If you like the woods, like to read and like dogs...you may like to hear about WOODS DOG, a short book available for free at www.woodsdog.us !

Part of the excitement of visiting a woodlot is to use some basic ecology skills to inform your understanding. This past fall an early snowstorm tore branches from many tree canopies and they are now strewn across woodlot floors. Of particular interest are the red oak branches -- many of which are still displaying the dry, russet leaves that had not fallen before the snow.

These branches have a story to tell. As with the leaves, many of these branches are still holding onto acorns that should have ripened and fallen last autumn. These are nearly full size and very evident. But that is last year's story. Clearly, in some parts of the state, there was a fairly good crop of acorns. These acorns are a form of mast -- or forest food-- which is very important to many of wildlife species. Deer, turkeys, bears, grouse and squirrels are very dependent on acorns. Foresters and landowners interested in regenerating red oak have huge interests in the red oak seed crop.

A great resource featuring Web Seminars is available from Penn State Natural Resources Extension. You can link to their main page here.

These web seminars (also known as web casts and webinars) feature articles that will be of interest to anyone managing a woodlot as well as those with a general interest in trees, forests, and related topics. Their main page provides you with the option of linking to previous seminars and viewing upcoming seminars.

You will need to register to participate in the live webinars. Click here for registration.

I am moving away from using this blog for information on Trees of PA and using it instead to run press releases, recommend articles, and suggest links to other resources on tree and forest topics.

Previous posts from the admin blog on website information will be moved to another section.

To submit a press release or to recommend articles or links, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tips to Assist You in Getting the Most out of Trees of PA

Your first visit several visits to Trees of  PA may leave you wondering exactly what is available and trying to figure out where to begin. Since we have a lot to offer, I would like to make a few suggestions to make the process easier.

Register (and log in)!

Although everyone has access to most areas without logging in, to get the most out of Trees of PA you will need to be registered and logged in. You can register from our Home and Community pages.