By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675
This is one of my least favorite questions to get as an urban forester/arborist; it’s right up there with “how old is my tree?” The reason I despise this question is not because it is a bad question, but rather it is a complex one. A question that often requires much more discussion than the person who asked it is looking for… Continue reading “How Big Will My Tree Get?”
By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578
One of the many challenges for urban foresters in navigating climate change is the fact that while temperatures are elevated across every season, it can still get pretty cold in Wisconsin, even along Lake Michigan. Nonetheless, hardiness zones are shifting, and there is plentiful experimentation underway by Wisconsinites to identify which tree species are appropriate for their location throughout the 21st century.
The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science produced species vulnerability lists for six locations in Wisconsin, projecting what species are likely at increased risk (i.e. more vulnerable) under different climate change scenarios. Those are great resources that use the same background methodology as a species vulnerability analysis done for the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Continue reading “Tree Species In An Uncertain Future Climate”
Dr. Scott O’Donnell, center, a forest geneticist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Economics and Ecology section, updates members of the DNR Forest Health team on upcoming genetic projects at an orchard near Lake Tomahawk in Hazelhurst during the Forest Health team’s summer meeting on May 25, 2024. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
It takes more than a village to foster healthy forests. More than a township, a city and a county, too. Sometimes, even more than a state.
That’s why the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Cooperative (GLB FHC) was formed five years ago by Holden Arboretum in Ohio and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Geographically, the group’s region encompasses an area from New Jersey to Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is an active member.
Continue reading “Cooperative Enlists Public To Make Tree Health A Snap”
Hardwood lumber being stacked after processing. / Photo Credit: M. Bumgardner
By Matthew Bumgardner and Scott Bowe
Hardwood lumber production in the United States reached a peak in 1999, with an estimated 12.6 billion board feet of output. However, the early 2000s ushered in a major structural shift – the large-scale offshoring of U.S. furniture manufacturing. Once the single largest user of hardwood lumber until the late 1970s, wood furniture has become the smallest major market for hardwood lumber today.
Continue reading “The 21st Century Brings Changes To The Hardwood Lumber Industry”
A stand of dead or dying black locust trees. / Photo Credit: Norbert Frank, Bugwood.org
By Ryan Franke, University of Minnesota
The Blanchette Forest Pathology Lab at the University of Minnesota is leading a project to study black locust in Minnesota and Wisconsin and requests the help of foresters and the public in locating stands of dying black locust (Robinio pseudoacacia) this summer.
The university plans to collect native pathogenic fungi from stands of dying black locust and testing them for their suitability to biologically control black locust clones.
Continue reading “University of Minnesota Seeks Reports On Dying Black Locust Stands”
By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578
We are pleased to offer a new resource to communities to help assess, celebrate and share information about your community’s trees and the benefits they provide.
For the 165 communities that we have inventory data on (those communities within the Wisconsin Community Tree Map), we have created summary sheets like the sample shown below. These offer a quick snapshot of your community’s species and structural diversity, canopy cover and the i-Tree derived ecosystem services for both the publicly maintained trees as well as those of the whole community. Continue reading “Forest Summary Sheets Available For Your Community!”
By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578
Cemeteries are important and, to many people, sacred spaces in our communities. The landscaping of these places serves the dead, of course, but can also have a profound impact on the experiences of cemetery visitors and nearby residents. This is accomplished by vegetation and art, which encourages expressions of grief and melancholy but also celebration and hope.
Trees are a prominent part of this landscaping and this mission.
DNR Urban Forestry staff in the Milwaukee office became interested in these spaces and exploring whether we could offer ways to assist cemetery managers. Continue reading “Cemetery Trees Of Southeast Wisconsin Study Now Available”
By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578
The thought of increasing a community’s tree canopy cover is sometimes overwhelming given how many landowners are present. Think about all the stakeholders who have to buy into the initiative, not only with enthusiasm, but likely contributing money and time as well.
Contrast that with a more actionable approach focused on areas where there’s a single landowner or manager.
This was the route taken by graduate student Michelle Hess in a recent paper for a UW-Milwaukee Geography course. Michelle investigated tree canopy on Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) properties to identify which schools should be prioritized for future greening initiatives, like those organized through ReFlo. The goal was to use canopy data provided by the DNR, identify which schools had lower canopy cover, merge those data with median household income of the local Census tract and come up with a prioritized list of schools in need of tree planting. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Tree Canopy Cover On Milwaukee School Properties”
The congressionally mandated National Urban and Community Forestry (NUCF) Ten Year Action Plan creates a guiding framework that optimizes innovations, resources and collaborations for the field of urban and community forestry. Input gathered through this voluntary form is part of the stakeholder engagement process and will help update the NUCF Ten Year Action Plan.
Perspectives from both within and beyond the urban and community forestry field are welcome. Your feedback means better data, gap assessments and goal setting, which is critical for managing extreme heat, public health and urban growth.
Learn more and submit your ideas.
Continue reading “National Urban And Community Forestry Ten Year Action Plan Survey”
Photo Credit: City of Cedarburg
By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744
and
Kevin Westphal, City of Cedarburg City Forester
kwestphal@cityofcedarburg.wi.gov or 262-375-7662
Annual program reports can be a very useful tool. One example is Cedarburg’s 2025 urban forestry report. It is detailed, yet not overwhelming, and the format provides for easy comprehension at a quick glance. The annual report includes things like: a mission statement, the number and location of vacant plantable sites, removal/planting/pruning numbers, specific cultivars planted, types and reasons for pruning and a comparison to previous years.
The report is shared with Cedarburg’s Parks & Forestry Board, City Council, and other leadership and can also be found on their website. Cedarburg’s city forester attends these local meetings, goes over the main points in the report and answers any questions they may have. Additionally, some of the information is useful when filling out their Tree City USA application. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Cedarburg’s UF Program – 2025 Report”
