Got Nature? Blog

Congratulations to Liz Jackson, FNR Extension Specialist, on receiving the 2025 Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA) President’s Award. This award is given for exceptional contribution to the forest products industry and to members of IHL. We are proud to celebrate her achievements along with seeing her featured in the April 2025 edition of the Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) newsletter.

Agricultural & Natural Resources (ANR) Newsletter: Liz has worked as an Extension specialist associated with three forestry organizations since March 2004. Liz obtained her BS in forest products (’82) from Purdue’s Forestry & Natural Resources Department and MS in business management (’84) from Krannert School of Business under a special forestry/business master’s program.

Before coming to Purdue Extension, Liz spent 15 years in wood products manufacturing as a plant manager at Aristokraft cabinets (now MasterBrand) and purchasing and inventory control manager at Lafayette Venetian Blind.

Liz’s Extension role is to provide programs and products on sustainable forest management and forest stewardship to address woodland owners’ concerns and needs. While representing the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, she works on behalf of three organizations.

The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) is a research partnership between Purdue FNR and the USDA Forest Service focusing on management, protection and improvement of fine hardwood species. For the HTIRC she coordinates annual meetings, research conferences and educational programs.

For the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) and National Walnut Council, she represents the interests of the members and manages all business of the associations, including board meetings, annual conferences and education programs, membership and finances, and communications, including newsletters, websites and social media.

Liz is involved in many partnerships around the state, including as a member of the Extension Invasive Species Working Group, on the editorial board for Indiana Woodland Steward newsletter, member of NRCS state technical committee, and advisory partner with Indiana DNR Division of Forestry Forest Stewardship Committee, Sentinel Landscapes, and Let the Sun Shine In Indiana programs.

A highlight of her career was traveling to Washington, D.C., in 2005 to see Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana and representatives from HTIRC and Indiana forestry plant an Indiana walnut tree on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Ten years later she returned to the site and was thrilled to find the tree and see it was thriving.

Resources:
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) YouTube Channel
Observing Seasonal Changes in Nature Webinar with Amanda Wanless, IFWOA YouTube Channel
Magnificent Trees of Indiana Webinar with Author Carroll Ritter, IFWOA YouTube Channel
Ask the FNR Expert: Pests in your Woods, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Directory of Professional Foresters, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Indiana Woodland Steward E-newsletters, Eleven Member Organization
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Agricultural & Natural Resources (ANR), Purdue Extension

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Purdue Landscape Report: The bitter winter cold has finally passed us (or has it? It’s hard to tell in the Midwest)! The days are getting warmer and longer, and that means the insects are coming out of their overwintering stages. As you prepare for your landscaping and gardening this year, are you implementing preventative measures for pests? Now is the time to think about those strategies to minimize the damage to your plants.

Preventing pest issues is foundational to integrated pest management. The first step is always to start with healthy and clean plants. Don’t be afraid to bring a hand lens to the store and check for those hard-to-see pests! You don’t want to bring a problem home. Next, remember that many pests will thrive due to improper watering, light conditions, or fertilization. Avoid these issues by reviewing the recommendations for your plants and consulting a soil test. (Read more about why soil tests are essential!)

Finally, which pests/diseases do you anticipate? What are the most common pests on the plants in your landscape? Perhaps you have had issues in past years and know what to expect. Review the biology of these pests and consider implementing preventative measures now. Let’s look at a couple of examples of frequent landscape pests and some management options you can add to your list of spring preparations.

Spider Mites

Spider mites overwinter on the host plant or in leaf litter. Around this time of year, cool season mites such as spruce mites and boxwood mites are the dominant issue. Check your plants now for these spider mites, and scout regularly to make sure populations aren’t getting out of control. A rainy spring will help keep the pressure low. If you have to spray, avoid chemicals that will harm natural enemies, which are vital to spider mite management. (Learn more about spider mite management: Spider Mites on Ornamentals; and check out the Purdue Plant Doctor Quick Guide: Managing Spider Mite Mayhem)

Bagworms

Bagworms overwinter as eggs in the bags left on the tree. They’re frequent pests of arborvitae, junipers, and several other trees and shrubs. Take action now to prevent an infestation in the summer that requires costly pesticides. Manually remove the bags from your tree and drown them in soapy water. (Learn more about bagworm management: Bagworms).

Lace Bugs

Lace bugs may overwinter as eggs or adults, depending on the species. They become active again in the spring, so now is a good time to check for these pests. Focus on the undersides of the leaves where the pests are found. Lace bugs prefer hosts planted in sunny areas with a lack of plant diversity, so consider including some flowering plants in your landscape to provide pollen and nectar to beneficials. (Learn more about Lace bug management from the Purdue Plant Doctor Quick Guide: Managing Lace bugs).

What pests do you encounter in the landscape? Take a moment to review their biology and your options for preventative management. Be proactive now and reduce your pest problems for the season ahead. Read the original article, Insects are waking up – are you prepared?

Alicia Kelley, Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Coordinator
Purdue Extension – Entomology

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Welcome to “ID That Tree.” In this edition, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces us to an autumn olive shrub found across Indiana. This dense shrub requires extensive control and management due to its effects on the habitat. Watch the video to learn about its aggressive growth, wildlife impact, leaf pattern, and other features!

 

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.

Resources:
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

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

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In this episode of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee explores the greenbriers—Indiana’s unique climbing vines. Though distantly related to lilies, these vines stand out with their distinctive oblong leaves, prominent veins, and alternate leaf arrangement. Watch the video to discover how to identify these fascinating vines and learn more about their characteristics!

 

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.

Resources:
ID That Tree: Firs and Spruces, Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
ID That Tree – Jack Pine, Scotch Pine, Red Pine, Virginia Pine, Eastern White Pine, Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Beat Back Borers Attacking Pines and Other Cone Bearing Trees, Purdue Landscape Report
Tree Diseases: White Pine Decline in Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

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

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Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) News: If you live in Indiana and own more than ten acres of woodlands, then you may want to enroll in the Classified Forest and Wildlands Program offered through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Forestry. This program encourages timber production, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat management on private lands in Indiana. Program landowners receive a property tax reduction in return for following a professionally written management plan. In addition to the tax incentive, landowners receive free technical assistance from DNR foresters and wildlife biologists, priority for cost-share to offset the cost of doing management, and the ability to “green” certify their forests. The minimum requirement for program enrollment is 10 acres of forest, wetland, shrubland, and/or grassland.

“Once enrolled in our program, you get a reduced property tax assessment,” says Gretchen Herbaugh, District Forester with Indiana DNR serving southwestern Indiana.

“Property can be anything from forest ground to native grasses to pollinator habitats to wildlife food plots—we span a large range of habitat types and management styles,” Herbaugh says.

For full IFWOA article view: Indiana DNR Offers a Special Program for Woodland Owners.

To learn more about the program with more resources view the Hoosier Ag Today article, Indiana DNR Offering a Special Program for Woodland Owners.

Resources:
Subscribe, IFWOA YouTube Channel (includes The Nature of Oaks, Be Tick Aware, Population Ecology of Deer and more)
Find an Indiana Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Native Trees of the Midwest, 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 & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube playlist
Woodland Management Moment , Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist
District Foresters for 10 plus acres, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Financial and Tax Aspects of Tree Planting

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

Liz Jackson, Engagement Lead
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Association (IFWOA)

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In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee showcases the unique features of prickly ash. The northeast member of the Citrus family (not the Ash family!) is a shrub with stout, paired thorns, reddish-brown buds and also has other traits shared in the video that makes it easy to spot out in the wild. This video contains nice close-up shots so you can identify this plant, which is native to Indiana and an important part of the habitat.

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.

Resources:
ID That Tree: Firs and Spruces, Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
ID That Tree – Jack Pine, Scotch Pine, Red Pine, Virginia Pine, Eastern White Pine, Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Beat Back Borers Attacking Pines and Other Cone Bearing Trees, Purdue Landscape Report
Tree Diseases: White Pine Decline in Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

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

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Join Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee and wildlife specialist Brian MacGowan as they help you prepare for the holidays while keeping your family and local wildlife safe. This video discusses everything from how to choose and care for a real Christmas tree as well as what to do with it after the season and also how to make wildlife/nature-friendly decorations.

Topics Include:
– What can I do with my tree after Christmas that would benefit wildlife?
– Are artificial structures legal in Indiana lakes?
– What types of items can I collect from the wild for holiday decorations?
– How do I do it in an environmentally responsible way?
– Are there some things I shouldn’t or can’t collect?
– What outdoor holiday decorations can benefit wildlife?
– How do I make it last longer?
– Can I avoid problems with non-target wildlife?

If you have any questions regarding trees, forest management, wildlife, wood products or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources
Selecting an Indiana-Grown Christmas Tree, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Tips for First-Time Buyers of Real Christmas Trees, The Education Store
Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association
Purdue University Invasive Species resources
Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife possession rules
Feed the birds with a DIY wreath, Audubon
Dan Cassens: Tips for First-Time Christmas Tree Buyers, Video, Purdue Agriculture
Dan Cassens: Starting Your Own Christmas Tree Farm, Video

Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resource

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

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A real Christmas tree is an important part of a holiday celebration for many Hoosier households. Consumers have several choices for purchasing a real tree, including pre-cut trees at retail outlets or seasonal sales locations, choose-and-cut trees at Christmas tree farms, or even live trees that can be replanted after the holidays. Purdue Extension offers two publications that can help you select and care for your tree: Tips for First-Time Buyers of Christmas Trees provides advice and direction on how to set up and care for your tree to improve safety and enjoyment. Selecting an Indiana-Grown Christmas Tree provides details on the characteristics of different species of real Christmas trees available in Indiana, as well as care instructions for cut and live Christmas trees.

Pre-cut real Christmas trees are available at many retail outlets like garden centers, supermarkets, or seasonal sales locations. If you are looking for local choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms you can consult local media and advertising outlets or the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association. Some garden centers and Christmas tree farms may also offer live trees for sale.

If you are considering growing your own Christmas trees for personal use or sale, the Extension publications Growing Christmas Trees and A Choose-and-Cut Pine and Fir Christmas Tree Case Study outline economic and management considerations for growing Christmas trees.

Check out the Ask an Expert: Holidays in the Wild as the experts answer questions regarding Christmas trees along with wildlife you may see while you walk in the woods this winter. In this Ask an Expert video they share resources about picking a real Christmas tree and how to access real trees locally in Indiana as well as collecting decoration materials like cones, seed pods and nuts form the wild for crafting and decorating. They also discuss how you can provide habitat and supplemental food for wildlife using Christmas trees and wreaths before, during and after the holiday season.

Resources:
A Choose-and-Cut Pine and Fir Christmas Tree Case Study, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Living Christmas Trees For The Holidays and Beyond, IN Yard & Garden, Purdue Consumer Horticulture
Tips for First-Time Buyers of Real Christmas Trees, The Education Store
Growing Christmas Trees, The Education Store
Selecting an Indiana-Grown Christmas Tree, The Education Store
Winterize Your Trees, The Education Store
Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store
What do Treed Do in the Winter?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Forest/Timber Playlist, subscribe to Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Ask the Expert: Holidays in the Wild, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
ID That Tree: Balsam Fir, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
ID That Tree: Scotch Pine, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
To identify other pine trees view ID That Tree, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel

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

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In this episode of A Woodland Management Moment, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee discusses the benefits of maintaining certain areas of your forest land with alternative types of cover rather than traditional forest. It’s a good idea to keep some areas open not only for recreational purposes but also for future timber harvesting and to provide habitat for many wildlife. By allowing some of your land to be open, you help maintain the natural habitat around you and can even get some interesting plants that will grow on their own.

If you have any questions regarding trees, forests, wildlife, wood products or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Learn How to Support Oak-Hickory Ecosystems, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
The Nature of Oaks Webinar, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, Shared from Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
Oak Leaf Tatters, Purdue Landscape Report
Inonotus Dryadeus, Butt and Root Rot of Oaks, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Predicting the Height Growth of Oak Species Reproduction Over a 23-year Period Following Clearcutting, Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners Video Series, Playlist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Ask an Expert: Tree Selection and Planting, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Indiana Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Purdue Arboretum Explorer

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

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Agricultural & Natural Resources (ANR) Newsletter: Since joining the faculty at Purdue in 1997, Rado Gazo, a professor of wood processing and industrial engineering, has educated students, industry professionals and the general public about the possibilities of the wood products industry.

In addition to teaching undergraduate courses in Properties of Wood, Wood Products Manufacturing and Furniture Design for CNC Manufacturing, Gazo conducts research focused on evaluating tree, log and lumber quality using CT (X-ray computed tomography), laser and image scanning and related manufacturing. He also investigates the competitiveness of furniture manufacturers as well as the application of industrial engineering techniques to value-added wood products manufacturing.

In 2020, Gazo created Hardwood University, a self-sustaining collaborative program with the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, which aims to provide hardwood industry professionals and landowners in the Central Hardwood region with cutting-edge information and training. Gazo is one of the primary instructors for the program.

Hardwood University, which consists of 10 sessions annually, is intended for new employees in the hardwood industry as well as those preparing for advancement or cross-training. The program, which takes place monthly at various Indiana hardwood plants and Purdue agricultural centers, offers informational and technical sessions on topics ranging from forest taxation to tree and log scaling and grading; log bucking; marketing hardwood veneer, stave and sawlogs; grade-sawing lumber; air drying and kiln drying lumber; hardwood lumber grading; lean manufacturing and logistics; and sawmill efficiency and quality control.

In addition, Gazo has worked with nearly 300 companies, providing technical assistance, troubleshooting and consulting services as well as implementation of manufacturing best practices.

To learn more about Rado Gazo’s work view: Rado Gazo, Forestry and Natural Resources profile page.

To read the rest of the newsletter and view the original article, see the ANR November 2024 Newsletter.

Resources:
Wood Products Manufacturing Technology Minor, FNR Minor
Hardwoods of the Central Midwest, The Purdue Arboretum
Wood Products, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Wood is Best Video, Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel, Woodisbest.org
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
ID That Tree, Playlist, Subscribe to Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Finding help from a professional forester, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
District Foresters for 10 plus acres, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center (HTIRC)

Agricultural & Natural Resources (ANR), Purdue Extension

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