{"id":28980,"date":"2024-06-04T08:30:28","date_gmt":"2024-06-04T12:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=28980"},"modified":"2026-04-24T15:36:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T19:36:48","slug":"oak-hickory-ecosystems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/oak-hickory-ecosystems\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn How to Support Oak-Hickory Ecosystems"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oak-hickory forests, which are comprised of a variety of different tree species, shrubs, grasses, sedges and wildflowers, as well as wildlife, including songbirds, are important to Indiana\u2019s biodiversity. Learn how you can support oak-hickory ecosystems on your property through a new publication, \u201cForest Stewardship for Oak-Hickory Ecosystems in Indiana<\/a>,\u201d produced by\u00a0Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal of this publication is to provide woodland owners with information about the stewardship practices they can use to sustain and enhance oak-hickory ecosystems on their land,\u201d said co-author\u00a0Jarred Brooke<\/a>, Purdue Extension wildlife specialist. \u201cHaving this information will help them make informed decisions about how to manage their land to meet their forestry and wildlife objectives.\u201d\"Woodland<\/p>\n

The publication discusses various methods landowners can use on their properties, from midstory removal to overstory thinning, prescribed fire, supplemental planting, controlling deer browsing, crop tree release and invasive species control. It also details options for timber harvest, which can be used to regenerate the next generation of a forest. Additional resources from forestry and wildlife professionals as well as other publications discussing current research and management tips also are included in this document.<\/p>\n

\u201cOak ecosystem management is confusing,\u201d said co-author Dan Shaver, state forester for the\u00a0Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service<\/a>. \u201cThis publication provides easy to understand basic concepts to help landowners see where their property fits in the oak restoration process. It does not answer all questions or provide all the technical details, but it will help reduce confusion and foster better communication and understanding between landowners and foresters.\u201d<\/p>\n

The publication is co-authored by Brooke, Shaver and Kyle Brazil,\u00a0Central Hardwoods Joint Venture<\/a>\u00a0coordinator for the\u00a0American Bird Conservancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe oak-hickory ecosystem of southern Indiana is incredibly important to birds, other wildlife, and overall biodiversity,” Brazil said.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, it\u2019s continued persistence isn\u2019t a given. Lack of management, and specifically lack of fire, over the past century has left it in peril. Restoring the oak-hickory ecosystem will require a concerted effort and private landowners are a key part of the solution. This publication is intended to help landowners understand how to manage oak ecosystems on their properties, and give them a roadmap for getting started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Woodland owners who are curious about oak restoration or improving their woodlands for songbirds can reach out to their\u00a0local IDNR forester<\/a>, the\u00a0Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana organization<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Purdue Extension<\/a>\u00a0to find out how to get started.<\/p>\n

Let the Sun Shine In \u2013 Indiana is a collaboration of several organizations with a shared goal of maintaining\u00a0oak-hickory ecosystems for the benefit of the people and wildlife of Southern Indiana.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe LSSI IN collaboration utilizes education and outreach opportunities for landowners, to inform them of the imperiled Oak-Hickory Ecosystem,\u201d explained Judi Brown, coordinator of the\u00a0Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana<\/a>.\u00a0\u201cPart of this outreach includes providing the Oak Hickory Stewardship Guide to landowners.\u00a0The Stewardship Guide explains common forest management concepts that they can utilize on their properties, and encourages the growth of oak and hickory trees from the acorn or nut into the forest canopy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The primary method of distribution of the Stewardship Guide is through the Indiana DNR district foresters, but the guide also is available\u00a0online<\/a>. LSSI IN is providing metal gate signs to recognize the stewardship of forest landowners who are actively managing their forest land.<\/p>\n

Support for the stewardship guide was provided by the Central Hardwoods Joint Venture, the American Bird Conservancy, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana, Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the United States Forest Service.<\/p>\n

To view this article along with other news and stories posted on the Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources website view: Publication Teaches Landowners How to Support Oak-Hickory Ecosystems<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Resources
\n<\/strong>ID That Tree:\u00a0Shingle Oak<\/a>, Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
\nID That Tree:\u00a0Red Oak Group<\/a>, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel
\nRed Oak Group<\/a> – Hardwood Lumber and Veneer Series, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
\nShingle Oak<\/a>, Morton Arboretum
\nThe Nature of Oaks Webinar<\/a>, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, Shared from Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
\nAn Introduction to Trees of Indiana<\/a>, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
\nNative Trees of the Midwest<\/a>, The Education Store
\nShrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest<\/a>, The Education Store
\nInvesting in Indiana Woodlands<\/a>, The Education Store
\nForest Improvement Handbook<\/a>, The Education Store
\nID That Tree<\/a>, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist
\nWoodland Management Moment\u00a0<\/a>, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist
\nInvasive Species<\/a>, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Playlist (Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Burning Bush, Callery Pear, Multiflora rose)
\nFinding help from a professional forester<\/a>, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association<\/p>\n

Wendy Mayer<\/a>, FNR Communications Coordinator
\nPurdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources<\/p>\n

Jarred Brooke<\/a>, Wildlife Extension Specialist
\nPurdue Forestry and Natural Resources<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Oak-hickory forests, which are comprised of a variety of different tree species, shrubs, grasses, sedges and wildflowers, as well as wildlife, including songbirds, are important to Indiana\u2019s biodiversity. Learn how you can support oak-hickory ecosystems on your property through a new publication, \u201cForest Stewardship for Oak-Hickory Ecosystems in Indiana,\u201d produced by\u00a0Let the Sun Shine In […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42,45,53,54],"tags":[445,60,147,565,261,1478,1965,413,408,1113],"class_list":["post-28980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forestry","category-howto","category-urbanforestry","category-wildlife","tag-forest-management","tag-forestry","tag-forestry-and-natural-resources","tag-hardwoods","tag-indiana","tag-let-the-sun-shine","tag-oak-hickory","tag-publication","tag-trees","tag-woodland","audience-for-enthusiasts","audience-for-homeowners","audience-for-landowners","audience-for-professionals"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28980"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28980\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34155,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28980\/revisions\/34155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}