Division of Forestry

Wisconsin's 16 million acres of forestlands cover nearly half of the state. You might be surprised to learn that nearly 70 percent of these lands are privately owned, mostly by individuals and families. To help these non-industrial woodland owners meet social, ecological and economic goals for their forests, the Division of Forestry offers a wide range of services and resources.

• Assistance
  • Learn about the benefits of professional forestry assistance and locate a professional forester to help you.
  • Obtain financial assistance to carry out your forestry practices.
  • Reduce your property tax bill by enrolling in the Managed Forest Law program.
  • Find out about upcoming educational events (exit DNR).
• Tree Planting
  • Purchase tree seedlings from the state nurseries.
  • Learn the steps to establishing a forest and designing a plantation.
  • Prepare your site for planting.
  • Learn techniques for tree planting.
  • Control weeds in your new plantation.
  • A Few Ideas for Managing Deer Browse on Tree Plantings [PDF, 176KB]
• Timber Harvesting
  • View a sample timber sale contract.
  • Access current severance and yield tax rates.
  • Maintain water quality during timber harvesting activities.
• Forest Health
  • What can I do to control gypsy moth on my land?
  • How do I manage for oak wilt?
  • How can I time my management activities to reduce the risk of introducing or spreading oak wilt?
  • What are the signs and symptoms of infestation by emerald ash borer?
• Common Questions
  • What is a legal description?
  • Where can I order aerial photos of my property?
  • Can I burn waste on my property?
  • How can I protect my buildings from wildfire?
  • How can I manage my woodlands for coastal trout streams?
  • How can I manage my woodlands on Lake Superior's red clay plain and slow the flow of runoff?
• Good Starting Points to Learn More
  • Private Forestry Program
  • Private Forestry related sites
  • Private Forestry publications
  • "Forest Management Guidelines"
  • "Silviculture and Forest Aesthetics Handbook"
  • "Threatened and Endangered Species in Forests of Wisconsin"
  • Newsletter for landowners enrolled in the Managed Forest Law program
  • Forest Certification Program
• Additional Information from the DNR Web site
  • Invasive species
  • "Wildlife and Your Land" is a publication series that offers suggestions to private landowners on managing for wildlife.
  • Deer damage shooting permits
  • Handling nuisance wildlife
  • "Wetland Restoration Handbook for Wisconsin Landowners"
  • Information for landowners about threatened and endangered species
  • "Checklist of Wisconsin Birds" (PDF, 722KB)
  • Maps and information on ecological landscapes, which are areas of Wisconsin that differ in ecological attributes and management opportunities.