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Tree Inventory Subaccounts Available Within Wisconsin Community Tree Map

Posted on by janness

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist; Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

Do you have a tree inventory but have a hard time keeping it up to date? Or are you interested in inventorying trees from scratch?

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made a handful of “subaccounts” available for communities or organizations to edit data within the Wisconsin Community Tree Map at no cost to the community or organization.

Continue reading “Tree Inventory Subaccounts Available Within Wisconsin Community Tree Map” →

Wheels To Woods Grants

Posted on by janness

Wheels to Woods is a school to forest or forestry-related field trip transportation grant program supported and administered by the WI Society of American Foresters DEI Committee.

This program is open to any Wisconsin K-12 schoolteacher to apply; however, teachers of underrepresented student populations will receive priority funding.

Continue reading “Wheels To Woods Grants” →

Tech Ed Teachers Attend Wood Industry Course At New Training Sawmill

Posted on by akabelowsky

Scott Lyon operates the optimized headsaw during a wood industry course at Northcentral Technical College in Antigo. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Brian Zweifel, DNR Forest Products Specialist, Dodgeville;
Brian.Zweifel@Wisconsin.gov

In case you missed the news, Wisconsin is now home to a one-of-a-kind training facility that offers courses utilizing a newly completed state-of-the-art sawmill.

The Northcentral Technical College (NTC)-Wood Technology Center of Excellence in Antigo designed and offered an exciting course aimed at reaching the future workforce of our industry. Technology Education teachers from high schools around Wisconsin received a two-day immersion into the world of sawmilling, kiln drying, and much more.

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Wisconsin’s Mass Timber Future: Building Strength From Forest To Facility

Posted on by akabelowsky

Various panels of cross-laminated timber awaits a return trip to Madison, Wisconsin, for testing at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Ram Dahal, DNR Forest Economist, Madison;
Ram.Dahal@wisconsin.gov

A recent study conducted by Michigan State University and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources highlights Wisconsin’s strong potentiality to locate mass timber industry in the state, leveraging its abundant forest resources, existing forest products infrastructure and growing market demand.

Continue reading “Wisconsin’s Mass Timber Future: Building Strength From Forest To Facility” →

Symposium On Wood-based Construction Scheduled

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Products team is pleased to share an upcoming symposium focused on the latest advancements in wood design and construction. This event, scheduled for Sept. 23 at the Milwaukee Art Museum, is tailored for architects, engineers, designers, developers, general contractors and all professionals with an interest in innovative wood applications.

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Oak Leaf Issues That Are Not Oak Wilt

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup photo showing oak wilt leaf symptoms on a red oak leaf. Leaves often show browning on the outer portions of the leaf while the base of the leaf will still have some normal green color.

Oak wilt leaf symptoms on a red oak leaf often show browning on the outer portions of the leaf while the base of the leaf will still have some normal green color. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Oak wilt symptoms are active right now, but so are several other oak issues that may be mistaken for oak wilt.

Issues including Tubakia leaf spot, mite damage and leaf scorch are all causing problems in northern Wisconsin and may be mistaken for oak wilt.

Continue reading “Oak Leaf Issues That Are Not Oak Wilt” →

Which Witches’ Broom Is It?

Posted on by akabelowsky

Witches’ broom on serviceberry. The leaves of this infected shrub are dying because of prolific spore production on their undersides. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Tim Shively, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Eau Claire
Tim.Shively@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-6974

Witches’ broom is a term that describes a disease of many different plants. It’s a distinctive, abnormal growth typically caused by a pathogen — though in some cases it can result from insect feeding.

The namesake symptom appears as abnormally dense clusters of stunted shoots, branches, and foliage that strongly resemble a witch’s broom from storybooks and folklore. In Wisconsin, this is not often a critical forest health concern that merits management action, but Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health staff recently observed widespread incidence of two particular witches’ broom diseases.

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Periodical Cicada Damage Still Visible In Some Areas

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing dieback discovered on red cedar branches in Beloit (Rock County) in August 2025.

Dieback discovered on red cedar branches in Beloit (Rock County) in August 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By River Mathieu, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg
River.Mathieu@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-2758

In August, random branch dieback was observed by a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forester on red cedars in a 10-acre stand near Beloit in Rock County.

At first, the pattern of dieback was perplexing. Based on a photograph, the damage was first presumed to be caused by a fungal disease. Once a site visit was conducted, it was determined that the branch dieback was caused by cicada oviposition (egg-laying) damage from last year’s emergence of periodical cicadas.

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DNR, UW Offer Fall Invasive Plants Workshops

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Buckthorn beneath dead ash trees at Big Foot Beach State Park. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Is buckthorn taking over your urban property? Would you like to be able to determine which plants are doing harm to the native landscape? Are you ready to arm yourself in the fight against invasives?

If so, this day-long workshop is for you!

Continue reading “DNR, UW Offer Fall Invasive Plants Workshops” →

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” →