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Tree Inventory Subaccounts Available Within Wisconsin Community Tree Map

Posted on by janness

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

Do you have a tree inventory but have a hard time keeping it up to date? Or are you interested in inventorying trees from scratch?

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made a handful of “subaccounts” available for communities or organizations to edit data within the Wisconsin Community Tree Map at no cost to the community or organization.

Continue reading “Tree Inventory Subaccounts Available Within Wisconsin Community Tree Map” →

American Forests Launches Tree Equity Coaching Network

Posted on by janness

American Forests LogoThe American Forests National Coaching Network is a community for urban foresters, community advocates, city leaders and allied professionals to connect, learn, inspire and cultivate city commitments to advance tree equity. This network is a way for people to address challenges and build their tools and resources. Continue reading “American Forests Launches Tree Equity Coaching Network” →

Programs Support Forestry, Forest Products Industry

Posted on by akabelowsky

United States Department of Agriculture logo.

Elle Soderberg, DNR Forest Products Specialist, Green Bay
Elle.Soderberg@wisconsin.gov

Communities across Wisconsin have significant economic growth opportunities thanks to several key funding and support programs offered by Rural Development, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These programs provide vital resources aimed at improving infrastructure, businesses and entrepreneurs across the country.

The Business & Industry Loan Guarantees program is designed to assist businesses in rural areas by offering loans that help promote economic development, job creation and improved services in communities that need it most. Through this initiative, businesses can access funding they may not have otherwise qualified for, thus enhancing their ability to expand and create new opportunities for local residents.

Continue reading “Programs Support Forestry, Forest Products Industry” →

Right Tree, Right Place

Posted on by janness

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

Earth Day, Arbor Day and spring are all quickly approaching, and now is the time to start thinking about your tree plantings! Choosing the proper tree for a specific location will help ensure your tree’s long-term health and survival.

Think: “Right tree, right place.” It’s an old phrase, but the message is powerful and remains true today.

When selecting the right tree for your spot, many factors must be considered. Check out Choosing the Right Landscape Plants: Factors to Consider for a list of important considerations, such as landscape function, size and form, ornamental factors and pest issues. It even includes information on how to select high-quality trees in the nursery. Continue reading “Right Tree, Right Place” →

New Tree Canopy Resources Released

Posted on by janness

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

Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) assessments using aerial or satellite imagery have been one of the primary ways people estimate the extent of urban forests across an area of interest, whether it be a single park, a streetscape or a whole community.

Two recently released UTC resources are ready for use by Wisconsin communities and urban forestry practitioners. The first, TreeCanopy.us, is a mapping application that shows UTC and other land cover in urban areas across the country for 2017 and 2022. It also shows changes in canopy cover between those five years. Continue reading “New Tree Canopy Resources Released” →

Make Plans Now To Fight Spongy Moth In 2025

Posted on by akabelowsky
A photo showing large egg masses on a tree at the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit in 2021.

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

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

Part Two of a report on spongy moth in Wisconsin in 2024 and 2025. Part One was published in December.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging property owners to examine their property for spongy moth egg masses and plan for action this spring if needed. Each spongy moth egg mass contains hundreds of eggs that will hatch into hungry, leaf-eating caterpillars this spring. Large numbers of these invasive caterpillars can be a tremendous nuisance that may cause tree mortality.

Continue reading “Make Plans Now To Fight Spongy Moth In 2025” →

Tree Disease Maps Have Migrated

Posted on by akabelowsky
The Wisconsin web map for Heterobasidion root disease, available through ArcGIS Online.

The Wisconsin web map for Heterobasidion root disease, available through ArcGIS Online. / Map Credit: Paul Cigan, Wisconsin DNR

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health program hosts two interactive web maps on its webpage:

Heterobasidion Root Disease

Oak Wilt Seasonal Harvesting Opportunities

Continue reading “Tree Disease Maps Have Migrated” →

DNR Recruiting For Two Forest Health Specialists

Posted on by akabelowsky
A Wisconsin map showing zones of coverage for each of the six DNR Forest Health Specialists

A map showing the zones of coverage for each of the six DNR Forest Health Specialists. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has opened the search for candidates to fill two Forest Health Specialist openings, one in the West Central zone and one in the South Central zone.

The posting can be seen on the WiscJobs website. To be considered, candidates have until the posted deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, to submit a resume and letter of qualifications.

Continue reading “DNR Recruiting For Two Forest Health Specialists” →

2024 Spongy Moth Review

Posted on by akabelowsky

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

A tree shows high numbers of spongy moth caterpillars, though the majority of the caterpillars have been killed either by virus (hanging in an inverted V) or fungus (hanging in a stretched line, head down). The virus and fungus helped to quell a potential outbreak in many areas of the state in 2024.

A tree shows high numbers of spongy moth caterpillars, though the majority of the caterpillars have been killed either by virus (hanging in an inverted V) or fungus (hanging in a stretched line, head down). The virus and fungus helped to quell a potential outbreak in many areas of the state in 2024. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

As the 2023 spongy moth season ended, there were hopes for a return to colder and wetter conditions in 2024 so that the spongy moth outbreak would decline or even come to an end.

What wound up happening in Wisconsin was the “lost winter,” the warmest since recordkeeping began in 1895. Given this warmth, there were concerns that the widespread spongy moth outbreak would continue for a third consecutive summer, with good caterpillar survival, ongoing defoliation and high rates of tree mortality in already stressed forests.

Continue reading “2024 Spongy Moth Review” →

Cooperative Enlists Public To Make Tree Health A Snap

Posted on by akabelowsky

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

Screenshot of the main page of the TreeSnap app as seen on a mobile phone.

The main page of the TreeSnap app as seen on a mobile phone. / Photo Credit: TreeSnap.org

It takes more than a village to foster healthy forests. More than a township, a city and a county, too. Sometimes, even more than a state.

That’s why the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Cooperative (GLB FHC) was formed four years ago by Holden Arboretum in Ohio and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Geographically, the group’s region encompasses an area from New Jersey to Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is an active member.

Continue reading “Cooperative Enlists Public To Make Tree Health A Snap” →