Got Nature? Blog

​Historically, forests dominated the land of Indiana, covering about 85% of Indiana prior to European contact and settlement. However, now less than 25% of our forested areas remain—and more than 85% of those areas are privately owned.

Urban woodlots are steadily in decline, both in number and size. The development of businesses and residential areas, highway construction and expansion and increases in cropland are all causes of destruction and reduction of these woodlots. When privately owned woodlots drop below 10 acres in size, they receive much less support and can’t qualify for the Classified Forest and Wildlands program through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, forcing their owners to manage them on their own.

Owners of woodlots of all sizes can help protect and improve them with good management and stewardship practices. Adding trees and other plant life, taking care of diseases and other pests and harvesting products when needed are all great steps towards urban woodlot preservation.

The benefits of urban woodlots don’t just help their owners but the entire community around them. Forested areas reduce the impact of rainfall on land, decreasing flooding, erosion and the removal of topsoil. The quality of water is improved as sediment and pollutants are filtered out. Soil is added as plants decay. Air is improved as plants soak in carbon dioxide and other unwanted chemicals. Trees provide shade and reduce wind speed, reducing the need for burning fuel. And of course, woodlots provide habitats that many animals depend on.

Urban woodlots really are crucial for our environment. As it decreases around us, it is important that we know what we can do to protect and improve what we have left. Owners of private urban woodlots must stay informed to keep their property not only beneficial to them economically, but beneficial to our society as a whole.

For more information, view the free publication download titled Indiana’s Urban Woodlots.

Resources
Indiana’s Urban Woodlots, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Urban Forestry – Got Nature?, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
The Indiana Woodlot Owner Series, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Indiana Arborist Association (IAA)

Lindsey Purcell, Chapter Executive Director
Indiana Arborist Association