Site Discussions

This is so funny. My former husband used to get our wood stove so hot it glowed. I was usually a nervous wreck certain he would burn our home down. I had such a sinus infection all winter because of the dry air.

I had three skunks under my storage shed and shop since July. They were raiding my cats dish on my front porch. I got to going out in the evening and setting when they came out and talking to them. They finally got so I could pet on them. They are still wild but somewhat tame. I don’t see them as much since it has started into winter.

Thank you Mr. Snyder for a most concise and informative article. My home town is known as the ‘City of Oaks’ and will typically produce very high quantities of acorns. Last year was an exceptionally high yield. This year, almost none. The stark contrast is quite remarkable.

Another point of interest, gleaned from these comments, is that while some areas of the country are very low yields this season other areas are most abundant.

Ax or Maul?? Well I use both. Ax for the smaller stuff, maul for the bigger stuff. We have a type of tree that grows here like weeds. I have been told that it is called Manitoba Maple. It is very tough to split. The grain twists and is very fibrous, stringy. I have to use the maul, and usually have to pound it through with a sledge hammer. You’ve had a work out after you have split a few of those. In closing I say what ever works for you. Work smarter not harder.
Tim

I have logged in this tri-state area for 33 years. I have seen plenty of coyotes, but I have seen the Coy-wolf animal for most of my career, too.

I’m impressed with the book written by James Mavor and Byron Dix: “Manitou.” It gives very convincing evidence that some stone structures in New England were technically very sophisticated, ritualized, astronomically accurate, features which have been studied and attributed to pre-contact inhabitants.

We too were inundated with acorns last season… Almost three acres of what seemed to be ball-bearings covering our yard to the extent that one put themselves at risk approaching the hillsides. 

We had an outdoor wedding in October and I blew all of the acorns to the edge of our woods offering up a virtual smorgasbord for the deer. 

The larger oaks are giving up their leaves earlier than usual this year and my husband has been out with the blower and leaf collector daily for over a week…lots of leaves for compost, but not one acorn!  Thanks for your explanation but I will continue to tell grandchildren that the seeds are for our plethora of squirrels to get them through the winter.

I saw hundreds of worms with yellow heads and tails weaving all over the show, with lots in one woven nest, they are not very big, about 2cm and fairly thin. I am wondering what they become.

I subscribe AND receive from NEFF to which my parents gave land in Middleton. Friend Pike Messenger sent me article on witches broom. Love your magazine!

After reading your article and the comments afterwards, I can only say we’ve had a wet and cold spring, a so-so summer and so far a warmer fall than usual.  After years of having acorns bombard our house it has been absolutely quiet this year.  Went out to rake leaves -  not one acorn (last year you couldn’t even walk in the yard for all the acorns).  So, I will be watching our weather extremely closely this winter.

I found a pale yellow large caterpillar with a dark brown head in my yard. Waxy looking….what is he????

Please let us know where we can obtain moth eggs. Do we go to an Ag university near us? Can we get moths that are also native to our area from you? You mention a person you got them from, but no contact information.

Your articles are a great help, thank you

I had heard that witches brooms from balsam fir, spread to blueberry bushes caused the blueberry to ‘broom’, and ceased their production of blueberries.  The fungus or disease often spread through mulches spread around the bush.  Wondering if you Joe, or others might be able to confirm this cause and effect?
Thanks

This article has solved what was a mystery to me. The trees in my area seem to have seeded no earlier than 1938 or so.  Many I have cut date to this time regardless of the size.  I had always been mystified by a mound and pit in my woods.  It is very noticeable and I had guessed that it might be the location of an old outhouse. It is located on a northeastern facing slope but the pit and mound are oriented pretty much south-southeast. There do not appear to be any other pit/mounds in the immediate area.

Jenn in PA, I know this is almost a year after your post, but we just happened to make scones with whole autumn olive berries in them, in place of raisins. They were delicious (much less tart than raw).

Very good article Ross. I never thought of carving it green. Much better than trying to keep logs and splits from checking.  It’ll certainly save on anchor seal.

Which is what I use to paint the ends, BTW.

I live in Maine. Are there any short tail mice…or would it be a vole or mole??  I saw something yesterday about 6” long w/ a short tail. 

I’d like to know if picking cones (taking squirrel caches) is detrimental to their winter survival. I pick for cash but not at the risk of their health.

I found a wooly bear (?) today in my garage.  It appeared to be all black.  I saw on another site that popular belief is that the less orange/brown on this caterpillar means a harsher winter for that area.  I hope not, but I’m sure it still won’t compare to other parts north of us.