Site Discussions

The explanations you provide for the merits of the “messy forest” are very convincing.  It’s reshaping my whole aesthetic when I look at our forests. My bias for “neat” is eroding.

Thanks for this very helpful article. We recently had a car totaled due to mouse damage in our garage and are trying to avoid a repeat! Peppermint oil spray and sachets seem to work and we’re using several traps with a few different baits. What about “natural” killers like baking soda, mashed potato flakes, etc. do they work? Do they harm predators? Thanks again!

I visit a nearby wildlife refuge weekly and a few weeks ago a harrier stopped by for a few days. We believe it to be the same one that comes through every year because its always in the same area. Its at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, in Oak Harbor, Ohio.

John,

Excellent article on the land-locked charr. Do you know whether, historically, they were found in any lakes or ponds of the eastern Adirondacks?

Sincerely, Peter DesMeules

Thank you for a well written, informative article. I have always been curious about isopods but, until now, never sufficiently motivated to learn more about them. I would, however, like to have had some of the attributes Mr. McCabe describes in his text shown in the illustrations.

Thank you for sharing those fascinating details. I sometimes think our compost pile must be 20% sowbugs. Now I know why.

Is there a recommended mowing schedule to promote milkweed growth and spread? I occasionally mow parts of what used to be a small pasture. It used to have abundant milkweed, but has dropped to around a dozen plant or so. I suspect I’ve been mowing at the wrong times.

I’m also curious if a mowing schedule designed to promote milkweed’s spread is also going to have the milkweed in a prime state for the Monarchs when they need it, or is there a different optimum schedule for providing Monarch food/habitat vs encouraging the spread of milkweed.

I enjoyed Tom Ryan’s perspective and his insightful comments about the state of forests and forestry in Berkshire County. My father Bruce Gullion, a service forester in Berkshire County in the 1950s and early 1960s, would have appreciated Tom’s thoughtfulness. I grew up walking and hiking many of those forested lands and especially loved Sheldon Fenn’s Woodburn Farm in Monterey. It makes me want to go back to witness the changes. This series with its focus on people and the current state of our woods is great!

@ Mr. Wood—f.y.i., at least with LeafSnap you can take a picture with you cell phone even if there is no internet connection, and use the identification feature when you’re back home.

Great to read and learn! Thank you for the education! Most helpful!

Great write-up, Ethan. I’m currently doing a crop and mast tree release on one part of our woods. A bit of the wood is coming out for firewood. A few trees will make decent saw logs. A couple are being pulled out for a friend who does wood turning. However, a large percentage are being left on the ground to rot, along with some that are being girdled to create snags. Your article is a great explanation to share of why I’m leaving it messy.

I have been interested in everything about the Paleoindians since I was a child. Middens on the Damariscotta River in Maine was my introduction. THIS is such good work, valuable, easy to read and understand. Fresh perspectives!

Great read, thank you for this.

I so enjoyed reading about Lynn and all she has done/is doing. I connected with her at a Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference.

Fascinating.  Love it.

What a fascinating adventure! I am involved with our local land trust here in Lovell, ME. One of our goals is to educate children and adults so they learn to feel safe and excited to be in the woods. If they love it and have some curiosity and knowledge, perhaps they will join in being care takers.

I love this article; how long do the dyes keep in glass jars, and are there any particular tips for storing?  Keep in a cool dark place, for instance?

Haven’t seen Roy in 50-odd years. He’s had quite a life. My grandfather was married to his older sister, Maudetta. The whole Amey family is very close to the land, which comes from living in that part of the world. I wish him well!

I enjoyed your description of spider mothers. The brief sampling of your writing reminds me of British author John Crompton, whose book, “A Hive Of Bees”, made me forever fall in love with the honey bee, the bumble bee, and other “friendly” bees. His and your writing offer the framework for an emotional attachment to these tiny, but wonderful creations of our loving God, Jehovah.

I’d like to hear your thoughts on firewood cutting. For years I heated my house with 3 cords of firewood and newer cut live trees. Lots of red maple both down and standing dead, most less than 8” dia. Occasionally cut blown down trees but never ones still alive. Firewood cutters in the aftermath of a logging operation significantly reduce the leftover woody debris. What do you think about this?