WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Been grafting apple trees here & there. It’s a weird thing. I’m like a match-maker for apple trees. Taking scionwood from forgotten varieties planted in Sullivan County by God-knows-who & trying to connect them with a younger rootstock in central Ulster County. I justContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The maple season has begun for me in central Ulster County due to the mild January weather. I collected sap last night & gathered about 1 gallon of sap per tap. Sugar content was 2.5%; that translates into 33.4 gallons of sap to makeContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Spent some of my weekend renovating some old apple trees near Woodstock. This tree was probably pruned by someone 10 plus years ago. The “tree rings” on each sucker removed were about 10 years or more; it’s amazing how much growth these trees canContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Didn’t get a chance to make it into the woods much lately. Instead, the recent snowfall found me shoveling snow & splitting some wood. As you might already know, splitting wood can be quite easier (sometimes) after wood fibers have frozen. The wood “wants”Continue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Last night’s rain & today’s mild temperatures sure are taking care of any snow hidden here & there. Temperatures are relatively mild going forward into the 10-Day forecast too; almost resembling maple sugaring weather, especially if you’re lower in elevation near the larger valleys.Continue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? This morning found me thinking about rural odors; odors that I have to come to like (or always have). For instance, I happen to love the smell of manure; it reminds me that active agriculture is going on. This morning found me taking inContinue Reading
Drones in the Woods? Drones can be used to get a “bird’s eye” view of your woodland. You can see your entire forest, or how your small piece of paradise fits into the overall landscape. You can also use this unique view for future forest management as well. Call CFAContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Looks like winter temperatures are beginning to move into the Catskills this upcoming week. The high for Thursday – in the Central Catskills – is expected to be about 14˚F & a low of about 4˚F. Now is the time I’ll be searching forContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Stole some time for a couple hours Saturday evening & sat against an old stone wall waiting for a deer to show itself. Well, none showed up, but no matter. Waiting gave me some time to wonder how many hunters had hunted this littleContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Got a chance to take the gun for a walk on Opening Day of Gun Season. Saw a couple of deer. More notably, I watched a medium-sized black bear dig under leaves for food for 1/2 hour. He was so pre-occupied with his foragingContinue Reading