Urban Forestry News - April Edition

[Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Urban Forestry News April 2026 Note: Images may appear blurry in some web browsers. We recommend opening links in Google Chrome. Controlling Buckthorn With Plants The Cover It Up project is a suite of related research projects conducted by multiple partners in Minnesota that are evaluating the ecology and management of buckthorn and other invasive plant species. Buckthorn is an invasive understory plant that was introduced to Wisconsin well over 100 years ago. It was used primarily in hedgerows, prized for its lack of pest issues and the fact it greens up early and holds its leaves well into the fall. These once desirable characteristics are also what turned this non-native into one of our state’s worst invasive species, easily outcompeting our natives, taking over Wisconsin’s forests, riparian woods, savannas, prairies, old fields, roadsides and vacant lots. Read more on the DNR website... Call For Urban Forestry Presentations: Due July 1, 2026 The Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) is accepting presentations for the 2027 Annual Conference to be held in Green Bay, WI on Feb. 14-16, 2027. This three-day event attracts approximately 950 attendees including professional arborists, community foresters, nursery professionals, utility workers, park/recreation staff, other green industry professionals, educators and students. If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please complete the online form. Please make sure that the form is filled out completely to be considered. Read more on the DNR website... Community Spotlight: Tree Canopy Cover On Milwaukee School Properties The thought of increasing a community’s tree canopy cover is sometimes overwhelming given how many landowners are present. Think about all the stakeholders who have to buy into the initiative, not only with enthusiasm, but likely contributing money and time as well. Contrast that with a more actionable approach focused on areas where there’s a single landowner or manager. This was the route taken by graduate student Michelle Hess in a recent paper for a UW-Milwaukee Geography course. Michelle investigated tree canopy on Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) properties to identify which schools should be prioritized for future greening initiatives, like those organized through ReFlo. Read more on the DNR website... Register For Tour Des Trees 2026 The Tour des Trees is a multi-day bike ride that not only raises funds for TREE Fund but also hosts multiple outreach events throughout the week, getting people together to learn more about the importance of tree research, proper tree care and why the industry is so vital to maintaining our urban forests. Ride dates are Sept.12-18, 2026, riding from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Can't ride all five days? Ride one to four days as your schedule allows. Read more on the DNR website... National Urban And Community Forestry Ten Year Action Plan Survey The congressionally mandated National Urban and Community Forestry (NUCF) Ten Year Action Plan creates a guiding framework that optimizes innovations, resources and collaborations for the field of urban and community forestry. Input gathered through this voluntary form is part of the stakeholder engagement process and will help update the NUCF Ten Year Action Plan. Learn more and submit your ideas. Read more on the DNR website... Keep Wildlife Wild: Know What To Do If You Encounter Young Wild Animals This Spring As warmer weather approaches, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public that wild animals and their young will be on the move across Wisconsin. "Springtime brings a flurry of inquiries from concerned individuals about the wildlife they are encountering. It is perfectly natural for many species of young wild animals to be left alone for extended periods of time, and they should not be disturbed," said Jenna Fastner, DNR captive wildlife health specialist. "Wild animals are well-adapted to life in the wild and learning natural behaviors from their own species is imperative to their survival." Read more on the DNR website... Upcoming Training & Events  * These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute endorsement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). See below for information on training topics and events, including flowering trees, climbing events, ecological restoration and gardening, urban forestry risks, soil health, chainsaw training, useful software and online tools, advocacy, career advancement and maintaining optimism. Read more on the DNR website... Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers didn’t have to go out on a limb to make this announcement. By issuing a Governor’s Proclamation this week, Gov. Evers has shined a spotlight on Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of forestland. His announcement officially recognizes Wisconsin’s participation in Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day. “Wisconsin’s trees and forests are among the state’s most beautiful and critical natural resources,” Gov. Evers wrote, “and educating kids, families and communities about sustainable forestry is vital to their long-term conservation.” Read more on the DNR website... April Brings Celebration Of Wisconsin's Forests It takes more than one celebration to pay tribute to Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of rich, diverse forestland. So, the state has come up with multiple ways to acknowledge the value of trees to Wisconsin’s ecology, economy, health and way of life. Three of the biggest ones are taking place in April: Earth Day will be observed on Wednesday, April 22. Arbor Day is set for Friday, April 24. Forest Appreciation Week runs April 20-24 statewide, covering both of those dates. Read more on the DNR website... Video Explains Importance Of Oak Wilt Prevention Owners of oak trees, the time for caution is now. Your oaks are at risk of oak wilt infection if they undergo pruning work or are damaged —even inadvertently — between April and mid-July. Read more on the DNR website...      'Exploding Trees' Face Long-term Impacts This past winter, “exploding trees” went viral on social media. Many news outlets followed up with a more realistic explanation of the dramatically named phenomenon, pointing out that while the bitter cold can cause sudden cracks to form on trees, the trees don’t truly explode. But what happens to those damaged trees as we warm up and move into the growing season? Read more on the DNR website... Salt Spray Damage Impacts White Pine An active winter weather season for snow, freezing rain and fluctuating freeze/thaw temperatures has exposed white pine along roadways to salt spray damage. Vaporized salt spray droplets from vehicle traffic can drift into the air and settle onto vegetation, with the heaviest deposits occurring within 150 feet of a roadway. Read more on the DNR website... Jumping Worms A Threat To Gardens And Forests Invasive jumping worms are worrisome for several reasons, but here’s one of the main ones: It can be difficult to tell you even have them until they’ve already done their damage. That makes this time of year important, because the best way to avoid damage from jumping worms, which can be substantial and long-lasting, is to prevent them from getting into your garden, yard or forestland in the first place. Read more on the DNR website... Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Spring Planting Plans 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. Read more on the DNR website... Yard Tree Owners, Send In Your Questions 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. Read more on the DNR website... More DNR Forestry News Division of Forestry News Forest Health News Forest Products News Private Forestry News Reforestation News Urban Forestry News Wildland Forestry News Wisconsin DNR - Division of Forestry, 101 S Webster St, Madison, WI 53703 DNRForest...@Wisconsin.gov

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