Forest Health for the Holidays

Garlands, Greenery, and Forest Health for the Holidays!

Many Wisconsin schools use the bounty from their school forest to make festive products for the holiday season. Students of all ages can help assemble wreaths made of balsam or spruce branches, or feathery swags made from white pine or cedar boughs. We’ve even seen pictures of cute winter gnomes made from forest products. These beautiful creations are often sold to the community, raising funds that go back to the school forest, or to FFA or other student clubs. We think this is a fabulous way to engage students in learning about Wisconsin’s forestry economy!

How big should trees be before they are ready to have boughs removed? How many branches can be removed before the tree is damaged? What time of year can you start? There are many questions that harvesters should ask to make sure they are gathering tree parts in a sustainable, low-impact way. This publication from the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) focuses on tribal harvest guidelines, and also contains information that is useful for anybody that is interested in following sustainable gathering practices for evergreen boughs.

If you want to try making your own wreaths and garlands but don’t have access to a school forest, consider getting a Miscellaneous Forest Products Permit through the DNR to collect boughs, twigs and branches on some state land. You can also harvest a full Christmas tree this way, or even firewood if a yuletide bonfire is part of your holiday festivities. Information about forest products permits for use in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, including free Christmas tree tags for fourth grade students, can be found here.

Collecting products from conifer trees requires an awareness of forest health, so invasive species aren’t being spread. One such threat is a class of pests called woolly adelgids, an insect related to aphids which have been found in nearby states. The Wisconsin DNR has a thorough resource page about Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. Hint to life science teachers: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has a fascinating life cycle that students might find quite interesting! The GLIFWC resource mentioned above also discusses Balsam Woody Adelgid, including tips on how to spot it in purchased Christmas trees.

Do you use your school forest to make and sell wreaths or other fun holiday products? If so, we would love to see some pictures! Please email us at leaf@uwsp.edu to share.

Balsam boughs are a source of seasonal income for Lac du Flambeau harvesters Clyde Mann and Ken Jack. Photo credit: GLIFWIC.

LEAF's Forest Health Kit

Woody Adelgid is not the only insect affecting conifers! LEAF's Forest Health Kits are available to check-out and are great for learning about invasive species, disease, and other aspects that impact the health of a forest. The kit contains equipment and tools to facilitate the educational aspects of forest health including insect identification, invasive species, disease, and climate.

Reserve Kit

From Our Partners

Tree Felling Class

Wisconsin Forestry Center

High schoolers will join UW-Stevens Point forestry undergraduate students and industry professionals in a 3-day, field-intensive chainsaw training. Students learn how to safely cut down, delimb, and buck a tree while earning an industry-recognized certificate and college credit. The cost of class and college credit is paid by generous sponsors. All participants will receive a complimentary set of personal protective equipment, donated by Husqvarna, including chainsaw chaps, hard hat with hearing protection, and safety glasses. Apply by February 3, 2023.

Tree Felling Class

Wheels to Woods

WI Society of American Foresters

Wheels to Woods (W2W) provides grants up to $350 to cover transportation costs to and from a forest or forestry industry field tour for any Wisconsin K-12 classroom with priority funding for underrepresented student populations. The grant application is always open and review of grant applications for spring/summer trips will consider proposals submitted prior to January 31, 2023. Visit our website for grant application, links to educational resources, and grant timelines.

Grant Application

School Forests Seedlings Available to Order

Every year since 1984, Wisconsin 4th-grade students have been eligible to receive a free tree seedling from the DNR reforestation program to complement their Arbor Day observations. The application period for the "2022-23 Arbor Day Free Tree Seedlings for Wisconsin 4th Graders" is now open. School principals, 4th-grade teachers and 4th-grade homeschool parents are encouraged to visit this DNR webpage to order seedlings for Wisconsin 4th-grade students.

The seedlings will be shipped next spring in time for Arbor Day celebrations and come with a protective bag and instructions on how to plant and care for them. Planting a seedling and watching it grow can be a great learning tool for students. Find additional ideas for planning an Arbor Day celebration on this DNR webpage. If you have any questions about the free seedling program for Wisconsin 4th-graders, please contact Carey Skerven at the Griffith State Nursery (Carey.Skerven@wisconsin.gov).

School Forest Award Nominations Open!

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 School Forest Awards. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have provided leadership for local school forests registered through Wisconsin's School Forest Program. LEAF (the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program) will recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to a school forest program(s) over a period of years.

Nominees chosen to receive a 2022 School Forest Award will receive an engraved plaque, recognition on the LEAF School Forest website, and formal recognition within the honoree’s local school district or community.

Nomination Form

Professional Development

Did you know that LEAF offers customized

in-services for schools? LEAF staff can help educators become more comfortable using your school grounds for teaching and learning, maximize the resources of your school forest, and everything in between.

For more information about customized PD from LEAF, contact Nicole at nicole.filizetti@uwsp.edu.

Online Professional Development Opportunities

Project Learning Tree Online Offerings

Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education PD Calendar

Have questions or need additional resources? Contact us at leaf@uwsp.edu. We are here to support educators and students with forestry opportunities.

Workshops

Kits

Curriculum

Published for December 2022