Care for your woods

Tree City USA – Online Portal Open, No More Paper Applications!

Posted on by janness

By Laura Buntrock, DNR Urban Forestry Partnership & Policy Specialist, Laura.Buntrock@wisconsin.gov or 608-294-0253

kids holding a Tree City USA bannerThe online portal for Tree City USA (TCUSA) is now open, with applications due Dec. 31. If you’re new to TCUSA, you can learn more about the program on the Arbor Day Foundation’s (ADF) website or from your DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator. Please note that beginning this year, Arbor ADF is no longer accepting paper applications. You can create an account by clicking “sign up now” on the application portal login page. Within the online portal, you will have access to your historical data. More information is available on ADF’s FAQ page. Continue reading “Tree City USA – Online Portal Open, No More Paper Applications!” →

Don’t Stop Watering Your Trees Yet!

Posted on by janness

By Brian Wahl, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator, Brian.Wahl@wisconsin.gov or 608-225-7943

A simple act, a science and an art, but bottom line – all trees need water (even in autumn)

It’s a very dry start to autumn this year. Heck, it’s been a dry second half of summer, but thanks to our lovely wet spring, we aren’t in a drought yet. However, areas of the state are “abnormally dry” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. So be sure to get out there and water your newly planted trees! If you have the time, your established trees would appreciate a cool drink of H20 as well.

screenshot of WI drought map

Continue reading “Don’t Stop Watering Your Trees Yet!” →

Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement And Control Grants Now Open

Posted on by janness

white tail deerUrban 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.

Learn more on the DNR website.

DNR Tree And Shrub Seedling Sales To Begin Oct. 6

Posted on by janness

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

Posted on by janness

a group of people outside facing an instructor*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

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Wisconsin DNR

Photo of rosettes on a garlic mustard plant. / Photo Credit: 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

Posted on by janness

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.

Continue reading “Upcoming Urban Forestry Grant Deadlines” →

Upcoming Trainings

Posted on by janness

*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.

Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings” →

Oak Leaf Issues That Are Not Oak Wilt

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup photo showing oak wilt leaf symptoms on a red oak leaf. Leaves often show browning on the outer portions of the leaf while the base of the leaf will still have some normal green color.

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.

Continue reading “Oak Leaf Issues That Are Not Oak Wilt” →