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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April 17, 2009
EAB in western Wisconsin
Photo by DATCP
This issue's contents:
In the News
Specifically Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Celebrates Earth Day & Arbor Day
- Earth Day Celebrated Throughout Wisconsin
- Invasive Species Awareness Month
- Prepare Now – Gypsy Moth Will Return Soon
- Don’t Prune Oaks April through July
Emerald Ash Borer
- EAB Jumps Across State - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Milwaukee Protects Against EAB - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Indicators Of EAB Found in Iowa - The Gazette
Tools For Your Job
- NEW Tree Seedlings Planting Tool
- Northeast Region Forest Pest Update
- Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic Update
- Bare Root Research
- Backyard Conservation Booklet
Conferences & Seminars
450,000 Energy Savings Trees Planted
The 18-year award-winning partnership of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and Sacramento Tree Foundation has resulted in the planting of more than 450,000 shade trees, resulting in energy savings equivalent to the operation of about 40,000 air conditioners! This partnership is the model for Congresswoman Doris Matsui's Energy Conservation Through Trees Act of 2008.
Energy Conservation Through Trees Act [Exit DNR]
Learn More about SMUD [Exit DNR]
Trees Find New Life - Wisconsin State Journal
Each pile of boards drying in the solar kiln as part of Paul Morrison’s business can be traced to a tree downed because of a specific incident such as the Stoughton tornado, a lightning strike, wind or root damage. "Almost every one of these piles has some sort of story," said Morrison, owner of The Wood Cycle. He makes products from furniture to fireplace mantels out of "recycled" wood that would have been otherwise discarded.
Trees Find New Life [Exit DNR]
Wisconsin Celebrates Earth Day & Arbor Day
Every April, Wisconsin celebrates two important dates for the environment: Arbor Day, which is always the last Friday of the month, April 24 this year, and Earth Day, celebrated April 22. And we begin a week-long celebration of our forests during Forest Appreciation Week April 19-25.
Earth Day Celebrated Throughout Wisconsin
Born from a Wisconsin politician’s push to ignite the national conscience about the environment, Earth Day this year marks its 39th anniversary. This annual day of action that has evolved into a week of individual, community and government events began in the 1960s when the late U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson – who started his Washington career the day after he finished his term as Wisconsin governor on Jan. 7, 1963 – created the environmental “teach in” after watching the nation’s campuses erupt with student protests against the Vietnam War.
Invasive Species Awareness Month
It is time to nominate those who are deserving of the Invader Crusader Award. Any individuals, young or old, groups and organizations that have done an outstanding job dealing with terrestrial and aquatic invasive species can be nominated. The deadline for nominations is April 30, 2009 and awards will be handed out during a ceremony that will be held in Madison on May 30, 2009.
Learn more about the award, activities planned throughout the month and a lot more visit [Exit DNR]
Prepare Now – Gypsy Moth Will Return Soon
With the approach of warmer weather, state forestry officials are urging homeowners to begin preparing to battle gypsy moths. In late April and early May, a new generation of gypsy moth caterpillars will hatch in eastern Wisconsin.
Don’t Prune Oaks April through July
People who value their oak trees should not prune them from April through July, according to the latest recommendations from state forestry officials. Spring and early-summer pruning makes oak trees vulnerable to oak wilt, a serious and almost-always fatal fungal disease of oaks.
EAB Jumps Across State - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The emerald ash borer has leaped across southern Wisconsin from the Milwaukee suburbs to a small community on the Mississippi River. With the latest finding, the destructive beetle threatens the popular and scenic Mississippi River Valley and raises the specter of striking other tourist hotspots, such as Wisconsin's North Woods.
Milwaukee Protects Against EAB - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee isn't waiting until the emerald ash borer is discovered in the city but instead is mounting a major offensive with a new insecticide against the destructive beetle. Starting in mid-May, city crews will start treating 32,000 ash trees located on city property. The work will take two years.
Indicators Of EAB Found in Iowa - The Gazette
Iowa officials' first try to identify the dreaded emerald ash borer on an Iowa tree proved inconclusive.
"We found some big ash trees with woodpecker damage in the upper branches, but tests will be required to determine if it's an ash borer infestation," said State Entomologist Robin Pruisner. Pruisner, with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and representatives of several other agencies on Thursday explored remote areas of Allamakee County across the Mississippi River from this Wisconsin town, where a sizable ash borer infestation was confirmed on April 6.
NEW Tree Seedlings Planting Tool
Just in time for Arbor Day! A new PowerPoint to assist with tree seedling planting projects is available through LEAF.This PowerPoint was developed as a tool for those who go into the 4th grade classrooms and hand out bare root tree seedlings. The goal is to increase survivability of the seedlings students take home in celebration of Arbor Day. These trees are typically planted in backyards; therefore, this presentation is a combination of both urban and traditional forestry planting messages. It is a short, visual PowerPoint that discusses: tree needs, tree parts, where to plant, how to plant and how to care for bare root seedlings. Notes for the presenter are included as discussion points. Teachers, Scout leaders, foresters and others will find it a very useful tool in illustrating proper care and planting to these young children.
Tree Seedling Planting PowerPoint Tool [Exit DNR]
Northeast Region Forest Pest Update
The latest pest update by DNR Forest Health Specialist Linda Williams.
Topics include:
Insects:
- EAB Another WI Infestation
- EAB Awareness Week
- EAB field guide
- EAB Milwaukee to treat trees
- EAB Wisconsin EAB website
- Reporting EAB
- Flatheaded apple tree borer
- Gypsy moths will start hatching soon
- Gypsy moth slow-the-spread treatment maps available
- Gypsy moth calls this summer
- Spotted apple tree borer
Diseases:
- Armillaria
- Oak Wilt restrictions
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 January 1, 2009:
Bare Root Research
Dr. Bonnie Appleton, Professor of Horticulture/Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech, has posted several recent presentation papers regarding bare rooting.
Bare Rooting Research [Exit DNR]
Backyard Conservation Booklet
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has published a free booklet, Backyard Conservation. The publication includes homeowner information on ways to implement conservation practices for city and suburban yards and rural acreage. The publication includes detailed information on tree planting, as well as mulching and composting, pest management, and plant selection.
NRC Backyard Conservation [Exit DNR]
Tri-State EAB Conference
The University of Minnesota, MN Dept of Ag and MN-DNR have scheduled a Tri -State (MN,WI, IA) EAB Workshop in Winona on April 28, 2009. It will include MN, WI and IA attendees and speakers. Targeted audience is arborists, park and landscape professionals, Master Gardeners, Tree Inspectors, etc.
Tri-State EAB Workshop [Exit DNR]
Summer Climbing Workshop
Minnesota State Arborist Association will be hosting a summer climbing workshop on Friday, June 19 at North Mississippi Park in Minneapolis, MN. The workshop will focus on aerial rescue. There will be four different climbing situations and many scenarios to aid in the critical thinking necessary for emergency response. Emergency Medical Services staff will be on site to help teach medical skills. Training will qualify climbers for EHAP training. There are also CEUs available to ISA Certified Arborists and ISA Certified Tree Workers. Register soon; only 25 spaces available.
Green Infrastructure Summit and Urban Trees Forum
The Alliance for Community Trees, working with various partners including the Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition, is organizing the first annual Green Infrastructure Summit and Urban Trees Forum, May 14-15 in Washington D.C. The two days of Hill meetings and discussions will take place in downtown DC.
Trees are essential to the health and livability of our nation's cities and towns. Cleaner air, greener streets, and healthier neighborhoods are crucial to the prosperity of the American economy. But lasting progress won't come without a change in domestic policy. Now is the time to harness the momentum of a new Congress and a new administration. It is critical that Members of Congress understand the implications of policy choices on the ability of our cities to sustain their economies and promote more sustainable development.
Green Infrastructure [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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