Tonight's Show: Catskills Trees with Gary Mead

CFA-On-The-Air: From the Forest
Wednesday’s 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 shagbark hickory tree. Shagbark hickory is some of the most dense wood you’ll find. Hickory nuts are also extremely desirable by wildlife as well as some humans; they taste like pecans, only richer! 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 at www.wioxradio.org to learn more.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Looks like a good crop of red oak acorns in some areas. Cherries (black cherry & choke cherry) seem to be fruiting fairly well too. I have also seen many elderberries as well. Yesterday on a member’s property we saw many nannyberries (Viburnum lentago). They taste sort of like raisins and grow in cluster like elderberries, but only larger.

May the forest be with you,
Ryan Trapani
Education Forester
Catskill Forest Association