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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST One of the tallest trees in the eastern US is this tree–the eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides). Normally this tree is found in the larger valleys or floodplains of the northeast like the Hudson River Valley. This cottonwood was found by its lonesome on aContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Lots of storm damage from high winds over the last few weeks in Ulster County. I’ve been watching this large red oak tree since 2012. It has (or had) 2 large leaders that come together in a tight spot or “v-crotch” causing moisture andContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST In early July, I took my 8-year-old son deep inside one of the more remote areas of the Catskill Mountains for an overnight stay. This section is one of “Dad’s secret spots” as my kids say. I’ve been going to this section since 2004Continue Reading

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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 tannicContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Been treating this ash tree near Walton, Delaware County since 2017. In some areas of the Catskills, the only large ash trees left alive from the ravishing emerald ash borer are the ones CFA chemically treats. This ash is particularly nice. All by itsContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Some of you are probably seeing some growing bald spots on our mountains recently. In recent years, that can be attributed to emerald ash borer damage on white ash trees. Although white ash continues to decline, the Catskills are now seeing damage from forestContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST CFA’s Tree Saver Program is in full swing for injecting ash trees. Yes, ash trees can be saved from the devastating emerald ash borer if they are injected or treated early enough. Treatments occur every 2 years to stave off reinfection. This program isContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST While “bushwhacking” through some thick mountain laurel, these 2 startled me; I’m sure I startled them too. The large mountain doe refused to go far from her fawn probably for 2 reasons: (1) Concern for her freshly dropped fawn; & (2) The density ofContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST For the last month, been out chemically treating members’ hemlocks through CFA’s TREE SAVER PROGRAM. This program is aimed at saving hemlock trees from succumbing to 2 exotic pests–hemlock woolly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale–that have been devastating these trees for decades. It’s hardContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST The bark of most trees–like a human’s face–change or “patina” over time. Young sugar maple appears smooth with few ridges and valleys. Middle aged sugar maple has typical ridge and valley bark throughout; The ridges run lengthwise along the trunk. As sugar maple enterContinue Reading