CFA-On-The-Air: From the Forest
Wednesday’s 6PM – 7PM
WIOX ROXBURY 91.3FM or www.wioxradio.org
Tonight’s Show: Catskills Trees with Gary Mead – American Elm
Every 3rd Wednesday we talk to Gary Mead about a different tree found in or near the Catskill Mountains. Tonight we’ll be discussing the American elm tree. Every tree is different, and there is always something unique & special we find out about it. Gary 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. Gary has also opened to the public –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?
I was pruning some young apple trees over the weekend and it was heartbreaking to see the damage that the voles have had on them. This landowner had planted over 400 trees and over ¾ of them seem to be fully girdled or eaten by meadow voles. The best way to keep these little guys away is to create an environment that is unfriendly towards them right around the tree. Mulch during the year to keep away the weeds, and then pull away the mulch from the trunk so that there is nothing the voles can seek cover in. Also, snowshoeing or snowmobiling around the trees can pack down the snow and reduce vole-tunneling under the snow-pack. I have heard that pea-stone or finely packed stone works well when placed around the tree to keep away weeds and voles too. All these trees had plastic tree guards, and the voles used them as staircases to reach higher on the trunks. Not good. Metal hardware cloth may work better since it can be buried an inch or so into the soil. Nothing is guaranteed, but we try our best.
May the forest be with you,
Ryan Trapani
Education Forester
Catskill Forest Association
