Taking action

Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Spring Planting Plans

Posted on by akabelowsky
The invasive plant japanese barberry growing in a woodland area.

Originally planted as a garden ornamental, Japanese barberry can quickly escape cultivation and invade Wisconsin’s woodlands. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

As winter begins to loosen its grip on Wisconsin, many gardeners have turned their thoughts to that unmistakable harbinger of spring: Planting season.

While dreaming of spring blooms and designing your next garden or landscape layout, consider that invasive plants may try to weed their way into your plans.

Continue reading “Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Spring Planting Plans” →

Yard Tree Owners, Send In Your Questions

Posted on by akabelowsky
The niversity of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program's webpage for "Ask A Gardening Question."

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program’s webpage for “Ask A Gardening Question,” the best place for homeowners to ask questions about the health of their yard trees. / Graphic Credit: UW-Madison Division of Extension

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a team of Forest Health specialists that focus on problems affecting state, county and municipal forests and private forests larger than 10 acres.

But, to twist a cliché, if you can’t see the forest for the trees when it comes to your yard trees, expert help is a few clicks away.

Continue reading “Yard Tree Owners, Send In Your Questions” →

Arbor Day Caps Off A Week Of Environmental Action And Celebration

Posted on by janness
kids planting a tree

Photo Credit: Olivia Witthun, Wisconsin DNR

Don’t think of Arbor Day as the end of Forest Appreciation Week, think of it as the beginning of tree planting season! Arbor Day is a celebration rooted in a simple but powerful idea that planting trees is an investment in the future.

The first Arbor Day started as a community effort to restore trees in Nebraska. The secretary of the Nebraska Territory at the time, J. Sterling Morton, led this effort, and on April 10, 1872, the first official Arbor Day was celebrated. The success of the first tree-planting holiday spread quickly, and today, it is observed in all 50 states and in many countries around the world. The Arbor Day Foundation estimates tens of millions of trees are planted each year in honor of Arbor Day. Continue reading “Arbor Day Caps Off A Week Of Environmental Action And Celebration” →

Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)

Posted on by janness

For the last few years, our urban forestry team has been writing social media posts for Wisconsin communities to post during Arbor Week. We encourage you to use social media to celebrate the many benefits of trees and inform the public on proper tree care. Here are some tips to get your messages noticed followed by sample social media posts.

  • Use pictures of local trees in your posts to inspire community members to get out and explore the local urban forest.
  • Share pictures of past tree-planting events to generate enthusiasm.
  • Ask a question to encourage engagement.
  • Include links to more information.
  • Share stories about interesting local trees such as the oldest tree, the biggest tree, the most unique-looking tree or a tree that has survived a catastrophic event.
  • Do you have any local celebrities in your community? Have the mayor or a librarian or school superintendent share stories about their favorite trees.

Continue reading “Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)” →

Oak Wilt High Risk Period Quickly Approaches

Posted on by akabelowsky
A closeup of a fungal pressure pad under the bark of an oak tree infected with oak wilt.

A fungal pressure pad formed on the outside of the sapwood underneath the bark of an infected tree. The pad will create cracks in the bark, where beetles can enter and visit the pad and become covered in spores. They will then leave and move on to infect new trees through open wounds. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Alex Hornung, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Plover
Alexandra.Hornung@wisconsin.gov or 715-340-3810

It is again that time of year to pause operating in oak stands or pruning oak trees during the high-risk period for oak wilt, which begins in April. The high-risk period begins April 1 in the South, April 15 in the North, and ends in both zones on July 15.

The high-risk period is determined by when the beetles that carry the fungus that causes oak wilt have emerged for the year and when they are carrying the highest number of fungal spores. When wounds are created by logging operations or other activities that expose sapwood, the beetles carry the fungus to the wounded tree, and the disease process begins.

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Protect Valuable Ash Trees Against Emerald Ash Borer

Posted on by akabelowsky
An ash tree in Oshkosh shows damage from woodpeckers feeding on emerald ash borer larvae beneath the bark.

An ash tree next to a walking trail in Oshkosh has been damaged by woodpeckers feeding on emerald ash borer larvae beneath the bark. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Property owners with healthy, valuable ash trees are encouraged to treat them with insecticide this spring to protect against emerald ash borer (EAB).

The invasive pest is currently the most damaging threat to trees in Wisconsin, killing more than 99% of the ash trees it infests.

Woodpecker damage during the winter is often the first sign that an ash tree is infested. The birds remove pieces of bark while feeding on EAB larvae inside the tree. Insecticide treatment of infested ash trees is more likely to be successful if the trees have low or moderate levels of woodpecker damage.

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Wisconsin’s Urban Forestry Council 2025 Biennial Report Published

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By Jenn Janness, Urban Forestry Council Liaison
Jennipher.Janness@wisconsin.gov or 920-809-9330

2025 report coverThe purpose of the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is to advise the state forester and the Wisconsin DNR on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources. Members are appointed by the DNR Secretary and represent a wide array of stakeholders, including municipal and utility foresters, medical and higher education professionals, nursery and green industry staff, environmental groups, public works and parks staff, organizations such as the Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA), the Urban Wood Network Wisconsin, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and government agencies such as WisDOT and DATCP. Continue reading “Wisconsin’s Urban Forestry Council 2025 Biennial Report Published” →

Now Is Time To Seek Out Spongy Moth Egg Masses

Posted on by akabelowsky
Large spongy moth egg masses on a tree main stem.

Large egg masses are seen on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov

It certainly has been chilly in recent weeks, but spring is coming. When the weather warms up, the annual return of spongy moth caterpillars will begin.

The overall spongy moth population is currently low in Wisconsin. However, egg mass numbers may remain high enough to cause nuisance problems and heavy tree defoliation on individual trees or in small areas.

There’s a way for property owners to help keep the population down: Get out now to locate and properly dispose of spongy moth egg masses, which were produced by adult moths last summer. Each spongy moth egg mass contains hundreds of eggs that will hatch into hungry, leaf-eating caterpillars in the spring.

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Make Plans For National Invasives Week

Posted on by akabelowsky
Workers spray water from a hose to clean the wheels of a tractor in a woodlot.

Workers follow the practice of pressure-washing the tires and frames of a tractor to rid the vehicle of possible invasive plants after a workday in the forest. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

The North American Invasives Species Management Association (NAISMA) has organized a series of activities to take place as part of its National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), set for Feb. 23 through 27.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will participate by presenting a news release and daily social media posts in the days leading up to the start of NISAW’s 2026 activities.

Continue reading “Make Plans For National Invasives Week” →