Paul J Hetzler's Blog (25)
Forget Covid -- Lyme is Worse
Ticked Off Again
It seems the price we pay for warm weather is the onset of bug bites. Clouds of mosquitoes suck the fun out of outdoor activities, but one bite from a deer (black-legged) tick can put you out of commission for the whole season – maybe longer.
As recently as a decade ago in northern NY State it was unusual to find deer ticks on you even after a long day outdoors. Technically an invasive species, the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) is another gift from…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on May 5, 2020 at 10:12am — 1 Comment
Winter Buds, Sap Seasons
Added by Paul J Hetzler on February 29, 2020 at 2:39pm — No Comments
Forest Bathing
Trees by the Tub-full
Paul Hetzler
A hot bath is an age-old remedy for calming our nerves, but science has now shown that a better tonic for anxiety and stress is bathing in the forest, fully dressed. True story. Of course, a few details would be helpful.
In a blinding flash of the obvious, research has proven that being around trees makes us feel better. To be fair, the scientific process requires measurable evidence, so in this case, real-time brain imaging with fMRI…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on February 23, 2020 at 9:43am — No Comments
Re-Thinking Black Locust
Not Plagued by Black Locusts
Paul Hetzler, ISA Certified Arborist
Sometimes I wonder if the Biblical plagues of ancient Egypt have lingered in one form or another. Blooms of toxic algae, which occasionally turn water a blood-red color, are on the increase. Gnats and lice have been supplanted by deer ticks, which I’d argue are even worse, and there is no shortage of hail in season. Frog outbreaks may not have occurred since Pharaoh’s time, but poisonous cane toads imported to…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on February 23, 2020 at 8:38am — 1 Comment
Avoiding Split Trees
Wishbone Trees
Breaking a wishbone, some believe, may impart good fortune to the person left with the bigger half. When a tree splits, though, everyone loses. Fortunately, by engaging a tree-care professional, we can control whether or not a Y-shaped tree splits.
Growing up, our family’s Thanksgiving traditions were well balanced. First we ate a lot, but after dinner my two brothers and I engaged in vigorous exercise for thirty minutes or so. That’s usually how long it took to…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on November 19, 2019 at 9:19pm — 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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