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Carpenter ants are very common inside trees, especially on larger, mature trees that are hollow with cavities. They nest in rotted, decayed wood, although some nests may extend into sound heartwood in the center of the tree. Carpenter ant presence is an indication of rotting wood, and infested trees should be checked to determine whether the rot has weakened the tree enough that it has become a risk of failure.

Carpenter ants in trees are not directly harmful to the tree. Control is not necessary for the tree’s health; their presence indicates decay in the tree, and they only feed on dead wood fiber. Wood decay can set in if moisture is present; it is the wood decay that gives the carpenter ants the opportunity to colonize the tree. Carpenter ants use knots, cracks, holes and old insect tunnels to gain access to these areas.

Control of carpenter ants inside trees is difficult but can be done as a way to reduce invasion of the ants into adjacent structures and places where they are unwelcome. It is also possible for ant colonies located inside trees to form satellite colonies inside a nearby home wall. Available controls are not likely to permanently rid a tree of carpenter ants, so retreatment every year or so may be necessary. Dust insecticides (such as Sevin or Abamectin) labeled for use on trees in the landscape are suggested for control. Apply the dust directly into the nest cavity.

Sealing tree cavities or treating tree wounds with wound dressings is not advised. Such treatments are unnecessary and will not eliminate nor prevent decay or carpenter ant activity. Also cutting down otherwise viable trees that happen to be infested with carpenter ants is generally not necessary unless the tree poses a risk.

Resources:
Household & Structural, Department of Entomology, Purdue University
Who Let the Bugs Out?, 4-H Purdue Extension – Entomology
The Space Invaders of Summer, Purdue Agriculture News
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
The GLEDN Phone App – Great Lakes Early Detection Network
EDDMaps – Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (Report Invasives)
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, find videos for wildlife, forestry, urban forestry, community development and more.

Lindsey Purcell, Chapter Administrator & Master Arborist
Indiana Arborist Association

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Tree roots wrapped around tree trunks or the lower stem can be very troublesome for tree health and safety. Stem Girdling Roots (SGR) are very common in maple trees and can eventually compress the stem so greatly that it creates a situation where the tree can be more prone to windthrow or blowing over. Additionally, it reduces the flow of water and nutrition to the tree, causing a slow decline and eventual death if not corrected or unable to be treated.

Roots that are not directed away from the trunk causes serious issues, and oftentimes, there is no good rescue treatment or mitigation of the issue.  If the tree is small or juvenile and the roots have NOT compressed the stem, careful pruning of the circling roots can be accomplished. If these circling roots are less than one-third the trunk diameter and they can be removed without damaging the trunk, then carefully cut and remove them. This will stop the circling habit and allow roots and trunk under the girdling root to develop in the proper way. Some arborists have removed larger girdling roots with no adverse effects on the tree, and they often respond to removing girdling roots with increased vigor. However, roots that have embedded themselves into the trunk or stem should be left alone. There are no guarantees with this risky process. Any time roots are removed, there is a danger for reducing stability and health.

I would suggest contacting an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist to complete the task and ensure the best possible results.

For resources on tree care, view FNR Extension Publications.

Resources:
Stem Girdling Roots, Purdue Landscape Report
Trees and Storms, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Tree Risk Management, The Education Store
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, Executive Director
Indiana Arborist Association

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As an Extension Wildlife Specialist, this is one of the most common questions I receive. The answer to this seemingly simple question can actually be quite complicated. It depends in part on what wildlife species you desire and what objectives you have for wildlife and other land uses for your property. There is no one plant that will do it. Food habit studies show that deer, turkey and many other wildlife species can consume hundreds of plant species throughout the year. With that in mind, focusing on one or two “miracle” plants would not yield great results (also remember that the presence of wildlife on your property depends on the surrounding properties).

If you have a particular species of wildlife you are interested in, you can compare their habitat to what you have available to determine what is missing or limiting. You may also use a more general approach, looking at what major plant types are limiting such as hard mast trees, soft mast trees, shrubs, vines, annual forbs and perennial forbs. You will also want to evaluate water, cavities, downed woody debris or snags.

For questions about what to plant, it is easier to answer specific situations. Recently, a blog reader wrote that they just dredged their pond and spread it on a large open pasture about 50 yards from the pond. The reader wanted to know what to plant to attract quail and pheasant while also benefiting deer and turkey populations. Being in Monroe County, quail is more likely, so I will focus on that.

In the fall and winter, quail feed heavily on plant seeds, especially ragweed, pigweed, foxtail and agricultural crop residue. Spring and summer foods include tender green vegetation and soft fruits. Invertebrates are consumed when available and are essential for the development of chicks.

Cover is equally important in deciding what to plant. A mixture of herbaceous (grass, wildflowers) cover with bare ground interspersed with some woody shrubs or open woodland edges will generally benefit quail. With these in mind and using what the “typical” Indiana landscape looks like, the owner may want to consider the following:

Native Warm Season Grass mix – This provides quality brood and nesting cover. Rates are listed in pounds (lbs.) PLS (Pure Live Seed) per acre. A typical mix for quail recommended by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is listed below. The general idea behind this and other mixes for quail is the bunch grass provides overhead cover above and bare ground and space below. This allows free access to seeds on the ground from the wildflowers along with invertebrates on the ground and vegetation. Quail are small and can’t scratch their way to seeds like turkey and other larger birds.

Species	Rate (PLS)
Grasses
Big Bluestem	0.25 lbs.
Sideoats grama	2.00 lbs.
Canada Wildrye	1.25 lbs.
Little Bluestem	0.50 lbs.
Wildflowers
Partridge Pea	4 oz.
Illinois Bundleflower	1 oz.
Purple Prairie Clover	3 oz.
Purple Coneflower	2 oz.
Black-eyed Susan	1 oz.
Wild Bergamot	1 oz.
Showy Tick Trefoil	1 oz.
Butterfly Milkweed	2 oz.
Lead Plant	2 oz.
Round-headed Lespedeza	2 oz.

Plant a mixture of shrubs – Shrubs provide good resting cover and winter cover for quail. Bare root seedlings planted in the spring should be planted 6 ft. x 6 ft. spacing in clumps “about the size of a large pickup truck.” Species that provide good structure for quail include gray or silky dogwood. American plum and serviceberry will also benefit wild turkey and white-tailed deer.

IMPORTANT: Plant species and mixes recommended above may not be suitable for the site moisture or soil conditions. Improper site preparation and methods will lead to planting failures. Contact your county extension office for proper methods and species that are appropriate for your area. It is always best to have a resource professional visit your site to provide you specific advice that considers your current habitat condition and the equipment and resources available to you, along with what you want to accomplish. In addition to your county extension office, you may want to contact your DNR district wildlife biologist. Finally, planting is only a start. Providing habitat for wildlife, and especially for early successional species such as bobwhite quail, requires continually habitat management that may include invasive species control, prescribed burning, disking or more.

Resources:
Natural Resources Conservation Service Indiana
Pheasant Forever
Quail Forever
Pure Live Seed: Calculations and Considerations for Wildlife Food Plots, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Seed Fillers and Carriers for Planting Native Warm-season Grasses and Forbs, Purdue Extension – FNR
Calibrating a No-Till Drill for Conservation Plantings and Wildlife Food Plots, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Subscribe: Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Habitat Help LIVE Q&A – Native Grasses and Forbs for Wildlife, Purdue Extension-FNR Got Nature? Blog/Video
Frost Seeding Native Grasses and Forbs with a Drone (UAV): Lessons Learned, Purdue Extension-FNR Got Nature? Blog/Videos
Creating a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan for Landowners, Purdue Extension-FNR Got Nature? Blog
A Template for Your Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store

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

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