WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Been busy making some “Doe-essence” soap for Christmas this year. Deer fat may not “melt in your mouth” like beef or pork fat does, but is seems to make a pretty hardy soap. Just make sure to render that fat first & have someContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? First snowfall of the year here in central Ulster County. One of my favorite things about fresh snow is the literal “track records” it leaves behind; now we know where the animals go. May the forest be with you, Ryan Trapani Director ofContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? “Volcano mulch.” Been seeing quite a bit of it lately while walking around. Volcano mulch is mulch that is piled up deeply around a newly planted tree. Although this might look aesthetically pleasing, it can cause butt rot and rooting issues as well. MulchContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? “Don’t kill deer daddy; that’s mean.” How does a father respond to such a statement from his 4-year old daughter? I empathize with fathers who give up hunting to placate their children. But, I think to myself she’s 4 years old & besides, sheContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Before the frost set in & the apple tree’s leaves turned black & fell off, I got a chance to inspect 1 apple tree graft experiment after 2 years of growth. So far so good. We’ll see how it goes next year & whetherContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I was out near White Lake, Sullivan County last week examining some hemlock trees. I think many are familiar with Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) & their devastating impact on hemlock trees. However, these trees were mostly absent of HWA. Instead they were riddled withContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The maple trees have now long turned yellow and red and dropped their leaves. Last week I mentioned how oak were then reaching peak foliage. Now, it’s the American beech’s turn. Their foliage can be surprisingly good. Sometimes they just turn brown, but thisContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Maples are finally letting go of their leaves down here in central Ulster County. Now it’s the oaks turn. White oak and red oak are beginning to turn a beautiful burgundy red. The Hudson Valley seems pretty late this year for foliage; some treesContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Dr. Mike Kudish (Author of “The Catskill Forest: A History”) had me out looking for 2 extremely rare tree species over the weekend in a large swamp in Ulster County for his upcoming Kaatskill Life article. More common up north in the Adirondacks, blackContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Found one of the largest black cherry trees I’ve seen yet, high up in the mountains. How many bears have climbed this tree over the years to get to its cherries? How many hunters/hikers have passed by it? It may have started growing afterContinue Reading