Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
* 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 training on urban forestry basics, tree risk fundamentals in Spanish, plant diseases and pests, invasive species, student apprenticeships, nut trees and other urban forestry resources. Continue reading “Upcoming Training”
A putty knife, plastic knife or similar object can be used to gently scrape spongy moth egg masses into a cup of soapy water. The water can be discarded after two days. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov
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 “Look For Spongy Moth Egg Masses And Take Action”
* 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 shade trees, fruit trees, chainsaw certification, tree diseases and pests, pruning and public perspectives on trees. Continue reading “Upcoming Training”
By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675
To best answer the titular question, I like to start by flipping the question on its head: When is the worst time to prune trees?
To answer this reworded question, we first need to acknowledge that “pruning is wounding.” Anytime you cut off a living portion of a tree, you are doing two main things:
* 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 diseases and treatments, pest management, landscaping, career advancement, invasive species, pruning, volunteer management, new research, partnerships and developing an urban forest management plan. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”
By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced Urban Forestry Grant Program recipients for the 2026 grant year. The program helps fund projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy.
The Urban Forestry Grant Program is distributing almost $550,000 in grant funds. A dollar-for-dollar match puts the total estimated cost of these projects over $1.2 million. In total, 38 applications were selected to receive funding, with awards ranging from $2,128 to $25,000. Continue reading “2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced”
By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the recipients of the Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants to assist with damage sustained during severe storms that took place Aug. 9, 2025. Catastrophic storm grants range from $4,000 to $50,000 and do not require a dollar-for-dollar match. Grant funding was distributed among the following three communities: Continue reading “DNR Announces Catastrophic Storm Grant Recipients”
By Tom Jerow, Rhinelander City Forester
View of the same street before and after urban forestry efforts.
The City of Rhinelander, like many communities with populations under 10,000, has struggled to maintain a vibrant urban forestry program. Funding and staffing are its main challenges. The city also faces a variety of urban forestry issues, including pests and diseases, species diversity, community engagement, catastrophic ice storms and aging sewer and water infrastructure. The latter is one of the most significant challenges. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Rhinelander — How One Small Community Is Making Urban Forestry A Priority”
By Tim Shively, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Timothy.Shively@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-6974
A white pine blister rust canker as seen on a young white pine tree. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) has historically held great ecological, cultural and economic value throughout Wisconsin, a tradition which continues today. For more than 100 years, however, it has been threatened by a non-native, invasive fungal pathogen called Cronartium ribicola, or white pine blister rust (WPBR).
Continue reading “White Pine Blister Rust Can Devastate Young Stands”
Woodpecker flecking on the bark of a dying ash tree is visible at Winnebago County Community Park in Oshkosh. Flecking occurs when the birds peck away at the trees to feed on emerald ash borer larvae beneath the bark. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages property owners to watch for woodpecker damage to their ash trees this winter.
Woodpecker damage, often called “flecking,” happens when birds peck away some of a tree’s bark to access the larvae underneath. Flecking is a common early sign that an ash tree might be infested with emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect. EAB is the most damaging threat to Wisconsin trees, killing more than 99% of the untreated ash trees it infests.
