Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council 2007 Report In December 2007, Executive Summary the Wisconsin Urban ore than at any other time in the Forestry Council history of the urban forestry pro- (WUFC) presented Volume 15 gram, Wisconsin communities are its fi rst report to the M facing both diffi cult challenges and incredible Department of Natural Number 4 opportunities. In response, the Wisconsin Ur- Resources Secretary Photo: Ian Brown ban Forestry Council has amplifi ed the voice Matt Frank and State Winter Ken Ottman, Wisconsin Urban of urban forestry by strengthening strategic Forester Paul DeLong. Forestry Council chair alliances and engaging stakeholders in critical 2007–2008 This comprehensive conversation on the issues facing Wisconsin. document focuses on current issues and provides recommendations on how Issues best to ensure sustainability of Wisconsin’s urban forest ] Federal budget cuts threaten urban forest resource, a place where 80% of Wisconsin’s residents management. The President’s 2008 budget in- reside. cludes a 39% cut in urban forestry funding and I encourage each of you to review the following execu- the Forest Service’s State & Private Forestry tive summary to become a better informed advocate redesign is scheduled to cut base funding to of urban forestry in Wisconsin. Share it with those you states by 65% over the next 5 years. This will work with. Share it with local decision makers and eliminate 7 urban forestry LTE staff, reduc- neighbors. Begin conversations regarding what federal ing services and compromising the ability to and state roles should be and most importantly what compete for future federal dollars. you and your community should be doing. For the en- ] Emerald ash borer threatens 5.2 million ash tire report visit www.dnr.state.wi.us/forestry/UF/council/ or Inside this issue: trees within Wisconsin’s urban forests. Re- contact your regional urban forestry coordinator (see placement could cost communities more than Community Profi le: back page). City of Oshkosh ...........2 $1.5 billion. Your comments and efforts are important and appreci- Urban Forestry ] Our tree canopy cover is only 14% and lacks Awards ........................3 ated. Join us in raising the voice of Wisconsin urban diversity. The average canopy cover provided Federal Funding and community forestry! For a list of WUFC members Update ........................3 by Wisconsin’s 26.9 million community trees please see page 8. Look for future newsletters regarding Tree Profi le: is signifi cantly below the 40% recommended Balsam Fir ..................4 how the report and recommendations are progressing. by American Forests. Successful Tree I would like to recognize and thank the USDA Forest Planting ......................5 ] Wisconsin’s urban forests annually provide What Damaged Service for the investment of federal resources in urban over $64 million in environmental services This Tree? ...................5 forestry research, staff support and most importantly including carbon sequestration, air pollution Urban Tree Health the completion of the pilot study to inventory Wiscon- Matters: Two Diseases mitigation, and energy savings which could to Watch For ................6 sin’s urban forests which has provided critical resource be an effective tool to help address climate Urban Forestry data for this report. I also wish to acknowledge and Grant Awards ..............7 change and energy independence. thank WUFC members and DNR staff for the hours UFC Members ...............8 Continued on page 12 of time invested in researching the issues, engaging Coming Events ..............8 stakeholders in conversations and attending meetings Urban Forest Insect Pests ..................9 which were needed to achieve this comprehensive re- “Like the aging of a familiar face, the decline Certifi cation Profi le .....10 port. Thank you for representing the voice of Wisconsin in city trees has been so gradual as to be Project Profi le .............11 urban forestry. almost imperceptible.” Idea Exchange .............14 Research Notes ............14 Ken Ottman, Chair —U.S. News and World Report Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council UF Resources: Arbor Day Resources ..........15 DNR UF Contacts .......16 Community Profi le: City of Oshkosh by Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/Forester City of Oshkosh 2 Settlement of the area now known as the city of Oshkosh began shortly after the Menomonee Indians ceded land to the United States government in 1836. The year 1846 was a watershed in the development of the city as the county population grew from 732 to 2787. Settlers moved into the area to take advantage Photo: City of Oshkosh Oshkosh of the river and the nearby immense pine forests to the City of Oshkosh is located on both the Fox River and Lake north and west. In 1853, Oshkosh was offi cially incor- Winnebago. porated as a city. The city’s lumber industry fl ourished because of its proximity to high-quality timber. In world annually to take part in AirVenture, the largest Community Profi le: 1874 sawmill activity peaked with 47 sawmills and aviation event on the planet. Tree City USA: 26 Years 15 shingle mills in operation. Soon after, production The City of Oshkosh Forestry Division was formed Population: 65,510 began to decline as a result of extensive clearing and as part of the parks department in 1969 in response to Street & Park Trees: higher transportation costs. The last log drive was held the extensive losses to Dutch elm disease. Tree City 11,000 on the Fox River in 1911. Many of Oshkosh’s historic USA status has been maintained for over 26 years. Number of Parks: 32 homes show evidence of a deep appreciation for wood Today, the division maintains approximately 11,000 Municipal and wood products by their builders through the ex- Cemeteries: 2 trees in the parks, city owned properties and along the tensive use of fi nely crafted architectural millwork and public right-of-way with a team of four ISA certifi ed Municipal Golf other high-quality wood products in these structures. Course: 1 arborists. The division also manages the horticultural The city of Oshkosh is located on both the Fox River program for the city and installs landscaping and Program Profi le and Lake Winnebago which provides excellent fi shing fl ower beds throughout the park system. Staff: city forester, arborist crew leader, and recreational opportunities for residents and visi- In 1999, the forestry division in cooperation with the arborist, urban tors alike. The Lake Winnebago system is the largest Oshkosh Southwest Rotary developed a commemo- forestry technician, inland lake-sturgeon fi shery in North America, and rative tree program for the placement of trees in the horticulturist shantytowns appear each winter on the ice as fi sher- Budget: $271,731 parks and on other city properties. To date, almost 200 men and women attempt to spear these enormous fi sh. ball and burlap trees have been placed, with donors Many of the city’s 32 park properties lie on the water’s in 2006 from as far away as New York City and San edge and provide fi shing and recreational boating Francisco, taking the program coast to coast. The access from several municipally operated launches. program has increased in popularity each year since Oshkosh is also home to the Experimental Aircraft its inception and has been very well received as a way Association which brings in visitors from around the Continued on page 13 Published quarterly by the Wisconsin Department of Natu- For breaking UF news, anecdotes, announcements and ral Resources, Forestry Division. networking opportunities, sign up for The Urban Forestry Insider, DNR’s twice-monthly e-newsletter. Archives are at Send your inquiries, address changes, or story ideas to http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/UF/resources/InsiderArchive.html Laura Wyatt, [email protected] (608-267-0568), or Dick Rideout, [email protected] The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal (608-267-0843). opportunity in its employment, programs, services and functions under an Affi rmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, Editors: Laura Wyatt and Dick Rideout please write to Equal Opportunity Offi ce, Department of the Contributors: Ian Brown, Cindy Casey, Kathy Gonzalez, Interior, Washington DC 20240 Don Kissinger, Jeff Roe, Tracy Salisbury, Kim Sebastian, This newsletter is made possible in part by a grant from the Candice Sovinski, Olivia Witthun and Al Zelaya United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The Articles, news items, photos and ideas are welcome. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, Unless noted, material in this newsletter is not copyright- disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or fam- ed. Reproduction for educational purposes is encouraged. ily status. To fi le a complaint call (202) 720-5964. Subscriptions are free. This newsletter is available in alternative format upon PRINTED ON RECYCLED request and can also be downloaded in PDF format from PAPER our Web site: http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/UF/ http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/UF/ Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council Awards by Laura Wyatt, Urban Forestry Council Liaison DNR Division of Forestry The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is pleased to announce recipients of the Wisconsin Urban Forestry 3 Awards given in recognition of outstanding efforts of individuals, organizations and communities that further Consider who you urban forestry in