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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST While “bushwhacking” through some thick mountain laurel, these 2 startled me; I’m sure I startled them too. The large mountain doe refused to go far from her fawn probably for 2 reasons: (1) Concern for her freshly dropped fawn; & (2) The density ofContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST For the last month, been out chemically treating members’ hemlocks through CFA’s TREE SAVER PROGRAM. This program is aimed at saving hemlock trees from succumbing to 2 exotic pests–hemlock woolly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale–that have been devastating these trees for decades. It’s hardContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST The bark of most trees–like a human’s face–change or “patina” over time. Young sugar maple appears smooth with few ridges and valleys. Middle aged sugar maple has typical ridge and valley bark throughout; The ridges run lengthwise along the trunk. As sugar maple enterContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Back in Middle School, I remember making the long trip after school from New Paltz to play Monticello in soccer back in the 1990s. Before that, I never really been to that part of Sullivan County. What I do remember–and found quite intriguing–were theContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST I found this little tree growing as a seedling a couple of years ago inside my fence-in area where I’ve planted some fruit trees. It’s one of my favorites–the tulip poplar or yellow poplar tree. It’s not really a “poplar” but actually within theContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST The significance of this sign seen on State Route 30 in Margaretville wasn’t lost on me. It’s something hopefully that will be more common in the future in the Catskill Mountains and beyond in the northeast. CFA conducted its first–very small–prescribed burn a weekContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Spring sure has sprung pear trees’ flowers this season. From ornamental to fruit pears in my backyard, they’re buzzing with pollinating bees. We’ll see if this Monday’s forecast in the 20s leads to frost damage or not. May the Forest Be with You,  Continue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST The firewood burning season is coming to an end as spring sets in. I haven’t cleaned my chimney in about 4 years since it doesn’t seem to need it annually or more from prior cleanings. Burning dry or “seasoned” wood does help. Also, well-insulatedContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST This is one of my favorite chainsaws; It’s the only Echo I have, but it weighs 5 lbs. and has a slim profile that fits well in tight spots while pruning out densely growing trees. Unfortunately, I ran into muffler issues where it justContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Getting ready to launch CFA’s first prescribed burn in Delaware County now that the Burn Plan has been approved by NYS DEC. Been testing out–with CFA’s Staff–our new fire suppression equipment. As soon as the weather gives us a window in mid-April, we’ll beContinue Reading