Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a major pest of concern across most of the United States. Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper native to China that was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. SLF feeds on over 70+ plant species including fruit, ornamental and woody trees with tree-of-heaven as its preferred host. Spotted lanternfly is a hitchhiker and can easily be moved long distances through human assisted movement.
Know the Primary Host: Tree -of-Heaven
Tree of heaven (TOH) is the preferred host for the spotted lanternfly (SLF). The ability to identify TOH will be critical to monitoring the spread of this invasive pest as the 4th-stage nymphs and adult spotted lantern-flies show a strong preference for TOH.
Report a Sighting If you suspect you’ve seen a spotted lanternfly, please take the following steps:
Take a picture and note your location.
If you can, collect a sample of the insect by catching it and placing it in a freezer. You can use any container available as long as it has a tight seal (like a water bottle) so that the spotted lanternfly can’t escape.
Follow updates and management tips on social media by connecting with ReportINvasive on Facebook (@reportINvasive) and Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which shared information acrossa Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@INdnrinvasive).
Spread Awareness
Share your spotted lanternfly knowledge with others! Share about SLF with neighbors, colleagues and your communit to help protect Indiana’s natural and agricultural resources.
Purdue Landscape Report: Besides nursery inspections, our division assists with phytosanitary inspections in partnership with the USDA’s APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine staff. In my area, I assist mainly with log inspections and ensure the commodities are relatively pest-free before leaving the country or, if not, that they will be treated beforehand.
Figure 1: Painted hickory borer (Megacyllene caryae) emerging from a hickory (Carya spp.) log.
Figure 2: Painted hickory borer (Megacyllene caryae) on a hickory (Carya spp.) log with finger for size reference. Note the distinct “w” marking on elytra.
Recently I found an interesting pest on a hickory (Carya spp.) log. I occasionally find round-headed borers infesting logs, which are fairly common pests that often mine in or between the bark and sapwood of logs. Round-headed borers are the larval form of longhorned beetles (a.k.a. cerambycids [or beetles in the Cerambycidae family]). I normally just find the larvae during inspections, not the future life cycle stages like pupae or adults. However, I recently was able to spot painted hickory borer (Megacyllene caryae) adults emerging from a hickory log I inspected.
Painted hickory borers are colorful distinct longhorn beetles in the Cerambycidae family that can be distinguished by their yellow bands on an otherwise black body, including a “w” shaped band on the elytra (or wing coverings). They are important decomposers which help break down fallen logs for hickory trees as well as other hardwood species. However, because they bore into logs and firewood, they are considered pests for those commodities and are a species we look for when we perform inspections.
Painted hickory borers can be confused with their very similar relative, the locust borer (Megacyllene robiniae), but there are some easy ways to distinguish these longhorned beetle species. First, the host is important to note since locust borers only infest black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) trees. Also, painted hickory borer adults are active in spring, while locust borer adults are active in late summer/fall.
Figure 3: Painted hickory borer (Megacyllene caryae) lateral view under 20x magnification. Note the dense hairs, which also are what give the beetle its distinct coloration.
Painted hickory borers do not often warrant management as they generally feed only on dead and decaying wood and do not affect living trees. Larvae generally feed on the inner bark of dead logs initially but can bore into the sapwood and heartwood as they develop. The biggest impact this has is on the lumber production since scarring to the wood can occur. Very few management activities will be successful once the borers are inside the logs, except for fumigation activities from a state-approved facility. The best method of control is preventative such as not leaving logs lying around for long periods of time before processing or treating susceptible logs with an insecticide like bifenthrin to create an insecticidal barrier and prevent infestation. Otherwise, painted hickory borers are harmless, colorful longhorned beetles to be admired as they emerge in spring.
This article appeared in the Indiana Department of Natural Resources-Department of Entomology’s Weekly Review. You can find past reports and subscribe to their newsletter by visiting IN DNR – Entomology Weekly Review.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) highlights a powerful example of how conservation practices on working lands can support both farm productivity and wildlife habitat in their recent story, Restoring Roots to Save the Salamanders.
Image from U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service
On a stretch of farmland in southern Indiana, deep ruts once cut through fields so severely that, as landowner Ben Shireman recalls, “we had ditches in the field that you could park pickup trucks in.” Years of continuous row cropping by a previous owner had taken a toll on the land, leaving behind eroded hillsides, depleted soils and a system that was no longer sustainable both economically and environmentally. What followed for the Shireman family was not a quick fix. It was a transformation rooted in conservation, partnership and a willingness to rethink how their land could work for them and the environment around them.
Today, that same farm is a small but vital part of a growing effort to improve water quality and restore habitat for one of Indiana’s most unique aquatic species called the Eastern Hellbender.
Read how one southern Indiana farm transformed degraded soils and severe erosion into a more resilient system through conservation practices and partnerships here: Restoring Roots to Save the Salamanders.
At the center of this effort is the Farmers Helping Hellbenders initiative, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) focused on improving water quality in the Blue River watershed while supporting habitat for the Eastern Hellbender, one of Indiana’s most unique aquatic species. By implementing practices like rotational grazing, cover crops and nutrient management, farmers can improve soil health and contribute to cleaner waterways that benefit both agriculture and wildlife.
This story highlights how targeted conservation programs and local collaboration can create lasting impacts, helping farms remain productive while protecting natural resources for future generations. It also emphasizes the importance of outreach, technical assistance and farmer-led innovation in building more sustainable systems across Indiana landscapes.
Purdue Landscape Report: Many of the leaf spot diseases we observe can cause premature leaf drop in affected plants, which can reduce plant vigor if the disease is severe enough and a large proportion of the canopy falls in one season. Elm trees are susceptible to a number of different anthracnose fungi, including Ophiognomoniaintermedia, Gloeosporium betulae, Cryptocline betularum, and Cylindrosporium sp. Cryptocline is the fungus that we encounter the most frequently on samples submitted to the lab for diagnosis.
Figure 1: Cryptocline leaf spot on Elm (photo by Paul Bachi, University of Kentucky Research and Education Center)
Figure 2: Cryptocline leaf spot on a young elm shrub. As the density of leaf spots increases, the leaf blade turns more yellow. (Photo from Purdue Landscape Report)
Figure 3: Mature Cryptocline lesions which are tan in color and have black fungal structures within (photo from Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory)
Symptoms
Leaf spots may start as small, round chlorotic lesions that slowly expand over time (Figures 1 & 2). Eventually, a necrotic spot with a purple/black border and tan or white center will form (Figure 3). Lesions may begin to develop on a leaf vein and instead of being circular will follow the vein a little, creating a thin necrotic lesion (Figure 4). With increased leaf spot development, large areas of the leaf blade will turn yellow and eventually necrotic, before it falls from the tree (Figure 5). Leaf drop will typically occur in the lower canopy, areas where there is less air movement and higher humidity; however, epidemics occur during periods of we weather that can cause significant leaf drop. Leaf loss typically occurs in the summer (late July to mid-August).
Figure 4: Lesions of Cryptocline located on leaf veins, creating elongate necrotic lesions instead of the typical round lesions located elsewhere on the leaf. (Photo from Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory)
Figure 5: Elm leaves which have turned yellow or necrotic and fallen prematurely from the tree. (Photo from Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory)
Figure 6: Close up image of Cryptocline leaf spots with acervuli. (Photo by Paul Bachi, University of Kentucky Research and Education Center)
Life Cycle Cryptocline is only known to colonize the leaves, so it overwinters in fallen leaf tissue. In the spring, the fungus will produce ascospores which are carried in the wind to infect young elm leaves. Once initial lesions progress, black fungal structures (acervuli) will form in the necrotic tissue and being producing asexual spores (conidia) in a sticky substance, which can be spread via rain (Figure 6). The conidia act as a secondary infection cycle where it will infect foliage and create new leaf spots continuously throughout the growing season as long as the environmental conditions are conducive.
Management
Like other leaf spot pathogens that do not infect stems, removal of the foliage in the fall can reduce inoculum for the following year (though won’t eliminate the disease). Providing fertilizer (where needed) and water (hot and dry periods) will help mitigate some tree stress, as stress can predispose plants to increased disease severity. Fungicides are not normally recommended for mature trees as it is impractical to get coverage across the entire canopy, but could be practical in a nursery setting if symptoms are observed and leading to leaf drop. It is still early in the season, but the next few weeks are important to monitor for some disease issues that may explode later in the season.
For other information on management of foliar disease problems, please see the following link: Foliar Fungal Disease Management.
Damage to the cambium layer can cause serious health issues for the tree.
One of the most dangerous pests of trees is humans, especially humans with equipment. Lawn mowers and weed trimmers can cause injuries that create a hazard when an injury leads to tree disease or death. This publication explains why the damage is so dangerous and suggests ways to protect your trees.
Defended by Bark
The site of injury is usually the root flare: the area where the tree meets the turf and gets in the path of the mower or trimmer. The root flare, like the rest of the trunk, is protected by bark, which guards a very important plant transport system just behind the woody bark layer. Specialized tubes move nutrients and water between the roots and leaves to keep the tree alive. Any damage to this transport system can affect tree health and the tree could die.
Old damage from mowing can create a serious risk in the landscape
The bark layer can vary in thickness on different tree species. It can be more than an inch in thickness or less than 1/16 of an inch on young, smooth-barked trees such as maples and birches. This isn’t much protection against string trimmers and mowing equipment, especially on young, newly planted trees.
Damage Done
Any damage to or removal of the bark and the transport system can cause problems for a tree. Even when a tree tries to recover from a wound, leaves and branches often decline and die back, because food and water pathways were destroyed. Although a large wound is generally more serious than a smaller one, repetitive wounding adds up to greater trouble for the tree. If the damage extends completely around the base of the tree (a situation called girdling), the tree ultimately dies.
Recent damage from mowing equipment leads to decay and dieback in the tree
All tree wounds are serious when it comes to tree health. No matter what size the wound is, the damage done is irreversible. The tree must devote a great deal of energy and many resources into trying to seal off the damaged area to prevent further complications. The wounded area is an opening for wood-rotting organisms and decay fungi to enter and cause further damage. These microorganisms often attack the injured bark and invade adjacent healthy tissue, greatly enlarging the wound and extending the damage. Trees can be completely girdled from pathogen attack following injuries.
Fungi that are active on the wound surface can also deteriorate the structure of the woody tissues beneath, decaying and weakening the tree. This weakened, structurally unsound tree may eventually die and become a hazard to people around it.
Preventing Problems
Newly planted, young trees need our help to become established in the landscape. They are the trees most commonly and seriously affected by maintenance equipment.
Mulch rings can provide a healthier environment as well as a visual cue to keep equipment away.
However, injury to these trees can be avoided easily and at very low cost if you follow one or more of these suggestions.
Physically remove turf or prevent grass and weeds from growing at the base of the tree. This lowtech solution can eliminate a potentially serious problem.
Spray herbicides to eliminate vegetation around the base of the tree to decrease mowing maintenance costs. Be sure to use care when applying herbicides around trees. Carefully follow label directions.
Add a mulch ring, when possible, to help reduce the competition for water and nutrients. Mulch or other ground coverings reduce mowing requirements in the landscape.
Add a 2˝ to 3˝ layer of mulch on the root zone of the tree to provide an attractive and healthy environment for the tree to grow. This also provides a visual cue to keep equipment away from the tree.
Add trunk guards or similar devices to give the tree additional protection. White, expanding tree guards can help help trees withstand equipment contact and also can help to reduce winter injury.
Trees are a valuable asset to your property and are important to our environment. Every tree contributes to the urban forest and improves air and water quality in your neighborhood. Protect and preserve these growing assets by keeping mowing and weed-trimming equipment away from tree trunks. The damage lasts and it cannot be undone. Don’t create a hazard!
The longer daylight period and the warming weather are bringing new life to woodlands. We have a community of native plants, called spring ephemerals, that grow, bloom and produce seed quickly before the tree leaves emerge and the forest understory is wrapped in shade. Several of my favorite wildflowers are in this group, including hepaticas, trilliums, bloodroot, squirrel-corn and trout lily.
Invasive Asian bush honeysuckle species in spring
Invasive Asian bush honeysuckle species in spring
Some unwelcome invaders also emerge early in the spring, producing early foliage and an unnatural shade competing with our native plants. Several woody invasive plants have moved into our woodlands from ornamental and other plantings and now compete aggressively with our natives. These include Asian bush honeysuckles, privets, winged burning bush, and multiflora rose. These plants tend to produce foliage faster than most of our native trees and shrubs, proving them with a competitive advantage through a longer growing season. This early leaf emergence also provides us with an opportunity to identify these invaders in our woodlands. When walking out to observe the wildflowers or hunt for morels, keep your eyes open for the invasive plants. Small specimens can be pulled when soils are moist. Larger specimens may be cut and the stump treated with a herbicide to prevent sprouting. An easy and effective herbicide to access for landowners is glyphosate concentrate products mixed at a 50% ratio with water. Apply this mixture to the cut stump immediately after cutting. Read the herbicide label to understand the protective gear and application instructions required to apply safely.
If you have a large infestation that is beyond your capacity to control, consider contacting a local forester or other natural resources professional for advice on how best to deal with your invasive plant problem. You may contact the Indiana DNR Division of Forestry for advice from the District Forester. Private-sector foresters and environmental groups along with contractors, may also be able to help you manage invasive species on your property. To find a private-sector forester visit www.findindianaforester.org.
Controlling invasive plants can bring a sense of satisfaction, knowing you are doing something to promote the health and sustainability of your property.
Walk through many forests in Indiana today, and you might not notice what is missing until you look up. Ash trees, once a common part of these woodlands, have rapidly disappeared due to the invasive emerald ash borer. Since its arrival in the early 2000’s, this small beetle has killed millions of ash trees across the state (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Dead ash tree killed by emerald ash borer
But what happens after ash trees are gone? Do new trees grow in their place, or do forests begin to change in unexpected ways?
To answer these questions, researchers revisited long-term forest monitoring plots across Indiana that were first established in the 1990s, before emerald ash borer was present. By comparing forest conditions before and after widespread ash mortality, we can begin to understand how these ecosystems are responding to one of the most destructive invasive forest pests in North America.
Even though young ash trees are still present in many forests, their numbers are dropping quickly (Figure 2). In some areas, ash seedlings have declined by more than 70 percent over the past decade. While a few saplings remain, very few are surviving long enough to replace the large trees that have been lost.
This suggests that ash is unlikely to return as a major component of Indiana forests anytime soon. As the remaining seeds in the soil are used up and fewer young trees survive, ash may become a much rarer species on the landscape.
As ash declines, other plant species are filling the gaps, but not always in the way we might expect.
Instead of fast-growing canopy trees taking over, many forests are becoming dominated by shade-tolerant species that thrive in low-light conditions. Native plants like spicebush and pawpaw are increasing in abundance, often forming dense layers in the understory. These species can make it difficult for other trees to establish and grow.
Sugar maple, another shade-tolerant species, remains common as seedlings but is not always successfully growing into larger trees. This creates a bottleneck where young trees are present, but few make it into the next stage of forest development.
At the same time, invasive plants are becoming more common in many forests following ash loss. Species such as bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose are increasing, especially in areas where ash trees have died.
These invasive plants can outcompete native vegetation, further limiting the ability of forests to regenerate diverse tree communities. Once established, they often persist and spread, creating additional challenges for forest management.
When large trees die, we might expect more sunlight to reach the forest floor, helping new trees grow. However, in many Indiana forests, the loss of ash is creating only small openings in the canopy rather than large gaps.
Figure 2: Ash regeneration in the understory.
These smaller gaps favor shade-tolerant plants rather than species that need full sunlight to thrive. As a result, forests are gradually shifting toward communities dominated by shrubs and slow-growing, shade-adapted trees.
Ecologists often refer to this process as mesophication, a transition toward cooler, shadier, and more moisture-loving forest conditions. Over time, this can lead to forests that are more uniform and less diverse.
The loss of ash is more than just the disappearance of a single group of trees: it is part of a broader pattern of change driven by invasive species, altered disturbance patterns, and shifting forest conditions.
Without intervention, many forests may continue to develop dense understories dominated by a small number of species, including invasive plants. This can reduce tree diversity, limit wildlife habitat, and alter how forests function over time.
While forests are resilient and will continue to grow and change, they may look very different from those of the past.
Landowners, land managers, and the public all play a role in supporting healthy forests. Monitoring for invasive species, promoting a diversity of native trees, and managing dense understory growth can help improve forest regeneration.
As research continues, understanding how forests respond to the loss of species like ash will be critical for guiding conservation and management efforts in the years ahead.
“Why is my tree starting to die just after I built my house?”
This is a common question following new construction. Typically, trees don’t die immediately from construction damage. It often takes several years for the symptoms to develop. Connecting today’s dying tree to the damage of a few years ago is difficult for homeowners to recognize and diagnose. So what actually kills trees in a formerly wooded lot turned into a subdivision or home lot? The words “formerly wooded” should be a clue.
After selectively clearing all but the best trees on the building site, landscape equipment such as bulldozers, skid steer loaders and excavators begin to grade the lot surface into a level, compacted plane. Building infrastructure, such as the foundation, utilities, walks and driveways, is cut into place for the site. As the building process occurs, several things may happen, none of which is good for trees.
Soil and Root System Changes
Oftentimes, the below ground damage to trees is the most significant and most difficult to diagnose and remedy. Even minor changes to the soil grade or soil profile can produce negative responses from trees. Whether removing or adding soil around the roots of trees, extreme caution is advised.
Undisturbed soils, such as those found in a forested area, are composed of layers, or horizons. The lop layer occupies the upper 6 inches to 12 inches and is rich in nutrients and organic matter. This is the soil component usually missing in new home construction because of the grading and leveling process. The topsoil is typically removed, stockpiled or used elsewhere in random areas around the site.
Important chemical processes take place in this topsoil/root layer that enable trees to absorb essential nutrients and water. If a tree is unable to obtain these in sufficient quantities, decline and, eventually, death will occur. This is typical on construction sites because disturbed soils lack good structure and composition.
Soil consists of various sized particles depending upon type and composition: sand, silt and clay. In addition to the solid parts of the soil, plants need open spaces between the particles. It is recommended that soils should contain at least 12 percent oxygen for good root growth.
The compaction from equipment running over the soil in the leveling process forces these spaces together, leaving as little as 2 to 4 percent of the necessary oxygen in the soil. Unfortunately, once the soil is ready for the home, sidewalk and driveway, it’s no longer suitable for root growth or tree survival.
A relatively flat, compacted surface is required to build a home. This is achieved by grading the existing soil surface. Large equipment is used to level and compact the soil to get the bulk density necessary to support the home or structure. Soil conditions required to support a house and the necessary infrastructure are different from, and in sharp contrast to, the soils of the formerly wooded lot. Undisturbed soils, such as those in a forest, are pliable and easily penetrated by the roots because needed open spaces or pores in the soil are filled with life supporting oxygen and water.
The excavation and grading processes create a “hard pan” and remove the valuable topsoil, leaving the remaining topsoil to be used for leveling and covering the lot. This subsoil usually is compacted, nutrient-poor and lacking pore space for water and oxygen, and not suitable for long-lasting, healthy trees.
Soil Grade Changes
One of the most common causes of decline in trees on the construction site is raising the grade or soil level around existing trees. “Filling” graded areas on the site raises the level of soil and covers the original soil. This causes damage to tree root systems by cutting off the oxygen supply, preventing gas exchange between soil and air. In addition, an existing tree grows accustomed to a certain amount of water it receives. Cutting or filling soil around a tree disrupts normal water flow and either deprives the tree of water or creates excessive soil moisture. Trees can decline and die with as little as 1 inch of clay-type soils added to the existing grade. So changing the level of soils around a tree and allowing these fill soils to touch the tree can be fatal!
Studies have shown that fill soil over the root system greatly reduces the root system. In a short time, roots begin to decay and die back, causing overall decline in the tree and significantly increasing the risk of tree failure. Often this type of root damage doesn’t reveal itself for several years. Symptoms may be observed, such as untimely fall color or declining and dying branches in the upper and outermost parts of the tree canopy.
Physical Damage
Careless operation of equipment around trees can cause severe damage to trees and compromise their future health. Any damage to the tree trunk can create conditions that affect health and safety.
Construction equipment can injure the aboveground and below ground parts of a tree by breaking branches, tearing the bark, wounding the trunk or cutting trunk flares and roots. These injuries are permanent and can kill a tree.
Root Cutting
Excavating for foundations and other structures on the site severs the roots of those chosen trees remaining on the site. Since a majority of a tree’s root system is found in the topsoil area, these building processes can be devastating.
Research indicates that a large portion of most tree roots grow in the upper 12 inches of the soil profile and can spread laterally up to 2 to 3 times the height of the tree. For example, the root system of a 50-foot shade tree can be found in a 150-foot circle around the trunk. Therefore, digging foundations, sidewalks or driveways drastically reduces important root structures of these carefully selected trees. Reducing the root system lessens a tree’s ability to absorb the water and nutrients that are essential for growth. This root loss also places additional stress on the tree as it tries to recover by using stored carbohydrate reserves, further weakening the tree and making it more susceptible to insects and disease.
Root cutting near a tree also reduces stability and increases risk to the owner. Research indicates if 40 percent of the roots are cut, the tree becomes 40 percent less stable, making it more susceptible to windthrow.
Trunk and Crown Damage
The vascular system of a tree lies just beneath the bark in an area called the cambium layer. This includes the water and food-conducting tissue known as the xylem and phloem. Any injury to the cambium layer on the trunk and branches creates a wound disrupting the flow of the conducting tissue. If the damage is severe enough, the tree can die. The affected area on the trunk or branches takes months to years to heal. In some tree species which don’t heal well, the wound may never close. In this time, fungi and other wood-decaying organisms can enter the tree. This decay can begin spreading to other parts of the tree, causing more health issues for the tree and risk for the owner.
Construction damage causes health and survival issues for trees and creates risk issues for people and the property around them. Tree damage above and below ground creates weaknesses in the tree structure and reduces its ability to withstand storms and other weather-related events.
So, why does the tree seem to decline and die within a few years of construction?
The answer is reduced health and inability to perform critical plant functions because of direct or indirect damage to the tree or its soil environment.
For example, as normal photosynthesis occurs, trees store carbohydrates for next year’s growth. If a tree was healthy and growing before construction, functions such as processing food for energy storage were in effect for the coming year. When that process and any other critical function is interrupted by root damage and soil changes, the tree begins to use up its food reserves and becomes unable to replace them. This drastically weakens the tree and predisposes it to other issues such as insect and disease infestations. Trees unable to continue their basic processes won’t function well and the result is gradual decline, dieback and death. Protecting trees now prevents problems in the future. Preservation is critical for those who would save existing trees on a construction site.
To prevent this type of tree damage during construction also refer to Purdue Extension publication FNR-463-W, Construction and Trees: Guidelines for Protection.
Purdue Landscape Report: An unfortunate question I am sometimes asked is similar to this: “I lost my prized shade tree! What can I plant that will grow fast and give me shade?” While there is no instant fix to this scenario, let’s review a few trees that might be better choices here in northern Indiana.
One obstacle to consider is that many of the fast-growing trees are also fast-dying, meaning that, relatively speaking, they are not long-lived for trees. We’re already behind the 8-ball in our highly manipulated landscapes because we know that trees in landscapes tend to live much shorter lives than trees in their unmanipulated natural habitats.
Figure 1. Honeylocust is a fast growing tree that performs well in urban plantings (Image from Purdue Landscape Report)
That said, here are a few trees to consider. I would still encourage homeowners to invest some time in researching the trees that they are considering. There are pros and cons to almost every tree, and there isn’t room in this article to fully explore all the advantages and disadvantages of each tree. Additionally, I will not be getting into detail about all the cultivars available.
Let’s start with our state tree, the Tuliptree (a.k.a Tulip-poplar or Yellow-poplar). Tuliptrees can become quite large and offer a pretty yellow fall color. They prefer deep, rich, well-drained soils.
If maples are on your mind, a couple of options would be Red maple and Freeman maple (a hybrid cross of Silver maple and Red maple). Red maple has more moderate growth. The Freeman maple is a faster grower and has stronger wood than one of its parents, the Silver maple. These maples do best in well-drained, slightly acid soils, but will tolerate a variety of soil conditions.
Northern catalpa is a fast grower, but dealing with the fruit litter, a long seed pod, may be a deterrent for some locations. It has large, heart-shaped leaves. It would grow well in moist sites.
Common hackberry is a fast grower, but it is susceptible to galls on the leaves (from a n insect), and limbs can become susceptible to wind and ice damage. It tolerates a wide variety of soil conditions. Thornless honeylocust is widely adapted to different soil types. Honeylocusts in the wild produce large thorns. The Thornless honeylocust is adapted to landscapes and allows dappled sunlight to reach turfgrass, so that it thrives more than it would under a tree that provides heavy shade.
Sweetgum is also a fast-growing shade tree with brilliant fall colors. It has a star-shaped leaf. One drawback of sweetgum is the spiny seed capsule. This fallen fruit can make walking in the yard barefoot a painful experience.
Eastern cottonwood is the tree on record for the fastest growth rate of any tree native to the U.S. However, those with cottonwoods in their yard can tell you that the cottony seed mass shed in the spring sticks everywhere. It can be a mess. Plus, cottonwood can shed limbs frequently, especially after storms. This tree is commonly found along rivers and streams, so it not surprisingly prefers moist soils.
Also found along rivers and streams, American sycamore is a fast-growing tree in some landscapes. However, it can be a messy landscape tree, shedding bark, leaves, limbs, and fruit nearly year-round. The large fallen leaves can smother grass if not mowed or raked. It is also sensitive to a spring disease called anthracnose, which can cause defoliation and twig death.
Wild black cherry may be another good choice. Although it may not be available in some nurseries, it can be grown from seed. It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils.
A couple of faster-growing oaks to consider are Pin oak and Northern red oak. Pin oak would be better suited to slightly wetter spots, while Red oak would work on a wider variety of soils, preferring rich, moist, well-drained sites. Pin oak is susceptible to iron chlorosis (yellowing leaves) on alkaline soils.
Finally, American basswood also prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils and is somewhat shade-tolerant. This tree can grow quite tall and provide excellent shade.
In your research, find out how large the tree you will be purchasing will get. One common planting mistake is locating trees too close to structures. Consider the mature size when placing it in the landscape.
Time your spring planting near Arbor Day, the last Friday in April.
In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces us to dwarf chinkapin oak, an uncommon oak species found in far northern Indiana. Unlike many oaks that grow into large forest trees, this species often takes on a different form. Learn about the types of sites where dwarf chinkapin oak is typically found, how it compares to its relative the chinkapin oak and why it plays an important role in supporting wildlife. Whether you’re a student, landowner or simply curious about Indiana’s native trees and shrubs, this video offers a quick introduction to this unique and lesser-known oak species.
If you have any questions regarding wildlife, trees, forest management, wood products, natural resource planning or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.
