is currently available in regular and startup grant funding for 2026.
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 and events, including utilizing urban wood, leadership in urban forestry, retaining mature trees, the Women’s Rec & Safety Climb, the WAA Fall Seminar, electrical hazards, climate change, tree pathology and diseases and urban forestry public awareness materials.
Oak Leaf Issues That Are Not Oak Wilt
Oak wilt leaf symptoms on a red oak leaf often show browning on the outer portions of the leaf while the base of the leaf will still have some normal green color. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
Oak wilt symptoms are active right now, but so are several other oak issues that may be mistaken for oak wilt.
Issues including Tubakia leaf spot, mite damage and leaf scorch are all causing problems in northern Wisconsin and may be mistaken for oak wilt.
Which Witches’ Broom Is It?
Witches’ broom on serviceberry. The leaves of this infected shrub are dying because of prolific spore production on their undersides. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Tim Shively, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Eau Claire
Tim.Shively@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-6974
Witches’ broom is a term that describes a disease of many different plants. It’s a distinctive, abnormal growth typically caused by a pathogen — though in some cases it can result from insect feeding.
The namesake symptom appears as abnormally dense clusters of stunted shoots, branches, and foliage that strongly resemble a witch’s broom from storybooks and folklore. In Wisconsin, this is not often a critical forest health concern that merits management action, but Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health staff recently observed widespread incidence of two particular witches’ broom diseases.
Save The Date: Feb. 15-17, 2026 – WAA/DNR Annual Urban Forestry Conference
The annual WAA/DNR Urban Forestry Conference will again be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. More information will be available soon! Continue reading “Save The Date: Feb. 15-17, 2026 – WAA/DNR Annual Urban Forestry Conference”