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New Indiana Woodland Steward Newsletter

Posted on August 12th, 2026 in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

Explore the latest newsletter updates on the Indiana Woodland Steward website. Stay up-to-date with forestry news and receive their free e-newsletter by subscribing at IWS Subscribe.

Highlights from the new Newsletter include:

Ticks in Indiana Woodlands: Identification, Risk Reduction, and Prevention
By Lee Green
“Indiana’s forests, woodlots, and edge habitats support a diverse tick fauna that matters to both human and animal health. As reforestation has increased and wildlife hosts, especially white‑tailed deer, have…”
How Emerging Digital Forestry Technologies Can Support Indiana Landowners
By Erica Kronenberger and Zhao Ma
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
“Indiana is home to more than 4.8 million acres of forestland, of which 4.6 million acres are timberland, and this amount increases every year1. Eighty four percent of Indiana’s forests is…”
Prescribed Burn Associations: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Bring Fire Back to Indiana’s Landscape
By Danielle Howard
“Indiana’s ecosystems are shaped by fire. And to help them thrive, we need to bring fire back. But how do we re-ignite…”
Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima
By Lenny Farlee, Ron Rathfon, Don Carlson, Brian Beheler
“Tree-of-heaven (ToH), also known as Chinese sumac, varnish tree, or stink tree, is a large, rapidly-growing deciduous tree native to parts of China. Tree-of-heaven was introduced …”
Days Gone By Volumn 35 Number 2
Constructing a corn crib from native hardwoods on Mr. Herbert C. Thomas’ property in Vermillion County (photos by Roy C. Brundage, undated).

The Indiana Woodland Steward Newsletter is a resource offering a wealth of valuable information for foresters, woodland owners, timber marketing specialists, woodland and wildlife enthusiasts. The Indiana Woodland Steward Institute (IWS) is an entity made from 11 organizations within the state including Purdue University, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA), that works to promote best usage practices of Indiana’s woodland resources through their Woodland Steward publication.

Resources
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE) website
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Wildlife Responses to Timber Harvesting, Purdue Extension
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Virtual Tour Brings Forest Management for Birds to Life, Got Nature? Blog Post, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store
Deer Impact Toolbox, Purdue Extension
Grassland Management Series, Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management
Birdfeeder tips, The National Audubon Society
Explore the Rich World of Oaks with Purdue FNR Extension & Partners, Purdue Extension – FNR
Managing Woodlands for Birds Video, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Subscribe: Deer, Forest Management, ID That Tree, Woodland Management Moment, Invasive Species and many other topic video playlists Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Dan McGuckin, President
Indiana Woodland Steward

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

Indiana Fall Hunting Licenses on Sale and New Mobile App Available

Posted on August 12th, 2026 in Forestry, How To, Wildlife | No Comments »

Fall Hunting and Fishing Licenses on Sale
MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: Whether you’re gearing up to hunt, fish, or simply enjoy the outdoors this season, now’s the perfect time to prepare. Check out the IN DNR Sport License webpage as you will find information for:

Deer
Turkey
Small Game
Upland Game
Migratory Birds
Bobcats

New DNR Hunting, Fishing and Trapping License Mobile App Now Available
The GoOutdoorsIN mobile app launched in early July and is ready to download. It’s free and available for Android and iOS. With the app, you can purchase a license, check in your harvest, view your order history and active privileges and edit your customer account information from your smartphone.

When searching in the app stores, search “GoOutdoorsIN” so that the app pops to the top of the search results. You can also find it in the official DNR app.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Lighting a Spark: Prescribed Burn Associations

Posted on August 6th, 2026 in Community Development, Forestry, Safety, Wildlife | No Comments »

In the past few years, prescribed fire has caught on in Indiana. Government agencies and land trusts have increasingly used it as a tool to create wildlife habitat, manage for rare and endangered species, and promote ecosystem health. On these properties, fire has been reintroduced to landscapes it shaped for thousands of years.

However, while fire is being used to improve our public lands, 96% of Indiana is privately owned. If fire is truly going to spread, private landowners need to start burning as well. One means to that end is the formation of Prescribed Burn Associations.

Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs for short) are, at their most basic level, groups of people who burn together. By burning as a group, members of the PBA can share expertise, equipment, and labor to get more fire on the landscape. They can also pursue training and funding opportunities that may not be readily available to individuals. In Missouri, the formation of 18 PBAs has led to prescribed fire on more than 11,000 acres across the state in the past 10 years. The model for success is already out there.

Indiana is just getting into the PBA game. One PBA based in Daviess County already exists, and interest meetings for two more in Brown and Harrison are on the calendar for fall of 2026. More meetings are in the works across other parts of Indiana.

So, how does one get involved with a PBA? If you happen to be in one of the counties mentioned above, it’s as simple as contacting the leader or attending a meeting. Fire experience is not a requirement, only enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Members don’t have to be landowners either – many PBAs include professionals, students, and folks who are simply interested in learning new land management skills.

If there isn’t a PBA in your area, consider getting one started. Find a few other people who want to be involved, hold an interest meeting to share information and sign folks up, then elect a board. From there, the board guides the organization and helps create its rules, and the larger membership decides on a coverage area and name. Then, all that’s left to do is inventory available equipment and expertise, line up some burns, and start getting good fire on the ground.

Still not sure how to start? That’s where we can help. If you are interested in starting or joining a PBA, you can fill out this PBA Interest Form, and we will reach out to help you get started.

With the formation of PBAs across the state, fire can be more broadly used as a management tool, benefiting the natural world and humans alike. For more information on PBAs, including formation tips and upcoming meetings, visit the Prescribed Burn Associations website.

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

ID That Tree: Nannyberry Viburnum

Posted on July 22nd, 2026 in Forestry, Plants, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces us to Nannyberry Viburnum, a native shrub found across Indiana woodlands. Learn how to identify Nannyberry by its finely serrated leaves, drooping branches, clustered fruit and seasonal changes from spring blooms to fall color. Lenny also shares where this species commonly grows and how it fits into Indiana’s natural landscapes. This video provides a helpful introduction to identifying Nannyberry Viburnum whether you’re a student, landowner, or just interested in better understanding the trees and shrubs around you.

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
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Habitat University, Episode 12 – 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
District Forester, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 10+ acres
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center

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

ID That Tree: Eastern Swamp Privet

Posted on July 22nd, 2026 in Forestry, Plants, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces us to Eastern Swamp Privet, a native Indiana shrub commonly found in wetland and swampy habitats. Unlike the privets around yards, homes and towns, the Eastern Swamp Privet comes from a different genus of plants. Learn how to identify this species by its opposite arrangement, simple leaves, finely toothed margins and spurs. This video provides a helpful introduction to identifying Eastern Swamp Privet whether you’re a student, landowner, or just interested in better understanding the trees and shrubs around you.

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

Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer: Background and Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on July 20th, 2026 in Disease, Natural Resource Planning, Wildlife | No Comments »

Description of Bovine Tuberculosis:
Bovine tuberculosis (bovine Tb) is a disease found in mammals caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). In North America, bovine Tb is most commonly found in domestic cattle and captive and wild cervids (white-tailed deer, elk, etc.) and less commonly in other mammals such as raccoon, opossums, coyotes, and wild boars.

Bovine Tb has been greatly reduced in the cattle industry since the National Cooperative State-Federal Bovine Tuberculosis eradication program began in 1917. Currently, most states are accredited as “Bovine Tuberculosis-Free” by the United States Department of Agriculture, however, sporadic outbreaks do still occur throughout the United States.

Cattle, captive cervids, and wild white-tailed deer are considered reservoir hosts for bovine Tb. A reservoir host is a species in which bovine Tb can persist and be transmitted among individuals within a species or be transmitted to another species. Wild white-tailed deer may pose the greatest threat to the establishment of bovine Tb on the landscape because they move freely across the landscape and may contact multiple domestic cattle herds.

In Indiana, bovine Tb was detected in domestic cattle in 2008, 2010, and 2011 and most recently in April 2016 and a captive red deer and elk herd in Franklin County in 2009. The first case of bovine Tb in a wild white-tailed deer in Indiana occurred in August 2016 in Franklin County. All confirmed cases of bovine Tb in Indiana have been from the same strain of M. Bovis.

As of Dec 14th, 2016, 2,024 white-tailed deer samples have been collected, 2 exhibited lesions consistent with bovine Tb; 1,897 samples have been tested and 0 samples have tested positive for bovine Tb.

Frequently asked questions:

Is bovine Tb transmissible to humans?
Yes, bovine Tb is transmissible to humans but bovine Tb accounts for <2% of tuberculosis cases in the United States. Most cases of bovine Tb in humans are caused by consuming unpasteurized dairy products and the likelihood of contracting bovine Tb from a wild deer is minuscule. There has been only one confirmed case of transmission of bovine Tb to a human from an infected white-tailed deer. In that case, bovine Tb was thought to be transmitted via bodily fluids from the infected deer contacting an open wound on the person during the field dressing process.

Picture 1. Bovine Tb Management and Surveillance Zones in Indiana as of Dec. 2016.

What other states have had bovine Tb in wild deer?
Both Michigan and Minnesota have had outbreaks of bovine Tb in wild white-tailed deer. Currently, bovine Tb occurs in less than 2% of deer in the Bovine Tb Management Zone in Michigan and has not been detected since 2009 in a wild deer in Minnesota. There are certainly lessons to be learned from both states and those lessons are being incorporated in the management of bovine Tb in Indiana.

Why is bovine Tb an important issue in wild deer?
Human health is the main concern; given that bovine Tb is transmissible to humans. Additionally, bovine Tb is not a naturally occurring disease in white-tailed deer. Deer can also be a reservoir for bovine Tb potentially transmitting bovine Tb to uninfected deer and also to uninfected cattle through direct contact or through shared feeding. Because deer are free-ranging they have the potential to contact multiple cattle herds and transmit bovine Tb across the landscape. If bovine Tb is maintained in the wild deer herd, Indiana is at risk of losing the “Bovine Tuberculosis-Free” accreditation from the USDA, which has negative economic impacts for the cattle industry in Indiana.

How can deer contract and transmit bovine Tb?
An animal infected with bovine Tb can shed the M. bovis bacteria through repertory secretions, feces, urine, or unpasteurized milk. Under the right environmental conditions, the bacteria can remain viable in the environment for months. The disease is spread when an uninfected animal comes into direct contact with secretions of an infected animal or indirectly through an M. bovis contaminated source in the environment (e.g. feed pile). Deer can contract bovine Tb through direct contact with an infected animal, either another deer or cattle or through sharing feeding with an infected animal at wildlife supplemental feeding piles or areas where cattle are fed or cattle feed is stored. Deer can transmit bovine Tb in the same ways as contracting the disease. Indirect contact, by means of shared feeding, is believed to be the primary pathway between deer and cattle.

What management steps have other states taken to reduce or eliminate bovine Tb in wild deer?
Both Michigan and Minnesota have followed the same general approach to eradicating bovine Tb. Their approach consisted of (1) reducing deer density in the bovine Tb management zone, (2) eliminating baiting and supplemental feeding of wildlife, and (3) continual monitoring for bovine Tb in wild deer.

What management steps are being taken in Indiana to eliminate bovine Tb in wild deer?
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) are considering similar steps as in Michigan and Minnesota to eliminate bovine Tb in wild deer in Indiana. First, a bovine Tb Management Zone has been established in Franklin County and southern Fayette County and a Bovine Tb Surveillance Zone has been established in Dearborn County (Picture 1). In the management and surveillance zones, the IDNR sampled >2,000 hunter harvested deer during the 2016 deer season – none of which tested positive for bovine Tb. As a result, the IDNR determined active population reduction through sharp shooting (as used in other states) is not warranted at this time. The IDNR is still allowing landowners in the management zone to request disease permit to control deer near cattle farms in an effort to reduce cattle and deer interactions. Also, feeding deer or any wildlife is banned in the management zone. Management and surveillance will continue into the future. More information on the management of bovine Tb in Indiana can be found on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)-Bovine Tuberculosis and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH)-Bovine Tuberculosis.

Why is reducing deer density important to eliminate bovine Tb?
Reducing deer density is important to eliminate bovine Tb because the disease is density-dependent and spreads more efficiently in areas with high deer densities. In densely populated areas, deer come into contact with other wild deer, captive cervids, and cattle herds more frequently, thus potentially spreading bovine Tb to uninfected animals. The purpose of deer reductions is to reduce the risk of transmission by reducing population density, removing diseased deer, and to estimate the percentage of the population with bovine Tb.

Why is banning supplemental feed important to stop the spread of bovine Tb?
One of the primary routes in which bovine Tb can be spread is through shared feeding. This is because supplemental feeding artificially concentrates deer in a very small area increasing contact among deer and other wildlife species. Additionally, M. bovis can survive for months on a supplemental feed pile. Thus, banning supplemental feeding is a critical step to limit the contact of infected and uninfected animals.

Are there any treatments for bovine Tb in wild deer?
To date, there are no effective treatments for bovine Tb in wild white-tailed deer. This is why practices such as deer density reduction, a ban on supplemental feeding, and continued surveillance are vital in combating bovine Tb in wild deer.

Picture 2. Lesions from bovine Tb infection in the chest cavity of a wild white-tailed deer. Photo by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

How do I know if a deer I kill has bovine Tb?
The clinical signs of bovine Tb recognizable to hunters would be small to large white, tan, or yellow lesions on the lungs, rib cage, or in the chest cavity (Picture 2). However, in Michigan only 64% of deer exhibited lesions and only 42% would have been recognizable to hunters. If you harvest a deer in the bovine Tb management or surveillance zone, you should submit it for sampling. More information on recognizing bovine Tb and guidance can be found on the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) White-tailed Deer TB Survey.

How do I submit a sample if I harvest a deer in the Bovine Tb Management or Surveillance Zone?
Check the IDNR’s Bovine Tuberculosis and BOAH’s Bovine Tuberculosis for information on submitting harvested deer for sampling.

Can I eat venison from deer harvested in the Bovine Tb Management or Surveillance Zone?
Venison from deer harvested within the Bovine Tb Management and Surveillance Zone should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill M. bovis and other bacteria. Bovine Tb is rarely present on muscle tissue (meat) and the most likely way bovine Tb would be on meat would be through contamination from secretions within the body cavity.

What steps can I take to reduce the risk of contracting bovine Tb?
Bovine Tb may be transmitted through bodily secretions of an infected deer contacting an exposed wound on a person during the field dressing process. If lesions consistent with bovine Tb are found inside a harvested deer you should contact the IDNR and submit the deer for testing. It’s important to mention that the likelihood of contracting bovine Tb from wild deer is very rare, but there are some steps you can take to further minimize the risk.
*Always wear gloves when field dressing, skinning, and processing a deer because bovine Tb may be present in fluids from the internal body cavity.
* Make sure to clean knives that are used for field dressing thoroughly prior to using them to skin or process a deer, or use different knives for each step.
* Thoroughly wash your hands after field dressing, skinning, and processing deer.
* Cook all venison to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

I own cattle in the bovine Tb area, what should I do to reduce the risk of bovine Tb from wild deer?
Cattle operators in the Bovine Tb Management and Surveillance Area should limit contact between deer and cattle or cattle feed by:* Only feed cattle an amount that can be consumed in one day
* Fence areas where cattle feed is stored
* Store feed away from deer
* Close the end of large plastic bags used to store corn, haylage, or silage and also remove any feed from the ground around the ends of the bag
* Use hunting and additional landowner permits from the IDNR as a management tool to reduce deer density around your farm

If I own land in the bovine Tb area what can I do to help stop the spread of bovine Tb in Indiana?
If you own land in the Bovine Tb Management Zone (Picture 1) you should contact Joe Caudell (812) 334-1137, the Indiana State Deer Biologist, or the Indiana Bovine Tb Hotline at (844) 803-0002.

Additional Bovine Tb Resources:
Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer, FNR-551-W publication, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources
Bovine Tb, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Bovine Tb, Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH)
Bovine Tb Disease, USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Bovine Tb, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Bovine Tb, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Bovine Tb factsheet, Center for Disease Control

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

ID That Tree: Carolina Buckthorn

Posted on July 15th, 2026 in Forestry, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces us to Carolina Buckthorn. This native Indiana shrub features smooth gray bark, glossy leaves and colorful berries that shift from green to red to black. Learn how Carolina buckthorn differs from invasive buckthorn species, where it commonly grows in Indiana woodlands and tips for recognizing it throughout the seasons. This video provides a helpful introduction to identifying Carolina Buckthorn whether you’re a student, landowner or just interested in better understanding of the trees and shrubs around you.

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

Bat Roost Reporting Tool

Posted on July 8th, 2026 in Alert, Community Development, Invasive Animal Species, Wildlife | No Comments »

MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: Do you have bats roosting on your property? Help DNR by counting how many bats fly out during a few evenings this summer. A new DNR tool allows individuals with bats roosting on their property (or a property where they have access) to report the roost to DNR mammalogists.

Image credit: Indiana Department of Natural Resources

This data allows biologists to learn how and where bats and humans coexist. Over time, the data will contribute to a map of these locations. The information will also guide outreach efforts and allow DNR biologists to contact property owners who submit reports for additional survey opportunities.

Data collection projects and many of the outreach and conservation efforts that result from them are made possible largely thanks to donations to the Nongame Wildlife Fund.

For more information please visit Summer Bat Roost Monitoring Project.

To subscribe to the newsletter visit: DNR: Communications: MyDNR Email Newsletter (in.gov)

Resources:
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE) Highlights: Bats, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Bats in the Belfry, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Ask An Expert: Bats on the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE), Video, Purdue Extension – FNR Facebook
Bats in Indiana, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)
Bat Houses, Bat Conservation International
Creating a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan for Landowners, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE): Indiana Forestry and Wildlife, The Education Store
Unexpected Plants and Animals of Indiana: Indiana Bats, Purdue College of Agriculture News
Selecting a Nuisance Wildlife Control Professional, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
FAQs – How can I get rid of nuisance wildlife (bats, deer, racoons, etc.)?
Subscribe to Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fish & Wildlife

Thank You, Turkey Trackers! Your Brood Counts Make a Difference – MyDNR

Posted on July 8th, 2026 in Alert, Community Development, Wildlife | No Comments »

MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: DNR needs your help monitoring the wild turkey population. Participate in the Turkey brood count this summer by reporting turkey hens with poults (broods) and hens without poults. Report your 2026 observations online from July 1 until Aug. 31.

Poults began hatching in May and will continue to hatch over the next several months throughout Indiana. Reporting observations takes only a few minutes, and no login is required.

Brood reports have been collected since 1993 to calculate the annual Wild Turkey Production Index, which informs biologists about population status and guides wildlife management for the species.

Can we top last year’s count? In 2025, DNR received more than 2,500 reports across all 92 counties, and we are hoping for even more this year. We appreciate your help.

Why count turkeys?
Brood surveys provide useful estimates about annual production by wild turkey hens and the survival of poults (young turkeys) through the summer brood-rearing period. Summer brood survival is generally the primary factor influencing wild turkey population trends. Information on summer brood survival is essential for sound turkey management. Information gathered through the brood survey includes:

Average brood sizes (hens + poults). For example, in the photo above there is one hen with seven poults, for a brood size of eight.
Percentage of adult hens with poults.
Production Index (PI) = total number of poults/total number of adult hens

What is a wild turkey brood?
A wild turkey brood is composed of at least one adult hen with young (poults). As the summer progresses, multiple broods may gather into what is termed a “gang” brood with several adult hens and multiple broods of poults of varied ages. During summer, adult gobblers (male turkeys) play no role in raising a brood and either form small male only “bachelor” flocks or are observed as a single gobbler.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Department of Fish and Wildlife rely on your observations to calculate their Production Index, so every report counts! Indiana DNR appreciates your participation.

Jarred Brooke, extension wildlife specialist with Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources, shares how you can participate in the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ annual turkey brood survey in a quick video.

To learn more, visit DNR: Turkey Brood Reporting.

To subscribe to the newsletter visit MyDNR Email Newsletter.

Resources:
Truths and Myths about Wild Turkey, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Wildlife, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Need help with pond or wildlife management?, Pond and Wildlife Management, Purdue Extension
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Turkey Brood Reporting, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Wild Turkey, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Wild Turkey Hunting Biology and Management, Indian Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Subscribe to Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Identifying Evergreens

Posted on June 24th, 2026 in Forestry, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

Purdue Landscape Report: Many homeowners have evergreens in their home landscape. Evergreens provide a landscape service that other plants cannot – they add color to our landscapes in the winter, and provide some thermal protection for animals and birds. However, if you are researching potential evergreens for your landscape, you may be confused about species names and the botanical differences between them.

Identifying evergreens is a difficult task for most people, which is why many interchange the terms “evergreen” and “pine tree,” but we can also think of spruces, firs, hemlocks, and other species. Although I encourage planting native trees, I’ll cover several native and non-native evergreen species that may be planted or encountered in Indiana.

Let’s start with the basic aspects of pine trees. Pines have needles that are wrapped together in bundles (called fascicles) of 2, 3, or 5 needles, and their cones hang down from branches. Common 2-needled pines include (from shorter to longer needles) Jack pine, Virginia pine, Scots (or Scotch) pine, Austrian pine, and Red pine. 3-needled pines are somewhat rare in Indiana. Loblolly pine is one, and has very long needles, 6-9 inches long. We have one common 5-needled pine tree, the Eastern white pine.

Figure 1. Pine needles are found in bundles (fascicles) in two, three, or five needles.

spruce needles are singular, not in bundles

Figure 2. Spruce needles are attached singularly to the stem.

Spruces have square needles borne singly on short pegs on the stem, and their cones hang down from branches. There are no native spruces in Indiana. From shorter to longer needles, you might encounter Black spruce, White spruce, Norway spruce, and Colorado blue spruce. Norway spruce is noticeable from a distance because its branchlets droop pendulously from the main branches. Firs have soft, flexible, flattened needles borne singly on the stem. Cones grow upward on branches, rather than hanging down. You may encounter Balsam fir or White (Concolor) fir. Douglas-fir is not a true fir tree; it has hanging cones with 3-pointed bracts on the cone scales.

An evergreen with flat needles is Eastern hemlock. Unlike most other evergreens, it can tolerate some shade. Needles appear green on top and whitish underneath.

Evergreens with awl-like (short and pointy) or scale-like (imagine fish scales) needles include Eastern redcedar and Northern white-cedar (Arborvitae). Eastern redcedar is by far the most widely distributed native conifer in Indiana, with small, pale-blue, round cones. Northern white-cedar is used successfully in many Indiana landscapes. Columnar varieties are commonly used as a living fence.

Before we leave our discussion today, we should cover some additional terms and species.

Evergreens maintain their foliage all year, while deciduous trees lose their leaves each fall. Most evergreens are conifers (cone-bearing plants).

However, we have a few conifers that are deciduous trees, such as Baldcypress, Dawn redwood, and American/Eastern larch (also called Tamarack). Baldcypress and Dawn redwood have soft, flat needles, while Tamarack has many needles in a cluster on older growth, or just single needles on newer growth.

It should not come as a shock that native trees tend to thrive in their native environment. However, you may be surprised to learn that the list of native conifers in Indiana is relatively short. It includes Eastern redcedar, Jack pine, Eastern white pine, Virginia pine, Northern white-cedar, Eastern hemlock, Tamarack, and Baldcypress (1). Except for Eastern redcedar, most of the trees on this list are native only to limited areas of Indiana. Some non-native species are flexible in their site requirements and climate constraints, while other species may struggle to achieve longevity in our landscapes.

Finally, I realize that for many people, descriptions of trees are a poor substitute for good pictures or videos. There are many good field guides and tree identification books available. Digital sources include the Purdue Plant Doctor, https://purdueplantdoctor.com/, and Purdue “ID That Tree” videos created by Purdue Extension Forester, Lenny Farlee (find through a search on YouTube).

(1) From native range maps in Native Trees of the Midwest, by Sally S. Weeks, Harmon P. Weeks, Jr., and George R. Parker.

Resources:
Borers of Pines and Other Needle Bearing Evergreens in Landscapes, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Normal Needle Drop: Even Healthy Evergreens are not Evergreen, Purdue Landscape Report
White Pine Decline in Indiana, The Education Store
Yellowing Pines and Needle Drop, Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory
Normal Needle Drop: Even Healthy Evergreens are not Evergreen, Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab (PPDL)
Why Spruce Trees Lose Their Needles, Purdue Extension
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
ID That Tree: Prickly Ash, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
ID That Tree: Virginia Pine, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
ID That Tree: Scotch Pine, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
ID That Tree: Jack Pine, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
ID That Tree: Red Pine, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
ID That Tree: White Pine, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
ID That Tree: Firs and Spruces, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
ID That Tree: Eastern Hemlock, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
ID That Tree: Non-Native Norway Spruce, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Question: Is there a way to repair the tree tip of my pine tree?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Ask an Expert Question: Blue Spruce dying, what can I do?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana, The Education Store
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

John Woodmansee, Extension Educator, Whitely County
Purdue Extension

« Older Entries

Purdue University - Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources

Forestry & Natural Resources

Got Nature? Blog

New Indiana Woodland Steward Newsletter

Indiana Fall Hunting Licenses on Sale and New Mobile App Available

Lighting a Spark: Prescribed Burn Associations

ID That Tree: Nannyberry Viburnum

ID That Tree: Eastern Swamp Privet

Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer: Background and Frequently Asked Questions

ID That Tree: Carolina Buckthorn

Bat Roost Reporting Tool

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