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”
Pale swallow-wort flowers along the stem at the leaf axils. / Photo Credit: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
By Mackenzie Manicki, DNR Natural Resources Research Scientist
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that the state’s first populations of the invasive vine pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) have been found.
The populations were first detected in Oconto and Shawano counties, within the outskirts of Krakow along the shared county line.
These are the first known populations in the state, making rapid response efforts critical in preventing the establishment of this species in Wisconsin.
Continue reading “First Populations Of Invasive Pale Swallow-wort Confirmed In Wisconsin”
The front page of the Wisconsin DNR’s new Forest Health Fact Sheet on oak decline. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team has published two new fact sheets, bringing the total count of its fact sheet offerings to 26.
The new fact sheets:
The fact sheets are designed in full color, with photos, and are meant to be printed out for reference or to carry into the field. They can also be viewed online. They can be printed on standard letter-sized paper. Most fact sheets are two pages, meant for two-sided printing; a few are four-page documents.
A complete directory of links to all DNR Forest Health fact sheets is available online.
Mike Hillstrom and Linda Williams of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team look over a tree during a walking tour put on by the Cambridge Tree Project on July 10, 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
Mike Hillstrom, Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator for the Wisconsin DNR Forest Health Team, will make a presentation on forest health to the Heartland National Christmas Tree Organizations Convention, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, at Hann’s Christmas Farm, 848 Tipperary Road, Oregon, WI 53575.
Oak trees with thin canopies experiencing decline following spongy moth defoliation and drought in the prior few years. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By River Mathieu, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg
River.Mathieu@wisconsin.gov
Oak decline is a complicated forest health issue impacting oak forests in Wisconsin.
In the past few years, oak decline has been recorded in several regions of Wisconsin, primarily linked to spongy moth defoliation and drought conditions that occurred from 2022-2024.
As the summer months of 2026 continue to unfold, oak decline may continue in areas previously impacted by spongy moth and drought.
A red hailstone infestation in Dane County blankets surrounding vegetation and can be seen climbing into trees. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@wisconsin.gov
Note: This is the third installment in the Forest Health News “Invasives Spotlight” series, a series of articles released monthly during the growing season.
What is heart-shaped and hairy all over? Red hailstone!
Underground tubers of red hailstone. The tubers easily break off to create new plants. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Also known as golden creeper or Manchu tubergourd (Thladiantha dubia), this invasive perennial vine can grow 18 feet in a single growing season and spreads through underground potato-like tubers that break off from the root system to create new populations.
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”
An adult Asian longhorned beetle. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov or 608-513-7690
Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) has not been found in Wisconsin, but early detection is critical to eliminating it from infested areas. Forest Health workers from Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada, recently had the opportunity to visit an active ALB infestation in South Carolina to learn how to identify infested trees. This experience will greatly enhance staff’s ability to detect ALB and respond rapidly.
Laura Buntrock hosted an urban forestry booth at Rhinelander’s Earth Day Sustainability Fair, where she educated the public on the benefits of urban trees, provided resources and answered questions.
April and May might just be the busiest months of the year for the Urban Forestry staff. This small but mighty team participates in as many Arbor Day, Earth Day and Forest Appreciation Week events as they can fit into their schedules. Municipalities, schools and nonprofits tend to spread out their events over a couple months rather than scheduling them all on Arbor Day, which allows the staff to get to more events.
The Urban Forestry team’s involvement in these events varies and can include tree planting, seedling distribution, education and tree-related activities, such as competing for the loudest Arbor Day cheer. If you have an event you would like an Urban Forestry staff member to attend at any time of the year, get your request in early!
Here are just a few of the events that Urban Forestry staff attended. Continue reading “The Urban Forestry Staff Springs Into Action For Arbor Day”
