Purdue University - Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources
Got Nature? Blog
Box turtles are so-called because unlike most turtles, they can completely close up their shell, much like a box. They have a hinged belly that can close so tightly that even an ant couldn’t get inside. They have probably evolved this capability in order to be safe from predators such as raccoons and opossums. There is a wonderful British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) video called Eastern Box Turtle.
We have two box turtle species in Indiana, the ornate box turtle and the eastern box turtle. Both are protected by law from disturbance of any kind with the single exception of moving them out of danger, such as helping one cross a road (place it on the side it was headed; it will cross again if you return it to the original side). 
Both box turtles in Indiana are state protected because their numbers are declining, probably due to habitat loss and road deaths. What can you do to help? Slow down when driving, especially on rainy spring, summer or fall mornings. If you wish to have a box turtle as a pet, make sure that it was captive-reared, not wild-caught, though both are illegal in Indiana. If you encounter an injured box turtle that needs medical attention, call the Indiana DNR at 800-893-4116 or 317-232-4080 during business hours, 765-473-9722 (northern half of Indiana) or 812-837-9536 (southern half of Indiana).
To learn more about box turtles and other turtle species in Indiana, visit The Education Store for Turtles of Indiana.
Steve Kimble, Post Doctoral Research Associate
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue
Rod Williams, Associate Professor of Wildlife Science
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue
American elms have been the victim of a decimating disease known as DED or Dutch Elm Disease. However, there are a few that linger and remain, gracing our city streets with their majestic arching form. Many elms are mistakenly identified as American; however, there are many other “weedy” elms that have naturally inhabited our urban landscape. Due to the incredible interest in these trees, plant breeders have developed resistant American elms which are showing excellent results. Unfortunately, many of those trees proved to be susceptible to other diseases such as Elm Yellows.
Providing that the tree has been identified as an American elm, proper management is required to maintain its health and vigor to provide a sustainable tree in the landscape.
Strategies include:
Sanitation: Quick removal of diseased trees and symptomatic branches is necessary in managing this disease. Removal of the damaged parts reduces breeding sites for the elm bark beetle and removes the fungus from the vicinity. Branches with “flagging” symptoms should be removed, making a cut well behind (5-8 ft.) any visual symptoms.
Pesticide Applications:
Insecticides to kill bark beetle vectors – Attempt to control the insect vector population by applying an insecticide. Timing of the application may depend on the type of insecticide you have selected. Some insecticides may target the spring feeding sites while others target the overwintering sites and should be applied during late autumn. Use of this management option should be considered carefully. It is difficult to attempt control over this beetle population due to the timing factor, the complete coverage issue, expense and pesticide exposure.
Preventative fungicide injections – There are effective fungicides capable of protecting elm trees from infection, but this method of management should be considered carefully. Fungicide injection must be performed by someone trained in the technique and may be expensive. Protection lasts 1-3 years and then must be repeated. In addition, some researchers are concerned that repeated wounding of the tree (by drilling holes) for the injection may open trees to decay. If there is concern for infestation, it is critical to contact a reputable tree care company specializing in good plant healthcare. Always contact an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist to help insure best practices. For more information on DED and management strategies, click on the links below.
Resources
Dutch Elm Disease
Diseases in Hardwood Tree Plantings
Pest Tracker: Dutch Elm Disease
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
Salamanders are often mistaken for lizards, but the two groups are very different.
Tiger salamanders are a common species found in Indiana. The bright spotting is probably a sign to predators that they taste bad.
Though they both have similar body shapes, lizards are reptiles (along with turtles, snakes, crocodiles, dinosaurs, and yes, birds) while salamanders are amphibians (along with toads, frogs and a weird and rarely seen group called caecilians). This means lizards have dry scaly skin, while salamanders have moist, porous skin. Lizards all must breathe with lungs, just as humans do. Salamanders, on the other hand, can breathe through their skin, via gills, via lungs or in some cases via their skin and lungs!
Another major difference between lizards and salamanders is their reproduction. Lizards have leathery, partly calcified (shelled) eggs that are typically buried in sand or dirt, but a few species are hatched while still inside the mother before birth. Salamanders, as amphibians, mostly lay their eggs in water where the larvae hatch and after some time usually metamorphose and return to land. Lizards can be found most anywhere on land, while salamanders must stay where they won’t dry out: under logs or leaves, underground or directly in water. We have about six species of lizards and 23 species of salamanders here in Indiana.
The five-lined skink is another Indiana native. Females will aggressively guard their nests, sometimes biting a threatening finger (don’t worry, they’re not venomous).
Several of the salamander species are listed as Special Concern or State Endangered. Regardless of their legal status, all wildlife should be left where you find it unless it’s in immediate danger, such as on a road.
For more information on how to identify Indiana salamanders and lizards:
Salamanders of Indiana book
Snakes and Lizards of Indiana
Place keywords in the search field at the Purdue Extension resource center for more information: The Education Store.
View Help The Hellbender website for more information on salamanders.
Steve Kimble, Post Doctoral Research Associate
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue
Rod Williams, Associate Professor of Wildlife Science
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue
I am noticing several weeping cherries in the neighborhood which appear to be damaged, maybe dead over the winter. Forsythia bloom was poor, and my Cornus mas failed to bloom too. Will they recover?
Damage is just now starting to reveal itself due to the late growing season this year. Cherry trees appear to have been hit very hard, especially sweet cherries with over 90% of the crop damaged. Many landscape trees bloomed sporadically or not at all due to the extreme cold. Redbuds were light to no bloom but appear to be leafing out fine. Forsythia seems to be dependent on species and if they are planted in a protected area or microclimate. Many forsythia flowered well this spring, but many in open, exposed areas bloomed very little. Also it appears that Cornus mas is failing to bloom as well. Another consideration is impact of the drought from last year. I believe we will be seeing even greater impact with extreme cold providing an additional blow to our trees and shrubs. Plants may fail to bloom but still be alive.
The best suggestion is be patient and to provide good cultural practices with water when needed this spring and summer and provide the proper levels of mulch. Avoid fertilization and only lightly prune when necessary. Most likely trees are in stress conditions, still in recovery from the previous drought along with the extreme cold. Too much care can be lethal.
Resources
Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs
Why Plants Fail to Bloom
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
This winter was a brutal one for sure, but the emerald ash borer still has plenty of life left in it.
Although the Midwest experienced abnormally cold temperatures this winter, it is unlikely that populations of the highly destructive beetle were significantly affected by it, said Adam Witte, exotic forest pest educator in the Purdue University Department of Entomology.
“Headlines have been circulating, suggesting that EAB may have met its match,” Witte said. “But the EAB, as well as most insects in colder climates, is effective at surviving cold temperatures.”
EAB larvae overwintering within ash trees die when temperatures reach minus-28 degrees Fahrenheit below the bark, Witte said. U.S. Forest Service scientists predicting areas in North America where temperatures were cold enough to kill EAB larvae conclude that only parts of Minnesota and North Dakota historically have reached temperatures that low.
Contacts
Adam Witte, Exotic Forest Pest Educator
Department of Entomology
Matthew Ginzel, Associate Professor
Departments of Entomology & Forestry and Natural Resources
Spring brings an opportunity to spend more time outdoors but also increases our exposure to tick bites and infection from some of the diseases that ticks carry. Taking some precautions to reduce risks of exposure and infection from ticks can make your outdoor activities more safe and enjoyable. Ticks can be found in almost any location that has animals and vegetation, so completely avoiding ticks is very difficult. But there are some practices that will help you prevent ticks from biting and passing disease organisms to you.
Here are several suggestions:
- Wear light-colored clothing that makes it easier to see ticks and remove them before they get to bare skin.
- Tuck in shirt-tails, tuck pants into boots or socks or use “tick gators” that are essentially a legging that covers where your pants and socks or boots meet.
- Wearing a hat is another good precautionary measure.
- Treat bare skin with repellants containing 20 to 30% DEET. Always read and follow label directions!
- Treat clothing (not skin!) with repellants containing permethrin prior to entering areas with ticks. Once dried on the clothing, permethrin can still be effective after several washes. Follow label directions.
- Upon your return, inspect clothing for any ticks. Tumbling clothes in a hot dryer for an hour will kill ticks. Shorter times may be effective if the clothes are not wet.
- Wash up after visiting tick-infested areas and do a body check for any ticks.
If you find a tick attached, remove it by using tweezers or a tick removal tool to grasp it as near to the skin as possible and pulling straight out. DO NOT use hot match heads or needles, nail polish, gasoline or similar techniques. Ticks that are removed shortly after they attach may not have the opportunity to pass disease organisms to you, so quick detection and removal are good prevention methods.
If you experience a rash, fever, chills, aching or other unusual symptoms after a tick bite or exposure to tick-infested areas, see your physician immediately. Most tick-borne diseases can be effectively treated with early detection.
Enjoy the outdoors by taking precautions to reduce your risks.
Purdue has an informational webpage on ticks at Purdue Medical Entomology.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has an information site on ticks and tick diseases.
Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
Although perhaps a bit late, spring has seemingly sprung upon us. One of the best signals of spring is the symphony of calling frogs and toads in and around wetlands, ponds and lakes throughout Indiana. Amphibians native to Indiana are an important component of healthy ecosystems. They play important roles as both predator and prey in food webs. We can also consider many amphibians as “bio-indicators” of environmental health. Unfortunately, many species of amphibians and reptiles are thought to be in the decline. While the causes for declines are species-specific, the actions that people take can be a contributing factor.
Unlike other vertebrates, most amphibians and reptiles can be observed up close or even
captured by hand – some more easily than others. Exploring natural habitats while searching for, catching and photographing reptiles and amphibians are great ways to gain hands-on experience with nature. However, be mindful that some activities, or the manner in which they are conducted, can harm the very creatures we value. Reptiles and amphibians represent numerous examples where interactions between wildlife and people can have negative consequences despite the best of intentions.
When you go outdoors to enjoy our amphibians and other wildlife, follow some of these simple tips:
Stay on designated roads and trail systems – Human foot traffic can affect plants and animals in some habitats (e.g., you may have noticed the compressed soil and lack of vegetation on even lightly used foot trails). Focusing foot traffic on trails can minimize human impacts on sensitive plants and animals. It is also required on some public properties.
Be a responsible pet owner – Dogs make good companions when hiking outdoors. However, research has demonstrated dogs can disturb, harass or even kill wildlife. While impacts on reptiles and amphibians are unclear, it is good practice to keep your dog leashed while exploring natural areas. Many parks and properties require dogs to be leashed.
Be a good steward of the land – Carelessly turning over logs and coarse woody debris in search of reptiles and amphibians can destroy microhabitat features that took decades to create. It is also prohibited on many public properties. If you do find an animal under a log or rock, return the object to its original location, then place the animal next to it rather than rolling the object directly over the animal.
Minimize or avoid handling animals – If you must handle a wild amphibian or reptile, 
there are safe ways to hold and restrain them. Avoid handling amphibians for long periods of time. Amphibians are prone to desiccation (drying out). There are no formal guidelines on the length of time to handle an amphibian, and it is not clear how handling impacts an animal’s health and wellbeing. Common sense dictates that handling time should be minimized to the greatest extent possible. If a frog or salamander feels “dry,” you have handled it too long, and it should be returned to its location of capture immediately. Keep your hands moist and free of chemicals (e.g., bug spray or sunscreen).
Use good hygiene – The transmission of many diseases among animals can be facilitated by people. There are a number of safeguards that can be implemented to not only protect you, but also the animal populations as well. To prevent spreading diseases and pathogens from one site to another, regularly wash clothing and especially boots that you use in the field. All equipment that contacts an animal or the water the animal was in should be decontaminated using a 1-3 percent bleach solution or air dried for at least three hours before traveling to another water body. You also should use hand sanitizer before and after handling animals in nature. Before eating or handling food, thoroughly wash hands in hot, soapy water if possible; hand sanitizer is an acceptable substitute for remote locations.
For more information about responsibly enjoying wildlife and nature, see Appreciating Reptiles and Amphibians in Nature.
Resources:
Sounds of Frogs & Toads, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Frogs & toads of Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Salamanders of Indiana Book, The Education Store
Amphibians: Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders, Purdue Nature of Teaching
The Nature of Teaching: Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store
Hellbender ID, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Moment in the Wild, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Dr. Brian MacGowan, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Purdue University
Early spring brings the emergence of new life in the forest. Unfortunately, not all that life actually belongs there. Several invasive plants are encroaching on woodlands and crowding out the desirable native plants we enjoy and wildlife depend upon for food and shelter. One of the characteristics of some invasive plants is early leaf emergence and growth, which allows us to scout for their presence more easily, while native species are still waking up from winter. Two species that start growing very early in the spring are garlic mustard and Asian bush honeysuckles. Both plants are rapidly greening up and growing as I speak. Look for the kidney to heart shaped leaves of garlic mustard on the forest floor. This biennial will soon be sending up flower stalks from the second season plants that will have white four-petaled flowers. The flower stalks can be up to three feet tall or more depending on the health of the plant and the quality of the growing site.
Early spring leaves of garlic mustard.
Asian bush honeysuckle is a medium to large bush that also inhabits the forest understory and edge or disturbed areas. Leaves and twigs area arranged opposite each other. If you slice the stems open, they are hollow inside with fuzzy brown or tan lining. Flowers are yellow, white or even pinkish and tube-shaped. The fine twigs and stems have a light tan or gray-tan color. Leaves are rapidly expanding now, so they will be easily detected until our native plants catch up with leaf cover.
Early growth of Asian bush honeysuckle.
Controlling these plants helps native plants continue to thrive and provide habitat for our wildlife. Garlic mustard can be pulled from moist soil. If seed pods are present, remove the plants from the area and burn or bury them. Foliar herbicides like glyphosate products may be used to spray garlic mustard. If the plants have already set seed pods, the seed may become viable even if the plant has been sprayed, so removal may be the only effective treatment at that time.
Asian bush honeysuckle can be controlled in several ways, depending on the size of the plants. Small plants can be pulled from moist soil. Foliar sprays with herbicides like glyphosate can be effective. Large bushes may be cut and the stumps treated with a brush-killing herbicide. For any herbicide application, read and follow label directions.
Purdue University has invasive species information resources at FNR Extension and Indiana’s ‘Most Unwanted’ Invasive Plant Pests/Indiana Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program.
Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
American chestnut fruit protected by a spiny bur. Photo: Dr. Shaneka Lawson, USDA Forest Service, Purdue HTIRC
In the late 1800s, 25% of hardwood trees in North America’s eastern forest were American chestnuts, 40 meters high and two meters across, they provided abundant resources for both people and wildlife in the form of food, shelter and building materials. Lightweight, rot-resistant, straight-grained and easy to work with, chestnut wood was used to build houses, barns, telegraph poles, railroad ties, furniture and even musical instruments. The rapid decline of the chestnut due to the pathogenic fungus Cryphonectria parasitica has been a subject of much debate and despair over the years, but now, chestnuts engineered to battle the fungus might give the iconic trees a chance to reclaim the North American stage.
Research conduced in 2014 was taking genes from wheat, Asian chestnuts, grapes, peppers and other plants and inserting them into American chestnut trees. William Powell of S.U.N.Y.–ESF and scores of collaborators, created hundreds of transgenic trees with the goal of almost 100 percent genetically identical wild American chestnut yet immune to C. parasitica. Testing and gathering data continues to help with future research.
Douglass Jacobs, the Fred M. van Eck Professor of Forest Biology at Purdue University, and a team of scientists at Purdue, use genomics which involves working with the complete set of an organism’s genetic material, to learn more about what causes disease. Genomics also can help identify the genes responsible for useful traits such as pest resistance.
Blight began afflicting the American chestnut in the 1900s, killing billions of trees. Despite being the target of decades-long tree-breeding efforts, the chestnut’s prospects remain in doubt. The list of at-risk species also includes ash, butternut, and bristlecone pine among other members of the five-needle white pine family.
The Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center, a joint effort between Purdue and the Forest Service, for years has maintained a breeding program for pest resistance. Almost all of the center’s efforts to date have focused on traditional tree breeding and genomics.
“The chance to work with chestnut and help reintroduce it back to the landscape was a big reason I took the Purdue job in the first place back in December of 2001,” Jacobs said. “Watching species disappear from the landscape provides me personally with a lot of motivation to contribute whatever I can toward helping to save some of these at-risk species.”
To learn more about his research and collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service view full article Biotechnology offers holistic approach to restoration of at-risk forest tree species – Purdue University News, by Purdue Agriculture News.
Resources
A New Generation of American chestnut Trees May Redefine America’s Forests – Scientific American
Consequences of Shifts in Abundance and Distribution of American Chestnut for Restoration of a Foundation Forest Tree – Forests Open Access Forestry Journal
Transgenic American chestnuts show enhanced blight resistance and transmit the trait to T1 progeny – Science Direct (Plant Science)
Scientists Work to Create a Blight-Resistant Chestnut with Hopes of Restoring Tree to America, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
FNR Hardwood – American Chestnut, Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Hardwood Tree Improvement Regeneration Center (HTIRC) Research Publications
American Chestnut Trees return to the Hoosier National Forest, Indiana Woodland Steward
Forest Regeneration and Restoration Laboratory, Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources, Dr. Doug Jacobs
Indiana American Chestnut Foundation
Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Winter burn is a common occurrence to boxwood, holly, rhododendron and most conifers. Winter burn symptoms often develop when temperatures warm up in late winter and early spring. This type of winter damage is often misdiagnosed as an infectious disease or damage from excessively cold temperatures.
To understand winter injury, it is important to understand that while a plant is creating its food by photosynthesis, it is releasing large amounts of water through the process of transpiration (the evaporation of water from the plant). Over the course of a day, a large tree can lose hundreds of gallons of water. When plants are unable to obtain the water they need (due to drought or frozen soil), the water lost through transpiration cannot be replenished, resulting in dehydration, foliar damage and even death.
Contacts
Michael Mickelbart, Clinical Engagement Assistant Professor
Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Purdue University
Janna Beckerman, Associate Professor
Botany and Plant Pathology
Purdue University
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