By Bill McNee, DNR forest health specialist, Oshkosh, Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0942
Fall is an excellent time to look for and dispose of gypsy moth egg masses that were laid in the summer. Since egg masses usually don’t hatch until April, information gained from fall/winter surveys can be used to avoid gypsy moth damage before the following spring and summer.
Spraying egg masses with oil kills the eggs inside, preventing hundreds of caterpillars from hatching next spring.
Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control (UWDAC) grants help urban areas develop wildlife plans, implement specific damage abatement and/or control measures for white-tailed deer and/or Canada geese.
UWDAC grants are available to any town, city, village, county or tribal government located within an urban area. Applications must be received on or before December 1 and awards are announced in January of the grant year. For more information please visit, https://dnr.wi.gov/aid/uwdac.html.
By Mike Hillstrom, forest health specialist, Fitchburg, Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov, 608-513-7690
The most commonly reported forest health issue in recent weeks has been unhealthy looking oaks. Symptoms ranging from rapid mortality to gradual decline to superficial have been observed on all species of oak this summer.
White and bur oaks are being impacted by a variety of health issues in late summer 2019, including fungal leaf infections and bur oak blight. Symptoms are most severe in the lower half of this tree’s canopy. Credit: DNR Forest Health.
By Andrea Diss-Torrance, invasive forest insects program coordinator, Andrea.DissTorrance@wisconsin.gov, 608-516-2223
Most people know that using locally-sourced firewood helps prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases. What may be less well known are the processes for finding local sources of firewood or learning where and how you can collect it yourself. During Firewood Awareness Month, we want to share what options are out there so you can take steps to protect the places you love.
Infested firewood can carry invasive insects and diseases to new places. Buy or gather firewood where you will use it or buy firewood that has been certified as heat-treated and free of pests and diseases. Credit: dontmovefirewood.org.
Continue reading “It’s Firewood Awareness Month: do you know what your options are?”
By Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
Spruce needle rust is showing up in some northern counties. This rust fungus infects current year needles of most spruce species, including white and black spruce, with blue spruce being most severely impacted.
Spore-producing structures of the fungus emerging from infected spruce needles.
By Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
Large white pines with red wilting branch tips may be caused by a very tiny insect called white pine bast scale (Matsucoccus macrocicatrices). The branch mortality that follows may be caused by an insect/disease complex that is still relatively new to Wisconsin.
Feeding by the white pine bast scale is causing branch tips throughout the tree to wilt and turn red this summer.
By Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
Colonies of the redheaded pine sawfly have been reported in northeastern Wisconsin. They can cause significant defoliation in some situations and may warrant control if larval populations are large.
This native insect feeds in groups with many sawfly larvae together on a single needle or branch.
Continue reading “Reports of redheaded pine sawfly colonies”
By Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
Acorns are dropping, but do you know why? If you take a closer look at the acorns on the ground, you might notice they look a little odd.
Pip galls appear to be inserted between the acorn and the cap.
By Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
Oaks in some northern counties are experiencing defoliation from oak sawflies this year. These native defoliating insects are small, hairless, semi-transparent larvae or “slugs” that feed on oak leaves.
Oak slug sawflies feed in groups on the undersides of oak leaves.
By Linda Williams, forest health specialist, Woodruff, Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0665
Barklice tend to congregate in large groups on trees, which can lead some people to worry about tree health, but they are actually quite harmless.
Immature barklice congregated on bark. Striped abdomens are easy to see before the insects mature into adults and develop wings.
