Wisconsin
Tree Removal and Tree Service in Wisconsin
Two rules shape tree work in Wisconsin more than any storm. Oaks should not be cut during spring and early summer, and trees within 35 feet of a lake or river are protected by shoreland zoning. Outside those, removal is mostly the owner's decision.
Shoreland buffers, terrace trees and oak wilt ordinances
State shoreland standards, carried out through county zoning, require a vegetative buffer extending 35 feet inland from the ordinary high-water mark of navigable lakes and rivers. Trees there may not be clear-cut. Owners may create a viewing and access corridor of limited width, and may remove dead, diseased or dying trees and those that pose a safety hazard, generally with replacement planting.
In cities, the tree in the terrace between sidewalk and curb belongs to the municipality. Milwaukee, Madison and most others prune and remove terrace trees themselves and prohibit residents from doing so.
Wisconsin has no arborist license. Some communities, particularly in the south, have ordinances restricting oak pruning during the oak wilt season, in addition to the statewide guidance from the Department of Natural Resources.
The Wisconsin oak calendar
| Period | Risk of oak wilt infection | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| April through July | High | Do not prune, cut or wound oaks. Seal any accidental wound at once. |
| August through October | Low but present | Postpone if possible, especially in towns with a local ordinance |
| November through March | Minimal | The time for all planned oak pruning and removal |
Storm damage does not follow the calendar. If an oak breaks in May, remove what is hazardous and paint the wounds the same day.
Blowdowns in the north, squall lines in the south
On July 19 and 20, 2019 a series of storms flattened forest across Langlade, Oconto and neighboring counties. Wind estimated at 100 mph or more damaged roughly a quarter of a million acres, and cabin owners returned to find driveways buried under crossed trunks.
Southern Wisconsin gets its damage from fast-moving summer lines and the occasional tornado. Mature silver maples, boxelders and willows around Madison and Milwaukee shed large limbs in gusts that barely register in the record books.
Winter contributes heavy, wet snow, usually in the first or last storm of the season, when it sticks to conifers and to hardwoods that still hold leaves.
Other Wisconsin tree health problems
- Emerald ash borer
- Found in 2008 and now confirmed in every county. Municipalities have removed terrace ash by the thousand.
- Spongy moth
- Established in the eastern two thirds of the state. Defoliates oak, birch and aspen in outbreak years.
- Heterobasidion root disease
- Kills pines in plantations of the central sands and spreads through freshly cut stumps.
- Dutch elm disease
- Continues to kill American elms that escaped earlier waves.
Common Wisconsin situations and the next step
- This week
A red oak wilted and dropped its leaves within a month in summer
Call an arborist promptly. Neighboring oaks can be protected only if action is taken before the next spring.
- Plan it
You want to remove trees along your lakefront
Talk to county zoning first. Unpermitted clearing in the buffer brings fines and restoration orders.
- This week
The terrace ash is dead
Report it to the city. It is theirs to remove.
- Act now
A tree fell across the driveway of a seasonal cabin
See fallen tree removal. Blocked access is treated as a priority.
Handling wood from an oak wilt tree
Confirm the diagnosis
A lab test or an experienced arborist can distinguish oak wilt from other causes.
Remove the tree before the following April
Red oaks that died this year can form spore mats under the bark next spring.
Deal with the wood
Chip it, burn it, debark it, or cover split firewood with plastic sealed at the ground for a full year.
Ask about the roots
Where oaks stand close together, the fungus moves underground. Root cutting with a trencher or vibratory plow may be advised.
Wisconsin tree service questions
When is it safe to cut oak trees in Wisconsin?
From November through March. The Department of Natural Resources advises against pruning or cutting oaks from April through July, and recommends caution until the first hard frost.
Can I remove a dead tree within 35 feet of the lake?
Generally yes. Dead, diseased, dying and hazardous trees may be removed from the shoreland buffer, and the county may require you to replace them with native vegetation. Check first.
Does Wisconsin license tree services?
No. Certification through the Wisconsin Arborist Association or the ISA is voluntary. Request insurance certificates before work.
Who removes a terrace tree in Milwaukee or Madison?
The city forestry division. Residents can request an inspection but may not remove or prune the tree themselves.
Tree service in Wisconsin, by phone
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