WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST
From roughly late May into August, this was once a commonplace scene in the mid-19th century. Bald hemlock logs gleaming on the forest floor, made so by the peeling of their precious bark. The bark was grinded up to make a “liquor” or tannic acid used to make leather from cow hides. This industry grew communities overnight and paved the way for other industries like agriculture that came afterwards. Each year, I take down 1 to 3 hemlocks and use their bark to make leather from deerskin. The peeled logs in this photo are located near Samsonville, Ulster County; A once thriving hamlet built upon the tanning industry from names like Palen & Samson. I believe I made some ghosts from the 19th century smile, just a little bit.
May the Forest Be with You,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association