This Bonsai-like oak forest was seen in east-central New York. What caused the seedlings to grow like this?
What in the Woods is That?
Burning Time
It’s that time of the year when woodpiles are nearly gone. We pulled a few pieces from what we have remaining: can you tell us (left to right) what species we still have left to burn?
Twisted Trivia
Thanks to Sandy Dannis for sending along this artistic photo. Do you know what it is?
Lakeside Stumper
This group of trees grows along the shoreline of a lake in far northern New York. What species are we looking at?
Maple Rings
Patricia Liddle took this photo recently in Canaan, New York. Any idea what caused these horizontal deformities in the maple?
Mystery in the Mountains
What are these football-shaped objects, about .75 inch to 1 inch long, scattered on the snow of a dry site in the Taconic Mountains of Vermont?
Diamond-Studded Mystery
Winter Tree ID: Do you know what tree this is, with diamond-shaped bumps along its lower trunk?
Crazy Ice
Tom Norton sent along this photo at the end of December, with the following note: “Today my wife and I were walking near the Ompompanoosuc River in Thetford, Vermont, and were surprised to…
Sketchy Scars
Jerry Milne sent along this photo taken in Connecticut. The scars, seen on the uphill side of the trees, are about 30 years old, and they all got their start at the same time. Do you know what…
Weird Wires
What are these wire-like objects that have been exposed from beneath the bark of this dead ash tree?
Cobweb Conundrum
What are the thin, oval disks caught in the cobweb above the cavity of this sugar maple tree?
Rock of Ages
This worn, round stone stands out among its irregular peers. What's the story behind it?
Stick Boat Stumper
This still photo captures an action scene spotted by George Thomas in Littleton, New Hampshire. Do you know what is powering this stick boat?
It’s Not Scat
What are these round, ¼- to 3/8-inch-diameter objects scattered on the ground in this enriched northern hardwood forest? It’s not rabbit scat, and no one dropped a jar of capers.
Mysterious Underbelly
Demery Coppola of Guilford, Connecticut, found this leaf on the Saint Michael's College campus in Vermont during her Environmental Science lab. Do you know what’s on its underside?
Tree Friends
What do these three trees have in common? And can you name each: left, center, right?
Funny Ferns
These ferns were observed recently growing on/near calcareous rock. Do you know what species of fern this is?
Pale Green Perplexity
What are these small, skinny, pale green objects scattered on the forest floor?