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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Sometimes this tree can be confused–when the leaves fall off–with oak; Its bark is similar when it reaches old age. But it’s really big-tooth aspen or as some might call it, “poplar.” If you see it growing in a mature forest, it can beContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Recently was looking for that special, long-lived perennial forest herb–American ginseng. It likes to hide. The section of forest I was in was looking so “shangy” that I thought it would be easier to find, but it rarely is. This plant was hiding besideContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Well, as many of you are aware, we’ve been getting some rain lately. And with all that rain brings mushrooms. Is this the biggest giant puffball you’ve ever seen? I know it’s the largest one I have. Kris McShane found this puffball in NewContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST White pine makes the “naughty list” when it comes to trees near your home. This large tree has a beautiful crown that often sticks above the surrounding crowns of neighboring trees. While this is beautiful out in the forest or in a field, thisContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Last year wasn’t the best season for finding mushrooms; Seemed pretty dry. Over the last week, it has rained quite a bit and brought out more mushrooms than I can remember. The mushroom I’m holding in this photo is golden chanterelle; It’s my favoriteContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST One of the tallest trees in the eastern US is this tree–the eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides). Normally this tree is found in the larger valleys or floodplains of the northeast like the Hudson River Valley. This cottonwood was found by its lonesome on aContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Lots of storm damage from high winds over the last few weeks in Ulster County. I’ve been watching this large red oak tree since 2012. It has (or had) 2 large leaders that come together in a tight spot or “v-crotch” causing moisture andContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST In early July, I took my 8-year-old son deep inside one of the more remote areas of the Catskill Mountains for an overnight stay. This section is one of “Dad’s secret spots” as my kids say. I’ve been going to this section since 2004Continue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST From roughly late May into August, this was once a commonplace scene in the mid-19th century. Bald hemlock logs gleaming on the forest floor, made so by the peeling of their precious bark. The bark was grinded up to make a “liquor” or tannicContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST Been treating this ash tree near Walton, Delaware County since 2017. In some areas of the Catskills, the only large ash trees left alive from the ravishing emerald ash borer are the ones CFA chemically treats. This ash is particularly nice. All by itsContinue Reading