Purdue University - Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources
Got Nature? Blog
Photo credit: Purdue Arboretum
In July’s column of Purdue Yard & Garden News, Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulturist B. Rosie Lerner discusses several types of purple plants that could spice up your landscape, from small shrubs like Weigela and Ninebark to larger trees like Purple-leaf European Beech and Redbud Forest Pansy.
Resources
The Purple Landscape, Purdue Yard & Garden News
News Archive, Purdue Yard & Garden News
Purdue Master Gardener Program, Purdue Horticulture
B. Rosie Lerner
Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Purdue Extension
Trees continue to survive in spite of the many challenges they face in the urban environment. However, to grow from seedling to a mature tree in the urban forest, they need our help. They are the largest, oldest living organisms on the planet and can live long, healthy lives with some assistance. We often place trees in less-than-favorable growing locations that don’t allow natural development and maturity and often require pruning to develop a durable structure, improve clearance and maintain aesthetics.
Pruning has been called “one of the best, worst maintenance practices” performed on trees. The process creates wounds, which have a major impact on plant processes. Improper cutting on a tree causes severe damage or even death. To prune properly, it is important to understand both the proper techniques and how the tree responds to pruning.
In this publication, Urban Forestry Specialist Lindsey Purcell explores the techniques behind good pruning, from the planning process before planting to monitoring the tree’s response after the pruning cuts. Check out Tree Pruning Essentials and make sure you are pruning your trees to maximize safety, aesthetics and tree health!
Resources
Tree Pruning Essentials, Purdue Extension
Tree Pruning Essentials Video, Purdue Extension
Trees and Storms, Got Nature?
Tree Risk Management, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Pruning, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Prune Your Trees, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Department of Natural Resources, Purdue University
Photo credit: Tom Campbell
As boats enter and exit public bodies of water, they risk transferring aquatic plants, mussels or invertebrates that attach themselves to the bottom of the boat. While this might seem pretty harmless at first, this spreading of aquatic species runs the risk of introducing invasive species into new environments.
Invasive species cause harm to local ecosystems by reproducing exponentially when they are outside of their usual habitat and the organisms that keep their populations in check. They can then cause great damage by feeding on local species and the food they depend on. Once an invasive species is detected, it is oftentimes very expensive and difficult to control. For example, around 1991, the U.S. and Canada spent an estimated $20 million per year to control invasive sea lampreys and restore the trout populations that were damaged by them. In Indiana alone, we spend around $800,000 a year to attempt to control the growth of Eurasian watermilfoil, another nuisance invasive species.
In an attempt to avoid more cases like this in the future, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR) is looking for help. Volunteers can sign up to record information about boats and their potential aquatic hitchhikers entering and leaving lakes during times of heavy use. The DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife can take this data and use it for public outreach and planning species management.
Those interested are highly encouraged to sign up on INDNR’s Volunteer Program page.
Resources
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), Indiana Department of Natural Resources
DNR Seeks Help Gathering Info on Spread of Aquatic Species, WFYI
Indiana Invasive Species Council, Purdue Entomology Extension
Invasive Plants, Purdue Agriculture Weed Science
The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center (search “invasive”)
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Tree-of-heaven seedling
Invasive plant species threaten many habitats including forests across Indiana. The introduced Asian tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is one of these aggressive and troublesome invaders. Tree-of-heaven grows very quickly on a wide variety of sites from seed and sprouts and can rapidly out-compete native trees and shrubs. There are areas in Indiana forests already dominated by this unwelcome invader. Controlling large infestations of this tree can be very expensive and even dangerous. The sap and wet sawdust of this tree can trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
There is some hope on the horizon. Research work done by the U.S. Forest Service and universities in Pennsylvania and Ohio has identified a fungus that can kill tree-of-heaven and has minimal or no impact on surrounding plants. Verticillium nonalfalfae or Ailanthus verticillium wilt is a soil fungus that has been identified so far in Pennsylvania and Ohio that can rapidly kill large patches of tree-of-heaven. Tests with this naturally occurring soil fungus have shown it to be very effective at killing tree-of-heaven without having significant impacts on surrounding native plants.
This naturally-occurring killer of tree-of-heaven could be an important tool in managing this invasive problem in Indiana. The quickest way to get started with natural bio-control of tree-of-heaven is to locate the fungus here in Indiana. Citizens and resource professionals can help us locate ailanthus verticillium wilt by identifying patches of tree-of-heaven that are being impacted by the fungus. This requires familiarity with the identification of both tree-of-heaven and the symptoms of the wilt disease on the tree.
Close-up of the “teeth” on the leaves of tree-of-heaven
Tree of Heaven has long, compound leaves resembling sumac or black walnut but possessing small notches or teeth at the base of the leaflets. The plant parts have a very unpleasant burnt nut odor when crushed or bruised. The bark is smooth and grey with light grey or white fissures running vertically in the bark. Twigs are very stout with a light tan spongy pith in the center.
Ailanthus wilt causes rapid death of the tree, often within one season, so look for patches of tree-of-heaven where most trees are showing wilting foliage or are already dead. The mortality will often be radiating out from a central group of dead or dying trees. Trees with wilt will have a yellow to yellow-brown discoloration of the wood directly beneath the bark. Healthy tree-of-heaven will have nearly white wood under the bark. The mortality will almost always be groups of trees, not scattered individuals. Several resources are included below to help you identify tree-of-heaven and ailanthus wilt.
If you encounter what you think is ailanthus wilt in Indiana, please contact:
Lenny Farlee, Hardwood Ecosystem Extension Specialist
Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources
Email: lfarlee@purdue.edu
Phone: 765-494-2153
Joanne Rebbeck, Plant Physiologist
USFS, Northern Research Station
Email: jrebbeck@fs.fed.us
Phone: 740-368-0054
Resources
Tree-of-heaven Images, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
Scientists Using Fungi to Stop an Invader, The Columbus Dispatch
Verticillium nonalfalfae, USDA Forest Service
Invasive Species, Purdue Extension
The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center (search “invasive”)
Lenny Farlee, Hardwood Ecosystem Extension Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
We all know that trees help to improve our air quality. Absorbing toxins, reducing CO2 levels and providing shade are well-known benefits of trees, and many initiatives are in place to increase urban forested areas. However, there is an interesting fact to consider. According to the U.S. EPA, the average American spends 90% of their time indoors, where those benefits of outdoor trees aren’t nearly as impacting. In fact, pollutants are estimated to be two to five times higher indoors than outdoors and account for several billion dollars of health costs nationally. Indoor air needs to be cleaned too. This is the problem that Purdue’s BioWall team hopes to solve.
The project began in 2009 as part of a fully self-sustainable house called the INhome. In 2011, INhome competed against 20 other teams in the United States Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon and scored second place, largely due to its most distinguishable feature, the BioWall. The BioWall was integrated into the return duct of INhome’s air conditioning system, filtering the air inside the home through the roots of golden pothos and other species of ivy that are known to have a strong effect on air quality.
Today, the BioWall team is in the process of testing out an updated version of the BioWall. Prototype designs are being tested to improve the air cleaning qualities as well as the lifespan of the plants. Bypass tubes are being implemented to lessen the amount of air passing over the plants’ roots, allowing them to dry out slower and live longer. Eventually, the team would like to put out a consumer version in the next few years for about $2,000. It’s a lofty goal, but the team believes they can succeed and bring affordable and self-sustaining indoor air cleanliness to homes around the world.
For more information, check out the BioWall team’s website.
Resources
BioWall, Purdue University
Office of University Sustainability, Purdue University
Questions About Your Community: Indoor Air, United States Environmental Protection Agency
William Hutzel, Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Purdue University
Bird biologist Amy Kearns of Indiana Department of Natural Resources found a fork-tailed flycatcher Tuesday in Daviess County while conducting a survey for another bird. The sighting was extremely unusual because this bird is typically found in Venezuela this time of year and has rarely, if ever, been spotted in Indiana before. Kearns believes that this bird could have ended up in Indiana as a result of its migration route being thrown off by storm systems.
Several avian enthusiasts came to look at this unusual bird, eager for a chance to observe a bit of South American wildlife here in Indiana.
Resources
South American Bird Spotted in Southern Indiana, IndyStar
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Audubon
2014 Wildlife Science Report, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Breeding Birds and Forest Management, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
With all of the recent rain we have had throughout the state, I have received several inquiries about effects on wildlife and what we can expect. While some flooding is natural in low areas and wildlife are adapted to respond, extreme flooding can impact wildlife. Flood waters can wash away nests or drown developing or very young animals for those living in low-lying areas. For example, heavy spring rains can reduce nest success of wild turkeys in flood plain areas.
In many cases, wildlife will adapt by simply moving to higher ground. I recently received an email from a Purdue Extension Educator. She was contacted by a homeowner about a possible increase in garter snake populations. According to her email, the homeowner never saw garter snakes in years past until this year. In fact, they were now showing up in neighborhood homes. Certainly our environment changes over time, and wildlife can and do respond to these changes. However, this recent change was likely due to a response of snakes moving to drier ground. This and other similar displacement of wildlife is usually temporary.
What can we do about this? I’m afraid not much for our currently flooded friends. However, in the long-term, times like this reinforce the need to create and enhance quality wildlife habitat. Providing wildlife with quality habitat that contains the necessary food, cover and water resources gives them a fighting chance to deal with issues that inevitably arise. In addition, wetlands that landowners build and restore on their properties not only enhance wildlife habitat, but also help retain flood waters and recharge groundwater supplies.
If some unwanted wildlife has overstayed their welcome around your home, check out my article on trapping nuisance wildlife. If you think you have found a sick or injured animal, you can find a list of licensed Wild Animal Rehabilitators in your area on the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife’s website. In Indiana, wildlife rehabilitators have necessary state and federal permits to house and care for sick or injured wild animals.
Additional Resources
Preventing Wildlife Damage – Do You Need a Permit? The Education Store, Purdue Extension
The Basics of Managing Wildlife on Agricultural Lands, The Education Store, Purdue Extension
Brian J. MacGowan, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
In the summer, it can be a lot of fun spending time outside and making campfires with friends and family. However, it can also be dangerous if you aren’t aware of proper safety techniques.
Smokey the Bear is here to help keep you and your family informed on the best practices while making a fire. On the Prevention How-Tos section of Smokey’s website, you can find tips on how to pick a good spot, how to build a fire pit, how to build and maintain your fire and how to extinguish it when you are done. There are also other bits of useful advice about burning debris, maintaining equipment to reduce wildfire risk and things to consider while indoors.
Take a look at Smokey’s website to make sure you are enjoying summer campfires safely!
Resources
Fire Prevention, Purdue Fire Department
Smokey Bear, National Association of State Foresters
Wildfire Prevention, National Association of State Foresters
Wildfire Safety Outreach Materials, United States Fire Administration
Let’s Have Fun with Fire Safety, United States Fire Administration
Smokey the Bear: Ad Council, National Association of State Foresters, USDA-U.S. Forest Service
Photo credit: Colin Hutton
An often overlooked part of the ecosystem responsible for our food and environmental health are the pollinators. This group of animals move pollen from flower to flower, fertilizing seeds, fruits and vegetables. Pollinators include honey bees, native bees, moths, beetles, birds and bats, and they are struggling. 40% of honey bee colonies have been lost in the last year, and in the past two decades, over 90% of Monarch butterflies have disappeared.
After noticing this sharp decline, large efforts are starting to take place to restore the pollinator population. The Pollinator Partnership has created a Pollinator Week every year from June 15-21 where the pollinator’s importance is highlighted through local events. The White House has announced a National Strategy to Promote Pollinator Health in hopes to return the pollinator population to a sustainable level. In Norway, a connected network of honeybee habitats dubbed the Bee Highway was created. At the large scale, many initiatives are starting to form, but it is important to know that we can also be helpful on an individual level.
Our gardens and landscapes are the homes of many pollinators, providing the food, water and shelter that they need. When planting a garden or landscape, it is important to take this into consideration and follow a few simple guidelines. For an adequate food supply, aim for at least three flower species in bloom at a time. For shelter, pollinators can benefit from a break from the wind and sun provided by plants, fences and other structures. Finally, pesticides should be limited and used in a controlled way. Pick spray instead of dust-based pesticide. Try to use it only when necessary, follow all label directions and spray only in the early morning or at dusk when pollinators are less active. Keep these guidelines in mind, and your garden or landscape will be an attractive home for pollinators!
For more information, please check out the June column of Purdue Yard & Garden News.
Resources
Gardening for Pollinators, Purdue Yard & Garden News
News Columns & Podcasts, Purdue Agriculture
How to Minimize Pesticide Damage of Honey Bees, The Education Store
Honey Bees, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Pollinator Partnership
B. Rosie Lerner
Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Purdue Extension
Photo credit: Pedro Tenorio-Lezama, Bugwood.org
Made infamous through the trial of Socrates, Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth, and several other works of classic literature, poison hemlock is an extremely toxic plant that will pose a risk this summer and should be handled with caution.
Poison hemlock is a biennial plant, meaning that it has a two year lifespan. Last summer, it went through vegetative growth and largely stayed out of sight. This summer, it will produce small white clusters of flowers and will be more likely to catch the attention of animals and people. Poison hemlock is a member of the parsley family and can sometimes be confused with wild carrot. However, its distinguishing feature is its hairless hollow stalks with purple blotches. If you see these, be careful!
The biggest risk with poison hemlock is ingestion. Lethal doses are fairly small, so it is important for animal owners or parents of young children to identify it in their area and remove it if possible. The toxins can also be absorbed through the skin and lungs, so be sure to wear gloves and a mask when handling these plants.
Symptoms of hemlock poisoning include dilation of the pupils, weakening or slowing pulse, blue coloration around the mouth and eventually paralysis of the central nervous system and muscles leading to death. Quick treatment can reverse the effects, so act quickly.
Resources
Invasive Plant Species Fact Sheets: Poison Hemlock, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Recognizing and Managing Poison Hemlock, Purdue Landscape Report
Poison Hemlock, Pest & Crop Newsletter, Purdue Extension – Entomology
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Distribution Update, Purdue Landscape Report
What are Invasive Species and Why Should I Care?, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Report INvasive, Purdue Extension & Indiana Invasive Species Council
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
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Posted: March 26, 2026 in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Woodlands - Urban Tree Spotlight: Planting Deciduous Shade Trees, Purdue Landscape Report
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