Native Tree Society BBS

It is shocking no doubt, but I find myself pleased to see a big tree, living or dead, instead of the typical scrubby and overstocked stands of stick timber that passes for forest around here. Even better if has a hole in it where I can imagine that an owl or pileated woodpecker lives. I wonder how l...

thanks Will. Ranger Dan sent me a msg. and also mentioned Gabes Mt. Is Holgen Branch off of a named trail in Cataloochie? I haven't been there since before the Hemlock catastrophe, but the photos look like some nearly pure stands were wiped out. About time I checked out those Elk too. Any observatio...

I have driven past this small stand of mostly Hemlock for years and lo and behold I finally scrambled up the slope to measure how big around they actually are: the largest is 11" 5" in circumference and the second is 10' 6"" Not champion size I know but the trees are still relatively healthy. A vaca...

It took me several years to figure out that sweet cherry could naturalize. I had some trees that looked like cherries but not any of the native ones. finally they put on a few fruits that were sweet. not expecting a good crop from them as the ones I planted just don't like the spring weather.

Hwy 194 in Avery County is closed now too. It actually failed and took out most of the road. Look! the sun is shining today.

from MP 375 N of Asheville to Hwy 128 at Mt. Mitchell State Park due to an unstable slope which has produced a deep crack in the roadway. I seem to have procrastinated on going to Big Butt too long. I was waiting for a more favorable weather forecast which never came. It would have to get quite dry ...

the students mobilized against it James. people were holding signs, talking thru megaphones, you get the picture. the faculty voted against it. the university board announced that the woods would not be cut. with enough citizen protest, policies can change.

recent article in Knox news states predator beetles "increasing in number" in the smokies, and the park is adding two new species. I was under the impression that the effort to establish beetle populations sufficient to impact the problem had been nearly a complete failure. anyone know the source of...

I have eliminated the use of imidacloprid as a borer treatment on my young fruit trees after a big honeybee dieoff in the area. I applied it only after bloom but the carryover effect in the next season is concerning. I will monitor and continue to treat my hemlock tho, at least until the stuff can't...

good work Josh. hopefully a "save" that will last.