Free materials available to help those with small woodlots
Comet staff report

Homeowners with small woodlots or backyard woods can get help in managing their valuable resource with a packet of information called the Indiana Woodlot Owners Series.

The series includes 13 publications on how to make a master plan for your woodlot include how to operate a chainsaw safely, protect property from wildfire, identify and manage hazardous trees, keep woods healthy, attract wildlife and protect clean water. In addition, packet materials show how to help preferred trees grow, prune trees, plant trees, grow and collect special forest products, generate wood products, and protect trees from construction damage.

The series, developed by the U.S. Forest Service and Indiana DNR's Division of Forestry, also contains a Small Woodlot Owner Consultant Directory with names and contact information of consultants who will advise homeowners on small woodlot parcels, which are typically 10 acres or less.

Visit www.in.gov/dnr/forestry to read or print the publications. To have the entire set mailed to you, call the urban forestry office at (317) 915-9390 or email plouks@dnr.in.gov.