Spring 2004 Vol. 13, No. 1
Ask The Steward
Ask the Steward is a regular feature of the Woodland Steward newsletter, which is proudly offered to you by the Woodland Steward Institute. This institute has taken on the challenge of promoting proper management and care of Indiana�s forest resources. If you have a question for �The Steward� concerning forestry, wildlife, recreation or trees in general, just drop me a note at the address printed in this newsletter. Each issue will feature 2-3 selected questions. We will try to answer all questions by letter. Dan Ernst is the assistant state forester for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.
HOW DO YOU TELL A MALE FROM A FEMALE BOX TURTLE?
This is my first sex question, but one I think we can get past the editor. I have observed hundreds of box turtles over the years and find them very intriguing. The Eastern box turtle is the most common box turtle in Indiana and can be found from Maryland to Northern Florida and west to the Mississippi River. This long-lived reptile, commonly lives 25-30 years, with documented specimens having lived over 50 years (count the growth rings on a shell plate � or scute). They stay close to home and live most of their life in a 2-5 acres area. How to sex a Box turtle: While somewhat variable here are 3 characteristics to determine the sex of observed Box turtles. The male turtle will usually have orange or red eyes- compared to the female�s flattering brown or light orange eyes. The male will have a concave plastron (bottom of the shell). The female�s shell will be taller and have a nearly flat or slightly concave plastron. The male will often have brighter coloration around its head and neck and last, but not least, carefully inspect the tail. The male�s tail will be longer and wider than the female�s. One last tidbit-Did you know Box turtles will eat most any food they can fit in its� mouth and during their younger years may be primarily carnivorous- mostly insects. However, sometimes they go after big game. I can attest to this, by a personal sighting of a box turtle eating a mouse. How it caught the mouse remains a mystery, but I wasn�t about to take it away.
IS MY WHITE OAK TREE OF VENEER QUALITY?
Indiana is blessed with some of the most diverse hardwood forests anywhere in the world and also some of the highest quality timber to be found. A hardwood �veneer tree� is highly sought after due to its unique grain qualities, and relative rarity. This high value wood is sliced or peeled into thin sheets of wood veneer- generally less than a 1/16th of an inch in thickness. Indiana has several species, including White oak, which are sought after for its veneer wood. However, not all trees are of high enough quality to make the veneer grade. Here are a few basic veneer guidelines. Veneer usually is cut from the lower portion of the tree- in most cases the butt log. This area of the tree generally contains the clearest log section and the largest diameters- both very important. A veneer log must be nearly free of scars, knots, wounds and other blemishes. A veneer log is of uniform round shape. Log size requirements vary between buyers, but as a general guideline, White oak veneer logs should be a minimum size of 8 feet in length (plus trim) and a minimum diameter of 16 inches at the small end of the log. In addition to these outward characteristics the veneer tree must have high quality wood characteristics on the inside. Veneer buyers pay good money for these best trees and seek logs with uniform texture and color, or specialized grain. Trees growing in grazed woodlots, or trees damaged by fire or other causes will often have stained wood and greatly reduced veneer potential. Other common Indiana species sought after for veneer are Black cherry, Red oak, Sugar maple, Ash, Tulip tree, and of course Black walnut. Growing high quality trees is a hallmark of Indiana, but the veneer tree is a 1 in a hundred occurrence- sometimes even fooling the experienced veneer buyer.
For more information I.D.N.R. Division of Forestry 402 West Washington, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or call 317-232-4105