WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
Shortly after Memorial Day or so & into August marks the best time to peel bark from hemlock trees. Hemlock bark was traditionally used in the Catskills–and many parts of the eastern US–for making tanning liquor from. Bark is grinded up and water added to make a “tea” or liquor. Hides are then placed into the mixture for some time to make leather. I use the bark for hobby-tanning deerskins into leather. The “naked” hemlock logs that bark-stripping leaves behind was commonly seen in the mid-19th Century in these mountains. Many of these “bark roads” can still be seen today throughout the mountains; Pretty cool.
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association