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ID that Tree: Black Spruce

Posted on August 14th, 2023 in Forestry, Forests and Street Trees, How To, Plants, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this episode of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces the Black Spruce. This species is found in bogs, wetlands, and sometimes dry sites within the North Woods of Upper Michigan and Wisconsin. Black Spruce has a bluish cast to the newest needle growth. It has single needles attached to the twigs that are typically less than an inch long. The twigs have a reddish brown cast. This tree also has small cones that are somewhat egg shaped.

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, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel (Invasive White Mulberry, Siberian Elm, Tree of Heaven)
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Burning Bush, Callery Pear, Multiflora rose)
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Against Invasives, Garlic Mustard, Autumn Olive)
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Common Buckthorn, Japanese Barberry)
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
The GLEDN Phone App – Great Lakes Early Detection Network
EDDMaps – Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System
How long do seeds of the invasive tree, Ailanthus altissima remain viable? (Invasive Tree of Heaven), USDA Forest Service
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Aquatic Invasive Species, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store

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

ID that Tree: Quaking Aspen

Posted on August 10th, 2023 in Forestry, Forests and Street Trees, How To, Plants, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this episode of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces the Quaking Aspen. This species is found in the North Woods of Northern Wisconsin, Northern Indiana, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This species has simple, alternately arranged leaves. The stems are flat which allow them to quake or tremble in the wind. The stems on this species are relatively stout and have a chalky white color.

Resources:
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel (Invasive White Mulberry, Siberian Elm, Tree of Heaven)
Quaking Aspen, Native Trees of Indiana River Walk, Purdue Fort Wayne
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Burning Bush, Callery Pear, Multiflora rose)
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Against Invasives, Garlic Mustard, Autumn Olive)
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Common Buckthorn, Japanese Barberry)
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
The GLEDN Phone App – Great Lakes Early Detection Network
EDDMaps – Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System
How long do seeds of the invasive tree, Ailanthus altissima remain viable? (Invasive Tree of Heaven), USDA Forest Service
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Aquatic Invasive Species, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store

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

ID That Tree: Chokecherry

Posted on August 8th, 2023 in Forestry, Forests and Street Trees, How To, Plants, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this episode of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces the Chokecherry. This species is found in the North Woods of Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as natively in Indiana in small/medium shrub form. This species has alternately held broad leaves with finely toothed margins, and has short leaf stalks. The stems are a light to medium gray color and have prominent lenticels scattered along them.

Resources:
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel (Invasive White Mulberry, Siberian Elm, Tree of Heaven)
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Burning Bush, Callery Pear, Multiflora rose)
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Against Invasives, Garlic Mustard, Autumn Olive)
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Common Buckthorn, Japanese Barberry)
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
The GLEDN Phone App – Great Lakes Early Detection Network
EDDMaps – Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System
How long do seeds of the invasive tree, Ailanthus altissima remain viable? (Invasive Tree of Heaven), USDA Forest Service
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Aquatic Invasive Species, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store

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

ID That Tree: White Spruce

Posted on July 27th, 2023 in Forestry, Forests and Street Trees, How To, Plants, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this episode of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces the White Spruce. This species is found in the North Woods of Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This species has single needles attached to the twig that tend to be relatively angular and stout. The bark tends to be flaky and dark. The cones are two to three inches in length, have thin scales, and are cylindrical in shape.

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

Poison Hemlock-Purdue Landscape Report

Posted on July 26th, 2023 in Alert, Forestry, Plants, Safety, Urban Forestry, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

Purdue Landscape Report: Poison hemlock was introduced to North America as a garden/ornamental plant. It is a native of Europe, and it is a member of the Apiaceae (parsley) family.

Purdue experts Bill Johnson and Marcelo Zimmer wrote about poison hemlock in a Purdue Pest & Crop newsletter.

They wrote that poison hemlock can be noticed very early in the spring every year, as it is typically one of the first weeds to green up, usually in late February to early March if temperatures are favorable. They said the largest threat of this weed is the toxicity of its alkaloids if ingested by livestock or humans, but it can also reduce the aesthetic value of landscapes and has been reported to creep into no-till corn and soybean fields as well.

Poison Hemlock

Purdue Extension’s fact sheet on poison hemlock states that it can also be found along roads, streams, trails, ditches, forest edges, and waste areas.

The Purdue experts said that poison hemlock is a biennial weed that exists as a low-growing herb in the first year, and bolts to three to eight feet tall in the second year, when it produces flowers and seed. It is often not noticed until the bolting and reproductive stages of the second year. Poison hemlock is often confused with wild carrot, but can be distinguished by its lack of hairs and purple blotches that occur on the stems.

The experts pointed out that poison hemlock contains five alkaloids that are toxic to humans and livestock, and it can be lethal if ingested. They warn that the plant’s alkaloids may also be absorbed through the skin, so if you find yourself hand-pulling poison hemlock, it would be a good idea to wear gloves. All parts of the plants contain the toxic alkaloids with levels being variable throughout the year. Symptoms of toxicity include nervousness, trembling, and loss of coordination followed by depression, coma, and/or death. Initial symptoms will occur within a few hours of ingestion.

For history buffs, the Greek philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death by hemlock poisoning.

Cases of poisoning due to poison hemlock ingestion are rare as the plants emit a mousy odor that makes it undesirable and unpalatable to livestock and humans. Consumption and toxicity in animals usually occur in poorly managed or overgrazed pastures where animals are forced to graze poison hemlock because desirable forage is lacking.

To view this full article and other Purdue Landscape Report articles, please visit Purdue Landscape Report.

Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.

Resources:
Recognizing and Managing Poison Hemlock, Purdue Landscape Report
Purdue Pest & Crop Newsletter
Invasive Plant Species Fact Sheets: Poison Hemlock, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Distribution Update, Purdue Landscape Report
Be Careful Around Highly Toxic Poison Hemlock Plant This Summer, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Woodland Management Moment: Invasive Species Control Process, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Report Invasive, Purdue College of Agriculture – Entomology
Purdue Pest and Plant Diagnostic Lab, send in photo or sample

John Woodmansee, Extension Educator, Whitely County
Purdue Extension

Indiana’s Native Orchids-IFWOA Webinar

Posted on July 24th, 2023 in Forestry, How To, Plants, Webinar, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this webinar hosted by Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association, ecologist Michael Homoya discusses the many naturally occurring species of orchids in Indiana and their range, habitats and blooming seasons. This presentation will look at a selection of them and discuss their floral characteristics as well as range, habitat, and blooming seasons. Michael Homoya served as Botanist/Plant Ecologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves for 37 years before retiring in 2019. He has written over 75 scientific papers, popular articles, and books about Indiana’s natural features, including Orchids of Indiana, Wildflowers and Ferns of Indiana Forests: A Field Guide, Wake Up, Woods, and Wildflowers of the Midwest.

Check out the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Association YouTube Channel for videos including: What is IFWOA?; A New Carbon Program for Hardwood Landowners Webinar, Indiana’s Native Orchids, Magnificent Trees of Indiana, Be Tick Aware and much more.

The Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) was founded in 1977 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation and sustainable management of woodlands in Indiana. IFWOA advocates for scientific best practices for management to achieve objectives of clean water, wildlife habitat, soil protection, native species diversity, timber production, recreation, carbon sequestration and many others.

IFWOA is an affiliate of the National Woodland Owners Association. IFWOA is a partner, collaborator or is represented on leading National and State organizations. These memberships or collaborations are selected to advance Indiana Woodland owner’s interests. IFWOA monitors and influences legislation and economic trends impacting Indiana woodlands and landowners for our members. Membership in IFWOA provides a valuable network linkage to information and resources at the leading edge of science, industry and politics impacting Indiana woodlands.

Resources:
Orchids of Indiana, Google Books
Wildflowers and Ferns of Indiana Forests: A Field Guide, Google Books
Wildflowers of the Midwest, Google Books
Magnificent Trees of Indiana, Purdue University Press
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Planting Hardwood Seedlings – The Education Store
Ordering Seedlings from the State Forest Nursery System, Got Nature? – Purdue Extension-FNR
Importance of Hardwood Tree Planting – The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Forest Improvement Handbook – The Education Store
Designing Hardwood Tree Plantings for Wildlife – The Education Store
ID That Tree – YouTube Playlist
Forest Management for Reptiles and Amphibians: A Technical Guide for the Midwest, The Education Store
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Forest Birds , Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Managing Woodlands for Birds , Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Sustaining Our Oak-Hickory Forests , Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Ask the Expert: Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Birds and Salamander Research, Purdue Extension – FNR
Subscribe to Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Liz Jackson, Engagement Lead
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Association

ID That Tree: Balsam Poplar

Posted on July 14th, 2023 in Forestry, Forests and Street Trees, How To, Plants, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this episode of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces the Balsam Poplar. This species is found in the North Woods of Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This species can be quite tall and has gray bark with relatively prominent diamond shapes along it. These trees have a very vertical form and their leaves are elongated, sharply pointed, and have a shiny finish. Balsam Poplar also have very resinous sticky bud scales located below the leaves along the stem.

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

ID That Tree: Pin or Fire Cherry

Posted on July 14th, 2023 in Forestry, Forests and Street Trees, How To, Plants, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this episode of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces the Pin or Fire Cherry. This species is found in the North Woods of Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and highly associated with disturbances such as fire. This species has a smooth bark with a reddish bronze color. It also has a very shiny surface with horizontal lenticels. The leaves are alternately arranged and are elongated. There are also clusters of white flowers that grow from one point on the stem.

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

ID That Tree: Paper Birch

Posted on July 12th, 2023 in Forestry, Forests and Street Trees, How To, Plants, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this episode of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee introduces the Paper Birch. This species is found in the North Woods of Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This species has white chalky bark that peels and flakes off the sides of the tree. Under the bark, the tree tends to be a light tan to bronze color. They have alternate leaf arrangement, are catkins as part of their flowering structure, and have simple leaves.

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

Ask An Expert: What’s Buzzing or Not Buzzing About Pollinators, Webinar

Posted on July 4th, 2023 in Forestry, Gardening, How To, Plants, Wildlife | No Comments »

Join alumna Megan Benage, a regional ecologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Bee Redfield, a postgraduate research assistant, as they explore the world of pollinators. They cover the who’s, the what’s and how’s of pollination as well as how you can help bring pollinators to your yard and help the pollinator population in general. They also share about ongoing research and cool projects related to pollinators.