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Green, Sawyer Counties Added To Spongy Moth Quarantine

Posted on by akabelowsky
Map of Wisconsin showing counties in yellow quarantine for spongy moth.

The updated map of spongy moth quarantined counties in Wisconsin, showing the April 15 addition of Green and Sawyer counties to the quarantined list. / Map Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Green and Sawyer counties have become the latest additions to Wisconsin’s spongy moth quarantine, joining most eastern and central Wisconsin counties already considered to be infested by the invasive insect.

The announcement was made April 15 by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), based on trapping data collected last year.

Continue reading “Green, Sawyer Counties Added To Spongy Moth Quarantine” →

Fungicide For HRD Stump Treatment Available In Smaller Size

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A bag of Tim-bor Professional, a borate-based chemical that fights Heterobasidion root disease. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Kyoko Scanlon, Forest Pathologist, Fitchburg
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov

People who have been dealing with Heterobasidion Root Disease (HRD) may be familiar with the product name “Cellu-Treat®.” It has been used to treat fresh cut stumps to prevent HRD.

But Cellu-Treat® is not the only chemical available for HRD. Another borate-based chemical, Tim-bor® Professional, can also be used legally for the same purpose in Wisconsin. Both products are manufactured by Nisus Corporation, and their labels are almost identical (Cellu-Treat label, Tim-bor label).

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Cooperative Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Trapping Effort Begins

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A 3-D printed trap used to collect hemlock woolly adelgid DNA. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov or 608-513-7690

This spring, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is collaborating with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to set traps to detect the invasive insect hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae; HWA).

The project, funded by the Wisconsin Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, calls for traps to be set to detect the invasive insect. No detection of HWA has been made to date in Wisconsin forests. Continue reading “Cooperative Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Trapping Effort Begins” →

Species Spotlight: Japanese Honeysuckle

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Japanese honeysuckle climbing up nearby trees. / Photo Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

By Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@Wisconsin.gov  

Note: This is the first installment in the Forest Health News “Invasives Spotlight” series, a monthly series of Forest Health News articles.

Many people recognize honeysuckle as a fast-spreading invasive shrub that can quickly displace native vegetation. But did you know that some honeysuckles exist as a vine?

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is an invasive perennial vine that can grow to a length of 80 feet or longer. Birds will often eat and disperse the berries the vine produces, allowing for the creation of new populations.

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Take Precautions to Prevent Tick Bites

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An adult deer tick looks for a spot to attach. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov

Adult blacklegged (deer) ticks are already active this year, as of March 2026. The adults start looking for a host as soon as it warms up to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

In Wisconsin, between 20-60 percent of adult ticks are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. However, the risk of getting Lyme disease is higher with bites from nymphal ticks, which are most abundant in June and July, because they are so tiny and difficult to find. While only 10-28 percent of nymphs are infected with the Lyme disease bacteria in Wisconsin, rapid removal of a tick can reduce the risk of infection because it takes at least 24 hours for the Lyme bacteria to spread.

Continue reading “Take Precautions to Prevent Tick Bites” →

Campers Reminded: Don’t Move Firewood

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A self-service firewood point of sale at Mirror Lake State Park in Sauk County. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

With camping season about to enter full swing, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges campers to think twice before giving invasive species or harmful hitchhikers a ride in their firewood.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and campfires are a Wisconsin summer staple. And campers should know it’s a big help to the state’s trees when they help to prevent the spread of invasive pests by making smart firewood choices.

Continue reading “Campers Reminded: Don’t Move Firewood” →

Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (second from right) joins educators working with the Lodi School Forest during a tree planting event on Arbor Day 2026.

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 last month, Gov. Evers has shined a spotlight on Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of forestland. His announcement officially recognized Wisconsin’s participation in Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day.

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

Community Spotlight: Tree Canopy Cover On Milwaukee School Properties

Posted on by janness

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” →

National Urban And Community Forestry Ten Year Action Plan Survey

Posted on by janness

people in a parkThe 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” →

Keep Wildlife Wild: Know What To Do If You Encounter Young Wild Animals This Spring

Posted on by janness

fawn behind leavesAs warmer weather approaches, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public that wild animals and their young will be on the move across Wisconsin.

“Springtime brings a flurry of inquiries from concerned individuals about the wildlife they are encountering. It is perfectly natural for many species of young wild animals to be left alone for extended periods of time, and they should not be disturbed,” said Jenna Fastner, DNR captive wildlife health specialist. “Wild animals are well-adapted to life in the wild and learning natural behaviors from their own species is imperative to their survival.”

Knowing what to do before you find a young wild animal can make all the difference in the moment to protect it and keep it in the wild with its parents. Continue reading “Keep Wildlife Wild: Know What To Do If You Encounter Young Wild Animals This Spring” →