WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? As many of you might know, American beech trees have been in rough shape since the mid to late 20th century from beech bark disease (BBB). BBB normally takes them out later in life, causing abundant root sprouting that can make walking through ourContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? It’s getting kind of late now, but 2 weeks ago the mulberries were in full-swing down in the Hudson Valley. I often find them behind some gas station poking through the forest edge and into the parking lot, leaning towards the sunlight. Normally aContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Gypsy moth have run their course and defoliated most of the oak where I live. Seems like they like white oak the most. Gypsy moth larvae are metamorphosizing into little brown moths. At this time, many of our defoliated trees–which are so bad thatContinue Reading
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