Commercial cranberry production in Wisconsin began near Berlin in about 1860. Early marshes were developed simply by digging ditches around stands of native vines and encouraging their growth. These early cranberry pioneers faced hazards of frost, insects, weeds, diseases and fires, most of which are now manageable. During the early 1890's, the center of the Wisconsin cranberry industry shifted to the Cranmoor area, just west of Wisconsin Rapids. Later developments were made in the Black River Falls, Warrens, and Tomah areas, followed by marshes in northern Wisconsin, primarily around Manitowish Waters, Eagle River, Spooner, and Hayward.
Cranberries are Wisconsin's leading fruit crop both in terms of acreage and value.
The greatest acreage is in Wood and Jackson Counties. Fruit are borne on short vertical shoots called uprights. An upright can grow erect for one or two seasons before its weight bends it downward and new vertical growth is produced at the tip or from axillary buds along the stem. Runners grow horizontally. In very vigorous beds runners may grow across the tops of vines.