WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The 2019 maple sugaring season has ended for me in central Ulster County. The season finished as one of the best with high sugar contents and the most syrup I’ve made/tap as of yet. I’d like to take credit for it, but really itContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Sometimes a seemingly perfectly healthy tree can begin to die & then a perfectly damaged tree survives; This is one example I saw the other week off the side of the road. This maple tree had been damaged by livestock and burned near itsContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Maple sugaring season may be underway or in fact waning down as temperature-forecasts show a warming trend in central Ulster County. However, once temps remain above freezing consistently for a couple of days marks the time to spray dormant oil on your apple andContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I realize there are complaints about the “invasive” nature of honeysuckle in the Catskill Mountains and beyond. But, I have to admit that in a forest continually maturing which offers less and less young growth for wildlife cover, there are some benefits. Take thisContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I’ve said it before, but I’m amazed at the abundance of volunteer (wild) apple trees found throughout the Catskill Mountains. Last weekend we were near Long Eddy, Sullivan County. Before that up near Franklin, Delaware County, and coming up will be near Westkill, GreeneContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? We’re deep into the middle of the Apple Tree Pruning season. Last weekend, I was given the opportunity to restore some really old apple trees. When I walked up to them, they resembled one large “chia pet” of limbs and branches. But, somewhere insideContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Just got some of my “from the forest” harvest back from Quaker Creek Store in Pine Island, Orange County. This butcher shop located in the middle of the “black dirt” country has been butchering up meat since 1947 and they do a good jobContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Monday, February 4th marked the opening of the 2019 maple season in Samsonville, Ulster County; Nearly 1 week later than last year’s start. Last week’s cold temperatures make it seem unbelievable, but the forecast is showing milder weather and today will be in theContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Stuck in meetings for two days in Suffern, Rockland County for the New York State Arborists Winter Conference. Two of the meetings spoke about the looming threat–now in PA–from spotted lantern fly. This pretty insect sucks the sap right out of trees and createsContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The Apple Tree Pruning season is well underway & so is winter. Ice, snow, & wind are coming & with that comes tree damage. Pruning trees not only helps reallocate sunlight onto the healthiest branches, but also can improve shape & overall sturdiness. ForContinue Reading