From The Forest

Occasionally, each 1st Wednesday, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest.  CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester Erik Heidenfelder, Forest Technician Jen Betz, Forest Process Efficiency Coordinator 

On this week's show we'll be talking to Ethan Cramton. Ethan will discuss past, present, and future forests in the Catskills region, industry trends, and highlight the recent development of Baillie Forestry Division's Private Land Management Program. Ethan Cramton is the Manager of Baillie Forestry Division's Private Lands Program, a growing division of the Baillie Group. He received his BS from C...

Every 3rd Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing the pitch pine tree. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware Count...

Join Zane and Erik as they discuss their experiences working in the landscaping and tree care industry. They'll discuss their first impressions, learning on the job, what they liked about it and what they didn’t.

Each spring, Ryan takes a walk near where he grew up--the Shawangunk Ridge. We'll talk about this unique area, its history, how it's changing, & where it might be going.

On this week's show, we'll discuss some "Forest Forensics." Forest Forensics can be defined as the "Study of the history and ecology of forests by analyzing visual clues in the landscape... It helps us understand past human activities and natural events that have shaped the forest environment."

Every 3rd Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing the bald cypress tree. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware Cou...

On this week's show, we'll be discussing some of the most melodic summer songsters of the Catskill Mountain forest--the thrushes. Mike Porter knows his birds & we'll get some insight about these summer migrants. Mike is a retired teacher from Margaretville Central School. He taught Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science Research in the High School, Driver Education and several elementar...

Tom's been on the show before discussing his business--Woodsman Forest Products. However, Tom is also a long-time listener of the show and has questions for the Staff of Catskill Forest Association. We'll "talk shop" with Tom about the forest, wood products, forest management, mushrooms and mushroom logs, sawmilling, and more.    ABOUT TOM Tom is a retired EMT & still is an EMT (volunteer). He...

On this week's show, we'll be talking to Jason Egan from  Egan Performance Saws . He custom builds parts & accessories in Idaho--with his wife Kara-- to make your saw awesome.

Every 3rd Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing the American persimmon tree. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delawa...

Spring is in full swing now, and it's time to reflect on all that firewood we burned this winter. We'll get Mike Porter's thoughts about all that and more. Mike is a retired teacher from Margaretville Central School. He taught Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science Research in the High School, Driver Education and several elementary and junior high courses over his 33-year career. In 1988 h...

On this week's show, we'll be going through the process of grafting mainly "wild" or volunteer apple trees. CFA's grafting season normally runs from mid-April into May.

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. This week Zane, Jen, Giovanna, and Erik will dive into what they've been up to and what their plans are for Spring. CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester Jen Betz, Forest Process Efficien...

On this week's show, we'll be discussing how Giovanna inoculates mushrooms--mainly shiitake and now oyster--through CFA's FOREST FARMING PROGRAM. Giovanna is also looking into growing other mushrooms for members. Giovanna was hired full-time as CFA’s Education Forester in December 2024. She earned her Associates of Applied Science from The New York State Ranger School of SUNY ESF in May 2024. She...

Every 3rd Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing Gary's recent trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New...

On this week's show we'll be discussing Apple Tree Pruning, especially those overgrown ones.

On this week's show, we'll discuss with Joel Riotto & Carl Grocholl the benefits of food plots to deer and other wildlife. About Joel Riotto Joel Riotto resides in New Jersey and the Catskill Mountains of New York State. He is also an author of many archery and bow-hunting publications such as: Bowhunter Magazine Traditional Bowhunting Magazine Archery World Magazine Professional Bowhunting So...

The 2026 maple sugaring season has begun. On this week's show we'll discuss some of those stories and topics that often come up while sitting around the maple boiler. 

Every 3rd Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. Last month it was pear; This month we'll be the peach tree. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delawa...

On this week's show, we'll be discussing the importance of prescribed fire on deer habitat with Oklahoma State University's Mark Turner.  Mark Turner is an Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. His research and Extension programming focuses on applied habitat management practices including prescribed fire, forest stand i...

On this week's show, we'll be talking to John Musacchia about his experiences with burning his land in the Catskill Mountains. John used to live down south where burning is far more common. He is an avid hunter & former owner of Muzzy Broadhead.

  On this week's show, we'll be talk about how humans can co-exist better with beavers--and some of the cool things about this busy animal-- with Aaron Hall. Aaron is the Program Director for The Beaver Institute. The Institute's Mission is "to be a catalyst for advancing beaver management and watershed restoration, training mitigation professionals, supporting scientific research, and increasing...

  Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing the pear tree. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. We'll also introduce CFA's new Forest Technician--Erik Heidenfelder.     CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester Jen Betz, Forest Process Efficiency Coordinator Erik Heidenfelder, Forest Te...