Did you know?

Heavy Seed Crop And Thin Tops On Maples

Posted on by akabelowsky
A photo of a maple tree branch showing the production of large seed crops, creating off-color leaves that are smaller than normal into early summer.

Maple trees producing large seed crops may have off-color leaves that are smaller than normal into early summer. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR

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

Scattered maple trees across parts of the Northwoods have produced heavy seed crops this year.

When trees produce so many seeds, it reduces the amount of energy available for producing leaves. As a result, those leaves can appear smaller and off-color into the summer. With fewer leaves produced, these trees will continue to look very thin throughout this year’s growing season.

Continue reading “Heavy Seed Crop And Thin Tops On Maples” →

Non-Native Caterpillars Attacking Non-Native Euonymus

Posted on by akabelowsky
A wide view of a shrub covered by Euonymus caterpillars' web branches as they feed on the leaves of Euonymus species.

Euonymus caterpillars web branches as they feed on the leaves of Euonymus species. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov

Euonymus caterpillars (Yponomeuta cagnagella) made a dramatic appearance in June, webbing and defoliating Euonymus shrubs in several counties.

Multiple species of Euonymus may be attacked, including spindle tree, winged (e.g., burning bush), eastern wahoo, winter creeper and others. Winged euonymus is listed as Restricted in Wisconsin’s invasive species rule NR40.

Continue reading “Non-Native Caterpillars Attacking Non-Native Euonymus” →

Anthracnose Infecting Hardwood Leaves

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo of ash leaves infected with anthracnose.

Ash leaves infected with anthracnose. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
and Abby Krause, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Abigail.Krause@wisconsin.gov

Anthracnose is a common disease of hardwood trees during cool, wet spring seasons. Some parts of Wisconsin have been cooler and wetter than others this spring, so anthracnose damage may be patchy.

Ash, maple, white oak, sycamore and walnut are the most impacted tree species. Each species has its own species of anthracnose that infects it, but if weather conditions are right, then we tend to see damage on multiple species.

Continue reading “Anthracnose Infecting Hardwood Leaves” →

Winsome Fly Biocontrol Slows Japanese Beetle

Posted on by akabelowsky
A closeup photo showing Winsome fly eggs on three Japanese beetles, including a mating pair with a female Japanese beetle below the male.

Winsome fly eggs are found on three Japanese beetles, including a mating pair (with a female Japanese beetle shown below the male). One or more eggs are laid on each beetle; eggs are nearly always laid just behind the head. The Winsome fly prefers to lay eggs on female Japanese beetles. / Photo Credit: Jacques Lasnier, Quebec, Bugwood.org

By Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology
University of Minnesota
Hutch002@umn.edu

The Winsome fly (Istocheta aldrichi (Mesnil)), part of the Tachinidae family, is a parasitoid of the invasive pest Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica).

A parasitoid is an insect whose larvae develop in or within a host insect of a different species, eventually killing it.

The Winsome fly was introduced in 1923 in New Jersey as a biological control agent of the Japanese beetle, six years after the Japanese beetle was accidentally introduced in the United States. Since then, the Winsome fly has become established in the Northeastern states and Quebec and Ontario in Canada.

Continue reading “Winsome Fly Biocontrol Slows Japanese Beetle” →

Please Submit Trees Planted This Spring!

Posted on by janness

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

When your newly planted trees are getting comfortable in their new homes, you’ve pulled the splinters from your hands and you find yourself at a desk asking yourself, “What now?”, we have an answer for you.

Please take a moment and record your trees in the Wisconsin Tree Planting Survey. Those submissions will then appear on the Tree Planting Map and be tallied toward the state’s pledge to the Trillion Trees Initiative. Governor Tony Evers signed the pledge to protect and restore Wisconsin’s rural and urban forests by planting 100 million trees in Wisconsin by 2030. Continue reading “Please Submit Trees Planted This Spring!” →

Anthracnose Infecting Hardwood Leaves

Posted on by janness

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist; Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
and Abby Krause, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Abigail.Krause@wisconsin.gov

Oak leaves infected with anthracnose.

Anthracnose is a common disease of hardwood trees during cool, wet spring seasons. Some parts of Wisconsin have been cooler and wetter than others this spring, so anthracnose damage may be patchy.

Ash, maple, white oak, sycamore and walnut are the most commonly impacted tree species. Each species has its own species of anthracnose that infects it, but if weather conditions are right, then we tend to see damage on multiple species. Continue reading “Anthracnose Infecting Hardwood Leaves” →

Resources For Storm-Damaged Trees

Posted on by janness

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744

With recent storms passing through Wisconsin, communities may still be working on clean-up. Depending on the intensity of the storms and the condition of the trees, damage from high winds, heavy rainfall, hail and lightning can be quite severe. Cracked or broken branches, trunk damage and root failure are some of the main concerns, but also the risk and liability of damage to people and property. Continue reading “Resources For Storm-Damaged Trees” →

Why Don’t All Trees Leaf Out At The Same Time?

Posted on by janness

By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414 294-8675

Photo credit: Mike Wendt

Spring is my absolute favorite time of the year. The reemergence of life is all around us, and the smell of fresh rain accompanies the sights and sounds of spring. The birds are scouring the soil for fresh insects to eat, the frogs are croaking away in the swamps and the bees buzz freely from plant to plant. Along with these sights and sounds of spring, another incredible transformation is occurring on our largest and longest-lived organisms in the landscape, trees. Continue reading “Why Don’t All Trees Leaf Out At The Same Time?” →

Arbor Day Foundation Reporting Dashboard

Posted on by janness

Arbor Day Foundation USA Interactive Map
Do you know how many Tree Campus Healthcare facilities are in Wisconsin or how many trees were planted by Arbor Day Foundation partners in the state? Find this and other eye-opening information by visiting the new Arbor Day Reporting Dashboard. Scroll to select Wisconsin on the left side of the page to see state-specific data. Select a tab at the top to see specific information about the Tree City USA, Tree Campus or Tree Line programs. Continue reading “Arbor Day Foundation Reporting Dashboard” →

Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Wisconsin DNR

With 145 invasive plants regulated under Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule NR40, it can be challenging to identify some of these plants while out in the woods.

The task can be further complicated by the presence of native lookalikes – plants that have a similar appearance to harmful invasive species but are actually native plants that benefit wildlife, pollinators and ecosystems in Wisconsin.

Continue reading “Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know” →