Stephens Forest
Stephens Woodlands is in the Central Till Plain natural area in Carroll County. It was originally purchased by Frank Stephens Sr. in 1963 with a goal of enjoying the land with his family and growing a sustainable crop of timber to be harvested as needed. In 1976, the property was transferred to his children to protect and enjoy the property. The Purdue Research Foundation acquired the property in December 2003. The planted stands consist of even-aged tree plantings originally established in 1972. The natural forest has been managed to promote uneven-aged management for the last 50 years or so. This property is located in the transitional area between upland till plains and bottomlands associated with the Wabash River Floodplains.
Property Statistics
- Acres: 104
- Acquired: 2003
More About Stephens Forest
- Impacts of deer exclusion fence on tree plantings – 2007
- Impacts of regeneration sites versus afforestation sites and fertilization on tree plantings – 2008
- Chickadee and titmouse social structures change as a result of disturbance – 2015
- 5-acre wetland provides great habitat for a variety of wildlife species
- Present day southern edge of the property was originally part of the historical Erie Canal
- Various planted tree species that are unique for the area
- Forest composition:
- 5 acres of black walnut plantings
- 3 acres red oak plantings
- 5 acres of yellow poplar plantings
- 51 acres of wetlands
- 2 acres of the East ridge forest
- 7 acres of mixed hardwood forest
- Demonstration plantings in 2007 and 2008
Please contact the property manager for a copy of this property’s management plan.
Property Manager:
Don Carlson
Southeast-Purdue Agricultural Center (SEPAC)
4425 East 350 North
Butlerville, IN 47223
Cell: 812-798-2764
Email: carlsode@purdue.edu
- Directions
- Property Map
- Research Property Map-contact manager
Forestry field day at Stephens Woodlands. Photo by Don Carlson. 
Site preparation for a demonstration tree planting. Photo by Don Carlson. 
Post-prescribed burn. Photo by Don Carlson. 