Site Discussions

Thank you very interesting!

There is a very noticeable absence of the striped maple in our local forests. I went online to see what information I could find and there has been a big decline due to die-off of the female plants. Deer browsing, drought and other climate related impacts appear to be what is negatively impacting them. Sadly, another species disappearing.

Yes, I often hear the fisher blamed for missing house cats and would agree that fox and coyote are the more likely predator. I have never suffered a fisher attack on my chickens, but have had to deal with mass killings from raccoons and especially mink. Ironically, while weasels have quite the reputation for killing chickens, they’ve never bothered mine. Weasels have however cleaned out my barn of rats who were living under the floor boards and creeping out in the night to steal grain from our dairy goat stalls. In all the years I’ve lived here (more than 30) I’ve only ever seen fisher sign once on my property. That’s not to say that that they’re not here, we’ve successfully trapped a few not far away. I just get the sense from my own experience that they are more reclusive than their cousins; mink and weasel.

Well done!  The interview with Bird-Huggers was excellent!  You tackled a huge project and brought it to completion for the benefit of many who will enjoy it for years to come..people, pollinators and birds. 
Thank you for your efforts.

Loved reading about your technique.  It seems mine changes year to year and is based on wood I’ve had access to. I’m in a moderately cold part of the state, mean when it’s cold here, most of you would roll your eyes.  However a few storms last year left be set with firewood this year, now it seems hurricane Helene has provided me with more than I can process.  While my primary goal has been to help our community clear the roads, there are hundreds of oaks laying on the ground or hanging in the air, waiting to be cleared.  And while I’m at it the wood trucked back to the house. I can’t stand to see it go to waste. What recommendations do you have for storing wood for 3 or 4 years?  Thinking of building some kind of woodshed but am facing a problem I’ve not faced before. Wood wood everywhere.

We have a nesting pair of bald eagles and have seen juveniles in the past. This year we had 3 different juvies, each one a different year and thus various heads of white. One almost white, one quite mottled white and one just barely turning white. We’ve seen the circling, but I didn’t know what it meant, now I do. We’ve seen other various adult/juvie behavior, most recently there was a big ruckus in the tree

Thank you. I always learn something interesting from This Week in the Woods.

This fungus seems to have made its way to upstate NY. We unfortunately had to euthanize a porcupine that had severe hyperkeratosis all over its belly area with open wounds and bleeding. The poor thing was suffering and in pain. Hopefully there is something we can do to keep this from debilitating the porcupine population.

Ben, Yes, Chicken-of-the-Woods freezes well. I have been able to keep COW in the freezer for several months, then defrost, and sautée.

A thoughtful history of the natural projects of our city.  So interesting that Triangle Park was an extension of Charles Elliot’s vision for Boston’s green spaces. Having worked in Kendall Square for several years, it’s wonderful to learn about the intricacies involved in the development of micro forests, and shared community spaces that I frequented!

Hi Ethan,

I wanted to thank you and commend you for your very well written piece on selective cuts written some time ago. I’m a forestry consultant in Maine and was wondering if you would permit me to share your article with folks I interact with including clients, friends, and a local land trust? If so, do you happen to have a pdf of the article? Thank you! Michael

Seeing a live moose is on my bucket list.Your article was very interesting with informative facts.Thanks!

Came across this article and wanted to comment. We live in the mid-coast area of Maine. Thirty years ago Opossums were rare….now they are very common. We have two different possums that come by. We even had a mother possum at one point with babies lying across her back as she was transporting them. I don’t know how they are surviving the winters, but I think they may be getting into piles of brush and maybe underneath old porches.

“Up through the fog, a red-tailed hawk emerged, and for a moment we were eye to eye.” You really got me there Susie. There can never be too many of those wonder-full moments outside for me! Thanks

Wonderful! How I treasure our time in your Autumn Natural History class at Antioch. We talked about writing, but you did it.

Hi Chris Branson - That’s exciting news - that you want to be a part of the GIMBY “Glad In My Back Yard” Project”  Please reach out to Andrew Drummond at his Ski Shop called Ski The Whites : 211 Main St, Jackson, NH 03846 Phone: (603) 383-3142 See you in the trees!

The information in this article was very helpful to me - my squirrels get botflies and it’s really difficult to see them covered with warbles.

I am not an arborist or carpenter, just a 22 year old office intern. I came across this article by chance and found it delightful and interesting! I had no idea trees were capable of this. Thank you for the concise explanation :)

Thanks for posting this.  I recently acquired an old double bladed axe whose head had gotten rusty and has been painted.  Once I get the handle out, I will use electrolysis to clean the head.  I plan to reinstall the same handle, as it’s in good shape other than being grimy.

I have an extensive collection of “clay babies” found here in WA state.