WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I think part of the reason why I’ve been less squeamish about “development” in comparison to others is that I grew up seeing New York State in abandonment. There were so many abandoned farms, houses, and even large resorts where the forest was literallyContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Those of you living in the southern Catskills and Hudson Valley are aware of the severe impact gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) are having on trees this year. Oak is their preferred species for leaf defoliation. In my yard, they have completely stripped white oak.Continue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? One of the most interested trees–for me–is surely the pitch pine. It can grow on thin “soils”, or pretty much a crack in a rock. It can withstand areas highly exposed to wind, ice, heavy snow, or fire. On better sites, it can attainContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Some awesome flowers right now in the woods. On the Shawangunk Ridge, the wild azaleas are showing off their brilliant pink flowers. In the Catskills at about 2,800 feet in elevation, I found my favorite trillium–the painted trillium. May the Forest Be with You,Continue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I was doing some tree work at a neighbor’s property last weekend and heard a loud hum; Something I’ve only heard once before. Although I thought it was pretty amazing to watch, the owner–or beekeeper–wasn’t pleased. Unfortunately, her bees were swarming and leaving herContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? This May marks this grafted apple tree’s 10-year birthday. The ornamental apple in front of CFA’s office was “beheaded” back in 2014 and 2 pencil-sized scionwoods from a tastier apple tree were inserted where only 1 was left to grow the next year. TheContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? At dusk behind my house I’ve noticed this year for the first time that a woodcock has made my small orchard his courting ground for bringing in the ladies, or hens. Male woodcocks like to stake out small openings in forests where some lowContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? ‘Bradford’ pear is an ornamental fruit tree that gets a bad rap these days due to its poor growth structure over time. Normally it develops many codominant leaders that vigorously compete with each other and often lead to splitting. This condition can be reducedContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Now is the time of year to begin training your branches on newly planted apple trees; Something I wish I knew about and did years ago with other fruit trees. During the winter, remove branches with tight crotches and retain those with good branchContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Once in awhile I get a chance to visit a spot near Sparrowbush, NY. It’s actually in Orange County, but near the Sullivan County border on the Mongaup River. Eagle Creek Renewable Energy manages the Rio Reservoir there for making hyrdroelectic power. Upstream ofContinue Reading