The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Insider
An electronic newsletter of breaking news and valuable information for the Urban Forest community in Wisconsin and beyond.
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May 15, 2009
Students from MATC participate in the WAA Day of Service in Newburg, WI.
This issue's contents:
In the News
- New Urban Forestry Training Course
- True Professionals of Arboriculture
- Citizen Pruner Tree Care Course
- OneTree Program
Specifically Wisconsin
- Gypsy Moth Aerial Spraying to Start Soon
- Spring is Time to Control Garlic Mustard
- Oak Wilt Disease Spreads - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Emerald Ash Borer
- EAB in Minnesota
- EAB Awareness Week - May 17-23
- Ash Trees Turned to Lumber - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Tools For Your Job
- South Central and Southeast Regions Forest Health Update
- Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic Update
- Tree Benefits Media Resources -Webcast
- Tree Owner's Manual Online
- Scholarships & Grant Funds Available
Conferences & Seminars
New Urban Forestry Training Course
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry program is pleased to announce a new training opportunity for professionals engaged in municipal forestry. The Community Tree Management Institute is a new, advanced training course designed for Wisconsin municipal employees with tree related responsibilities but without a strong background in urban forestry. The institute is specifically tailored to the needs of municipal parks, planning or public works employees who have tree related responsibilities. The course focuses heavily on the management side, rather than the technical side, of municipal forestry programs.
True Professionals of Arboriculture
Are you one of the tree care profession’s “True Professionals?” Do you know someone who is? If so, you are encouraged to enter the International Society of Arboriculture's “True Professionals of Arboriculture” initiative, which will honor ISA members and certified professionals who demonstrate the truly professional manner in which today’s arborists do their work. Entries accepted through May 31, 2009.
Citizen Pruner Tree Care Course
Trees New York offers a Citizen Pruner Tree Care Course that trains adults and teenagers in tree care and pruning. Participants take a final exam that certifies them to legally do certain work on trees owned by the City of New York. Trees New York connects graduates with community and neighborhood groups who need their assistance. In New York City where there is limited money for tree maintenance but significant need, this provides a tremendous benefit.
Citizen Pruner Tree Care Course [Exit DNR]
OneTree Program
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) announces The OneTree Program, its new corporate sponsorship plan to advance the ISA mission. The OneTree Program is designed to bring together dedicated companies, organizations, and individuals who, through their alignment of corporate values and missions, are committed to improving the health of trees, the urban forests, and the quality of life in communities around the world.
Gypsy Moth Aerial Spraying to Start Soon
With the emergence of leaves comes the hatching of gypsy moth caterpillars, a destructive pest that feeds on the leaves of many species of trees and shrubs in Wisconsin. To combat the caterpillars, aerial spraying will begin in May in several counties under two state programs. Spraying typically begins in southern Wisconsin in mid-May and ends in northern Wisconsin in mid-June. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection operates a Slow the Spread Program (STS) and the Department of Natural Resources operates a Suppression Spray Program.
Spring is Time to Control Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard is winning the race in more and more woodlands,” notes Kelly Kearns a native plant conservation specialist with the Department of Natural Resources. “The fast growth and high seed production have made this plant imported from Eurasia able to outcompete our native wildflowers and even young trees.” Kearns says observant gardeners will also notice that it is becoming widespread in urban lots, both in the shade and even in full sun at times. In order to keep this plant from spreading all property and home owners need to learn how to identify it and help control it on their own lands.
“Just one plant,” Kearns said “allowed to go to seed, can infest an entire neighborhood or wooded park.”
Oak Wilt Disease Spreads - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
State officials are warning tree lovers to protect their oaks against a devastating disease that appears to be spreading. Oak wilt disease, which can bring down a healthy oak tree in just a few weeks, is turning up in a growing number of backyards.
EAB in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced on May 14, 2009 the discovery of an emerald ash borer infestation (EAB) in St. Paul just northeast of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Highway 280. This is the first detection of the destructive tree pest in Minnesota.
EAB Awareness Week - May 17-23
Governor Jim Doyle has announced that Wisconsin and 15 other states will observe Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, May 17-23, 2009. Through a proclamation, Gov. Doyle urged state residents and visitors to become better educated about emerald ash borer and to take action to help slow the spread of this invasive pest.
Ash Trees Turned to Lumber - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
On May 8th Wisconsin took its first substantive whack at trees infested with emerald ash borer. A small army of arborists representing the Wisconsin Arborist Association descended on Fireman's Park (Newburg) along the Milwaukee River and methodically sawed down 17 towering ash trees in the withering grip of the pest.
South Central and Southeast Regions Forest Health Update
The latest forest health update by Kyoko Scanlon
Topics Include:
Gypsy Moth Updates
- First report of hatch signals time to put up sticky barrier bands
- Spray season activities
- Reminder: Email spray notification available or 800 number for monitoring treatment timing
- Gypsy moth calls will be coming in soon! What do I do?!
Emerald ash borer updates:
- EAB infested trees were recently discovered in Victory, WI in Vernon Co.
- Other EAB highlights
- Reporting EAB
Other topics:
- Eastern tent caterpillar hatch observed
- Oak wilt harvesting/pruning guidelines
- White pine blister rust blisters observed
SCR & SER Forest Health Update
Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic Update
The UW-Extension/Madison Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic (PDDC) receives samples of many plant samples from around the state. The following diseases/disorders have been identified at the PDDC since April 29, 2009:
Tree Benefits Media Resources - Webcast
Join the Urban Natural Resources Institute on Tuesday, May 19th at 10:00 AM (Central) for an on-line webcast to learn about a new media resource, "Community Trees: A Living Investment", developed by the U.S. Forest Service Northeastern Area (NA). This session is part of the 'New Products Showcase' series of webcasts being co-hosted by NRS, NA and UNRI.
Donna Murphy, US Forest Service will introduce this high-resolution video series which promotes the value of trees in our lives and communities using validated scientific research and citizen testimonials. This webcast will provide an overview of the new media resource and offer suggestions for incorporating the tools into your urban natural resources program by urban natural resource partners. Webcast scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 10:00 (Central)
Tree Owner's Manual Online
The U.S. Forest Service is pleased to announce that the Tree Owner's Manual is now available! Please feel free to make as many copies as you like and post the link or file on your website. As a small, black-and-white booklet, it should be very inexpensive to reproduce.
Tree Owner's manual [Exit DNR]
Scholarships & Grant Funds Available
The Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund is an international philanthropic organization that identifies projects and programs that advance knowledge in the field of arboriculture and urban forestry for the benefit of people, trees and the environment. To this end, the TREE Fund seeks to address the broad needs of arboriculture through grants and scholarships.
TREE Fund Grants & Scholarships [Exit DNR]
Oregon State Announces New Online Urban Forestry College Course
Oregon State University will offer an online Urban Forestry course beginning in the Fall of 2009 through its award-winning Extended Campus (Ecampus) program. The OSU Urban Forestry course is an introductory level course covering a variety of urban forestry topics and issues. As an online course, it is suitable not only for college students, but also for people new to urban forestry or working in allied professions, even outside of Oregon. This course would be valuable to people wanting to learn more about urban forestry, or to professionals moving into the urban forestry field from other related fields such as forestry, horticulture, or city and regional planning. Ecampus course tuition is the same price for Oregon residents, Non-residents, and International students. Enrollment opens on June 4, 2009 and Fall Quarter begins on September 28, 2009. Class size will be limited. The course will also be offered during Winter Quarter 2010. For additional details, contact Paul Ries at paul.ries@oregonstate.edu or 503/945-7391.
Sample course syllabus [Exit DNR]
More Conferences & Seminars
For more conferences and seminars check out WDNR's Urban Forest website.
About the Insider
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Insider is intended as a quick networking tool for all people actively working in the area of urban and community forestry, especially in the state of Wisconsin.
Items that cannot wait for our quarterly print newsletter, Wisconsin Urban & Community Forests, will appear here.
The Insider is produced biweekly by the Urban and Community Forestry program of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin. Past issues will be archived on the UF pages on the WDNR web site.
We are happy to accept your suggestions and contributions. Send them to the editor, at Laura.Wyatt@Wisconsin.gov. Or call her: 608/267-0568.
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