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Cooperative Enlists Public To Make Tree Health A Snap

Posted on by akabelowsky
A worker speaks with colleagues in a forested area.

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” →

Watch for Asian Longhorned Beetle

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of an insect crawling on a person's hand.

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.

Continue reading “Watch for Asian Longhorned Beetle” →

The Urban Forestry Staff Springs Into Action For Arbor Day

Posted on by janness

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” →

Urban Forestry Welcomes Summer Interns

Posted on by janness

The Urban Forestry team is excited to have two interns this summer through the State of Wisconsin Student Development Internship Program (SWSDIP). They will be working out of the Milwaukee DNR office but will also have opportunities to get involved in projects in other parts of the state. The Urban Forestry interns always hit the ground running, squeezing an impressive number of activities into their time with the program. Watch for an article later in the year summarizing their experience with the Urban Forestry program. Continue reading “Urban Forestry Welcomes Summer Interns” →

What’s In A Name? An Intro To Reading Scientific Names

Posted on by janness

By Abby Krause, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Abigail.Krause@wisconsin.gov or 608-556-5690

What’s in a name? That which we call a tree by any other name would stand as tall. Okay, maybe that’s not exactly how the Shakespeare quote goes, but in the urban forestry world, what we call a tree does play into our management decisions.

As communities work to recover from the devastation inflicted by invasives pests and build resilience against future challenges, species diversity rules have become the guide for planting projects. Planning out care of trees once they’re in the ground also revolves around knowing which species are present. How are we tallying our progress toward diversity goals, relaying the specific species we want to order from the nursery or narrowing down what’s ailing that tree in the park? Continue reading “What’s In A Name? An Intro To Reading Scientific Names” →

Maple Leaf Blister And Anthracnose: Two Diseases Of Maple Leaves

Posted on by janness

By Nathaniel Walton, Michigan State University Extension

Updated from an original article written by Diane Brown and Lori Imboden

Irregularly shaped anthracnose lesions on a red maple (Acer rubrum) leaf. Photo by Rebecca Finneran, MSU Extension.

Each year, Michigan State University Extension receives questions from the public regarding spots on the leaves of their favorite maple trees. Both anthracnose and maple leaf blister can be the cause of late spring and early summer damage to leaves of these popular landscape trees. Continue reading “Maple Leaf Blister And Anthracnose: Two Diseases Of Maple Leaves” →

GLTPA And Master Loggers Gather For Spring Celebration

Posted on by akabelowsky

Larry Krueger, right, accepts the Wisconsin Merit Award from GLTPA executive director Henry Schienebeck. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Brian Zweifel, Wisconsin DNR Forest Products Specialist

The Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) held their 2026 Spring Celebration in Harris, Michigan, on April 1.  Each year, loggers and forestry professionals from Wisconsin and Michigan attend this conference to network, see the latest products and technology from over 60 exhibitors, and earn continuing education credits for training provided as part of the conference. This year’s training focused on wilderness first aid, worker’s compensation and chainsaw safety.

Continue reading “GLTPA And Master Loggers Gather For Spring Celebration” →

Markets Matter Convening Highlights

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Elle Soderberg, Wisconsin DNR Forest Products Specialist

Leaders from across the forest products industry, government agencies, research institutions and economic development organizations recently gathered in Madison for the U.S. Endowment’s Markets Matter Convening. The event focused on the central challenge facing the forest sector today: Developing sustainable markets for low-value wood fiber, including small-diameter timber and mill residues.

Throughout the convening, participants emphasized that while the forest products industry continues to face significant economic and market pressures, there are also growing opportunities for innovation, collaboration and investment. Continue reading “Markets Matter Convening Highlights” →

Fire At Ahlstrom Thilmany Paper In Kaukauna

Posted on by akabelowsky
external wide-angle view of a paper mill building

The Ahlstrom Thilmany Paper mill in Kaukauna.

A fire broke out at Ahlstrom’s Thilmany paper mill in Kaukauna on Saturday, May 16, affecting the wood chip conveyor system and main wood room area of the mill. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze, no injuries were reported and crews continue investigating the cause.

Continue reading “Fire At Ahlstrom Thilmany Paper In Kaukauna” →

Timber Bridges For Stream Crossings Now Available

Posted on by akabelowsky

One of the temporary bridge structures for stream crossings that will be available from selected Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and private facilities for use by loggers who are working on timber sales. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Through a U.S. Forest Service grant, along with a partnership with the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is soon going to be able to provide temporary bridge structures for stream crossings. Continue reading “Timber Bridges For Stream Crossings Now Available” →