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University of Minnesota Seeks Reports On Dying Black Locust Stands

Posted on by akabelowsky
Wide view of struggling black locust trees.

A stand of dead or dying black locust trees. / Photo Credit: Norbert Frank, Bugwood.org

By Ryan Franke, University of Minnesota

The Blanchette Forest Pathology Lab at the University of Minnesota is leading a project to study black locust in Minnesota and Wisconsin and requests the help of foresters and the public in locating stands of dying black locust (Robinio pseudoacacia) this summer.

The university plans to collect native pathogenic fungi from stands of dying black locust and testing them for their suitability to biologically control black locust clones.

Continue reading “University of Minnesota Seeks Reports On Dying Black Locust Stands” →

Forest Health Staffers Plan Appearances

Posted on by akabelowsky
A worker in the woods, holding a young tree to be planted.

Wisconsin DNR Forest Insect Pest Specialist Mike Hillstrom gives a presentation during a New Forester Training session in Marinette County in 2024. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

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

Mike Hillstrom, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator, will give a public presentation on forest invasive species from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20, at Lake Kegonsa State Park in Stoughton.

The talk will be part of the informational and educational events sponsored as part of the DNR’s Invasive Species Awareness Weekend.

Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Appearances” →

Forest Summary Sheets Available For Your Community!

Posted on by janness

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

We are pleased to offer a new resource to communities to help assess, celebrate and share information about your community’s trees and the benefits they provide.

For the 165 communities that we have inventory data on (those communities within the Wisconsin Community Tree Map), we have created summary sheets like the sample shown below. These offer a quick snapshot of your community’s species and structural diversity, canopy cover and the i-Tree derived ecosystem services for both the publicly maintained trees as well as those of the whole community. Continue reading “Forest Summary Sheets Available For Your Community!” →

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month, But Trees Provide Benefits All Year Long

Posted on by janness

people doing yoga in a parkOver the years, a growing body of research has proven that regular access to trees makes us happier and healthier. They restore our sense of calm from head to toe — improving memory and attention span, enhancing cognitive functioning, lowering blood pressure and reducing cortisol levels. Continue reading “May Is Mental Health Awareness Month, But Trees Provide Benefits All Year Long” →

Cemetery Trees Of Southeast Wisconsin Study Now Available

Posted on by janness

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

Cemeteries are important and, to many people, sacred spaces in our communities. The landscaping of these places serves the dead, of course, but can also have a profound impact on the experiences of cemetery visitors and nearby residents. This is accomplished by vegetation and art, which encourages expressions of grief and melancholy but also celebration and hope.

Trees are a prominent part of this landscaping and this mission.

DNR Urban Forestry staff in the Milwaukee office became interested in these spaces and exploring whether we could offer ways to assist cemetery managers. Continue reading “Cemetery Trees Of Southeast Wisconsin Study Now Available” →

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).

Continue reading “Fungicide For HRD Stump Treatment Available In Smaller Size” →

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.

Continue reading “Species Spotlight: Japanese Honeysuckle” →

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” →