First Growth Forest in the Catskills with Forest Historian Dr. Michael Kudish

Back in August, we had Gary Mead discuss old growth trees; We didn't get into deciphering the difference between "old growth" & "first growth." This week we will, with Dr. Michael Kudish. Mike has been mapping "first growth" forests for decades in the Catskill Mountains. We'll get Mike's viewpoint on defining each and what makes "first growth" so special to him.

"Michael Kudish received his Ph.D. at the New York State College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse. In 2000, Purple Mountain Press published The Catskill Forest: A History. As a professor emeritus in the Division of Forestry at Paul Smith's College, he has also written four books on the vegetation of the Adirondacks, including Adirondack Upland Flora and a number of articles on forest history of both the Catskills and Adirondacks. As a railroad historian, he has written volumes on the subject of railroads in the Adirondacks and the Catskills."