WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I recently saw this sugar maple tree “fail” near Napanoch in Ulster County while driving around. Typically, large maple trees that are open-grown have structural defects caused by co-dominant leaders. These co-dominant leaders develop tight-crotches at their unions which cause cracking since they areContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Sometimes we humans think of animals or wildlife as fragile or chess pieces easily defeated when the game is not played to their benefit. I no longer see them as such. Sure, most deer behave in similar ways, and chipmunks, owls and rabbits too.Continue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? One of our member’s in Schoharie County had some good luck with his grafts from CFA’s APPLE TREE GRAFTING PROGRAM from 3 years ago. From “pencil-sized” scionwood (cuttings) to branches bearing apples in several years! These cuttings were grafted onto volunteer or wild appleContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? My favorite mushrooms–golden chanterelles (Canterellus cibarius)–are popping up all over the forest. They appear as tiny golden nuggets amongst the dark forest floor. These are my favorite since they taste really good, are easily identifiable, and seem to remain fresher, longer. Simply fry withContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Speaking of tree roots, here is a couple of examples of how adaptable & important tree roots can be. First, tree roots can really keep a stream-bank together as evidenced by this sugar maple. You can also see just how adaptable those roots haveContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Haven’t smoked some deer meat in awhile, but had a chance last weekend. Placed a cut from the hind-quarter into a brine (soy sauce, maple syrup) and smoked using shagbark hickory wood. My smoker uses my maple syrup arch (used to hold the pan)Continue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Finally got to do some Father’s Day fishing and brought home a few wild brown trout over the last couple of days. My favorite way is to bake ’em with bread crumbs, olive oil, lemon juice and maple syrup (towards the end of baking).Continue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Many of us might think that the more rain or humidity we get, the better for trees. This is true up to a certain amount. However, too much rain or humidity at the wrong time can be harmful to trees. This year, we’ve beenContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Well, this might be the largest sugar maple I’ve ever seen in the Catskills, or top 3; That’s for sure. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a diameter tape, but I’d say it’s well over 55″ in diameter at breast height. This behemoth was found growingContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I’m not sure you can tell or not from the photo, but one ash tree is looking healthier than the other. The ash on the right was treated 2 years ago, while the one on the left was untreated. This area in Sullivan County–forContinue Reading