Firewood

Campers Reminded: Don’t Move Firewood

Posted on by akabelowsky
A stock photo of a family roasting marshmallows over a campfire.

Going camping? It’s important to remember not to move firewood. Instead, buy it within 10 miles of where you will use it. This will help to prevent the spread of invasive pests. / Photo Credit: Istockphoto.com

By Wisconsin DNR

Camping season is about to enter full swing, and campfires are a Wisconsin summer staple.

That makes this a good time for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to remind the public of the importance of protecting Wisconsin’s forests and trees by not transporting firewood long distances.

Even after a tree has died, firewood can carry pests or diseases — on its surface or inside the log —  which can attack or infect other trees. To help prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases, always get your firewood near where you will use it.

Continue reading “Campers Reminded: Don’t Move Firewood” →

La Crosse County Added To Spongy Moth Quarantine

Posted on by akabelowsky
A closeup photo of a spongy moth caterpillar consuming a leaf.

A spongy moth caterpillar consumes a leaf. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

La Crosse County has become the latest Wisconsin location to be added to the state and federal spongy moth quarantine, joining most eastern and central Wisconsin counties already considered to be infested by the invasive insect.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced the change on April 1, based on trapping data collected last year.

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Reminders About Spongy Moth Quarantine

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Meg Sanders, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection;
MeganT.Sanders@wisconsin.gov or 715-891-8158

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) to enforce a spongy moth quarantine in Wisconsin, with the goal of limiting the spread of the spongy moth to new, uninfested areas.

The quarantine now covers 53 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. The quarantine regulates woody nursery stock, Christmas trees, firewood, logs and outdoor household items. Quarantine regulations apply to businesses and private citizens.

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Oak Wilt Confirmed In Ashland County

Posted on by akabelowsky
Map showing Wisconsin counties in which oak wilt has been detected.

With the addition of Ashland County, oak wilt has now been detected in 66 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. / Map Credit: Wisconsin DNR.

By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward
Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920

Oak wilt, a deadly disease of oaks, has been found for the first time in Ashland County.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the find in wood samples from a red oak tree in the town of Gordon.

“There is always risk of oak wilt spread into new and relatively uninfested areas in northern Wisconsin, such as Ashland County, so it’s always best to practice oak wilt prevention wherever possible to significantly reduce that risk,” said Paul Cigan, a DNR forest health specialist based in Hayward.

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Don’t Let Tree Trouble Hitch A Ride On Firewood

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo of spongy moth egg masses attached to a piece of firewood

A pair of spongy moth egg masses attached to a piece of firewood. Moving this firewood to another site could put trees at that site at risk in the spring. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Are you generally hesitant to give hitchhikers a free ride?

October was National Firewood Awareness Month, and even though November has arrived, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to urge residents and visitors to follow the same line of thinking when it comes to moving firewood.

That’s because tree-killing hitchhikers often lurk on or in firewood — including spongy moth, emerald ash borer, the fungus that causes oak wilt and other invasive insects and fungi. When untreated, infested firewood is transported away from where the tree died, those pests and fungi can later emerge to attack trees at the new site. This can happen whether that new location is in the next town or hundreds of miles away.

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Protect Oaks During Spring Clean-up

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Paul Cigan, DNR plant pest and disease specialist, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920

An oak tree with branches trimmed

To prevent the spread of often-fatal oak wilt disease, do not prune, cut or wound oaks from April through July. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

With the arrival of spring, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends protecting oaks from the often-fatal oak wilt disease by refraining from pruning, cutting or injuring oak trees from April through July.

The highest risk period for oak wilt introduction to a new site is in spring and early summer. Pruning and cutting oaks exposes living tree tissue beneath the bark to potential infection. The disease rapidly kills trees in the red oak group and weakens those in the white oak group.

Sap-feeding beetles spread the disease between oaks by carrying oak wilt spores from infected trees or firewood to fresh, exposed tree wounds. Healthy oaks and freshly cut oak stumps can become infected as quickly as 15 minutes after a wound is made from a pruning cut or broken branch.

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Moving Firewood Can Spread Invasive Species

Posted on by brenna.denamur
An image of an insect walking away from burning firewood in a forest with the caption, “Buy it where you burn it.”

Don’t Move Firewood, The Nature Conservancy

October is Firewood Month! Help prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases by buying firewood where you burn it.

Firewood Scout can help you find local firewood for sale.

See the DNR website for more information on invasive species and forest health. Continue reading “Moving Firewood Can Spread Invasive Species” →

Avoid Ash Trees When Placing Deer Stands

Posted on by brenna.denamur

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cautions hunters to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees this deer season as they start scouting properties.

Hunter in trees

It is important to place and maintain tree stands carefully as you prepare for this upcoming hunting season. Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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Spring Cleaning: Storm Damage Cleanup Brings Oak Wilt Risk

Posted on by brenna.denamur

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665 & Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov, 715-416-4920.

Spring cleanup is always a busy time in the Northwoods as those with second homes and cabins make the trek northward to prepare for a summer of fun. For many, this will mean cleaning up trees and branches damaged by winter storms.

A forested scene with broken branches at the base of a white pine tree.

Large white pines (pictured here) and young birch growing on forest edges were most heavily impacted by winter’s storms. Photo: Wisconsin DNR

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EAB Found In Barron County

Posted on by patricialindquist

By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920. 

Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been discovered for the first time in Barron County, in the town of Lakeland. Dead and dying green ash were observed and larval specimens were subsequently lab-confirmed. Most of the green ash across a 20-acre area are either dead or dying from EAB attack.

Dead and dying green ash trees with characteristic woodpecker damage

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