Got Nature? Blog

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is offering several upcoming opportunities related to prescribed and wildland fire training. Many of these opportunities are required to become an Indiana Certified Prescribed Burn Manager.

All the upcoming training opportunities and course prerequisites are posted on the Indiana DNR Fire Headquarters Training page.

Trainings Required for Indiana CPBM
S-130 Field Day
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 46151

Rx Fire for Managers
Date: Tues-Wed, December 17-18, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 46151

Other Prescribed and Wildland Fire Training Opportunities
RT-130 Fire Refresher
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Location: Prophetstown State Park
West Lafayette, IN 47906

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 46151

Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 46151

S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws
Dates: Tues-Thurs, December 8-10, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 45151

For all Purdue Extension – forestry and Natural Resources upcoming events view Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Events.

Resources:
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources
100 Year Project Shares New Video, Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Brooke’s Prescribed Fire Videos Utilized in Global USFS Efforts, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Prescribed fire: 6 things to consider before you ignite, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – 4Forestry and Natural Resources
Burning for Benefits: Why Fire Belongs in Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Renovating Native Warm-Season Grass Stands for Wildlife: A Land Manager’s Guide, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Backing Fire, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube channel
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Flanking Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Strip Head Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Wildlife Habitat Hints: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Ring Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Wildlife Habitat Hints: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Point Source Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Late Growing Season Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire with Jarred Brooke and Mike Saunders, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Indiana Prescribed Fire Council

Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Whether it’s wildlife finding its way into buildings, mysterious holes appearing in the yard, or concerns about protecting gardens and crops, interactions with wildlife can leave landowners and homeowners searching for answers. To help address these common questions, Purdue University Extension and the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources are offering a new four-part online series, Wildlife Issues and Solutions.

This lunchtime webinar series will provide practical, research-based information to help participants better understand wildlife behavior, identify common wildlife-related problems and explore management options. Each session will include expert guidance and real-world solutions that can be applied around homes, properties, farms and outdoor spaces.

All webinars will take place from Noon to 1:00 p.m. (EST) and are open to anyone interested in learning more about living and working alongside wildlife.

Upcoming Sessions:
November 20, 2026
What’s Making Holes in My Yard?
Learn how to identify the wildlife responsible for digging activity and understand why animals dig in lawns, landscapes and natural areas.

December 11, 2026
Aggressive Wildlife: Truth or Myth?
Explore common misconceptions about aggressive wildlife behavior and learn when concern is warranted and how to respond appropriately.

January 22, 2027
Preparing for Spring: Crop & Garden Damage
Discover strategies to reduce wildlife damage to gardens, landscapes and agricultural crops before the growing season begins.

Whether you’re a homeowner, landowner, gardener, farmer, or simply interested in wildlife, this series will provide valuable insights for managing wildlife interactions while supporting healthy wildlife populations.

Register for the Wildlife Issues and Solutions Online Series:
Registration

Resources:
Diagnosing and Controlling Wildlife Damage, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s rescource center
Preventing Wildlife Damage – Do You Need a Permit?, The Education Store
Wildlife Conflicts, Purdue University
New Tool for Helping Landowners to Help Declining Birds, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Forest Management for Reptiles and Amphibians: A Technical Guide for the Midwest, The Education Store
Ask the Expert: Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Birds and Salamander Research, Purdue Extension – FNR
Developing a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching, Purdue Extension
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store
ReportINvasive, Purdue College of Agriculture – Entomology
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
District Forester, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 10+ acres
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Subscribe Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Brian MacGowan​, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University

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From Lake Michigan to the Ohio River, fire once influenced large portions of Indiana. But when we get into the details, we find that certain ecosystems are much more reliant on fire than others. In this article, we’ll move north to south through some of Indiana’s fire-adapted ecosystems, highlighting properties where the effects of fire can be seen today.

Dunes
Hugging the shores of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes are among the most distinctive and fascinating natural features in Indiana. On these sandy hilltops, jack pines and prickly pear cactus grow side by side, along with many of Indiana’s rarest plant species. The Dunes area is home to swales, prairies, and savannas that have burned regularly for millennia.

Although fire is used for many ecological reasons in the region, one noteworthy goal of burning in the Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park is to create habitat for the federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. This butterfly’s caterpillars feed exclusively on sundial lupine, which thrives in openings on sandy soil. Fire is an important tool for keeping the habitat open enough for lupine and therefore suitable for this imperiled butterfly. By managing for this species, many other fire-adapted plants also benefit.

Prairies
Prior to European settlement, prairie covered around 15% of Indiana, mostly across northern Indiana in a region called the “Prairie Peninsula”. This sizable land area, covered in tall grass and wildflowers, was largely maintained by fires set by Native Americans, along with bison grazing. Fire knocks back woody plants that threaten to shade out the herbaceous plants and create a fertile seedbed for new growth. Prairie grasses and wildflowers are well-adapted to fire, with deep roots the fire can’t touch.

In Indiana, prairie is closely intertwined with wetlands and savannas, and even small changes in elevation and soil type can influence the plant community. One example is fens like the one in Prophetstown State Park, which are groundwater-fed wetlands that often share many species with prairies. In dry years, fens and other wetlands likely burned as well.

While most of Indiana’s prairies were plowed for farmland, some survived, including a complex of remnant and restored prairie and wetlands at The Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands Nature Preserve. Fire is regularly used on the property to restore and maintain these habitats. The best part? In addition to observing the effects of fire on the landscape, visitors can see a herd of bison like those that once roamed Indiana. This property offers a glimpse of what northwest Indiana looked like centuries ago.

Savannas
On sandy rises among the prairies and wetlands, savannas dominate. These ecosystems are home to sprawling, widely spaced oaks among lush understories of grasses and wildflowers. They are the transition between prairie and woodland, with characteristics of both. And they only continue to exist because of fire. Fire maintains their open structure, allowing enough light to the understory for the herbaceous layer to grow. Without fire, shrubs and young trees would take over, and the savanna would become a shady forest.

Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area features many oak savannas. These have been regularly burned for decades and are home to a wide variety of rare plants. They are also beautiful – in fact, humans tend to prefer savannas to other habitat types.

Oak Woodlands
In the rolling hills of southern Indiana, oak woodlands were once the dominant ecosystem. An oak woodland is similar to a forest, with a few key differences. The main one is that there are generally fewer trees per acre, giving a woodland a spread-out structure with more light than a forest. This encourages a thick, diverse understory. Oak woodlands are also, as the name suggests, dominated by oaks rather than shade-loving trees like beeches and maples. Finally, they are typically dry, while beech-maple forests are wetter and contain lots of small depressions and seasonal ponds.

In Indiana, many of our oak woodlands have closed in due to lack of fire, losing this structure and therefore much of their plant diversity. This reduces habitat for the plants and animals that inhabit oak woodlands.

In some places, though, prescribed fire has re-established this oak woodland structure. One example is 10 O’ Clock Line Nature Preserve in Brown County State Park. This nature preserve – the largest in the state – has been restored using multiple large-scale prescribed fires. In contrast to other parts of the park, the resulting structure is open, with plants like little bluestem, beebalm, and woodland sunflower popping up from the seedbed. This immediate herbaceous response tells managers that this area was once more open, and the plants had just been waiting for the light to return to bloom once more. Given the chance, nearby tracts of state and national forest would likely respond in a similar fashion.

Glades and Barrens
Now we go all the way south to the glades and barrens of southern Indiana. Glades and barrens, though subtly different in certain ways, are both natural openings in woodlands. They are home to many “prairie” species like prairie dock, pale purple coneflower, and obedient plant. Glades and barrens occur where the soil is too poor to support large trees, often because the bedrock is very near or at the surface of the soil. These pockets of grasses and wildflowers provide many resources for wildlife, especially pollinators that feed on the broad assortment of flowers.

One of the main threats to these rare ecosystems is encroachment by eastern redcedar and other trees that can tolerate the poor soil. Without regular fire, these species crowd out the grasses and wildflowers. Luckily for managers of properties like the Nature Conservancy’s Harrison County Glades, these trees are not very fire-resistant, so prescribed burns can be used to restore and maintain these special places.

Appreciating the Smoke
That concludes our fiery tour of Indiana. Next time you’re near one of these properties and see smoke, take a moment to appreciate fire in its natural places, keeping Indiana’s ecosystems healthy for future generations to enjoy.

Want to learn more about prescribed fire?
This article is part of our Burning for Benefits series exploring how fire shapes Indiana’s landscapes, supports wildlife and helps maintain healthy ecosystems. Read Burning for Benefits: Why Fire Belongs in Indiana to discover why prescribed fire is an important tool for conservation and land management.

Resources:
Indiana Prescribed Fire Council (INPFC)
Prescribed Burn Association
Lighting a Spark: Prescribed Burn Associations, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Effective Firebreaks for Safe Use of Prescribed Fire, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Prescribed fire: 6 things to consider before you ignite, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Getting Certified as an Indiana Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Late Growing Season Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Backing Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Flanking Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Strip Head Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Point Source Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Ring Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Explore the Rich World of Oaks, Purdue Extension – FNR
Subscribe – Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel

Danielle Howard, Extension Prescribed Fire Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Do you have a favorite place, species, landscape or natural phenomenon in Indiana? Share it with Dr. Clement Bataille through this Qualtrics survey and it may become part of the new Indiana Natural Resources and Wonders course in spring 2027.

The course will offer a broad survey of Indiana’s natural history and remarkable natural resources, highlighted by a series of case studies ranging from mastodons and glacial lakes to prairies, insect migration, freshwater mussels and more. The course will introduce the natural systems that make Indiana one of the most productive and biologically distinctive landscapes in the United States, from rocks to soils and water, to forests, wildlife and climate.

To flesh out course content and topics for conversation, Bataille is inviting all Indiana residents, FNR alumni, natural resource professionals and other members of the community to share a photo or short story about an Indiana natural resource, place or experience in the state that they find particularly meaningful, remarkable or inspiring.

The deadline for submissions is Nov. 30, 2026.

The Indiana Natural Resources and Wonders course will begin with a look at the Paleozoic bedrock beneath the state and the glacial ice that reworked its surface, then examine the soils that resulted and explain why Indiana supports both exceptional forests and exceptional agriculture. Students will then explore the hydrosphere, working through rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwater along with their biodiversity and their long history of human interactions. From there the course turns to the prairies and forests of Indiana, then to wildlife and biodiversity, from resident species like white-tailed deer that are actively managed to migratory birds and insects. The course also will investigate how observed and projected climate change might reshape natural resources across Indiana and the conservation and management solutions needed to face this change.

Resources:
Future Undergraduate Students, Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources
SAiVE Lab, Dr. Clement Bataille, Purdue FNR
Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources Names Chair in Environmental Sustainability, Purdue College of Agriculture News
Community Development, Purdue Extension
Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces, Purdue Extension
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, find natural resources, forestry, wildlife, urban forestry and much more.

Clement Bataille, Belcher Chair, professor
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Wendy Mayer, FNR Communications Coordinator
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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In early November, invasive bush honeysuckle is one of the only understory shrubs that are still green. While many of our native plants are dormant, Asian bush honeysuckle remains green longer making them easy to locate. Doing control measures this time of year also reduces impacts to non-target plants.

How do you control it? That depends on what resources you have available. Small plants can be easily pulled by hand; be sure to hang them on tree branch rather than laying them down on the ground so they don’t re-root. In most cases, some method of herbicide control will be necessary. Ohio State University has a good guide on various methods of control, Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants in Ohio Forests: Bush Honeysuckle.

Not sure where to start on your property? One of the most daunting aspects of invasive plant control is where to begin. Ellen Jacquart, former Director of Stewardship for the Nature Conservancy in Indiana, wrote an article in the Indiana Woodland Steward. The Where do I Start?! Prioritizing Invasive Plant Control article describes how to plan your invasive plant control including prioritizing what to do first.

Click on the photos below for larger view to help as you identify Asian bush honeysuckle.

Resources:
Subscribe to the Indiana Woodland Steward Newsletter
Consider Fall Eradication of Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Purdue Landscape Report
Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Purdue Extension YouTube Video
A Woodland Moment: Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Video
Invasive Plants of the Eastern U.S.: An Introduction to the Problematic Non-Native Species, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
Report Invasive Species: Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Purdue Invasive Species
The GLEDN Phone App – Great Lakes Early Detection Network
EDDMaps – Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
What Are Invasive Species and Why Should I Care?, Purdue Extension-FNR Got Nature? Blog
Emerald Ash Borer Information Network, Purdue University and Partners
Aquatic Invasive Species, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Subscribe Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Brian MacGowan​, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University

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Researchers at Purdue are working to scale up the green production of maple syrup in the Central Hardwood Region. As part of the project, which will help shape the future of the industry, researchers are asking producers to participate in a new survey, sharing their experiences, challenges and perspectives on sustainable production and cooperative opportunities.

“A producer coop could help strengthen Indiana’s maple syrup industry by reducing production costs, expanding market opportunities, improving profitability, and lowering the environmental footprint of maple syrup production,” said Dr. Mo Zhou, associate professor of forest economics and management. “But for such coops to succeed, it must reflect the needs and preferences of producers. This survey seeks to understand producers’ willingness to participate in a coop and the types of coop arrangements that would best serve them. The survey responses will help us explore a coop model that benefits individual producers while supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of Indiana’s maple syrup industry.”

The deadline to complete the survey is Nov. 30, 2026.

The fully confidential survey, which will take between 15 and 25 minutes to complete, asks about:

• Maple syrup production practices
• Production and marketing challenges
• Sustainable “green” production practices
• Cooperative participation and preferences
• Educational and technical assistance needs.

Participants may skip any questions they do not wish to answer or stop participating in the survey at any time. No personal identifiable information will be collected and survey responses will remain anonymous and only will be reported in summary form.

“Clearly, there is a great need and potential for expanding the “green” production of maple syrup in Indiana through engaging more private landowners in sugaring activities,” PhD student Jean Fritz Saint Preux said. “We will use Indiana as a model to produce new research that will help develop and disseminate decision-making and educational tools and promote the production of sustainable, low-carbon-footprint maple syrup and other sap-based products. The project findings will be transferable to other states in Central Hardwood Region because of the similarity in the forest type, land ownership and many other attributes.”

The project is supported by the USDA Aces Access and Development Program.

Learn More:
Sugar Sweet: Making Maple Syrup, Purdue College of Agriculture News
Researchers Need Community Participation in Maple Syrup Producers Survey, Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources News
For the second year, Acer grant boosts Indiana Maple Syrup Industry, Purdue College of Agriculture News
A Tale of Two Syrups, Featured Photo Styory, Purdue College of Agriculture
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana Videos, Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue FNR YouTube Channel Webinars
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel for videos on forestry, urban forestry, wildlife, aquaculture, fisheries, conservation, natural resource management, wood products, wood manufacturing and much more.

Jean Fritz Saint Preux, Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Mo Zhou, Associate Professor of Forest Economics and Management
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Beauty is not necessarily an overriding virtue for the winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus). Also called winged euonymus or simply burning bush, it has gorgeous red fall color and has been a popular choice for landscapes since the late 1800s. However, we’ve known since the 1970s that this beautiful plant has demonstrated invasiveness in natural areas.

Purdue experts authored an Extension publication entitled “Invasive Plant Series: Winged Burning Bush.” Much of this article will highlight excerpts from the publication.

“Winged burning bush can tolerate a wide range of sites and soil conditions,” they said. “It grows in full sun and tolerates full shade under a forest canopy.” Its fruits are eaten by birds and dispersed elsewhere, such as from landscapes to neighboring natural areas. It can form dense undergrowth in woodlands.
As the name implies, twigs and branches of this shrub have corky ridges or “wings.” Leaves are arranged oppositely on twigs, from ¾ to 2 inches long, and tapering at each end. “Leaves turn a vibrant red in autumn for plants in full sunlight but may be shades of magenta or pink in shaded areas,” they said. A single plant can produce fertile seed.

Besides this invasive plant, Indiana has three native euonymus species that could be confused with their invasive relative. The most common is eastern burning bush or wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus), which is a large shrub to the size of a small tree. Running euonymus or running strawberry bush (Euonymus obovatus) is a perennial groundcover that may only get from one foot to a few feet tall. Strawberry bush or brook euonymus (Euonymus americanus) is a small shrub found primarily in southern Indiana.

“The ability of winged burning bush to spread via seeds dispersed by birds, survive and produce seed in shaded environments, and gradually increase density and distribution in forests presents a threat to the native diversity and productivity of natural habitats in Indiana,” they said. “Besides seed production, winged burning bush stands can increase in density by layering, where a branch comes in contact with the soil and roots.” They said research has shown that high deer population levels promote the establishment and spread of some invasive plant species, including winged burning bush. Deer preferentially browse on desirable native plants while avoiding winged burning bush.

The authors urge prevention as the first step in preventing the spread of burning bush. This strategy is simple: don’t plant burning bush.

The authors discuss various control methods for burning bush in natural areas, including manual and mechanical methods, prescribed fire, and chemical controls. See the publication for details. Find it at the Purdue Education Store.

If you have burning bush in your landscape, please consider removing it and replacing it with a native alternative, like wahoo (previously mentioned), chokeberry, common ninebark, American cranberry bush viburnum, fragrant sumac, or winterberry. Research your potential replacement to ensure it is suited to your landscape location (size, site conditions, etc.).

Resources
Invasive Plant Series: Winged Burning Bush, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources
Invasive Plant Swap, Tippecanoe County Soil & Water Conservation District & Tippecanoe Invasive Cooperative Taskforce
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Agriculture & Indiana Invasive Species Council
The GLEDN Phone App – Great Lakes Early Detection Network
EDDMaps – Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (Report Invasives)
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Burning Bush Video, video, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
What Nurseries Need to Know About the Invasive Species Regulation, The Education Store
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store
Invasive Plant Species: Oriental Bittersweet, The Education Store
Invasive Plant Species: Callery Pear, The Education Store
Invasive Plant Species: Wintercreeper, The Education Store
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel for videos on forestry, urban forestry, wildlife, aquaculture, fisheries, conservation, natural resource management and wood products.

John E. Woodmansee, Lead Regional Educator
Purdue Agriculture and Natural Resources

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For more than 100 years, Purdue Extension has worked alongside Indiana communities, helping residents access research-based information, trusted expertise and local support. Now, an exciting new chapter is underway.

As part of Purdue Extension’s transformation to a statewide structure with 12 regional teams, Indiana communities will have greater access to specialized expertise, stronger collaboration across counties and new opportunities to connect with Extension professionals. Purdue Extension has transitioned to a regional model designed to bring together experts from agriculture and natural resources, health and human sciences, community development and 4-H while continuing to serve local needs throughout the state.

Stay Connected Through New Regional Websites and Facebook Pages
Each regional team now has its own online presence where community members can learn about programs, meet team members, discover upcoming events and find resources tailored to their area. These regional websites will serve as hubs for sharing local success stories, educational opportunities and ways to engage with Purdue Extension.

Be sure to follow your regional Purdue Extension office on Facebook to stay connected with local events, educational opportunities, resources and success stories from your area.

Region 1: Northwest (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Northwest Region
Counties served: Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke and White

Region 2: North (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension North Region
Counties served: Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph

Region 3: Northeast (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Northeast Region
Counties served: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley

Region 4: North Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension North Central Region
Counties served: Cass, Carroll, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Miami and Tipton

Region 5: West Central
Facebook: Purdue Extension West Central Region
Counties served: Benton, Fountain, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren

Region 6: Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Central Region
Counties served: Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Madison and Marion

Region 7: East Central
Facebook: Purdue Extension East Central Region
Counties served: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union and Wayne

Region 8: Southwest Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southwest Central Region
Counties served: Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen and Sullivan

Region 9: South Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension South Central Region
Counties served: Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby

Region 10: Southeast (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southeast Region
Counties served: Decatur, Dearborn, Franklin, Jennings, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland

Region 11: Southwest (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southwest Region
Counties served: Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Posey

Region 12: South
Facebook: Purdue Extension South Region
Counties served: Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Orange, Scott and Washington

Explore Regional Highlights
Purdue Extension Announces Regional Operations Leaders, Purdue Extension News
Extension Launches Transformation, Purdue Extension
See Regional Impact in Action, Purdue Extension – West Central Impact, Creating Healthier Environments for Young Children
East Central Impact, From Research to the Field: Regional Collaboration at OPAC Field Day

Purdue Extension’s regional structure is built around a simple goal: helping communities thrive by connecting people with the expertise, resources and partnerships they need.

As these regional teams continue to grow, we invite you to explore your regional website, follow your regional Facebook page and discover new opportunities to connect with Purdue Extension.
Find your region. Follow your team. Stay connected.

More Resources:
Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR), Purdue Extension
Find Your Purdue Extension County Office, Purdue Extension
Purdue Extension 2025 Annual Impact Report, Purdue Extension
Facebook, Purdue Extension
Subscribe – Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Ask an Expert, Purdue Extension – FNR
Download Free Publications, Purdue Extension – FNR
Subscribe to Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (videos include: aquaculture, fish management, urban and forestry management, natural resource planning, wildlife and sustainable biomaterials)
Purdue Extension resource center with additional publications – The Education Store

Purdue Extension

Diana Evans, Extension and Web Communication Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Several things come into play when it comes to determining the colors that we find on leaves of our trees. As our days get shorter and our nights get longer there is a chemical change that happens in the tree. In this video Lenny Farlee talks about the several pigments that are found in trees and what changes from summer to fall that brings us the bright colors on leaves.

Explore IndyStar Story Behind Our Fall Colors
For more on what determines the specific colors our leaves turn and how weather and other factors influence the fall display check out this recent IndyStar article: What determines what color leaves turn in the fall? The story features insights from Lenny Farlee, Purdue Extension forester, who shares his expertise on the science and beauty behind Indiana’s fall foliage.

Fall Foliage by Tree Species (click on the image to expand)

Resources:
Indiana Fall Foliage Map, Explore Fall
Why Fall Color is Sometimes a Dud, Purdue Landscape Report
U.S. Forest Service Website and Hotline, Highlight Fall Colors on National Forests
ID That Tree Fall Color: Sugar Maple, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel, ID That Tree Playlist
ID That Tree Fall Color Edition: Black Gum, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel, ID That Tree Playlist
ID That Tree Fall Color Edition: Shagbark Hickory, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel, ID That Tree Playlist
ID That Tree Fall Color Edition: Virginia Creeper, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel, ID That Tree Playlist
ID That Tree Fall Color Edition: Winged Sumac, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel, ID That Tree Playlist
Autumn Highlights Tour – South Campus, Purdue Arboretum Explorer
ID That Tree, Playlist, Subscribe to Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center (HTIRC)

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Many people in the Midwest know about and admire flowering dogwood trees and their distinctive spring flowers, which display conspicuous white or pink bracts (flower structures that resemble petals). Reportedly, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were fans of this tree as well, planting them at their homes in Mount Vernon and Monticello, respectively. Did you know that we have nine native dogwood species in the Midwest?

I’m sourcing information from two books written by Purdue University experts, Native Trees of the Midwest and Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest.

All but one of our native dogwoods (Cornus spp.) have an opposite leaf arrangement, and the leaves look similar, with veins that form an arc that follows the leaf’s shape toward the tip. This characteristic is known as arcuate venation. Fruit can vary among species, exhibiting hues of red, white, or blue. Fall leaf color usually ends in a deep red color. Although I won’t cover pith color (the center of the stem) in detail here, pith color of first- and second-year twigs is usually another good tool for identification. Most species have red or green twigs that add winter interest.

Homeowners may concentrate on the traditional flowering dogwood (C. florida) tree. It is a small tree, usually not exceeding 30-40 feet in height. It is moderately shade-tolerant and may struggle in full sun in home landscapes. In natural areas, it is typically found mixed with hardwoods and conifers in open woods and woods’ edges in rich, well-drained soils.

In addition to the flowering dogwood tree, other native dogwoods are considered shrubs.

Pagoda dogwood (C. alternifolia) is a small tree-sized shrub reaching heights of 18 to 20 feet. Its layered branching with upswept branch ends on older specimens resembles the roof of a Japanese pagoda. This shrub is also known as alternate-leaf dogwood; it is the only native dogwood with an alternate leaf arrangement. Fall leaf color features multiple hues and usually ends in deep burgundy. It is a beautiful and popular choice in home landscapes.

Bunchberry or dwarf cornel (C. canadensis) is the smallest of the native dogwoods. At a maximum height of 8 inches, it is classified as a sub-shrub. It is more common in northern states because it is unable to survive in soil temperatures greater than 65 degrees. Underground rhizomes allow large colonies of this plant to form.

Swamp dogwood (a.k.a. southern swamp dogwood, stiff dogwood; C. foemina or C. stricta) is found mainly in southern Indiana counties in poorly drained woodlands. It can grow to 9 feet in forest understories.

Rough leaf dogwood (C. drummondii or C. asperifolia) is one of our largest native shrubby dogwoods, growing to 12-15 feet or more. As the name suggests, leaves are rough with hairs on the underside. This shrub is easy to grow, but it needs room to grow. Suckers will give rise to new plants but can be controlled with mowing. First-year twigs are reddish-brown with flattened hairs, turning gray and hairless the second year.

Silky dogwood or pale dogwood (C. obliqua or C. amomum) has reddish twigs and a brown pith. The bark is reddish gray with vertical light brown shallow fissures, unique to this dogwood. In nature, this shrub is found along ponds, lakes, streams, and swamps, so it is usually associated with water. It is relatively easy to grow and is commonly found in nurseries.

Gray dogwood or northern swamp dogwood (C. racemosa) only gets about 4-5 feet tall. It frequently forms dense clonal communities that offer cover to wildlife. It can be found in nurseries that specialize in native plants. It is adaptable to wet or dry locations.

Round-leaf dogwood (C. rugosa) is a 5-6 feet tall shrub, more commonly found in the northern tier of Indiana counties. It has pinkish-green, purple, or yellow twigs that become rough with age. As the name suggests, its leaves are broadly ovate (rounder) than those of other shrub dogwoods and may resemble the leaves of flowering dogwood trees. Root suckering can produce small clumps that become small thickets over time.

Red-osier dogwood (a.k.a. red twig dogwood or American dogwood; C. sericea or C. stolonifera) is especially adaptable and the most widely available native shrub dogwood in midwestern nurseries. Its wine-red twigs (when young) are a landscape feature that stands out in winter. Bark on older specimens turns from red to greenish and eventually to grayish-brown. At up to 9 feet tall, it is one of the larger dogwoods, and it’s easy to grow and maintain. In natural areas, it is found in wet, boggy places and is a sun-loving shrub that will tolerate some shade.
You may also come across other non-native dogwoods available in nurseries, such as kousa dogwood (C. kousa), Tatarian dogwood (C. alba), or cornelian cherry dogwood (C. mas).

Identifying dogwoods (especially the shrubs) can be difficult, partly because all the leaves look similar. Finding a good field guide or identification book will help. Some plant identification apps may do a decent job but may need to be double-checked by a good reference book. Find additional information at the Purdue Arboretum.

Resources:
Intro to Trees of Indiana: Flowering Dogwood – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Flowering Dogwood, Native Trees of Indiana River Walk, Purdue Fort Wayne
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana
Cornus alternifolia, The Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel-playlist
Woodland Management Moment, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel-playlist

John E. Woodmansee, Lead Regional Educator
Purdue Agriculture and Natural Resources

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