How The Passenger Pigeon Changed North American Forests

In 1857, the Ohio State Legislature famously wrote:

The passenger pigeon needs no protection. Wonderfully prolific, having the vast forests of the North as its breeding grounds, traveling hundreds of miles in search of food, it is here today and elsewhere tomorrow…

Forty-five years later, the last wild passenger pigeon was shot and killed in Indiana. In 1914, the last member of the species died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo.

The passenger pigeon — a species once numbering in the billions — became extinct in a few short decades.

Barring a miracle in the field of de-extinction, no human alive today will ever see a living passenger pigeon that isn’t a biological novelty. No human alive today will stand in awe as massive flocks of passenger pigeons eclipse the sun and darken the skies.

But whether or not scientists actually figure out how to resurrect the dead, there is something many humans can experience today: the legacy left behind by the passenger pigeon on the North American landscape.

In a brand-new video, I discuss how the passenger pigeon profoundly altered North American forests.

You can watch the video here.

Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!

— Adam Haritan

The Great Hemlock Decline

I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of Shakespeare, but a particular line from Hamlet has always stuck with me.

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

These words come to mind particularly when I think about the current state of our forests.

Understandably, people are worried about the “unprecedented changes” occurring in woodland ecosystems. Invasive species are taking over, diseases are killing trees, and desirable organisms are failing to regenerate.

At any given moment, the state of our forests can seem rather bleak.

But when we recall the words of William Shakespeare, our perception of this matter shifts — especially when we consider something fascinating about eastern hemlock.

Many people know that an insect is currently threatening the health of eastern hemlock. Nothing about this situation seems good until we understand a critical piece of information: eastern hemlock is no stranger to threats.

In a brand new video, I discuss an important event of the past that may help us better understand modern-day forests.

You can watch the video here.

Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!

— Adam Haritan

Are Oaks in Trouble?

Before I share a brand-new video with you, I’d like to remind you that enrollment for Exploring Wild Ecosystems closes on Monday, June 3.

This online course improves your knowledge of ecology by introducing you to fascinating terrestrial and wetland ecosystems.

If you want to develop ecological literacy and be able to read landscapes more effectively, consider enrolling in Exploring Wild Ecosystems today.

Speaking of reading landscapes more effectively, we can predict future ecosystems based on current observations.

Consider a mature oak forest, for example.

Looking at an oak forest today, we might hope that conditions will remain stable for many years. Any native plant enthusiast will tell you that oak forests are repositories of biodiversity. Without oaks, other organisms that depend on oaks suffer.

But a quick glance at mature oak forests today tells us that significant changes are occurring. These changes, it turns out, aren’t particularly favorable to oaks.

Ecologists are worried about something that’s occurring underneath the towering oaks. This phenomenon has been happening to oak forests for the past 100 years. According to ecologists, it will persist without active management.

In a brand-new video, I address this important ecological issue.

You can watch the video here.

Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!

— Adam Haritan

Having Trouble Identifying Elms? Look for this feature.

Within the foraging community, people often promote rules of thumb.

• “When in doubt, throw it out.”
• “Collect no more than 10% of a particular species in an area to avoid overharvesting.”
• “It’s better to cut mushrooms with a knife than to pull them out of the ground with your hands.”

Generally speaking, I’m not the biggest fan of pithy guidelines such as those listed above. Some of them are helpful, but most require elaboration.

Here’s another example of a commonly promoted rule of thumb: “To find morel mushrooms, look under elm trees.”

I actually like this rule of thumb, but I don’t think it’s helpful for those of us who can’t identify elms. Some of us have trouble recognizing the ridges and furrows of elm bark. Some of us don’t notice the double serration of elm leaves.

Fortunately, a seasonal feature can help us identify elms right now. This feature will disappear in a few weeks, but if you look for it today, you will drastically increase your chances of finding elms.

What is this feature? Check out the brand new video to learn what it is!

And in case you missed the announcement, I will be releasing a new online course in May. Exploring Wild Ecosystems is designed to improve your ecological knowledge by introducing you to fascinating ecosystems — including alvars, barrens, bogs, dunes, fens, glades, savannas, vernal pools, and others!

To receive updates, please consider joining the notification list.

Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!

— Adam Haritan

The Medicine, Magic, and Spirit of Trees: A Druid’s Garden Guide

The Medicine, Magic, and Spirit of Trees: A Druid’s Garden Guide

Old Growth Hemlock — A Marvelous Sight

“Respect your elders.”

I like to think that I’m a decent practitioner of this advice.

I listen to old songs. I read old stories. I admire old monuments. I befriend older people.

But I’m only human. And I live in a culture that worships youth. As a result, I sometimes find it challenging to see the merits of old age.

Fortunately, I’ve discovered a solution: I walk through a forest.

When I walk through a forest, I am reminded by nature to respect my elders.

Old trees are especially good at providing these reminders — not through words but through their presence. Humans tend to feel a certain way when they’re surrounded by ancient trees. Science can’t fully explain why this happens, but it is a wonderful phenomenon.

During a recent walk through a forest, I encountered a few old eastern hemlocks. Fantasies of eternal childhood vanished the moment I saw them. Sensing an opportunity to showcase what I witnessed, I decided to film the experience.

If you’re interested in seeing a few marvelous trees, check out the brand new video!

Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!

— Adam Haritan

Finding A Decent-Sized American Chestnut Tree

It’s always a good day when I find an American chestnut tree. It’s an even better day when I find an American chestnut tree of a decent size.

Admittedly, I mostly feel this way because American chestnut isn’t an incredibly common species where I live.

A fungal disease known as chestnut blight kills most American chestnuts. The fungus cuts off the flow of water and nutrients within trees. Starved of nutrients, the trunks of American chestnuts die.

But the roots remain alive. They give rise to sprouts which eventually become new trunks. Sometimes these trunks live for many years, and sometimes I find them in the woods.

Such was the case a few days ago when I encountered a living American chestnut by chance. More than just a stump sprout, this particular American chestnut was a decent-sized tree.

Needless to say, I was excited. I promptly decided to capture the experience on film to show you what an American chestnut looks like in the autumn season.

You can watch the very short video here.

Speaking of decent-sized organisms, I recently found a large enoki mushroom. In fact, it was the largest enoki mushroom I’ve ever seen. To view a short video on that experience, check out the Learn Your Land Instagram and Facebook pages.

Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!

— Adam Haritan

Identifying Trees Without Looking Up

Conventional ways of doing things aren’t always the most effective ways of doing things.

Take tree identification, for instance.

We might think that we have to strain our necks in order to identify trees. If we don’t look up into the canopy, how else are we supposed to learn?

We can look down instead.

When we look down at the forest floor, we discover clues. After analyzing these clues, we can easily determine which trees are growing nearby — without even looking up.

During a recent walk, I attempted to identify trees based on what I observed beneath my feet. I brought my camera along to show you just how effective (and fun!) such an exercise can be.

If you want to learn how to identify trees without looking up, check out the new video!

I also recently posted a new video in which I discuss an edible mushroom known as hen-of-the-woods. To view that video, check out the Learn Your Land Instagram and Facebook pages.

Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!

— Adam Haritan

The New Disease That’s Killing An Iconic Tree

American beech has seen better days.

In recent years, a new disease has been threatening its health. Leaves are falling off prematurely. Trees are dying. Researchers are scratching their heads.

Since its initial detection, this mysterious disease has been spreading throughout 12 states and one Canadian province. Some people are already predicting what a world without American beech might look like.

What is this new disease? How bad is it really? Who is the culprit? And will chemical treatments work this time?

In a brand new video, I explore these questions.

You can watch it here.