Winter 2005 Vol. 14, 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.
WHERE CAN I GET A GOOD IDENTIFICATION BOOK FOR INDIANA TREES?
This is a great time to hone those skills on tree identification. While trees are dormant identification relies on winter buds, bark patterns and, in some cases, smell. But, in a few short months new leaves will emerge to confirm your identification. The selection of tree identification books for Indiana trees has never been better. Here is what’s available:
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101 Trees of Indiana - A Field Guide, is a well illustrated guide written by Marion T. Jackson, and published by Marion T. Jackson, and published by Indiana University Press in 2004. It is available from most bookstores or directly from the IU Press. List price is $19.95•
Trees of Indiana - Their Identification and Uses by Sally S. Weeks and George R. Parker, 2002, is available from Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service in CD format only. Cost is $25 and is a great reference for computer users. http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/fnr/Extension/extpubs.htm•
50 Trees of Indiana is a small basic tree identification pamphlet that has been used by 4-H groups and others for years. The booklet lacks detail, but is a basic guide to 50 of Indiana’s most common trees, and is available from Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service for $3. It’s also available in CD format.•
Trees of Indiana authored by Mayrose and Fred Wampler, published by Indiana University Press 2001 is a very attractive, hard cover book. This is definitely not a field guide, but a great book for your home library. List price is somewhere around $50.•
Deam’s Trees of Indiana was written by Indiana’s first State Forester and premier botanist, Charles Deam, in the 1950’s. It is the most often cited reference book of native Indiana trees. This book has been reprinted in paperback and is available from the Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D office in Versailles, Indiana for $16.00. Call 812-689-3398 ext. 5. Did you know there are 101 native Indiana tree species - plus an additional 20 tree varieties, 12 forms and 16 hybrids? And, 17 different Oak species!WHAT IS THE LONGEST RIVER IN INDIANA?
That would easily be the Wabash River at nearly 512 miles. The mighty Wabash, Indiana’s official State river, has its beginnings in western Ohio - approximately 30 miles East of Portland, Indiana. The name ‘Wabash’ comes from the Miami Indian word “wah-bah-shik-ki”, or in French - ‘Oubache’. This means “pure white” and refers to the white limestone riverbed in its Northern reaches - particularly noted in Huntington County.
The Wabash includes the nation’s longest free stretch of free flowing river East of the Mississippi, and forms a 230 mile boundary between Southern Indiana and Illinois until it empties into the Ohio River at Indiana’s Southwest corner.
For 200 years the Wabash was a major trading route, linking Canada, and the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. 1950 saw the last steamboat journey on the river. The Wabash is a remarkable river, and within its reach lies some of the finest bottomland hardwood forests in the world!
,For more information I.D.N.R. Division of Forestry 402 West Washington, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or call 317-232-4105