Care for your woods

Call For Urban Forestry Presentations: Due July 1, 2026

Posted on by janness

Wisconsin Arborist Association LogoThe Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) is accepting presentations for the 2027 Annual Conference to be held in Green Bay, WI on Feb. 14-16, 2027. This three-day event attracts approximately 950 attendees including professional arborists, community foresters, nursery professionals, utility workers, park/recreation staff, other green industry professionals, educators and students.

If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please complete the online form. Please make sure that the form is filled out completely to be considered. Continue reading “Call For Urban Forestry Presentations: Due July 1, 2026” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness

 * 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 flowering trees, climbing events, ecological restoration and gardening, urban forestry risks, soil health, chainsaw training, useful software and online tools, advocacy, career advancement and maintaining optimism.

Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests

Posted on by akabelowsky
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers speaks to a group after a tree planting to celebrate Arbor Day.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers speaks at a 2025 Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day tree-planting event in Green Bay. The governor assisted in the planting of 15 large shade trees as part of Wisconsin’s participation in the Trillion Trees Pledge. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers didn’t have to go out on a limb to make this announcement.

By issuing a Governor’s Proclamation this week, Gov. Evers has shined a spotlight on Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of forestland. His announcement officially recognizes Wisconsin’s participation in Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day.

“Wisconsin’s trees and forests are among the state’s most beautiful and critical natural resources,” Gov. Evers wrote, “and educating kids, families and communities about sustainable forestry is vital to their long-term conservation.”

Continue reading “Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests” →

‘Exploding Trees’ Face Long-term Impacts

Posted on by akabelowsky
A long vertical wound in a tree trunk caused by deep freezing.

Cracked bark and wood creates a long vertical wound typical of the phenomenon commonly called “exploding trees.” / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

This past winter, “exploding trees” went viral on social media. Many news outlets followed up with a more realistic explanation of the dramatically named phenomenon, pointing out that while the bitter cold can cause sudden cracks to form on trees, the trees don’t truly explode.

But what happens to those damaged trees as we warm up and move into the growing season?

Continue reading “‘Exploding Trees’ Face Long-term Impacts” →

Huge White Grubs Found In Firewood, Rotting Logs

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of large white grub larvae discovered inside logs being split for firewood.

Large white grub larvae discovered while splitting firewood. The insects are living in a piece of firewood with a lot of decay. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Hermit flower beetles (Osmoderma spp.) are very large scarab beetles, sometimes called leather beetles.

Three Osmoderma species can be found in Wisconsin, though none are common. Adult beetles look big and beefy but are harmless, eating a little pollen, feeding on ripe fruit and sipping nectar and tree sap during their adult life.

Continue reading “Huge White Grubs Found In Firewood, Rotting Logs” →

Jumping Worms A Threat To Gardens And Forests

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of a jumping worm on soil.

Closeup of a jumping worm (Amynthas agrestis). / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Invasive jumping worms are worrisome for several reasons, but here’s one of the main ones: It can be difficult to tell you even have them until they’ve already done their damage.

That makes this time of year important, because the best way to avoid damage from jumping worms, which can be substantial and long-lasting, is to prevent them from getting into your garden, yard or forestland in the first place.

Continue reading “Jumping Worms A Threat To Gardens And Forests” →

Land And Water Conservation Fund Program Grant Application Due May 1, 2026

Posted on by janness

DNR LogoThe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program through May 1, 2026. The DNR will consider all complete applications received by this date.

Eligible applicants include towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governing bodies and school districts.

Application materials are located on the DNR’s website. Please contact your regional Project Manager prior to submitting an application.   Continue reading “Land And Water Conservation Fund Program Grant Application Due May 1, 2026” →

Submit Proposals For Partners In Community Forestry Conference

Posted on by janness

Arbor Day Foundation LogoThe Partners in Community Forestry Conference is currently seeking speaking proposals for the upcoming conference Nov. 18-19 in St. Louis.  Any passionate speakers, community leaders and learners are encouraged to send a proposal submission. These speeches are an opportunity to share your expertise and passion about community forestry with others. The topics for this year’s speaker proposals include: Continue reading “Submit Proposals For Partners In Community Forestry Conference” →

Upcoming Training

Posted on by janness

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” →

Look For Spongy Moth Egg Masses And Take Action

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of a person scraping spongy moth egg masses into a cup.

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” →