{"id":"us-in","slug":"indiana","name":"Indiana","license":"CC-BY-4.0","placeNode":"/places/us-in.json","construction":{"reviewStatus":"none","applications":[],"localApplications":[],"requirements":[],"sources":[{"title":"FPBSC rules under 675 IAC","url":"https://www.in.gov/dhs/boards-and-commissions/fpbsc-rules/","publisher":"Indiana Department of Homeland Security","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"}]},"localAuthorities":[],"claims":{"exact":[{"id":"guide:which-canopy-trees-earn-their-keep:1","anchor":"local-us-in-which-canopy-trees-earn-their-keep-1","place":"Indiana oak-hickory stewardship (Purdue / LSSI, September 2023)","placeId":"us-in","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"Historically, oak-hickory forests, woodlands, and savannas were abundant across Indiana. Cultural stewardship by Native Americans, including frequent prescribed fires, plus wind, ice, and tornadoes, maintained them. Oaks support more life forms than any other tree genus in the United States and are considered keystone species. Oak-hickory is one of Indiana’s two most common forest types and is particularly common in southern Indiana on well-drained sunny sites such as south- and west-facing slopes and ridgetops. The long-term absence of fire, widespread forest loss and fragmentation, and overpopulation of deer have altered dynamics so that wind and ice alone are not sufficient. Mature oak and hickory trees are still abundant in the overstory; the next generation is uncommon; young oaks are being replaced by beech and maple. Oaks, especially, are adapted to prescribed fire because of their thick bark and extensive root system. Low-intensity fires with flame heights less than 3 feet limit timber-quality damage. It takes multiple fires before a timber harvest to positively impact oak regeneration. Prescribed fire should be conducted by experienced individuals.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"which-canopy-trees-earn-their-keep","title":"Which canopy trees earn their keep in an oak-hickory backyard","url":"/guides/which-canopy-trees-earn-their-keep/"},"source":{"title":"Forest Stewardship Practices for Oak-Hickory Ecosystems in Indiana","url":"https://extension.purdue.edu/pondwildlife/_docs/oak-stewardship-ecosystems.pdf","publisher":"Purdue Extension Forestry and Natural Resources / Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","documentDate":"2023-09-01T00:00:00.000Z"}},{"id":"guide:which-canopy-trees-earn-their-keep:3","anchor":"local-us-in-which-canopy-trees-earn-their-keep-3","place":"Indiana prescribed fire (Purdue FNR, April 2017)","placeId":"us-in","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"When used correctly, fire can improve habitat for a variety of wildlife species, forage for cattle, and conditions for oak regeneration among other things. For white-tailed deer you should burn the woods with a low-intensity backing fire during the dormant or late-growing season every 3–5 years. Inadequate firebreaks are a common safety hazard and a very likely place for an escape. In the woods, firebreaks only need to be 3–10 feet in width, especially when using only backing fire. Safety is paramount and fires should only be conducted by experienced individuals.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"which-canopy-trees-earn-their-keep","title":"Which canopy trees earn their keep in an oak-hickory backyard","url":"/guides/which-canopy-trees-earn-their-keep/"},"source":{"title":"Prescribed fire: 6 things to consider before you ignite","url":"https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/prescribed-fire/","publisher":"Purdue Extension Forestry and Natural Resources","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","documentDate":"2017-04-04T00:00:00.000Z"}}],"local":[]},"placeFocusedGuides":[],"findings":[],"plants":{"grain":"state","total":512,"nativeDocumented":0,"invasiveOrNoxiousFlagged":123,"fireResistant":324,"keepAway":43,"conflicts":13,"page":"/grow/indiana/"},"fireEvidencePublicationScope":{"answerGrain":"no-typed-local-source","sourceCount":0}}