Sandy Damage at Deerpark

Spent a wonderful weekend at Camp Deerpark (see Camp Deerpark Forestry and Cabins at Camp Deerpark) working on some forestry stuff (thx, CDFST). Some of this was directed towards the large blow-downs (shown above) caused in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy. What a mess. The forest was really torn up and we lost a lot of trees. We were able to salvage some of the white pine trees that blew down and saw them up for boards for the cabins [NOTE: These will be finished soon and I will post some pictures].

The residual hardwoods seem to be appreciating the increased light levels. As is shown below in a core from a red oak growing in one of the blow-down areas, the post-Sandy growth rings (indicated by the red line) are considerably larger than those produced before the storm. Every cloud has a silver lining, I guess.

Gifts From Sandy

Sections of a large, approximately 40-inch diameter oak (Quercus sp.) tree blown down by Hurricane Sandy (see Waiting for Sandy) neatly stacked and hauled out to the curb. Not sure who is going to pick these up and remove them. Not even sure how they got them out to the street. Each one of these must weigh hundreds of pounds. Would be great firewood. Or coffee tables. 

Grace

One of the hundreds of trees in New Rochelle that blew down during Hurricane Sandy. This large silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) crashed between two parked cars, leaving both unscathed. Other cars and fences and houses weren't so lucky. About 65% of the households have lost power (including mine) and MetroNorth commuter railroad service is suspended. Will post when I can, but it may be pretty sporadic. [NOTE: The white pine in the side yard held it's ground against Sandy].

Waiting for Sandy

Here we go again (see Waiting for Irene). Hurricane Sandy is one its way to New York and it looks like it's a real big one that's going to stay awhile. Trains and buses and subways are all closed, as are schools and stores and offices. It has started to rain and the winds have picked up. We have done all the preparations that we can around the house and now we wait. Pumpkins are out on the front porch (see above) because Halloween is Wednesday. Hope they don't blow away. Hope Halloween isn't cancelled. [NOTE: Hope the big white pine tree (Pinus strobus L.) in the side yard doesn't fall on the house]. 

[NOTE (as I continue to wait): Wall Street Journal has an interesting comparison of Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. How Sandy is wider and stronger than Irene, and how this could be the worst East Coast storm on record. Gulp].