WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Last week, I was between Callicoon Center & Roscoe, Sullivan County & noticed the remnants of a massive (isolated) hail storm that occurred back in June. Leaves had been completely shredded and lots of insurance claims from property damage too. These same trees areContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? On my way back home a week or so ago, I noticed an apple tree about 200 yards from the road I’ve seen a hundred times before. But this time, my eye wanted to focus on something that was different about it. There wasContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? After 8 years, I’m proud to present mulberry to the East Branch Delaware. I hope it remains for decades to come. Back in 2010, I planted 2 ‘Northrop’ red mulberry trees near Margaretville. These trees were grown initially in St. Lawrence County, NY & areContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Recently I went away to the North Shore of Massachusetts. I heard a familiar sound I haven’t heard in about 10 years; The sound of raindrops in the forest on a sunny day. Obviously no rain, but instead falling leaf particles from munching caterpillars busyContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I was burning a large brush-pile over the weekend & witnessed something bizarre. As I was raking the un-burned brush towards the interior where the flames were, I noticed a garter snake. Instead of slithering away from me into the surrounding high weeds, heContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Installed a Canopy Bird Feeder on my own property near the driveway. For CFA, we put these up for members high up in a tree and attached to a far outstretching branch to make it harder for bears & squirrels to steal seed from.Continue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The Apple Tree Grafting season is fast approaching its end. We might get an extra 2 weeks into May with the extended winter back in April. Had the chance to prune one apple tree earlier this winter & then return to it last week &Continue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Found some photos from last year during this time. We grafted a member’s apple trees on almost the same day in May of 2017. Note the difference in “green” & the flowering apple tree from last year & the lack of much of anythingContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I was lucky enough to visit a member’s bradford pear tree a few days ago that was grafted with an ‘Asian Pear’ scionwood or cutting. These pears seem to grow faster than anything else so far. We had to put in a stake toContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Spring? “Is it coming you ask?” The trees seem anxious to begin. A little rise in temperatures over the weekend surged bud break. My pears and a few apples began bursting. Red maples are popping over many parts of the Catskills. I picked myContinue Reading