Purdue University - Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources
Got Nature? Blog
Purdue extension forester Lenny Farlee explains how to tell identify black maple and how to tell it apart from its cousin, sugar maple.
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
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Tree Appraisal and the Value of Trees, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
In this tree identification episode, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee will talk about how American elm leaves have jagged edges with a large tooth and then smaller teeth like edges on top of it. Find out why these trees are not as easy to find as they used to be.
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
Elm, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
American Elm, The Purdue Arboretum Explorer
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Tree Appraisal and the Value of Trees, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Join Mike Saunders and Charlotte Owings of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment as they share about the 100-year old project that aims to study and regenerate the oak-hickory population in Indiana and beyond.
Resources
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE), Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Ask The Expert, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel-Playlist
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment, Website
The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment: 2006-2016, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Wildlife Responses to Timber Harvesting, The Education Store
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Sustaining Our Oak-Hickory Forests, The Education Store
The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment: Indiana Forestry and Wildlife, The Education Store
Mike Saunders, Associate Professor of Ecology and Natural Resources
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Charlotte Owings, Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment Project Coordinator
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee tells you a little about how to identify Silver Maple trees and differentiate them from other species of maple.
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
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Tree Appraisal and the Value of Trees, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces the red maple, a native tree to Indiana, known for its red to maroon foliage.
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
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Tree Appraisal and the Value of Trees, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
In this Tree Installation for The Landscape Webinar, urban forestry specialist Lindsey Purcell shares information regarding research finds and current best management practices for tree installation.
Please visit the Tree Installation for the Landscape Survey after you watch the video so we can learn more about you and feel free to share your suggestions for future topics.
Resources
Tree Installation Process and Practices, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Tree Support Systems, The Education Store
Tree Pruning Essentials, Video & Document
Tree Appraisal and the Value of Trees, The Education Store
Tree Pruning: What Do Trees Think?, The Education Store
Mechanical Damage to Trees: Mowing and Maintenance Equipment, The Education Store
Tree Planting Part 1: Choosing a Tree, The Education Store
Tree Planting Part 2: Planting Your Tree, The Education Store
Planting Problems: Planting Too Deep, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Marking your property line can ensure you are receiving the full benefit of the property you own. Lenny Farlee, Purdue Extension forester, shares in the video below a new inexpensive way to mark your property line and has the same force of the law as no trespassing signs have.
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
Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Division of Forestry, District Foresters
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Timber Harvesting and Logging Practices for Private Woodlands, The Education Store
Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue Landscape Report: Trees provide many benefits for our homes and properties. If a tree is found to have a defect such as dead branches or broken limbs from a storm; it can become a risk issue. It is important to understand that tree owners have a duty to inspect and maintain their trees. All property owners should take reasonable steps to protect themselves by involving a qualified consultant or certified arborist when needed.
Figure 1. Trees should be inspected for defects which pose a threat or risk to targets.
All trees have some sort of risk involved with it. They are living organisms that are endangered by environmental impacts and pests. However, it is important to create a balance between the risk a tree may pose and the benefits provided by the tree. We don’t want to remove trees unnecessarily, but rather reduce the liability by Identifying, analyzing and evaluating the problem.
Inspect regularly: Trees should be assessed through inspections by a qualified arborist, preferably an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. It is especially important to inspect trees after major weather events. At a minimum, trees should be carefully checked out every 3-5 years.
Document and maintain records: Every inspection should be recorded and kept on file for future reference. Past evaluations can show how a tree has changed in its health and structure over the years. Also, these written evaluations could minimize liability if a failure occurs and a claim is filed against the tree owner.
Figure 2. Targets are people, property or activities that could be disrupted by a tree failure.
Tree Inspections: For a tree to be considered a risk it must be defective and a target that is threatened.
A target is people, property or activities that could be injured, damaged or disrupted by a tree failure. Review everything in the target zone. This should include the area inside a circle around the tree, which is at least as wide as the total tree height.
Read the body language of the tree. Inspect each section of the tree including the crown, branches and root zone to check for signs of failure. These include:
- Dead, diseased, dying or broken branches.
- Thinning or poor canopy health.
- An unstable branching pattern overextended or weakly attached branches, or cracks in the stems.
- Cracks or decayed areas in the main trunk.
- Exposed or decayed roots, heaving of the soil, fungus growth or cracks in the soil around the root plate.
Among the characteristics to consider when conducting tree risk evaluations are:
- Decay, cankers, cracks and other positive indicators of weakness in the roots, stems and branches.
- Canopy size, shape and weight distribution. This is especially true in situations where a tree is exposed to windy conditions, is leaning or has a poor stem-to-canopy ratio.
- Crown architecture. Poor branching and similar characteristics can create high-risk situations in strong winds and other weather conditions.
- Plant health and vigor. This determines how a tree can overcome wounding or pest infestations.
Figure 3. Regular tree inspections should occur reviewing all parts of the tree.
What do you do when a defect is found?
The goal is to reduce the likelihood of failure. Most of the time pruning can improve risk situations. Perhaps cabling and bracing may be an option. Also, plant health care improves the trees condition which can reduce risk… the last option should be removal and that should be an informed decision.
Recurrent inspections to determine tree health and condition are important for sustainable, long-lived tree plantings. The most important factor for any tree owner is know when to contact an ISA Certified Arborist who understands tree risk assessment. They can help with the decision making for the tree if there are concerns about its safety and health.
For more information refer to the publication Tree Risk Management and Trees and Storms at the Purdue Education Store.
Find a certified arborist in your area by going to Trees are Good.
Resources
Planting Problems: Trees Planted Too Deep, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Planting Your Tree Part 1: Choosing Your Tree, Video, Purdue Extension Youtube Channel
Tree Planting Part 2: Planting a Tree, Video, Purdue Extension Youtube Channel
Tree Appraisal and the Value of Trees, The Educational Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Surface Root Syndrome, The Education Store
Iron Chlorosis of Trees and Shrubs, The Education Store
Tree Pruning Essentials, Publication & Video, The Education Store
Cold Injury to Trees, Got Nature? Post, Purdue FNR Extension
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forest Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
One of the challenges of living, even in urban areas, is dealing with white-tailed deer and browsing damage that they can cause. In this video by Purdue extension wildlife specialist Brian MacGowan, he will show you how to protect you newly planted trees and shrubs from white-tailed deer and other wildlife that can cause damage.
Resources
How to Stop Woodland Animals from Digging in Your Flower Pots, Video, Purdue Extension Youtube Channel
How to Attract “The Fascinating Hummingbirds” to Your Backyard, Video
Woodland Management Moment – Deer Fencing, Video
Tree Appraisal and the Value of Trees, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Brian MacGowan, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources
Do you need to open up your woodlands in order to grow new species of trees/shrubs that need extra sunlight or to make for a better wildlife habitat? Forest openings allows us to regenerate species of trees and shrubs that demand full sunlight and also ensures good diversity of species on your property. In this Woodland Management Moment video, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee talks about creating forest openings.
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
Woodland Management Moment – Deer Fencing, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Video, Purdue Extension Youtube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, invasive species along with timber resources, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Playlist
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store
Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Recent Posts
- Publication – Introduction to White-tailed Deer Impacts on Indiana Woodlands
Posted: April 28, 2024 in Forestry, Land Use, Plants, Publication, Wildlife, Woodlands - Publication – Understanding White-tailed Deer and Their Impact on Indiana Woodlands
Posted: in Forestry, Land Use, Plants, Publication, Wildlife, Woodlands - Publication – Monitoring White-tailed Deer and Their Impact on Indiana Woodlands
Posted: in Forestry, Land Use, Plants, Publication, Wildlife, Woodlands - Publication – Managing White-tailed Deer Impacts on Indiana Woodlands
Posted: in Forestry, Land Use, Plants, Publication, Wildlife, Woodlands - New Deer Impact Toolbox
Posted: April 7, 2024 in Forestry, Land Use, Plants, Publication, Safety, Wildlife, Woodlands - Natural Resources Commission Updates – Wild Bulletin
Posted: March 4, 2024 in Forestry, How To, Land Use, Natural Resource Planning, Plants, Wildlife, Woodlands - Barn Owls in Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area Nest Box, MyDNR
Posted: in Forestry, Land Use, Safety, Wildlife, Woodlands - Habitat University Podcast – Private Lands Wrapped
Posted: February 9, 2024 in Forestry, Land Use, Podcasts, Wildlife, Woodlands - Toms, Tines, and Tanagers: Forest Management for Game Species Webinar
Posted: in Forestry, Land Use, Webinar, Wildlife, Woodlands - Nature of Teaching, Connecting Youth With Nature for Health and Education – ANR
Posted: February 6, 2024 in Forestry, How To, Land Use, Nature of Teaching, Plants, Wildlife, Woodlands
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