Paul J Hetzler's Blog – August 2020 Archive (4)
Learning to Speak Pine
Pine Whisperers
The term psithurism (sith-er-izm) doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but it’s not meant to. The word, from the Greek psithuros (whisper), indicates the melody that rolls off pine needles in a gentle wind. It also means the sound of “proper” leaves shaking in the treetops. Obviously, we need another word, because these two things – whispering pines and rustling leaves – may both soothe us, but they sound quite different.
In our little home in the…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on August 29, 2020 at 9:56am — No Comments
Tree Defenses
Tree Protection
Paul Hetzler, ISA Certified Arborist
As someone whose job it is to help preserve trees, I find it ironic that in nearly every case I am saving them from us. We injure their root systems, whack them with mowers and weed-eaters, plant them too deeply, and do many other things which jeopardize their health. It would be terrifying if they could fight back in the manner of Tolkien’s magical Fangorn Forest. For one thing, tree work would be a lot more dangerous than…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on August 22, 2020 at 3:24pm — No Comments
The End of Sugar Maples?
Maples on the Move
Unless trees are wondrously furtive, I’m pretty sure they don’t travel. But their species ranges can. A report from the US Forest Service’s Northern Research Station indicates that due to climate change, 70% of Eastern tree species have already begun to shift their ranges to the north. The authors admit this is not a new trend, but rather the hastening of an old one:
“Tree ranges in ancient times certainly shifted according to changing climates, but the…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on August 19, 2020 at 8:50am — No Comments
The End of Sugar Maples?
Maples on the Move
Unless trees are wondrously furtive, I’m pretty sure they don’t travel. But their species ranges can. A report from the US Forest Service’s Northern Research Station indicates that due to climate change, 70% of Eastern tree species have already begun to shift their ranges to the north. The authors admit this is not a new trend, but rather the hastening of an old one:
“Tree ranges in ancient times certainly shifted according to changing climates, but the…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on August 19, 2020 at 8:50am — No Comments
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How to find a Forester
Started by Hannah in Forest Health Jun 25. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Hello! We have purchased a large property in Tioga County, and as part of our contract, we have agreed to put together a forest management plan, which will require working with a local forester!I am hoping to get some advice as to how to find and…Continue
Tags: Forester
Prscribed burns
Started by Gail Sanford in Woodlot Management May 25. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Have prescribed burns for forest health been done in the Finger Lakes area or on Arnot Forest? Thank you.Continue
Sapling Puller
Started by Daniel Farrell in Woodlot Management. Last reply by Peter Smallidge Apr 20. 1 Reply 0 Likes
I'm seeking a broader perspective on devices for manual pulling of undesired shrubs and saplings. The intent is to mechanically remove, including roots to the degree possible, sapling sized invasives and non-invasives in woodland trails and…Continue
Sapling & Shrub Puller Field Guide
Started by Daniel Farrell in Woodlot Management Apr 19. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Click on linkSapling%20and%20Shrub%20Puller%20Guide%20Final%204.19.2026.pdfContinue
Small-Scale Logging
Started by Peter Smallidge in Project Profiles. Last reply by John McNerney Apr 1. 7 Replies 1 Like
Small-Scale Logging: Sugarbush and Woodlot Management Issue: Many woodlot owners and maple syrup producers want to be more active in gathering logs or firewood from their property. Often there are too few acres or too few trees to attract a…Continue
Tags: yourself, harvesting, woodlot, management, it
Practical Woodlot Improvement: Mulching, Drainage Work, and Long-Term Maintenance
Started by Jeremy Edmister in Woodlot Management Jan 27. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Many rural landowners I talk with want to improve woods access, reclaim overgrown edges, or start grazing in a section without making a mess of the land. I’ve found that choosing the right tool depends on your goal, and having a long-term plan is…Continue
grafting beech
Started by Allen Nichols in Woodlot Management. Last reply by Jim Martin Jul 4, 2025. 3 Replies 0 Likes
I am a director for the NY chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. We expect to have a blight resistant tree to introduce to the public in 5 to 10 years.In the interm, before we have blight resistant nuts from these trees, I would like to graft…Continue
Pruning larch and spruce
Started by Jim Martin in Woodlot Management Jul 4, 2025. 0 Replies 0 Likes
I have 20 acres of 25 year old larch and spruce. I would like to prune about 10 percent of them to improve the quality of the timber 50 years down the road. I have heard that pruning green branches can lead to infection unless done at the right…Continue
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