Did you know?

Urban Forestry Grants Webinar Announced: Updated Application Process

Posted on by janness

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a webinar to help you develop a competitive urban forestry grant application. This webinar will guide you through the application form so you can submit a strong application that aligns with the DNR’s Urban Forestry Program funding priorities.

Register today to reserve your spot in the upcoming webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Continue reading “Urban Forestry Grants Webinar Announced: Updated Application Process” →

The DNR Reforestation Program Needs Seeds

Posted on by janness

By Jeremiah Auer, DNR Regeneration Specialist; Jeremiah.Auer@wisconsin.gov

The DNR’s Reforestation Program needs red and white pine cones – more specifically, we need the seeds found within those cones for our reforestation needs. The Reforestation Program produces millions of pine seedlings every year at the Wilson State Nursery in Boscobel, and the only way we can produce those seedlings is with seed collected from the fields and forests of Wisconsin. Continue reading “The DNR Reforestation Program Needs Seeds” →

American Forests Launches Tree Equity Coaching Network

Posted on by janness

American Forests LogoThe American Forests National Coaching Network is a community for urban foresters, community advocates, city leaders and allied professionals to connect, learn, inspire and cultivate city commitments to advance tree equity. This network is a way for people to address challenges and build their tools and resources. Continue reading “American Forests Launches Tree Equity Coaching Network” →

Invasive Plant Japanese Stiltgrass Detected In Rock County

Posted on by akabelowsky
A wide-angle photo showing a mat of Japanese stiltgrass growing in Rock County, Wisconsin, in July 2025.

A mat of Japanese stiltgrass growing in Rock County, Wisconsin, in July 2025. / Photo Credit: John Zaborsky, University of Wisconsin-Madison Renz Weed Science Lab

By Wisconsin DNR

The harmful invasive plant Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) has been detected in a private woodland near Beloit in Rock County, according to a blog post made Monday by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension.

It is the second detection of the non-native annual grass in Wisconsin. The first took place in 2020, inside the Coulee Experimental Forest in La Crosse County. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources  (DNR) has been working to eradicate that population.

Continue reading “Invasive Plant Japanese Stiltgrass Detected In Rock County” →

Monitor Your Trees For Spongy Moth-Related Decline And Mortality

Posted on by akabelowsky
A photo taken June 20, 2025, shows dead and dying oaks near Whitewater Lake in Walworth County, following a period of defoliation and summer drought.

A photo taken June 20, 2025, shows dead and dying oaks near Whitewater Lake in Walworth County, following a period of defoliation and summer drought. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

Property owners are encouraged to monitor their trees for signs of decline and mortality, as the last few years have been marked by drought and spongy moth defoliation.

Landowners who have oak, birch, crabapple, aspen, willow, tamarack and basswood (linden) trees should be particularly watchful, because the caterpillars of this invasive insect prefer these species. Many other tree species are not preferred by the caterpillars and are less likely to be heavily defoliated, but are more likely to die if heavy defoliation should happen.

This article focuses on oak impacts.

The 2021-24 spongy moth outbreak has now collapsed statewide; no defoliation has been observed as of late July 2025. Only a few reports of single caterpillars were received by Wisconsin DNR Forest Health staff. (Note: Parts of Wisconsin may be experiencing a continuing outbreak of different caterpillars known as “oak leafroller” and “larch casebearer.”)

Continue reading “Monitor Your Trees For Spongy Moth-Related Decline And Mortality” →

Avoid Ash Trees When Placing Deer Stands

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing a Wisconsin hunter climbing into his tree stand.

A Wisconsin hunter climbs into his tree stand. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources urges hunters to avoid placing their stands on or near ash trees because the trees may experience breakage of stems or branches due to damage from the emerald ash borer. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

It’s time for deer hunters to begin scouting properties to identify potential locations for their deer stands this hunting season.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cautions hunters to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees – a practice that presents a clear safety hazard.

Most ash trees in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin are dead or dying due to the emerald ash borer (EAB), and infestations in the northern part of the state are rapidly expanding. Some areas already experience decline and mortality of ash trees. EAB has been confirmed present in all 72 Wisconsin counties, and unreported infestations are also likely to be present.

Continue reading “Avoid Ash Trees When Placing Deer Stands” →

Golden Oyster Mushrooms Aren’t Friends To Native Fungi

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup photo showing golden oyster mushrooms growing on a dead American elm tree in Green County in June 2025.

Golden oyster mushrooms grow on a dead American elm tree in Green County in June 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Kyoko Scanlon, DNR Forest Pathologist
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov or 608-235-7532

Golden oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) have eye-catching bright-yellow caps with branch-like white gills. Recently, more people have been noticing these gorgeous-looking clusters of mushrooms growing on trees in Wisconsin, especially in southern Wisconsin.

These mushrooms, prized for culinary delicacy, are native to eastern Asia. However, they are found in forests throughout the Midwest and northeastern United States, including Wisconsin.

Continue reading “Golden Oyster Mushrooms Aren’t Friends To Native Fungi” →

Keep An Eye Out For Beech Leaf Disease

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing symptomatic striping from beech leaf disease, seen from under the canopy.

Symptomatic striping from beech leaf disease, seen from under the canopy. / Photo Credit: Kyoko Scanlon, Wisconsin DNR; taken in Cleveland, Ohio

By Kyoko Scanlon, DNR Forest Pathologist
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov or 608-235-7532

Forest owners and land managers should look for beech leaf disease (BLD), a destructive beech tree disease in the United States, this summer.

Although it has not yet been found in Wisconsin, recent discoveries of the disease in Michigan and other nearby states highlight the continued importance of monitoring BLD’s expansion. There is potential for BLD to move into Wisconsin, as the eastern portion of the state overlaps with the native range of American beech.

Continue reading “Keep An Eye Out For Beech Leaf Disease” →

Forest Health Specialists Plan Public Talks

Posted on by akabelowsky

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

Photo showing Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialists (from left) Bill McNee, Paul Cigan and Linda Williams discuss a tree during the Cambridge Tree Tour in July 2025.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialists (from left) Bill McNee, Paul Cigan and Linda Williams discuss a tree during the Cambridge Tree Tour in July 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Two Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health specialists will give presentations that are open to the public in the coming weeks:

  • Thursday, Aug. 7: Alex Hornung, Wisconsin DNR Forest Health specialist for central Wisconsin, will discuss the DNR’s Forestry program at Farm Technology Days. The event will run from noon to 5 p.m. at Clinton Farms, E8351 State Hwy 22, Bear Creek (Waupaca County). Admission is $15 per adult.
  • Friday, Sept. 5: Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health specialist for northwest Wisconsin, will give a presentation on “Fungal Pathogens of the Wisconsin Forest” as part of the Wisconsin Mycological Society’s “Northwoods Foray” in Cable (Bayfield County). Cigan’s talk will run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Northwoods Foray will run from Sept. 4-7. Those interested in attending can visit the event’s webpage to obtain more information and sign up for a fee.

Identify Water Resources With Surface Water Data Viewer

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' online Surface Water Data Viewer layers panel.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ online Surface Water Data Viewer layers panel. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

From recreation, to aesthetics, to ecosystem function and everything in between, there are many ways that water is an important aspect of owning and managing a property. It could be the showcase feature of a property such as lake frontage or a scenic river, or as subtle as a seasonal waterway or forested wetland.

Many landowners own woodlands because they want to enjoy the scenic beauty and protect nature and water. A first step toward achieving those goals is understanding what is present on the respective property. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a useful tool called the Surface Water Data Viewer (SWDV) to help landowners and land managers identify water resources.

Continue reading “Identify Water Resources With Surface Water Data Viewer” →