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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I seem to know which stores have gumball machines throughout the Catskills & Hudson Valley due to my sweet-tooth; I also know where the “sweet-trees” are as well. Some of my favorite finds are found near parking lots. I found this white mulberry behindContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Recently, I was fortunate enough to see 1 of 3 of the largest ash trees I know of in the Catskills. This Fleischmanns giant measured approximately 53 inches in diameter at the base. It was chemically treated 3 years ago, 2 years ago, andContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Recently there has been ample “rainbow weather.” Rainbow weather seems to occur when sunlight shines through scattered water droplets or mist. I didn’t catch it on camera, but I saw the largest rainbow I have ever seen last weekend. It was so large, itContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Spring in transitioning into summer fast and furious. Some of my apple and blueberries are already showing young fruit in the making. The swelling at the base of apple flowers normally indicates a future apple fruit is growing. The blueberries are already visible. IContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? It’s pretty warm out right now, but a few days ago we had some low temperatures reaching below 30 degrees. I have three different fruit trees flowering right now: peach, apple, and Asian pear. Peach and Asian pears seem like they were too exposedContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Sometimes I’m asked about which fruit tree to select for planting; The follow-up question is often about how long it will take to bear fruit. Often it might be 5 to 10 years. For some, this is too long, “I’ll be dead by then.”Continue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Spring has sprung and with it the bark of some trees is beginning to loosen up. Last week, I took the bark off a chestnut oak and ran it through the chipper. The bark will be used to make a “tea” or “liquor” forContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I have found both evidence of and presently living beavers far upstream in some mountain hollow or bowl, far isolated from the next beaver lodge. I always wondered how they knew a good spot existed far above them. How brave they must be toContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? My first case of “dumpster-diving” in the Catskills. I have witnessed deer on the eastern slope of the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County (Town of Gardiner) browsing Norway spruce trees one other time. The needles of Norway spruce are extremely prickly and deer stayContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I can’t speak for what works for others. But, in times like these I appreciate even more the forest that surrounds us and can be leaned upon. I can still make maple syrup, cut firewood to stay warm, and improve habitat in the summerContinue Reading