CFA-On-The-Air: From the Forest
Wednesdays 6PM – 7PM
WIOX ROXBURY 91.3FM or www.wioxradio.org
Every 3rd Wednesday we talk to Gary Mead about a different tree found in or near the Catskill Mountains. Every tree is different, and there is always something unique & special we find out about it. Tonight we’ll be discussing the TULIP POPLAR tree. Tulip poplar – also known as yellow poplar – is a rarity in the Catskills. However as one travels down the line on state route 28 towards the Hudson Valley, it can be seen growing in nutrient-rich hollows, cloves, or coves, depending on your classification of such. Tulip poplar is our straightest growing hardwood, has unforgettable flowers and deep green and unusual cleft-shaped leaves; a beautiful southerner amongst our northern hardwoods.
Gary Mead is the owner of Fruitful Furnishings. Fruitful Furnishings began in 1979 as a custom furniture shop. Within ten years, a sawmill was added for producing dimension parts and providing custom sawing, planing, and kiln drying services to customers wishing to furnish their homes with wood from their own trees. More recently, Gary has added Gary Mead Gallery – located at the mill-site – which showcases one-of-a-kind pieces made from wood. Tune in at 91.3 FM or stream online @ www.wioxradio.org to learn more.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
Feeding woodstoves. This February has been a cold one, but you didn’t need me to tell you that. Although the 10-Day forecast can be unreliable, it can give you an idea of things to come. Looking at the end of the 1st week in March, and we’re still only around freezing for the highs. That means an extremely late start for maple sugaring in central Ulster County, even for Delaware. Now I wonder if the season will be short and fast as temperatures quickly rise, or a prolonged season into April; anyone’s guess. In any case, I had not burned much firewood this winter, until February. February more than made up for the late fall and early winter burning season.
May the forest be with you,
Ryan Trapani
Education Forester
Catskill Forest Association