Got Nature? Blog
Purdue Landscape Report: We have received a few elm tree samples this year with a disease we do not often see, but which is relatively common: black spot of elm. This disease, also called elm anthracnose, is caused by the fungus Stegophora ulmea and can affect most species of elm with American elm varieties being more susceptible.
Figure 1. Elm foliage with chlorotic spotting and black fungal structures caused by Stegophora ulmea.
The fungus becomes active in the spring at temperatures of 45 deg F or above. It can release spores that will infect newly unfolding leaves leading to chlorotic leaf spots or blotches on the upper leaf surface. Black fungal fruiting bodies will develop within the affected tissue, making it seem like the leaves have been dotted with tar. These fungal structures are raised and will give the leaf a bumpy texture. As more spots develop and coalesce, they will create white areas of dead tissue that can eventually turn brown.
The black fungal stromata can produce asexual spores (conidia) which can cause new infections during the growing season. Conidia are produced in a mucilage which becomes loose in humid conditions and can be spread by water splash (rain or irrigation). While leaf infections are the most commonly observed symptom, Stegophora can also infect leaf petioles and twigs. Premature leaf drop due to severe leaf spotting can occur, but significant defoliation may also develop when petioles are infected. Stem infections can lead to shoot blighting and small limb dieback.
Figure 2. Elm foliage with large black fruiting bodies of Stegophora ulmea.
Black spot is generally worse when the weather is cool and moist over an extended period of time. The fungus can reinfect the tree throughout the season during rainy. When the summer turns hot and dry, disease development will slow down and trees with twig blighting may show some recovery by pushing out new growth from dormant buds below affected shoots. Please note that twig blighting may look similar to flagging branches associated with Dutch elm disease (DED), so we recommend pruning off the branch and looking for internal vascular streaking to rule out DED.
Fungicides are not normally recommended to manage this disease for mature trees in landscapes since it is impractical to get full coverage of the foliage and damage is not usually severe. However, preventative applications may be warranted in nursery settings when the disease is severe to protect new growth and slow down disease spread until drier weather occurs, especially where overhead irrigation is used. Raking up leaf litter and pruning out infected stems will remove inoculum for the following season and help prevent existing infections from spreading.
Click here for more information on Dutch elm disease and view this original article here: A New Threat to Elms in North America
Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.
Resources:
Intro to Trees of Indiana: American Elm, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Intro to Trees of Indiana: Slippery Elm, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
ID That Tree, Playlist, Red Elm, Siberian Elm, Winged Elm, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, 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
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
John Bonkowski, Lead Extension Administrator
Purdue Department of Botany and Plant Pathology
Purdue Landscape Report: The elm zigzag sawfly (EZS), Aproceros leucopoda, is a non-native insect recently detected in several midwestern states. Originally from eastern Asia, this insect is rarely considered a problem in its native range, having several natural enemies and environmental factors able to keep it in check.
Figure 1. Elm zigzag sawfly adult, Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org
However, when in new landscapes, aspects of this insect’s life cycle enhance its ability to spread across new habitats and do significant damage to its host plant, the elm tree. EZS was first detected outside of its native range in Europe in 2003. Then, in 2020, it was found in North America for the first time in Quebec. It has since been detected in several states in the US, spreading first through the Northeast before entering the Midwest. It has not yet been detected in Indiana, but has been in the surrounding area.
Elm zigzag sawfly is a member of the insect order Hymenoptera, which includes bees, ants, and wasps. More specifically, sawflies belong to a suborder known as Symphyta, whose members are noted for a broad-waisted appearance and a saw-shaped ovipositor. Sawflies are a fairly common group of insects, though observers will often overlook them or confuse them for other insects. Adult EZS are generally small, darkly-colored insects that are easy to write off as ‘just another black bug’ you see around the garden or yard (Fig. 1).
Figure 2. Elm zigzag sawfly larva feeding, Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org
They resemble wasps, but possess a broad waist with no narrowing of space between the thorax and abdomen, and they lack a stinger. EZS larvae closely resemble caterpillars in both form and feeding habits, with pale green coloration, a black stripe that runs down the length of the body, and dark T-shaped markings on the legs (Fig. 2). The larvae, like moth and butterfly caterpillars, will also possess six pairs of fleshy prolegs that are lost upon reaching maturity. While the larvae bear chewing mouthparts to consume the leaf material of many kinds of plants, the adults are nectar and pollen-feeding. It should be noted that EZS larvae chew zigzag patterns into elm leaves, thus the common name of the insect. Like bees and wasps, sawflies also possess wings, but are typically lazy fliers, choosing to fly only during warm, sunnier periods of the day.
View the rest of the article here: A New Threat to Elms in North America
Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.
Resources:
Intro to Trees of Indiana: American Elm, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Intro to Trees of Indiana: Slippery Elm, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
ID That Tree, Playlist, Red Elm, Siberian Elm, Winged Elm, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, 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
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Bob Bruner, Exotic Forest Pest Educator
Purdue Entomology
Purdue Agriculture News: As autumn settles in, we eagerly await the transformation of leaves into vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow. However, this year might tell a different story due to prolonged periods of hot weather. Ben McCallister, urban forestry specialist in Purdue University’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, sheds light on what to expect this fall.
The Impact of Weather on Fall Foliage Timing
“Right now, we’re seeing a mix of fall coming in and shifting temperatures, which is causing trees to respond. This back-and-forth hot weather is creating some color changes related to drought and stress. This can be expressed as brown color where leaves are starting to wilt and look a little crunchy from exposure to heat and drought stress,” McCallister explains.
While the typical color change occurs from mid-September to early November, it’s not unusual for leaves to remain green at this point in the season. McCallister suggests that while the hot weather “most likely won’t affect anything visually, it could influence fall foliage over time as climate change progresses.”
He anticipates a more pronounced display of fall colors extending through October, with some species showing their colors into November. Ultimately, the vibrancy and timing of these changes will depend on daily temperature fluctuations and the amount of sunlight trees receive.
The environment also plays a significant role in how trees respond. For instance, urban areas with more concrete and buildings create a “urban heat island” effect, which can delay color changes compared to more rural settings.
The Science Behind Color Transformation
The science of fall foliage is both fascinating and complex. McCallister explains that different tree species respond to autumn at varying times, with chlorophyll being a key player in this process.
“Changes in chlorophyll production leads to the color changes in leaves. Chlorophyll allows leaves to take up sunlight and convert it into energy, creating carbohydrates in the form of sugars – really anything that gives energy to the tree to help it grow, sustain itself and compartmentalize,” McCallister notes.
As temperatures cool and the sunlight diminishes, chlorophyll production declines, allowing the green hues of leaves to fade. This decline reveals carotenoids and anthocyanins – two chemicals essential to fall foliage. Carotenoids contribute to the yellow and orange shades, while anthocyanins produce reds and purples. As chlorophyll wanes, these vibrant colors emerge.
“It’s a very cool process,” McCallister adds. “Each color absorbs different spectrums of light, altering energy uptake and preparing trees for leaf drop and dormancy. As leaves in deciduous trees transition, trees store energy in their roots and wood so they can brave the winter.”
Viewing Fall Foliage
When it comes to enjoying fall foliage, McCallister emphasizes that Indiana offers many great viewing locations not far from Purdue’s campus.
Locally, Martell Forest, which is open to the public, is a great spot to check out the fall foliage and immerse yourself in the woods,” says McCallister.
What’s Next?
Leaf drop is likely to occur anytime from mid-October into December, although this process may take longer than usual due to the milder winters we’ve been experiencing. Similar to color changing, the timing of leaf drop varies by tree species and their growth patterns, as well as the overall weather conditions.
“For instance, ginkgo trees turn this brilliant yellow and have a cool reaction to leaf drop. Typically, all their leaves fall within a day or so, creating a carpet of yellow. In contrast, trees like maples and oaks, which have a mix of yellow, orange and red leaves, tend to hold onto their foliage a bit longer,” McCallister recalls.
It’s also important to note that while coniferous trees, like pines, spruces and furs, retain their needles year-round, some conifers like bald-cypress trees drop theirs. This sometimes causes confusion for homeowners who mistake these deciduous conifers for dying trees.
To provide the best care for your trees during these changing weather patterns, McCallister advises familiarizing yourself with different tree species. Resources like Google and dichotomous keys in forestry books can help with species identification and lead to tips for care. Regularly checking your trees’ health is essential year-round. Specialists in your local county Extension offices and ISA Certified Arborists can be valuable resources for proper tree management.
To view the original article along with other news and stories posted on the Purdue Agriculture website see: Is fall foliage a sign of seasonal change or response to heat waves?
Resources:
Find an Arborist video, Trees are Good-International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Against Invasives, Garlic Mustard, Autumn Olive)
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
Invasive Plants of the Eastern U.S.: An Introduction to the Problematic Non-Native Species, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Why Fall Color is Sometimes a Dud, Purdue Landscape Report
\U.S. Forest Service Fall Colors, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
ID That Tree Fall Color: Sugar Maple, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel, ID That Tree Playlist
What Are Invasive Species and Why Should I Care?, Purdue Extension-FNR Got Nature? Blog
Emerald Ash Borer Information Network, Purdue University and Partners
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Subscribe Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Devyn Raver, Media Relations and Content Development Specialist
Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources
Ben McCallister, Urban Forestry Specialist
Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources
Lenny Farlee, sustaining hardwood Extension specialist for Purdue’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR), has been named a 2024 Fellow of the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The SAF Fellow Award, one of the highest honors bestowed on an SAF member by their peers, recognizes long-standing service to forestry at the local, state, regional and national levels.
Farlee was honored with the award during the 2024 SAF National Convention, which took place in Loveland, Colorado from Sept. 17-20.
Zhao Ma accepts the 2024 Family Forests Education Award on behalf of Lenny Farlee and the other project team members.
“Being named a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters is particularly meaningful to me since it originates from a nomination by my peers at the state level,” Farlee said. “I am very grateful that my colleagues in forestry here in Indiana considered my service worthy of recognition, and I owe much of the credit to them for their support of me through my career. It has been my privilege to serve the people and the profession as an Extension forester here at Purdue.”
Farlee educates people about forestry in many ways, including through the popular Extension YouTube series “ID That Tree,” which has over 100,000 views.
Farlee was also recognized at the convention with the 2024 Family Forests Education Award. The National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) and the National Association of University Forestry Resources Programs (NAUFRP) gave an award to Farlee, project lead, and his team for their course “Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner.”
Farlee, Ronald Rathfon, Don Carlson, Jonathan Ferris, Dave Osborne and Phil Woolery worked together to develop the course. The course introduces forest landowners to the biology and management of forests and what resources and professional assistance are available. According to survey results from 2021 participants, “94.4% stated that the information was useful to help them make future decisions and 92.5% stated that the information was useful to help act to manage their property objectives.”
“We in FNR, along with forestry professionals in Indiana and the landowners who have communicated with Lenny and his colleagues through the ‘Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner’ course, know how valuable this program has been to sustainable forest management in Indiana,” said Zhao Ma, interim department head and professor of forestry and natural resources. “So it is absolutely wonderful when others outside of our FNR community and beyond Indiana also recognize the excellent work that Lenny and his colleagues have been doing…, I would also like to share one more note about Lenny – not only has Lenny been a highly valued and respected member of FNR and the forestry profession for many years, but he is also one of the nicest people I have met. He is knowledgeable yet humble, effective yet gentle, serious about his work yet able to have fun, very busy yet always willing to help others and try to be present. We are lucky to have Lenny as our colleague in FNR.”
To view this article along with other news and stories posted on the Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources website view: Purdue FNR Extension specialist receives national recognition for work in forestry
Resources:
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
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
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
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Morning AgClips — Nestled within the cool, flowing waters of Indiana’s Blue River, the elusive hellbender thrives under big, flat rocks, seeking refuge from predators and finding the perfect conditions to lay their eggs. But in recent years, they have become increasingly difficult to find.
Morning AgClips interviews Purdue hellbender team for details regarding Farmers Helping Hellbenders Project, aimed at restoring Indiana’s endangered hellbender salamander population by improving water quality in the Blue River-Sinking watershed. Learn more about this initiative by hearing directly from the people involved, with the two overarching goals being about improving hellbender habitat and also enhancing local farming operations. Particularly, the project engages farmers in adopting sustainable practices as well, while strengthening conservation efforts for hellbenders.
Hellbenders used to have a much larger range, occurring in most of southeast Indiana’s tributaries to the Ohio River and in the Wabash River. Sadly, its population has dropped drastically due to modification of stream habitats including the accumulation of sediment, agricultural and industrial pollution, warming waters and the channelization of streams and rivers. Because of their decline, these endangered ancient amphibians, with their large, unique flat bodies, have become the focus of an ambitious conservation effort led by Purdue University.
“The significance of the hellbender and its conservation extends beyond the species itself,” Purdue Extension Wildlife Specialist, Nick Burgmeier explains. “Hellbenders are an indicator species; their presence reflects the health of the water quality. Historically common and a top predator in streams, their decline has ecological repercussions, particularly on crayfish populations, which can disrupt food webs.”
Read more on the Morning AgClips website at Rebuilding Indiana’s Hellbender Habitat.
Resources:
Farmers Helping Hellbenders RCPP Program Accepting Applications, Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources News
USDA Awards Farmers Helping Hellbenders Project in Funding, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Got Nature? Blog
Improving Water Quality by Protecting Sinkholes on Your Property, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Improving Water Quality Around Your Farm video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Hellbenders Rock! Nature of Teaching Lesson Plan, The Education Store
Nature of Teaching – Hellbenders Rock Sneak Peek video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Nature of Teaching – Hellbenders Rock webinar video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Learn about hellbenders and take a tour of Purdue’s hellbender rearing facility video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Learn about the hellbender work at Mesker Park Zoo video, Purdue FNR Facebook
Learn about hellbender work at The Wilds video, Purdue FNR Facebook
Dr. Rod Williams’ 2017 TEDx Talk Help the Hellbenders video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Moment in the Wild – Hellbender Hides video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Moment in the Wild – Hellbender Release video , Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Morning AgClips
The summer issue of the Purdue Alumnus magazine highlights Gabrielle Sjoberg, FNR 2008, and the Nature of Teaching. The section titled “The Nature of Well-Being” shares how Boilermakers are making connections regarding the power of nature to improve our health, moods and thinking.
For Gabrielle Sjoberg (A’08), connecting people to nature has become her life’s work.
The wildlife science alumna, whose master’s degree in biology from Miami University focused on outdoor programming, has helped kids discover nature at the Indiana Dunes National Park, ran nature programs and camps at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and led youth conservation corps programs in Angoon, Alaska.
“I’m working with kids who, even though they’ve grown up in these remote wilderness areas, have not necessarily done much exploring in the bays and rivers,” says Gabrielle Sjoberg, FNR 2008.
The rural and Indigenous youths in the program work on projects such as clearing trails and fallen trees with program partners, including the United States Forest Service, and also help with the traditional seasonal harvesting, preservation, and distribution of foodstuffs that are crucial for locals: salmon, clams, moose, deer, herring eggs, blueberries, and beach asparagus.
For full article view, For Gabrielle Sjoberg (A’08), connecting people to nature has become her life’s work.
The Nature of Teaching
In 2005, when journalist Richard Louv published his groundbreaking book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, research on the ways natural environments can benefit humans was just getting started.
The program’s three areas of focus—wildlife, food waste, and health and wellness—provide standards-based curricula along with suggestions for informal “field day” activities, all centered around getting kids outside.
The teachers said they needed training, good science-based lesson plans, and a repository of natural resource–related information they could easily access. In response, Dr. Rod Williams created a comprehensive professional development program for teachers called the Nature of Teaching, housed in the College of Agriculture’s Extension program.
Williams recently left Purdue for Texas Tech, where he serves as vice provost for outreach and engagement, but his legacy lives on in the Nature of Teaching program, which is now codirected by Veronica (Yager) Bullock (A’17) and Jarred Brooke (A’12), who is also an Extension wildlife specialist.
According to Bullock, who has taught many of the Nature of Teaching units as well as workshops for teachers, the lesson plans have been downloaded 400,000 times since the program’s launch. “That shows there’s a real interest in this,” she says.
For full article view, The Nature of Teaching.
The Nature of Teaching includes formal standards-based curricula and informal activity-based curricula all centered around getting youth outside. The three program areas of the formal curricula include: Wildlife, Health and Wellness, and Food Waste. Each program area provides standards-based lesson plans, available as free downloadable PDFs, which are classroom ready for grades K-12.
The Purdue Alumnus magazine, referred to as “Bulletin of the Purdue Alumni Association” in its early years, is the flagship publication of the Purdue for Life Foundation. It aims to inform, inspire and entertain readers through stories that provide insight into Purdue University and its initiatives, alumni, students, faculty and staff.
Resources:
Nature of Teaching, Connecting Youth With Nature for Health and Education, Agriculture Natural Resources, Got Nature? Blog Post
Virtual Workshops, Nature of Teaching
Nature of Teaching, Website, Purdue College of Agriculture
The Nature of Teaching, YouTube channel
Transporting Food Waste, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Benefits of Connecting with Nature, The Education Store
Nature of Teaching: Common Mammals of Indiana, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste Solutions, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste and the Environment, The Education Store
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
Adaptations For Aquatic Amphibians Webinar, Nature of Teaching YouTube channel
Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR)
Diana Evans, Extension and Web Communication Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Veronica Bullock, ANR Extension Educator
Purdue Extension Franklin County
Purdue Landscape Report: August was National Check Your Tree Month, but this is something that every tree owner/manager should be doing year-round. As the last hot days of summer are finishing up and we look forward to cooler fall days, we can look to our trees for different signs of trouble.
Most people tend to look up at the canopy before anything else in trees. Check leaves for dieback, discoloration, stickiness or signs of chewing. Check branches and the main stem for damage like splits and breaks, peeling bark, tunneling patterns under the bark, oozing wet spots, or sawdust around the tree. These could be signs of issues in the root system, pathogens like bacteria or fungal organisms, insect problems, or structural damage.
This is not an exhaustive list and if you notice these or anything else that seems off, it could be time for a deeper dive into what might be wrong. If you know the species of your tree the Purdue Plant Doctor is a great tool to narrow down a diagnosis. You can also contact your local Extension office or an ISA Certified Arborist.
On a more positive side, you don’t have to be on the lookout for damage, decline, or signs of pathogens and pests. It is also a matter of enjoying the trees in your landscape. Take some time out of your day to sit in the shade especially as we transition from hot summer temperatures into the cooling of autumn. Revel in the color changes as chlorophyll production slows revealing the carotenoids (that give us yellows, oranges, and browns) and anthocyanin (that produces reds and purples). In winter, not only can you better see damage in the canopy hidden by leaves in the growing seasons, but also the structure and architecture of the canopies in different tree species and the differences in bark textures. And in Spring, new growth of leaves and flowers shows us Winter is nearing its end, bringing warmer days.
So check your trees throughout the year. But not only for potential issues and risk management but also for enjoyment. Trees offer us no many benefits and sometimes it takes a little reminder. If you do see any signs of decline or damage, again, be sure to contact your local Extension office or an ISA Certified Arborist.
View the original article here: Enjoy Your Trees While Checking Them
Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.
Resources:
Find an Arborist video, Trees are Good-International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Trees and Storms – The Education Store, Purdue Education’s resource center
Caring for storm-damaged trees/How to Acidify Soil in the Yard – In the Grow, Purdue Extension
Moist soil and rotten roots makes it easy for trees to come crashing down – Fox 59 News
Expert: Some storm damage can be easily prevented – Fox 59
Why Is My Tree Dying? – The Education Store
Tree Risk Management – The Education Store
Mechanical Damage to Trees: Mowing and Maintenance Equipment – The Education Store
Trees and Electric Lines – The Education Store
Tree Defect Identification, The Education Store
Planting Your Tree, video, The Education Store
Tree Installation, The Education Store
Tree Wound and Healing, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel
Ben McCallister, Urban Forestry Specialist
Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources
Photo by Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Weekly Review, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Indiana DNR: Will Drews, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer with the DNR Division of Entomology & Pathology shares in September Weekly Review e-newsletter how staff will continue to help coordinate kudzu control throughout the state and expands upon the state funded kudzu control program.
As some of you may know, kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is an invasive woody vine that can now be found throughout the state of Indiana. It is referred to colloquially as “the vine that ate the south,” and if you took a drive through some southern states (e.g. Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas, etc.) right now, you’d see why. Kudzu has tremendous growth potential, sometimes as much as 1 foot per day. Some vines reach lengths of up to 100 feet. Because of this it is a detriment to Indiana’s natural resources, kudzu has been listed as a prohibited invasive plant under the DNR’s Administrative Code as per 312 IAC 18-3-16 Control of kudzu.
While part of the language includes that the landowner “must take efforts to eliminate this species in such a manner as is consistent with federal and state law,” the Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology have been leading a state funded control program where sites are treated on a rotating, priority basis to eradicate or suppress further spread with no cost to the landowner. Over the last month, around 40 kudzu sites in Indiana have been treated and we have seen some great progress from last year.
If you think you have seen a new kudzu population, please send me that information (photos and GPS coordinates or address) at my email address provided below. A couple of the sites treated this year are new reports from last year that we were able to address. With your help, we can try to reduce the impact of this incredibly invasive vine and protect our natural resources.
For more information regarding this invasive vine Kudzu see the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Kudzu.
Subscribe: Entomology Weekly Review.
Resources:
Indiana Department of Natural Resources-Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology
Indiana Department of Natural Resources-Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Profile
Indiana Department of Natural Resources-National Invasive Species Information Center
Indiana Department of Natural Resources-Kudzu Alert & Identification Sheet
Indiana Department of Natural Resources-Kudzu Fact Sheet
Indiana Department of Natural Resources-Kudzu Before & After Treatment Photos
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
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
Mile-a-minute Vine, The Education Store
Invasive Plant Series: Swallow-worts, The Education Store
Will Drews, Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, WDrews@dnr.IN.gov
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)
Posted on September 4th, 2024 in
Forestry,
Wildlife,
Woodlands |
No Comments »MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: Hunters can apply for reserved hunts at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt, the one-stop information spot for the hunts. The online method is the only way to apply. No late entries will be accepted. Applicants must possess a hunting license that’s valid for the hunt for which they apply.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 15. More specific hunt information for individual properties is available on the website.
Hunters will be selected through a random computerized drawing. An email will be sent to all applicants when draws have been completed. Applicants will be able to view draw results online within two weeks after the application period closes.
Please note that only one application per hunt is allowed. No changes can be made once an application is submitted. The application process is now consolidated into the online services website along with licenses, CheckIN Game, and HIP registration. An online account is not required to apply, but a Customer ID number is needed.
In this system, hunts without a registration fee will follow the same process as those with a fee. Applicants must add a hunt to their cart and place an order to submit their application. If the transaction total is $0, the applicant will not be asked to enter credit card information.
Get more information at Reserved hunt applications open Aug. 19.
To subscribe to the newsletter visit MyDNR Email Newsletter.
Resources:
How to Score Your White-tailed Deer, video, Purdue Extension
White-Tailed Deer Post Harvest Collection, video, Purdue Extension
Age Determination in White-tailed Deer, video, Purdue Extension
How to Build a Plastic Mesh Deer Exclusion Fence, The Education Store
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store
Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer, The Education Store
Help With Wild Turkey Populations, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
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, Department of Fish & Wildlife
Purdue Landscape Report: As summer comes to a close, plants are rapidly releasing seeds and the most noticeable are the flying fluffy type. Thistles, asters and milkweed are just a few of the summer-flowering plants that depend on the wind to disperse their seeds, sometimes carrying them miles away to potentially suitable locations, though seeds typically land within a few meters of the mother plant. This may not be a concern if it’s a desirable plant, but can become extremely problematic when that seed comes from Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), growing amongst common ivy (Hedera helix), produces a fluffy seed that is dispersed by wind.
Canada thistle is found on the list of Indiana Noxious Weeds (IC 15-16-7-2), which mandates that landowners take necessary steps to control and contain the spread of this highly invasive species. Formal enforcement of this Indiana Code falls to Township Trustees, though weed control is a responsibility that is often overlooked. Landowners and homeowners shouldn’t wait for a notice, or knock at the door, from a Township Trustee to begin controlling Canada thistle. It’s listed as a noxious weed for good reason.
Canada thistle is a perennial plant that can reproduce from seed or rhizomes making it difficult to control and contain. Each plant can produce thousands of wind-blown seeds that may remain viable for up to 20 years in the soil. Rhizomes are horizontal underground stems that can grow several feet and put out new shoots (Fig. 2). To add insult to injury, if a rhizome is cut or tilled, a separate plant may grow from each piece of rhizome.
Mechanical and cultural control options for Canada thistle are limited and may reduce plant density, but are not effective at eradicating large, established populations in a landscape. A new population, without an established root system, may be controlled with frequent mowing to deplete food reserves and prevent seed production.Small, isolated populations may be controlled with hand-pulling, but this will need to be repeated every few weeks.
Figure 2. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) reproduces by growing horizontal underground stems called rhizomes. Rhizomes can send up new shoots several feet from the mother plant.
Chemical control options include pre- and post-emergent herbicides and, in many cases, applications of both types are needed for complete eradication. A pre-emergent herbicide, with an active ingredient of dichlobenil, is effective at preventing seed from germinating, but will not control established plants. A post-emergent herbicide with the active ingredient of clopyralid is the most effective option for home gardeners. Clopyralid is a selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds, but most vegetable and ornamental plants are susceptible. Precautions should be taken to avoid off-target damage. Read and understand the herbicide label before use. The label is the law.
Regardless of the method used, complete control of an established Canada thistle population will take persistence over multiple seasons. If the fluffy seed is beginning to fly from your thistle patch, it will likely take many more seasons to rid the garden of this pest, but it is possible. To win the battle against Canada thistle, it takes serious grit and an effective herbicide, or a good realtor.
View the original article here: What the Fluff?!
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Resources:
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Find an Arborist video, Trees are Good-International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Against Invasives, Garlic Mustard, Autumn Olive)
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (Common Buckthorn, Japanese Barberry)
Planting Your Tree, Video, The Education Store
Tree Installation, The Education Store
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management Website
Control of Canada Thistle in CRP and Other Noncrop Acreage, The Ed Store
Invasive Thistles
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
Understanding and Controlling Thistle in the Nursery and Landscape, Purdue Landscape Report
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel
Karen Mitchell, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist
Purdue Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
