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The Forester for the Village of Elm Grove is Ron Hill.  If you have a concern, you can call the Village at 262-782-6700.

   E-mail the forester  |  

Memorial Tree Donation  |  Rabbit Browse Plants  |  Lake Michigan Rain Water Gardens |  Alternative to Ash Trees  |  Emerald Ash Borer  |  Japanese Beetles  |  Gypsy Moth  |  Contractors  |  Ash Trees

Helpful forestry links for landscape issues:

http://www.we-energies.com/forestry  |  http://datcp.state.wi.us   |   http://www.uwex.edu     |    http://www.plantpath.wisc.edu

Watering in a Drought   |   Wise Water Use   

For more information on invasive plants and insects, visit the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/invasive/

The Village-wide tree inventory is complete.  The results indicate that Elm Grove has over 8,000 trees on the right-of-ways with a fairly young and well kept tree component.  

Please watch for Dutch Elm Disease and don't hesitate to call the forester with any sightings.  Chapter 266 of the Village's Tree and Vegetation Ordinance covers not only Dutch Elm Disease but any plant deemed hazardous to the public.  This ordinance includes Emerald Ash Borer in concert with all State and Federal legislations.

Planting on the right-of-way is still going strong.  If you think you have a spot in front of your house to add diversity or if you have any tree related problems, call the Forestry Department at 782-6700.

Planting of Trees (Village Ordinance 266-4)

No tree or shrub shall be planted in any of the public right-of-ways or public easement in the Village of Elm Grove unless such tree or shrub and the place where such tree or shrub is to be planted has first been approved by the Village Plan Commission upon the recommendation of the forester of the Village of Elm Grove.  There shall be a written agreement executed whenever planting by any non-Village agent is allowed in a form satisfactory to the Village Attorney.

Hazardous Tree (Village Ordinance 266-1)

1. Any tree or shrub that may be injurious or detrimental to the community by causing injuries to person or property due to a defective or diseased condition.
2. Any tree or shrub that overhangs any sidewalk, street or other public right-of-way in the Village in such a manner as to impede or interfere with any public easement or traffic or travel on such pathway, street or other public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, any tree or shrub that obstructs street illumination or the vision of persons traveling such pathway, street, or other public right-of-way.
3. Any limb of a tree or shrub that, due to a diseased or defective condition, is likely to fall and impair access to a public right-of-way or place.

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MEMORIAL TREE DONATIONS         

Commemorate special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and weddings, recognize your organization or a member of your organization, give a gift of gratitude, or honor the memory of a deceased relative or friend by donating a tree.  All donors will be honored on a plaque at the Village Hall upon completion of the donation program.  To make a donation please contact Lauren Oliveri, Interim Recreation Director at (262) 782-6700 or . For more details, please click on the links below.

Memorial Tree Donation Brochure

Tree Donation Location Information

Tree Donation Price List

Memorial Tree Donors and Tree Locations

Memorial Tree Donation Location Map *Note: You will first need to obtain the tree location number by clicking on the link above.

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CURRENT FORESTRY CONCERNS

Alternative to Ash Trees:  Commercially available species and cultivars    2-21-2010

Download PDF document (provided by University of Wisconsin -Madison)

Emerald Ash Borer information.  Learn about where they are, and how to identify if your tree is infected.     10-26-2009

http://emeraldashborer.wi.gov

http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/emeraldashborer/

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/forestry/fh/Ash/

Homeowner Guide to Emerald Ash Borer Insecticide Treatments     (provided by University of Wisconsin-Extension)

New Homeowners Guide to Chemically Treat Emerald Ash Borer    5-29-2009

Emerald Ash Borer Homeowners Guide - October 2009  (2MB)    10-26-2009

Japanese Beetles

The Japanese beetle is considered the single most important turfgrass-infesting pest in the United States.

www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/gardenfacts/X1062.pdf          

Gypsy Moth   

http://www.gypsymoth.wi.gov    

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Ash Trees    5-26-2010

Just recently ash trees around the state have been prematurely dropping their leaves shortly after the trees leafed out.  Due to loss of leaves, affected trees have a thinner crown compared to nearby broadleaf trees of different species.

Two main events are causing this leaf drop: 1) frost/freeze events and 2) anthracnose fungal infection.  Frost/freeze events occurring after the buds had started to swell or after buds had already broken damaged newly expanding leaves or caused tender leaves to die.  Additionally, the fungal disease anthracnose, was able to infect some leaves this spring causing dead spots on the leaves.  Ash trees will purge these damaged leaves.

When you look at ash leaves that prematurely fell to the ground, they will have black/brown blotches on green leaves and many of them are curled up or distorted.  Photos above and at right show damaged leaves that the tree will choose to drop.  The leaf disease, anthracnose, is commonly seen when the spring weather is cool and wet.  Leaf damage tends to be more severe on the lower crown of a tree if anthracnose is the culprit (photo below right) whereas frost damage will be more severe in the upper portions of the tree and the outer edges.

Although ash may drop the majority of its leaves the tree will attempt to send out a second set of leaves and will look much better the rest of the season.  Once leaves mature, temperatures increase, and spring shower season ends, the problem usually subsides.  No control is necessary for yard trees although it is a good idea to maintain the overall health of the trees by watering during dry periods, properly mulching, and minimizing injuries to the tree.

UW Extension has a factsheet on anthracnose available to homeowners at: 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact  Village Forester Ron Hill:  forester@elmgrovewi.org

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PERENNIALS LEAST AFFECTED BY RABBIT BROWSE          

Protecting vulnerable plants with fencing or repellants combined with planting browse resistant species is the most effective combination.  The following list is intended as a general guide and is based on our experience and that of others.  However, rabbits may sometimes browse the plants listed below and may conversely avoid ones that are not listed.  When the rabbits' preferred food is scarce, there are few species that they won't eat.

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Lake Michigan Rain Gardens Initiative.  

You can help protect Lake Michigan by planting a rain garden. They are a natural way of reducing man-made problems like sewer overflows and polluted storm water runoff. Rain gardens make neighborhoods more beautiful and they attract birds, butterflies and wildlife.  The Lake Michigan Rain Gardens Initiative, quite simply, is all about getting more rain gardens planted in MMSD’s service area.   Interested homeowners need only fill out and submit the short application form posted on MMSD’s web site at www.mmsd.com/raingardens.  After the application has been approved, awardees then send in their plant orders and matching grant directly to the Graham-Martin Foundation.  The list of more than 50 plant species for sale, delivery information, and other information about the initiative is available on MMSD’s web site.

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"Sneed" Ailing Wisconsin Spruces

by Glen R. Stanosz, Ph.D., Professor
Department of Plant Pathology
University of Wisconsin - Madison

One characteristic symptom of "sneed" is the progressive loss 
of older needles on living spruce branches.

Spruce trees in Wisconsin are exhibiting numerous symptoms indicating poor health.  Affected trees occur in a variety of production and landscape situations, and have even been seen in forests.  While the newest needles may appear normal, older needles are spotted, banded and discolored olive-green to yellow to brown.  Symptoms progress and intensify over time.  Needles eventually drop, so that fewer years' needles are held on the tree and crowns appear thin.  Tree growth slows, with shorter and shorter shoots produced each year.  Entire branches can become bare, and in landscape situations the appearance of some trees has become so poor that they have been removed.  Without knowledge of the cause, this collection of symptoms has been referred to as spruce needle drop or "sneed" for short.

While sneed is an indication of poor spruce tree health, it has not been proven that any particular living pathogen (such as fungus or bacterium) or nonliving factor (such as air pollution or soil mineral deficiency) is responsible for sneed.  To date, other spruce diseases such as Cytospora canker and Rhizosphaera needlecast cannot explain all the symptoms occurring in all situations.  Thus, pathologists still cannot indicate that sneed is a disease or make management recommendations such as fungicide application for trees exhibiting sneed symptoms.

Several years ago, tiny, black, spore-producing structures (fruiting bodies) of a fungus were noticed on spruces in Wisconsin.  After some difficulty, US Department of Agriculture mycologists finally learned that the fungus is called Setomelanomma holmii.  This fungus was originally discovered in Europe, and previously was almost unknown in North America.  However, it now has been found on Colorado blue, white and Norway spruces throughout Wisconsin, on nursery seedlings, retail stock, residential landscape trees, and also in forests.  Setomelanomma holmii fruiting bodies are sometimes present on very healthy vigorous trees, but seem to be more and more abundant on trees with deteriorating health, especially those that exhibit severe symptoms of sneed.  So the questions have been asked, "Is Setomelanomma holmii a pathogen that is causing a disease?" and "Will spraying fungicides inhibit Setomelanomma holmii and prevent spruce needle drop?"

Efforts are underway in the UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology to answer these questions, using federal block grant funds generously provided by the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association and Wisconsin Nursery Association.  Setomelanomma holmii has been cultured and now can be grown in the laboratory.  An inoculation trial was attempted using small Colorado blue spruce and white spruce seedlings in 2002, but no symptoms developed that could be attributed to this fungus.  A loner-term experiment is now underway.  In spring 2003, potted trees were sprayed with the fungus and are being maintained on campus.  As the trees grow, their condition and amount of Setomelanomma holmii present will be compared to another group of control trees that were not inoculated.

Other experiments are evaluating the response of Setomelanomma holmii to fungicides.  The fungus was grown in the laboratory on culture media containing various concentrations of three different fungicides.  The fungicide chlorothalonil was the most inhibitory to growth of Setomelanomma holmii, even at relatively low concentration.  With this knowledge, a field trial was established in 2003 with the help of Evergreen Nursery.  Some trees are being sprayed periodically with chlorothalonil, others remain unsprayed.  Symptom development and numbers of Setomelanomma holmii fruiting bodies produced on these trees will be monitored for at least two growing seasons.  Inhibition of Setomelanomma holmii and suppression of symptoms will support involvement of fungi in sneed and point to a possible means of prevention.  Current work will continue during 2004 at UW-Madison and Evergreen Nursery.  Hopefully the information gained will contribute to understanding the cause of sneed and maintenance of spruce health.  Additional questions regarding the role of soil and weather influences on spruce health and variation in the incidence and severity of sneed symptoms could be examined in the future.

Note:  The author gratefully acknowledges support from the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association and Wisconsin Nursery Association, seedlings provided by Evergreen Nursery and McKay Nursery, and the cooperation of Ron Amos and his staff at Evergreen Nursery in the fungicide test.

Copyright © 2004 by Glen R. Stanosz, All Rights Reserved  - Used with permission from Glen R. Stanosz.

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European Earwig   

Although in large numbers earwigs can damage plants and sometimes cause problems with wells, they are mostly looking for moist places to hide when we encounter them in our homes, yards and garages.  According to UW-Extension entomologist, Phil Pelliteri, "Earwigs often come indoors to hide, or they conceal themselves under outdoor furniture, hoses, garbage cans , or poor-fitting well caps.  They do not breed indoors but simply hide, then become active at night."  For information on how to control earwig infestation, refer to UW-Extension publication #A3640, "Controlling Earwigs".

GARLIC MUSTARD - Proper Disposal:     Two Options

 Preferred method

1. Place in Clear plastic bags clearly marked GARLIC MUSTARD and place them out with your trash.  The Garbage men will pick them up on your regular scheduled pick up day.
2. Bring to the Department of Public Works Yard and place in Yard Waste pile.  To insure proper disposal of Garlic Mustard, please empty plastic bags and dispose of bags in trash receptacles provided.

To find a qualified arborist for your tree related issues, consult the International Society of Arboriculture web page at www.isa-arbor.org

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Page last modified:  06/17/10

Village of Elm Grove      13600 Juneau Boulevard      Elm Grove     Wisconsin      53122      262-782-6700