Publications

A volunteer plants a tree at an Omaha park.
Las condiciones ambientales en Nebraska dificultan que muchos árboles sobrevivan o crezcan bien.
Residents of Pender standing next to newly planted tree.
Landscape trees provide beauty and utility.
Many recommended practices for newly planted trees have changed in recent years. Here are some tips that will give newly planted trees a better chance to survive and thrive.
Fireworks exploding in the nighttime sky.
Every Independence Day as we celebrate the birth of America, many first responders across the US are on high alert, responding to the careless use of fireworks.
Fire encroaches on the city limits of Valentine, Nebraska.
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) gathers together your community's resources to enhance wildfire mitigation and preparedness. The written document identifies the steps a community will ta
Tree that has been topped.
Many trees damaged by severe storms have large broken branches.
Logger holds hand next to Eastern Redcedar stump.
Eastern redcedar, Juniperus virginiana, is a native tree that has always been a fixture on the Nebraska landscape, providing valuable wood products, wind and soil protection, and habitat for a varie
Adult EAB insect, closeup.
There are many bright metallic-green insects in Nebraska, but the emerald ash borer beetle is only a half-inch long and strictly associated with ash trees.
Most Nebraska soils are fertile enough to support tree and shrub growth without applying fertilizer.
Campfires add ambiance to a campsite but should be used with caution. Always build your campfire downwind from your tent or RV in an area that is clear of vegetation.
Nebraska boasts a diverse array of forest resources.
Stream in the Niobrara River Valley
Nebraska boasts a diverse array of forest resources.
Photo of trees in the Niobrara Valley
Forests cover 947,000 acres in Nebraska.
“Green roofs” are an increasingly popular practice that can accomplish a wide variety of jobs in the urban landscape.
“Green roofs” are an increasingly popular practice that can accomplish a wide variety of jobs in the urban landscape.
Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), within the family Juglandaceae, is a premier hardwood timber species in the United States.
Workers process woody floral stems in Nebraska
Any woody species with a colorful or unusually shaped stem, bud, flower, fruit or bark can produce a decorative woody floral product. Floral designers use these products to enhance arrangements and
The Hybrid Hazelnut Consortium is a group of scientists from Rutgers University, Oregon State University, Arbor Day Foundation and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln working together to develop dise
Plants inside of a greenhouse.
An eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel heating is woody biomass heating.
Leaf cupping of an oak tree. This is typical of dicambia or 2,4-D exposure.
Herbicides can be effective tools for controlling unwanted weeds in the landscape.
Picture of a tree planted at the Nebraska capitol building.
Proper planting is critical to the establishment of healthy, thriving trees. The planting guidelines below have been developed to help new trees get off to a successful start.
Person chainsawing a tree.
Hiring an arborist deserves careful consideration. A qualified arborist will do tree work properly and safely.
A windbreak helps deter blowing and drifting snow.
Windbreaks are barriers used to reduce and redirect wind. They usually consist of trees and shrubs, but may also be perennial or annual crops and grasses, fences, or other materials. 
Ice storm brings down limb in homeowner's yard.
Historically, Nebraska’s climate is tough on trees. From high winds and tornados to fires, drought, snow and ice, Nebraska’s trees take a beating.
A split trunk after collapsing on the sidewalk.
Trees damaged by storms require immediate attention (removing low-hanging branches, clearing from utility lines, etc.).
Homeowner walks through the aftermath of a wildfire.
This comprehensive report summarized the current understanding of climate change science, projected changes in climate for Nebraska, and addressed the implications of these changes for some of the s
Flooded trees at Hayworth Park
Even under the best of circumstances, half of a tree’s living tissue is under the soil and out of sight.
Worker in safety equipment is chainsawing a tree.
Nebraska’s forests, also known as woodlands, comprise three percent of the total land base in the state.
This is the cover photo of the March 2023 issue of Our Neck of the Woods
Our Neck of the Woods: Insider News From and For NFS Staff. Thursday, March 16, 2023.
Niobrara Valley river system landscape.
Many Nebraskans would be surprised to learn that in our largely agricultural and grassland state, unique and diverse forest resources are substantial and growing.
The Wildfire Control Act (WCA) was passed in 2013 in response to massive and highly destructive fires in the state.
Panoramic view of trees and the Niobrara River.
The second full annual inventory of Nebraska's forests reports more than 1.5 million acres of forest land and 39 tree species.
Photo of a single engine air tanker providing a retardant drop over a fire

The Wildfire Control Act of 2013 enabled the establishment of Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) bases in Nebraska.

EAB Larvae in Ash Tree.
Regardless of the decision made, trees should not be left standing until they are dead or have significant dieback.
Photo of an emerald ash borer infested tree
Regardless of the decision made, trees should not be left standing until they are dead or have significant dieback.
Storm damage to large trees can cause large problems. These problems can exist immediately after the storm or become evident many months or even years later.
Pruning is one of the most important tree maintenance practices.  Over the years, the way in which we, as foresters, have approached pruning has changed dramatically.  Today pruning is a science tha
Trees should be inspected for defects and hazardous conditions after a severe storm. Some trees are in danger of falling and have a high immediate potential for serious injury or property damage.
A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) when weather conditions exist for destructive or rapidly spreading fires.
Cedar logs stacked.
Eastern redcedar management has become a topic of much discussion.
Tree planters standing by a recently planted oak tree.
Tree losses from severe storms can be heavy, and homeowners often lose large trees or trees that have sentimental value. These kinds of trees cannot be replaced.
A screenshot of the new fire reporting system.
Reporting wildfire activity is an increasingly vital tool that supports many of Nebraska's core volunteer fire department programs, such as the Volunteer Fire Assistance, Federal Excess Personal Pro
A house in the country.
For many, a rural home has become a dream come true. However, homes are often built for aesthetic values and economic considerations. In many cases, little regard is given to fire protection.
Various types of trees in a greenhouse
When properly cared for trees can provide benefits for generations, so deciding which tree to plant takes careful consideration.
This publication provides information to help you select those trees most suitable for treatments to protect them from emerald ash borer (EAB).
An ice storm intensely damaged this pecan tree.
Nebraska’s winters have been known to throw a curveball or two with unique storms that produce excess amounts of snow or possibly ice. When these weather events occur, trees can expect some serious
Photo of soil treatment being applied around the base of an ash tree
WHAT IS A SOIL TREATMENT? Soil treatments are applied to the soil around the base of a tree.
Ash trees outside of Memorial Stadium.
Soil treatments are applied to the soil around the base of a tree.
Oak tree in forest suffering from sudden oak death.
Sudden oak death (SOD) has killed millions of trees (mostly oak and tanoak) in California and Oregon since its discovery in the mid-1990s. (Photo courtesy of Joseph O'Brien, USDA forest service,
Man placing root ball into hole dug in soil.
Poor quality trees do not grow to be strong, healthy trees, so successful tree plantings must begin with healthy trees.
Photo demonstrating circling roots caused by a container
Homeowners often want a tree that grows fast, isn’t messy, provides abundant shade, and is free of insect and disease problems.
A person holding a piece of newly-made biochar.
Biochar offers a unique opportunity for long-term soil improvement using locally sourced and appropriate materials.
Person leaning down to check the dryness of a newly planted tree.
Drought is a relatively common occurrence in Nebraska. The further west we go, the drier it is and the greater likelihood of serious drought setting in.
Windbreak during winter
Living windbreaks and shelterbelts are important assets in rural areas of the Great Plains that protect homes, crops and domestic animals from wind throughout the year.
Windbreak near Roca, Nebraska
A successful windbreak planting depends on proper establishment and care during the first few years after planting.
Photo of windbreak alongside a soybean field
Windbreaks are integral parts of many Nebraska farming and ranching operations. They protect man, animals, crops and buildings from cold winter winds, hot summer winds, and deep snows.
Photo of a pine windbreak, north of Lisco, Nebraska.
The windbreaks on your farm are an important part of the agricultural landscape.
Photo of livestock gathered near a windbreak
Windbreaks play an important role in the protection of livestock, particularly in young animals and in areas with cold northerly winds during the winter and early spring.
Photo of a well-designed farmstead windbreak.
In many parts of the United States, the constant force of the wind exaggerates daily weather conditions and can make living in these areas seem unbearable.
Photo of a windbreak during the winter season.
In areas of high winds and blowing snow, windbreaks can reduce the amount of effort spent on snow man­agement.
This publication has been developed by the Wildland Fire Protection Program of the Nebraska Forest Service, as a description of aviation suppression resources available to the rural fire districts a