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UW Extension educator presents Kenosha County tree trials testing climate‑adapted species
Summary
An extension educator described a county tree trial testing about 234 trees across 41 families to identify species suited to hotter, drier conditions; early promising entries include a giant sequoia and an improved cottonwood variety called 'silverbellum.'
PJ Pandon, an extension educator, told the Kenosha County Planning, Development and Extension Committee that staff are trialing new and improved tree varieties at the Kenosha County Center in Bristol to identify species that can tolerate hotter, drier conditions projected for the region.
"One of the main goals in my study is about what are some of the existing as well as some new and improved varieties and cultivars of urban trees are being released, how they're performing in Wisconsin," Pandon said, describing a trial that includes about 234 trees across 41 plant families located in a roughly one‑mile loop and adjoining planting mounds. He credited partnerships with Kenosha County Public Works and a wholesale grower, Frank J. Smith Nursery.
Pandon said roughly 10 of the trial trees are showing especially promising performance so far. He pointed to a planted giant sequoia surviving near a pond and highlighted a selected cottonwood variety — described in the record as "silverbellum" and attributed to research by Dr. Glenn Stanners — that is male, produces little airborne cotton and appears resistant to bacterial canker. Pandon said that variety is not yet commercialized but staff hope to work with land conservation to make cuttings available for broader plantings.
He also warned residents they may notice heavy webbing on some trees in west Kenosha County from the native black fall webworm; he said the insect is unsightly but usually not lethal to trees and does not typically require spraying.
Pandon framed the trials as preparatory work for future climate conditions and as information that could help municipal foresters, landscapers and nurseries choose resilient urban tree species.
