Got Nature? Blog

Purdue Landscape Report: Early June, we received a white pine sample at the Purdue University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab that showed early season needle loss lower in the tree canopy (Figure 1, 2). The majority of conifers hold onto their needles for multiple years, so loss of needles, even in the fall, can come as a shock to homeowners. In this particular case, we found multiple fungi that could be contributing to needle blight or needlecast.

Figure 3: Black fungal structures developing on dead needles with white sporulation exuding from the top.

White pine needle damage/defoliation (WPND) was first observed in the state of Maine in 2010 and was attributed to three needle blight diseases, including Lecanosticta, and has since been observed throughout the Northeast US. However, researchers eventually determined that a new fungus, Septorioides strobi, was also found consistently in blighted needles and could be contributing to WPND.

This is the first time we have found this fungus in the state of Indiana, though it has been present for longer than a single season. We do not know how it will react to our climate nor if it will cause significant damage to affected trees. Like other needle blight pathogens, Septorioides has been observed to sporulate around the same time during humid, wet weather, but symptoms may not develop until the following year. White pines are the primary host for this needle cast disease, but it can also develop on 2, 3, and 5 needle pines. While we see white pine decline is a major problem, Septorioides will not likely be the final nail in the coffin for white pines in Indiana, though it certainly will not help us keep them healthy.

Original article posted: Septorioides Needle Blight of Pine.

Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.

Resources:
ID That Tree: Virginia Pine
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube playlist
Borers of Pines and Other Needle Bearing Evergreens in Landscapes, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Tree Diseases: White Pine Decline in Indiana, The Education Store
Managing the Zimmerman Pine Moth, The Education Store
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
The Woody Plant Seed Manual, U.S. Forest Service
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Root Rot in Landscape Plants, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Dead Man’s Fingers, Purdue Landscape Report
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana, The Education Store
Subscribe, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Tree Defect Identification, The Education Store
Tree Wound and Healing, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Ask an Expert: Tree Selection and Planting, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube playlist
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

John Bonkowski, Lead Extension Administrator
Purdue Department of Botany and Plant Pathology

Purdue Landscape Report: Spotted lanternfly (SLF) has been the subject of a lot of media attention in the last few years.  In the east, states like Pennsylvania and New York have been dealing with heavy infestations since the insect was first detected in 2014.  In Indiana, this invasive planthopper arrived three years ago, infesting two counties on the eastern side of the state.  Since then, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Purdue University have been working together to mitigate the spread of this insect as well as educate Hoosiers on what they can do to help.  Spotted lanternfly is still on the move, and this update will help refresh you on how this bug works, and where they are headed.

Figure 1. Upper left: early-instar SLF; upper right: late-instar SLF; bottom left: adult SLF with egg mass; bottom right: uncovered SLF eggs.

Life cycle
Spotted lanternfly is an annual insect, having only a single generation in a year under normal conditions.  The insect goes through incomplete metamorphosis; immature stages, called nymphs, resemble smaller, wingless versions of the adults.  Nymphs will begin to appear in April or May, developing through four instars, until they reach adulthood in late summer.  With each instar, the period in between molting, the nymph will grow larger, develop wingpads, and eventually change color.  Early instars are black with a white dot pattern, while later instars will be bright red with black and white patterning (Fig. 1).  Late instar nymphs are often compared to milkweed bugs or lady beetles.  Once they complete development in the late summer or early fall, they will mate and lay egg masses covered in a protective substance that makes them resemble mud.  Eggs masses will overwinter until the spring, while adult insects will die as temperatures cool.  In Indiana, depending on temperature, adults can be seen as late as early November.

Impact
Spotted lanternfly is a sap-feeding insect, using syringe-like mouthparts to drain nutrients directly from plant tissues.  Like other sap-feeding insects, the activity of SLF wounds the plant, creating openings for various pathogens to exploit.  Feeding by SLF has been shown to reduce overall health of their hosts, reducing their capacity to survive overwintering, and potentially kill the host plant depending on species.  They also produce a sugary waste known as honeydew; while honeydew itself is not harmful, it acts as a growing substrate for sooty mold, which can have a serious impact the photosynthesis of understory foliage as well as attract other nuisance insects.

Spotted lanternfly is a generalist herbivore and can feed on over 100 different species of plant and tree in Indiana.  However, this insect has shown strong preference towards certain species, often with devastating consequences.  The most preferred host is tree-of-heaven, an invasive tree species in North America.  Tree-of-heaven is the primary host of SLF in their shared native range, and the insect appears to experience high reproductive success on it even when they share a new environment.  Grapes are also highly preferred by SLF, and infestations will typically result in overfeeding and the death of the plant.  Black Walnut, American river birch, and various maple species are also at risk of severe damage from this insect.   Evidence has also suggested that maple, when used for syrup production, will experience reductions in yield and quality when attack by spotted lanternfly.

Where are they now?
Spotted lanternfly has been present in Indiana since 2021, first arriving in Huntington and Switzerland Counties.  In Huntington, the infestation occupies a stand of tree-of-heaven next to an industrial parking lot.  Tree-of-heaven moved into the neighboring residential area, allowing SLF to also spread with it. The more rural infestation in Switzerland County was traced to a vehicle transported from Pennsylvania, and the insect has taken advantage of patches of tree-of-heaven in nearby wooded areas.  While both infestations have strongly associated with the insect’s primary host, there is some evidence that SLF is beginning to take advantage of other nearby plants, such as maple.  In the last year, SLF moved a significant distance and has been detected in several more counties, including Elkhart, St. Joseph, Porter, Allen, Dekalb, and Noble Counties.  Most of the activity has been found on tree-of-heaven along rail lines, supporting the idea that the insect is dispersed by rail traffic moving westward out of infested areas.

It’s important to remember that trains aren’t the only vehicles that can have SLF passengers.  These insects, and their egg masses, can be found on just about any surface, including the car you drive to work, the RV you used for recreation, semi-trucks that cross the country, and more.  Purdue Entomology and Indiana DNR are encouraging everyone to inspect their vehicles when traveling through any of the infested areas.  Also check all recreational vehicles and trailers for spotted lanternfly egg masses; if found, scrape them off into a bag or bucket filled with soapy water.  This fall and winter, we also want to encourage everyone to please burn any firewood where you buy it, and please don’t move it off your property if you chop it yourself- especially if you are burning tree of heaven.  Egg masses will stick to firewood and can survive our winters very well.

What can I do?
We are still learning about the spotted lanternfly’s distribution through Indiana, and we need the help of citizen scientists to effectively track the insect’s movement.  If you believe you’ve seen spotted lanternfly, please report it using any of the resources listed below.  You can also feel free to reach out to Bob Bruner, Exotic Forest Pest Educator, by emailing them at rfbruner@purdue.edu, or you can report sightings by calling 1-866-NOEXOTIC.  Keep an eye out, and have a great time at state fair!

Original article posted: Spotted Lanternfly is on the Move!.

Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.

Resources:
The Purdue Landscape Report
Spotted Lanternfly, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Entomology
Spotted Lanternfly Found in Indiana, Purdue Landscape Report
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Woodland Management Moment: Invasive Species Control Process, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Report Invasive, Purdue College of Agriculture – Entomology
Pest Management, The Education Store

Bob Bruner, Exotic Forest Pest Educator
Purdue Entomology

MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: As a result of Indiana’s positive detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in LaGrange County in April, Indiana DNR has restricted moving deer from any CWD Positive Area for rehabilitation purposes.

With the change, an individual who finds an orphaned, sick, or injured deer in a CWD Positive Area may only surrender the deer to a DNR-permitted wild animal rehabilitator that is located within a CWD Positive Area. This restriction is to help minimize the spread of CWD to new parts of the state, as deer can carry this disease without appearing sick.

Currently, there is one CWD Positive Area in Indiana. It includes LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb counties. While no CWD positive deer have been documented in Steuben, Noble, or DeKalb counties, those counties are considered part of the CWD Positive Area because of their proximity to where the state’s first CWD-positive deer was found in LaGrange County.

During their first few weeks of life, fawns often hide by themselves and stay motionless to avoid predators while the mother is looking for food. If you find a fawn alone, you can help it by letting it be, giving it space, and leaving the area. Its mother is likely nearby.

For more information visit DNR: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

To subscribe to the newsletter visit MyDNR Email Newsletter.

Resources:
Chronic Wasting Disease, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Hunting & Trapping, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Designing Hardwood Tree Plantings for Wildlife , The Education Store
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Trail Camera Tips and Tricks, Got Nature? Blog
How to Score Your White-tailed Deer, video, The Education Store
White-Tailed Deer Post Harvest Collection, video, The Education Store
Age Determination in White-tailed Deer, video, The Education Store
How to Build a Plastic Mesh Deer Exclusion Fence, The Education Store
Ask the Expert: Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Birds and Salamander Research, Purdue Extension – FNR
A Template for Your Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store
Deer Impact Toolbox, Got Nature? blog, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

The Indiana Natural Resources Teacher Institute (NRTI) is an annual multi-day conservation education workshop and tour of forest management, forest industry and forestry research in Indiana. The purpose of the institute is to provide an introduction to the impact sustainable forestry has on our state’s environment, economy, and quality of life, and to equip teachers to apply that knowledge in the classroom.

The 5-day workshop advances effective teaching and learning about Indiana’s forest resources and their management. Participants will learn how to approach the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts and principles from a natural resource perspective through exposure to professionals, researchers, and industry leaders and hands-on experiences in the field. Participants develop a curriculum project to be implemented with their students, bringing natural resource science and management topics and activities into the classroom.

Natural Resources Teacher Institute participants discuss natural resource issues as part of a Project Learning Tree activity session.

Several partners and many sponsors and supporters facilitate this program. The Indiana DNR Division of Forestry Project Learning Tree Coordinator, Lexi Eiler, serves as the lead on this project, and the Division provides housing for the participants at the Morgan Monroe State Forest Training Center. Donna Rogler, the originator of the Indiana NRTI, Lenny Farlee, Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Forester, and Mary Cutler, Tippecanoe County Parks and Recreation Naturalist, serve as Instructors/facilitators with Lexi for the week of activities and tours. Each of these individuals is also an alumnus of Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources!

Presenters from several agencies, organizations, and companies assist with field tours and presentations, including a tour and activities on the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment site at Morgan Monroe State Forest. The connection with this long-term, large-scale research project provides a unique STEM application teachers can take back to their classrooms.

Participants experience forest science, forest management, and forest products processing at the Natural Resources Teacher Institute.

The NRTI program can accommodate up to 16 teachers, with emphasis on primary educators, but welcoming to educators from all ages and backgrounds. Many past participants have called this week the best professional development training they have attended. Some comments from our most recent class in June of 2024:

“It was amazing. I am grateful for the activities and all the fantastic materials provided.”

“I learned so much about forestry and forest ecology. I can’t wait to share my lesson with the students.”

“Loved my time at the Indiana Natural Resources Teacher Institute! I learned so much and can’t wait to share and do activities at school this year.”

Teachers meet with Indiana DNR foresters to learn about forest management techniques on state forests.

Educators interested in the workshop can visit this DNR website to find out more about schedules and applications – https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/programs/education/

Resources:
Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources Facebook Page
Project Learning Tree
Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry
The Nature of Teaching, Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
The Nature of Teaching: Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store
Trees of the Midwest Webinar, Nature of Teaching YouTube channel
Indiana Forestry Educational Foundation, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
Forest/Timber, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Natural Resources Teacher Institute Takes Forestry to the Classroom, Purdue FNR News
Purdue Extension

Lexi Eiler , Coordinator
Indiana Project Learning Tree

Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

How does forest management affect wildlife, specifically birds? Which birds prefer which types of forest habitat? How can you help birds thrive on your property?

The Forestry for the Birds Virtual Tour is a new tool developed by Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources and Purdue Extension, which offers answers to those questions and more in an easily digestible and visual format. The virtual tour is based on The Nature Conservancy’s Forestry for the Birds program.

The virtual tour is an interactive guide to forest management techniques and birds in the forest that features 360-degree images, including several taken on eight Purdue FNR properties across the state. Bird identification resources from Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library, forest management resources from Purdue Extension and more make the tour come to life and allow landowners to improve their identification and management skillsets.

The tour was created and is narrated by Kaitlyn Young, a 2022 wildlife alumna and current FNR master’s degree student. Young spent the summer of 2023 monitoring birds as an avian monitoring and extension intern for the Purdue FNR Extension Internship program.

Young conducted breeding bird surveys and made recordings of all the species she encountered whether audibly or visually last summer. She utilized a GoPro Max to capture 360-degree images of the properties she surveyed. Song Meter Mini acoustic monitors allowed her to capture various bird songs, which are incorporated into the background of some of the virtual scenes of the tour. Still camera images also provide stunning visuals of each property and bird type.

“I think my favorite thing about the tour is that when you are exploring each scene, it really feels like you are there,” Young explains. “I want folks who may not be able to visit our properties to feel like they are right there, inside the scene, while learning a thing or two about bird conservation and managing our forests for our rapidly declining feathery friends.”

Young is quick to note, however, that it is much easier to spot the birds she added to each scene of the tour than when trying to look for them during surveys, when they are often hiding behind the leaves in the canopy.

Forestry for the Birds is a project developed by the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, which provides foresters and private landowners with the information and tools needed to enhance their forests in a way that fosters thriving bird communities. Many resources, including the Forestry for the Birds pocket guides, focus on the “Birders’ Dozen,” or 12 bird species which nest in the Central Hardwood ecoregion of Indiana that are easy to identify by sight and/or sound, and need conservation action to assist with range-wide or local population declines. The Birders’ Dozen species were selected by The Nature Conservancy and an independent group of birders, ornithologists and conservationists.

The virtual tour focuses on how different forest stewardship practices and forest types can benefit a variety of bird species, including the Birders’ Dozen. In each scene, there are three or more bird species to look for, recorded bird songs which are representative of what you could hear in that scene, interactive icons that link to images and videos and an audio description of the scene.

“I’m excited to see this virtual tour come to fruition – it provides some depth of information to complement the Forestry for the Birds Pocket Guide and Silvicultural Guide,” said Jessica Outcalt, Purdue Extension Educator, who helped develop the Forestry for the Birds materials for TNC. “I especially appreciate the visuals and audio that can’t be communicated via printed materials, and how this tour captures the sense of being in a forest that will make the material accessible to a wider audience.”

The properties shown illustrate a variety of forest stewardship techniques ranging from single tree selection to group tree selection, shelterwood, clearcut, oak woodland restoration and prescribed fire. The tour also highlights both young forests and mature closed-canopy forests.

The Birders’ Dozen includes:

• Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoo
• Eastern Whip-poor-will
• American Woodcock
• Eastern Screech-Owl
• Red-headed Woodpecker
• Wood Thrush
• Eastern Towhee
• Yellow-Breasted Chat
• Baltimore Oriole
• Worm-eating Warbler
• Hooded Warbler
• Cerulean Warbler

*Bird species listed above with links will take you to the Indiana Woodland Steward website as they share highlights with this information in “The Birders’ Dozen Profile” written by Jessica Outcalt.

The American Woodcock, Wood Thrush and Cerulean Warbler are listed on the National Audubon Society watchlist, while the Cerulean warbler is state endangered in Indiana. The Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Woodcock, Worm-eating Warbler and Hooded Warbler have been noted as species of special concern by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife.

To view this article along with other news and stories posted on the Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources website view: Virtual Tour Brings Forest Management for the Birds to Life.

Resources: 
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Forest Birds, The Education Store
Managing Woodlands for Birds, The Education Store
Managing Woodlands for Birds Video, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store
The Birders’ Dozen, Profile: Baltimore Oriole, Indiana Woodland Steward
Ask An Expert, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube channel
It’s For the Birds, Indiana Yard and Garden-Purdue Consumer Horticulture
Birds and Residential Window Strikes: Tips for Prevention, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
No Room at the Inn: Suburban Backyards and Migratory Birds, Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Putting a Little Wildlife in Your Backyard This Spring, The Education Store

Wendy Mayer, FNR Communications Coordinator
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

In this webinar, hosted by Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association, Joe Caudell, state deer biologist with Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, shares recent efforts to better understand Indiana deer populations and how they vary across the landscape. The research from the Integrated Deer Management Project, a multi-year research project with Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources team working closely with the DNR biologists, created research management units (RMUs) so that they could be easily incorporated into deer management practices by the DNR.

Additional resources:

• Indiana Hunt for Hunger Program, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR).
• If you’re interested in learning more about Indiana’s white tailed deer hunting and management, see the IN DNR page. There is a section on deer management with deer reports, survey results, and real time harvest data: White-Tailed Deer Hunting.
• Integrated Deer Management Project Website Introduced, Purdue College of Agriculture News.
• DNR Adopts RMU Research Techniques Created by Integrated Deer Management Project, Purdue College of Agriculture News.
• Deer Exclosures, Integrated Deer Management Project, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel

Check out the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Association YouTube Channel for videos including: What is IFWOA?; A New Carbon Program for Hardwood Landowners Webinar, Indiana’s Native Orchids, Magnificent Trees of Indiana, Be Tick Aware and much more.

The Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) was founded in 1977 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation and sustainable management of woodlands in Indiana. IFWOA advocates for scientific best practices for management to achieve objectives of clean water, wildlife habitat, soil protection, native species diversity, timber production, recreation, carbon sequestration and many others.

IFWOA is an affiliate of the National Woodland Owners Association. IFWOA is a partner, collaborator or is represented on leading National and State organizations. These memberships or collaborations are selected to advance Indiana Woodland owner’s interests. IFWOA monitors and influences legislation and economic trends impacting Indiana woodlands and landowners for our members. Membership in IFWOA provides a valuable network linkage to information and resources at the leading edge of science, industry and politics impacting Indiana woodlands.

More Resources:
Ask an Expert, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Trail Camera Tips and Tricks, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube channel
Wildlife Habitat Hint, Playlist
Trail camera survey for white-tailed deer, Got Nature? Blog
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 1, Field Dressing, Video
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners: Managing Deer Damage to Young Trees, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Introduction to White-tailed Deer Impacts on Indiana Woodlands, Got Nature? Blog & The Education Store

Liz Jackson, Engagement Lead
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Association

In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee takes us through the different characteristics of coniferous trees found here in Indiana, particularly their foliage and the features that pertain to them. Come along as we look through real examples of shape, scales, leaf and branches of various local trees. The featured species include Eastern red cedarwood, Northern white cedar, and more.

If you have any questions regarding wildlife, trees, forest management, wood products, natural resource planning or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
ID That Tree: Firs and Spruces, Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
ID That Tree – Jack Pine, Scotch Pine, Red Pine, Virginia Pine, Eastern White Pine, Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Beat Back Borers Attacking Pines and Other Cone Bearing Trees, Purdue Landscape Report
Tree Diseases: White Pine Decline in Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee goes over leaf characteristics to look for when attempting to identify broadleaved deciduous trees in Indiana. He shares the features of both single and compound leaves while outlining the differences between tree leaves. He takes you through a thorough guide on analyzing the leaflets, leaves, stems and buds, while increasing your knowledge of your surroundings.

If you have any questions regarding wildlife, trees, forest management, wood products, natural resource planning or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
ID That Tree – Jack Pine, Scotch Pine, Red Pine, Virginia Pine, Eastern White Pine, Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Beat Back Borers Attacking Pines and Other Cone Bearing Trees, Purdue Landscape Report
Tree Diseases: White Pine Decline in Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: Every May, wild turkey chicks (poults) begin to hatch in Indiana, and DNR needs your help counting turkey broods (hens with poults) and hens without poults.

Brood reports have been collected every year since 1993 to calculate the annual Wild Turkey Production index, which informs biologists about population status and guides management decisions for the species. Please share your 2024 observations with us online from July 1 until Aug. 31. Recording observations takes less than five minutes, and no login is required.

In 2023, DNR received more than 2,203 reports across all 92 counties in Indiana, and we’re hoping for even more this year. Our goal is to receive 3,000 total observations with at least 25 per county.

Why count turkeys?
Brood surveys provide useful estimates about annual production by wild turkey hens and the survival of poults (young turkeys) through the summer brood-rearing period. Summer brood survival is generally the primary factor influencing wild turkey population trends. Information on summer brood survival is essential for sound turkey management. Information gathered through the brood survey includes:

• Average brood sizes (hens + poults). For example, in the photo above there is one hen with seven poults, for a brood size of eight.
• Percentage of adult hens with poults.
• Production Index (PI) = total number of poults/total number of adult hens

What is a wild turkey brood?
A wild turkey brood is composed of at least one adult hen with young (poults). As the summer progresses, multiple broods may gather into what is termed a “gang” brood with several adult hens and multiple broods of poults of varied ages. During summer, adult gobblers (male turkeys) play no role in raising a brood and either form small male only “bachelor” flocks or are observed as a single gobbler.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Department of Fish and Wildlife rely on your observations to calculate their Production Index, so every report counts! Indiana DNR appreciates your participation.

Jarred Brooke, extension wildlife specialist with Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources, shares how you can participate in the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ annual turkey brood survey in a quick video.

To learn more, visit DNR: Turkey Brood Reporting.

To subscribe to the newsletter visit MyDNR Email Newsletter.

Resources:
Four Simple Steps, Help Indiana DNR Estimate Wild Turkey Populations, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources
Truths and Myths about Wild Turkey, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Wildlife, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Turkey Brood Reporting, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Wild Turkey, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Wild Turkey Hunting Biology and Management, Indian Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Subscribe to Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources YouTube Channel, Wildlife Playlist

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Purdue Landscape Report: Recently a homeowner in Hamilton County posted on the Indiana Native Plant Society Facebook page with concerns about aphids, mites, and apple scab in her maple and oak trees. She asked for a second opinion and treatment options for these pests. I reached out to the homeowner and requested permission to collect samples from the trees. Let’s look at what I found (or didn’t find) and discuss when and if these issues should be treated.

Apple Scab on Maples?
First, we can eliminate the concern about apple scab because maple and oak trees are not hosts for this pathogen. Apple scab is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, and hosts include apples, crabapples, hawthorn, mountain ash, firethorn, and loquat. There are other fungal diseases which cause leaf spotting in maples, such as Anthracnose, tar spot, and Phyllosticta leaf spot. To diagnosis these diseases, homeowners can submit a sample to the Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab, or hire a certified arborist to assess the tree. However, all these diseases are primarily aesthetic issues. A healthy tree will not die from these pathogens and does not require treatment. You can find more information about maple diseases in this publication: Diseases in Hardwood Tree Plantings. You can also find a previous article on Tar Spot in Maple in the Purdue Landscape Report (Issue 18-12).

Fig. 1. Severe spider mite damage on maple leaves. (Photo: S. D. Frank, North Carolina State University)

Spider Mites
The next pest concern on these trees is spider mites. Out of the dozens of leaves I collected, I found only two immature mites on a couple of maple leaves I examined. This is a very small mite presence, and it is not recommended to treat for spider mites unless the populations threaten the health or appearance of the tree. Limiting pesticide usage will conserve the natural enemies, which are vital to keeping mite populations in check. In fact, improper pesticide applications can kill these important natural enemies and worsen mite infestations.

When do you know if the mite population is large enough to merit intervention? Check your trees for signs of heavy feeding damage, such as leaf stippling (Fig. 1), or dense webbing on the leaves. Mites can also be monitored by placing a sheet of paper (8.5×11”) beneath a branch and striking the limb. Chemical treatments should be considered when you count ≥24 mites per strike. You can find detailed management recommendations and a full list of pesticide options in this Purdue Extension publication: Spider Mites on Ornamentals.

Fig. 2: Adult painted maple aphids found on maple in Hamilton Co, Indiana. (Photo: Andrew Johnston, Purdue University).

Aphids
The aphids I found on the homeowner’s maple trees are Drepanaphis acerifoliae, or the painted maple aphid (Fig. 2). This species only feeds on maple trees, and is not a threat to the oak tree on this homeowner’s property. Painted maple aphid is a very common aphid in our region. I found only a few aphids on one of the maple trees I sampled, which is not enough to require treatment. In addition, one of the aphids was a “mummy”, or a carcass left behind from a parasitoid wasp. This indicates that natural enemies are already at work managing the aphid population. Aphids may rarely require chemical control if their numbers grow large enough to produce significant amounts of honeydew, which can result in sooty mold outbreaks.

Fig. 3: White-marked tussock moth caterpillar. (Photo: John Obermeyer, Purdue University).

Tussock Moth
The only insect I found on the oak tree was a white-marked tussock moth caterpillar, Orgyia leucostigma (Fig. 3). This is the likely culprit for the minor feeding damage I noticed. These are not significant pests and do not require treatment. Don’t touch them, though! The setae of this caterpillar are irritating and may cause allergic reactions.

Overall, the pests I found were minimal and non-threatening to the trees. It’s normal to find some insect pressure in the landscape. Knowing when and if to treat requires accurate diagnosis and monitoring of pest levels. Check out PurduePlantDoctor.com for an easy-to-use diagnostic aid and treatment recommendations.

Original article posted: Purdue Landscape Report.

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Resources:
Large Spots on Maple Leaves that Look Like Tar, Purdue Extension News
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Diseases in Hardwood Tree Plantings, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist
Tree Defect Identification, The Education Store
Tree Wound and Healing, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources

Alicia Kelley, Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Coordinator
Purdue Extension – Entomology