Purdue University - Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources
Got Nature? Blog
This full-color, soft-cover book brings together a lifetime of sawmill experience and technical training to help readers solve lumber manufacturing problems and save money. It includes chapters on wood quality and characteristics, softwood lumber grading, logs for fine face veneer, wood residues and potential markets, sales techniques and more. It is a comprehensive reference guide for those who manufacture and market Eastern hardwood lumber in the United States. While it’s written for owners of small, home-based lumber mills, the information is also useful for traditional lumber manufacturers.The author has spent 30 years in close association with both the hardwood lumber and veneer-producing industries, as well as with the users of hardwood products. He has participated in hundreds of plant visits, organized and conducted many educational seminars and written extensively.
This 380-page book was produced in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service.
View sample pages of the book or place an order through The Education Store, Manufacturing and Marketing Eastern hardwood Lumber Produced by Thin Kerf Band Mills.
Resources
Lumber from Hardwood Trees, The Education Store
The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center (Find apps, publications, videos and much more)
Daniel Cassens, Professor of Wood Products
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
Question: I just finished cutting down the last of my backyard oaks due to oak wilt. I have also lost several redbuds due to verticillium wilt. I would like to replant a tree in the spot where the oaks and redbuds were, but I would like some advice on the most resistant tree I can find. I live in Crown Point, IN, primarily clay, on a slope, with heavy brush on my property lines. I know most people would say NEVER plant again once wilt has been detected, but I thought I might ask before giving up (and moving all my shade plants). Do you have information/research on an appropriate and sturdy replacement shade tree?
Response: In general, replanting of oaks in an old oak wilt disease center does not result in disease occurrence in the replanted trees. Root grafts are not thought to form with the dead, diseased oaks. It does not appear that the fungus is transmitted outside the primary phases of transmission: vector-borne via insects (e.g., Nitidulidae) and xylem-limited disease spread via live root grafts of infected trees (MacDonald et al., 2009). This does not mean, of course, that the young oak trees are immune to oak wilt as they grow and age over time; rather, it simply means that oak wilt is not sitting dormant in the soil waiting to attack newly planted or germinated oak seedlings.
Thus, it is only through insect spread from active oak wilt centers in the vicinity that disease would occur in replanted oaks. Healthy oak trees are not susceptible to oak wilt in an infected area. Bur oak, white oak and other members of the white oak family are resistant to the fungus and can be planted in oak wilt centers. For additional prevention measures, plant tree species other than oaks to guarantee no infection from the disease.
Resources
Oak Wilt, The Education Store
Diseases in Hardwood Tree Plantings, The Education Store
Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store
Forest Health Problems Impacting Indiana Forest Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Ornamental plants provide many environmental and ecological benefits to landscapes and urban areas. They can be aesthetically pleasing, reduce stormwater runoff, lower carbon dioxide and pollutants, alleviate the urban “heat island” effect and provide habitats to pollinators, birds and mammals. And in the last 20 years, consumers and the general public have become much more aware of these benefits. The urban environment is different than most locations in a plant’s native range. It is an ecosystem unlike any other due to extreme environmental pressures, so landscapers and homeowners must use a wide range of plant material that will survive in these unique and often harsh environments. Horticulturalists have continued to discover and introduce plants to broaden the plant palette. Unfortunately, a few of these landscape species can escape into wild areas and create ecological problems in unintended areas such as forests and woodlands. In Indiana, a few frequently used landscape plant species have invaded these natural areas and are displacing native species.
For these reasons, the green industry must begin to produce and use different landscape plants that can replace the invasive species. This publication lists potential alternatives to some of the most notorious and damaging invasive plants in Indiana.
For a free download of the full publication, visit Commercial Greenhouse and Nursery Production: Alternative Options for Invasive Landscape Plants.
Resources
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
FNR/Purdue Extension YouTube Video Playlist, Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Burning Bush and Multiflora Rose
Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory (PPDL) (Send in samples or photos)
Lindsey Purcell, Chapter Executive Director/Certificate Liaison
Indiana Arborist Association
Rosie Lerner, Horticulturist
Retired
The Community & Urban Forestry’s Tree Steward Program is designed for homeowners, tree board members, municipal employees, community members, volunteers, students, Master Gardeners and anyone that has an interest in learning more about trees and giving back to their community forest.
Trainers include City Foresters, Certified Arborists, Foresters, Purdue Extension Agents, District Conservationists and other natural resource professionals.
Participants gain knowledge on a variety of community forestry and tree care-related topics, ideas on how to share their knowledge in their communities and an introduction to local and state tree care professionals.
Topics include:
- The Scoop on Soils
- How Does a Tree Grow? (Tree Physiology)
- Tree Identification
- The Right Tree for the Right Place (Tree selection and placement)
- Proper Tree Planting
- Caring for Your Trees
- Threats to Trees: Pests and Disease Diagnosis
- Pruning Do’s & Don’ts
- Identifying Tree Defects
- Benefits of the Urban Forest
- Why Urban Woodlots are Important
- Volunteer Opportunities
For more information, take a look at the Tree Stewards Handout or the Tree Stewards Brochure.
When: Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29, 2015, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Where: Hayes Arboretum, Nature Center, 801 Elks Rd., Richmond, IN 47374
Cost: $30, includes lunch and refreshments
Registration: Deadline to register is May 21, 2015. Register online using the Indiana DNR events registration form.
Resources
Plant For The Sun – Choose, Plant Trees Wisely for Energy Efficiency, Got Nature?
Indiana’s Urban Woodlots, The Education Store
Indiana Community Tree Selection Guide, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
“The Walnut Twig Beetle (WTB), Pityophthorus juglandis, the insect involved in Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut (TCD), has been detected in Indiana for the first time at a Franklin County sawmill.
The beetle was detected in a trap placed at the sawmill for a 2014 statewide survey for WTB. Additional WTBs were found during an inspection of walnut logs and lumber at the sawmill. TCD is caused by the fungus Geosmithia morbida that is transmitted by WTB.
The beetles bore into walnut branches, feeding on the tree’s tissues and depositing the fungus that creates a canker, or dead area, under the bark. Multiple feedings cause the formation of thousands of cankers under the bark and destroy the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Gradually the tree dies.
Tests for the fungus from the collected beetles and walnut samples in Franklin County are ongoing. So far, the fungus has not been detected. Surveys at the sawmill have not detected any infested walnut trees. Another survey is planned for this summer for the area surrounding the sawmill.
State Entomologist Phil Marshall has ordered the sawmill quarantined. The sawmill is working with the DNR and is destroying walnut material on the property to prevent movement of TCD from the property.”
Note that no live trees have been found with TCD in Indiana yet. It is not recommended that landowners cut their walnut trees due to the disease. Instead, it is recommended that residents do not move firewood or other bark on materials of any species due to the risk of transporting known and unknown insects and diseases.
View Thousand Cankers Disease, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, for more information.
Resources
Walnut Anthracnose, Walnut Notes, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station
Indiana Walnut Council, Industry Representatives include 45 states and 3 foreign countries
Diseases in Hardwood Tree Plantings, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Study: Fungus Behind Deadly Disease in Walnut Trees Mutates Easily, Complicating Control, Purdue Agriculture News
Indiana Walnut Council
Diseases in Hardwood Tree Plantings, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Why are my walnut trees dropping their leaves?, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Got Nature? Blog
Invasive Species Walnut Twig Beetle Detected in Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Intro to Trees of Indiana: Black Walnut, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Planting Hardwood Seedlings in the Central Hardwood Region, The Education Store
Regenerating Hardwoods in the Central Hardwood Region: Soils, The Education Store
Fertilizing, Pruning, and Thinning Hardwood Plantations, The Education Store
Resources and Assistance Available for Planting Hardwood Seedlings, The Education Store
‘Twas the day before Arbor Day, when all through the park,Not a creature was stirring, no chirp, squeak or bark.
The birds were perched on the utility wires with care,
In hopes that many trees soon would be there.
All types of squirrels, gray, fox and red,
Had visions of oak trees dancing in their head;
And mama with her overalls, and I my work jeans,
Were prepared and ready to make the park green.When out in the park, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my window to see what was the matter.
Away out my door, I flew like a flash,
Running to the crowd that was gathered ‘round the ash.The dead looking tree with no leaves to show,
Gave a glimmer of midday through its branches to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes came ‘round the corner with ease,
But a miniature truck and in the bed, eight tiny trees.With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Mayor Nick.
The trees looking so healthy and flourishing as they came,
He whistled and shouted and called them by name:”White Oak! Red Cedar! Silver Maple and Black Cherry!
Cottonwood, Black Walnut, American Beech and Hackberry!
It is time to grab your gloves, shovels and spades!” He did call,
“Now plant away! Plant away! Plant away all!”With his blueprints out, he started to show,
Where in the park each tree would go.
So excited and anxious with all my gear, I flew
To the truck full of trees, and Mayor Nicholas too.
And then, in a moment, I heard on the road,
The roaring of more trucks with trees overflowed.
As I lifted my head and was turning around,
The city forester and many arborists came with a bound.
Mayor Nick had called in the professionals to help us out,
So we all would understand what this project was all about.
“Before we start planting, I want to explain
the benefits from these trees the city will gain!
Trees increase property value and improve living conditions.
They also relieve stress and help with (CO2) emissions.
Better air and water quality and sound barriers too,
And the best part is the beautiful new view!”
After Mayor Nick’s speech, the city forester stepped in.
“Whose ready to plant some trees?” he said with a grin.
The crowd cheered, and the project was now on its way,
Making the park beautiful and green in honor of Arbor Day.
First thing we had to do was remove the dead trees.
The park was originally filled with ash, which was a feast for EAB.
The arborists cut all the trees down one by one.
There was so much help, in no time the cleanup was done.
As we finally started planting, the professionals came around,
Making sure we were putting the trees properly into the ground.
I learned that you cut and remove only ⅓ – ½ of the B&B.
Then you check the roots, the most important part of the tree.
If the tree has spiraling roots, all four sides must be sawed,
So the tree’s way of nutrient uptake and anchorage is not flawed.
It is also important that the root flare is not below the soil line.
Many people tend to bury it, thinking their tree will be fine.
Before planting your tree, consider the tree’s full-grown size.
Improper planting can cause the tree to die otherwise.
I’m so glad I decided to volunteer today.
I learned so much about planting trees the right way!
After countless hours of hard work and sweat,
Mayor Nick’s goals for the park were finally met.
He thanked everyone, and as he drove out of sight,
He shouted “Happy Arbor Day to all, and to all a good night!”
Resources
FNR Majors & Minors, Purdue FNR
Prospective Students, Purdue FNR
We Know Nature! FNR: This is Your Classroom Project Video
Erin Hipskind, Forestry Student
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
If you’re walking in the woods or maybe even traveling along a road this spring in Indiana, you may come across some trees that look like the one in the photos below. Clearly, something unusual is going on here. What made the bark change color so quickly, and why are there holes in the bark?
The answer to both of those questions for ash trees around the state is Emerald Ash Borer and woodpeckers. As Emerald Ash Borer spreads across Indiana, the population of Emerald Ash Borer larvae overwintering under the bark of ash trees can quickly increase. These grubs provide a tasty treat and important winter and early spring nutrition to hungry woodpeckers. Woodpeckers of several species are experts at detecting and extracting these grubs by pounding holes in tree bark. Ash bark is generally gray on the surface, but the inner bark is a light corky tan color. Once the woodpeckers find the EAB larvae, their excavation activities flake off the outer bark to expose the lighter colored inner bark. This is actually one of the best indicators of the presence of Emerald Ash Borer in a tree. The woodpecker activity often starts in the upper main stem and branches of ash trees, but as the population of EAB larvae in the trees increase, the woodpecker activity spreads down the trunk of the tree. Trees with this much inner bark exposed indicate an advanced infestation of EAB and signal ash tree mortality in the next year or two.
If you would like to learn more about ash trees and the Emerald Ash Borer, visit the Purdue Emerald Ash Borer website.
Trees offer many functional and aesthetic benefits, but one of the most common is shade. Because of this, one of the most important aspects of tree selection and planting is placement. Improper placement of trees can diminish the value of the tree on the site. The tree can actually become a liability if it conflicts with infrastructure or just does not providing any useful shade at all. For shade where it’s needed most that also allows passive solar gain in the winter months, you must use an energy efficient design.
Figure 1 (Diagram by Greg Pierceall)
In this hemisphere, the sun is in the south, and the source of cold weather is in the north. Whenever possible, place openings for sunlight and radiant heat primarily on the southern exposure, then on the west and east. For energy efficiency in winter, use the low arc of the sun to capture the maximum amount of warmth through east-, west- and south-facing windows. Windows with a northern exposure are a source of cool air from prevailing winds during the hot months, so give the north minimum exposure and maximum natural protection in the winter.
When selecting trees for energy efficiency, don’t plant evergreen trees near the house on southern exposures. Trees may provide some shade and screening but will also block out the warming effects of the sun during winter months. When choosing trees for shade and solar gain, choose larger, deciduous-canopy trees that provide an advantage year round. Select good quality trees that are suitable for your location from a reputable source. See the publication FNR-433-W on the Education Store website for more information on tree selection and planting.
Correct placement is critical for an energy-efficient design and low maintenance as the tree grows and matures. Be certain that the mature height and spread fit the location before placing the tree. This allows the tree freedom to spread into the design space naturally without excessive pruning to prevent conflicts with the house. However, the tree still must be close enough to the house for the canopy to provide shade. A good rule of thumb is to plant the tree at least 20 feet from the house. For larger shade trees, you may need to plant as far as 40 feet from the house to insure room for growth (see Figure 1).
Trees help make homes energy-efficient by creating a cooling effect during the hot summer months or by allowing the passive solar gain during cold winter months. However, proper selection and placement is critical to make this work.
Resources
Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store
Tree Planting Instructions, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Planting & Transplanting Landscape Trees and Shrubs, Department of Horticulture, Purdue University
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
The Purdue Center for Global Soundscapes has been recognized by PBS. NOVA, a PBS documentary series focused on science, interviewed Bryan Pijanowski, Professor of Human-Environment Modeling and Analysis Laboratory, and Matt Harris, Graduate Research Assistant, to learn more on the subject and to share this story on the NOVA website in video format. Soundscape ecology is the study of how the environment changes by studying the sounds within that environment.
Anyone can be a citizen scientist and download their “sounds of earth” to the soundscape ecology database. There is no cost, and it is easy to do. Just visit the website, Record the Earth, for instructions.
Resources
Soundscape Ecology Research Projects, Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue Boiler Bytes Highlights Discovery Park Global Soundscape Research Center Led by FNR’s Dr. Bryan Pijanowski, Got Nature?
Bryan Pijanowski, Professor of Human-Environment Modeling and Analysis Laboratory
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Have you ever wondered what an unfettered rainforest sounds like? Or maybe been curious about the sounds of the shifting coastal tides of Alaska? Well Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Professor Bryan Pijanowski and his students have now made it possible to hear sounds from a wide number of locations around the world. Dr. Pijanowski, Professor of Human-Environment Modeling & Analysis Laboratory, has led teams to locations across the globe, including Costa Rica, Borneo and the Sonaran Desert, in an effort to record and archive the sounds produced by various ecosystems. Dr. Pijanowski and his team have developed a series of applications for mobile devices and other technologies for soundscape recordings and research.
You can help capture and preserve sounds of the Earth and highlight their bellwether role in alerting scientists to environmental habitat changes by using the free app available at The Education Store, Purdue Extension. On Earth Day, April 22, 2015, The Global Soundscapes Research Center will try to surpass the number of downloads these received in 2014 on Earth Day.
Resources
Center for Global Soundscapes
Conserving Biodiversity in Agricultural Landscapes, Purdue University Press
Managing Forest & Wildlife Resources: An Integrated Approach, The Education Store
Bryan Pijanowski, Professor of Human-Environment Modeling & Analysis Laboratory
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
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