New England's Roadside Ecology with Tom Wessels

Terrestrial ecologist Tom Wessels, professor emeritus at Antioch University New England, introduces his latest book, "New England's Roadside Ecology", which features guided walks at 30 unique natural sites across all six New England states.
In the film, Tom leads us on one of the book's intriguing hikes, in the Kilburn Pond area of New Hampshire's Pisgah State Park, discussing a number of ecological features. There's much to be learned and seen here, including some old-growth forest, spiral tree growth, effects of the 1938 hurricane, and an unusual mystery surprise in the woods.
More info at www.neforests.com.
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Пікірлер: 205

  • @NewEnglandForests
    @NewEnglandForests2 жыл бұрын

    Please note: you are encouraged to comment and welcome to ask questions, but Tom does not monitor these posts and probably will not personally respond. -Ray

  • @christopherdermody42

    @christopherdermody42

    2 жыл бұрын

    Tom And you make a very good team..I really enjoy these and always learn more thanks

  • @mijiyoon5575

    @mijiyoon5575

    2 жыл бұрын

    Understand completely 👍👍👍👍👍😁

  • @drumb6261

    @drumb6261

    2 жыл бұрын

    We really appreciate both of your work thank you very much

  • @FlowerofDissolution

    @FlowerofDissolution

    2 жыл бұрын

    Watched several of Tom Wessels videos from you and I've grown a deep respect and understanding of the woods I've been wandering about until now. I'm mostly after shrooms or berries in the Swedish forests, but all of this knowledge will give so much more meaning to my forest trips! I can't thank you more! :)

  • @mnemosynevermont5524

    @mnemosynevermont5524

    Жыл бұрын

    Great info but the Pisgah ridge line is hardly "roadside."

  • @soteed
    @soteed2 жыл бұрын

    This man is the "David Attenborough" of America. His enthusiasm and love for his subject is contagious.

  • @TheINFJChannel

    @TheINFJChannel

    5 ай бұрын

    And Tom from @ExploreNewEngland Just had to throw that in there! ❤❤❤

  • @Vtmtnman42
    @Vtmtnman422 жыл бұрын

    This channel is a hidden gem.I've learned so much about the forest from you Tom.

  • @longlakeshore
    @longlakeshore2 жыл бұрын

    "The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep..."

  • @joycee5493

    @joycee5493

    2 жыл бұрын

    My favorite line from my favorite poem. There is so much love of the outdoors, of the woods and the tranquility of nature all wrapped up in that one simple line.🌲

  • @TheINFJChannel

    @TheINFJChannel

    5 ай бұрын

    From Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by the legendary Robert Frost (from Derry, NH) ❤ ALWAYS *always* _always_ list the author whilst quoting, please and thank you. ❤

  • @NotTheWheel
    @NotTheWheel2 жыл бұрын

    what a dream it be to work in the field of ecology.

  • @ssgg23

    @ssgg23

    Ай бұрын

    Yeah such an undervalued and underfunded field

  • @dougosbo5396
    @dougosbo53962 жыл бұрын

    Such a wealth of information. Taking into the woods what I’ve learned from these videos has enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the beauty of our woodlands.

  • @freddurbin9106

    @freddurbin9106

    2 жыл бұрын

    Tom this is the 1st time I have ever ran across this video so informative, I and my Wife live in Sylvania Twp., along with our Rescue Piebald Doxie Rescue 🐕 Dog. I loved this Video, I felt like I was right along side of you. You did a great documentary on this subject.

  • @freddurbin9106

    @freddurbin9106

    2 жыл бұрын

    I have been up in the New England area years ago, but not out in the woods great 👍 documentary.

  • @evergreen8965
    @evergreen8965 Жыл бұрын

    Thoroughly enjoyed this. Noting that the small hemlocks could actually be older trees was amazing. Happy hermit thrushes.

  • @Mephistopholies
    @Mephistopholies2 жыл бұрын

    This Tom Wessels guy is the Carl Sagan of forestry...

  • @vgorp3849
    @vgorp38492 жыл бұрын

    Blown away hearing how old those flat-topped hemlocks can be. It's wild to think that such a small, thin growth could actually be a 100 year old tree.

  • @theghostofteddyperkins3687
    @theghostofteddyperkins36872 жыл бұрын

    Great video! I could listen to Tom all day, sharing his amazing wisdom with us! I will be keeping an eye out for the book

  • @sydneyspeir5401
    @sydneyspeir540110 ай бұрын

    I hiked pisgah ridge trail two days ago and just now stumbled on this video. I graduated with a bs in ecology this year and I’m getting more out of these videos than I did from most of my professors. Thank you and I will be watching all of your videos!!!!!

  • @NewEnglandForests

    @NewEnglandForests

    10 ай бұрын

    Congratulations on the degree in ecology, such a fascinating field. Tom is an excellent teacher, so I'm sure you'll appreciate all the time you spend watching him in these films. You'll likely also appreciate the "Beaver Pond Wildlife" 5-part series on this channel, as well as "The Lost Forests of New England", "The Salamanders of New England", etc, etc. -Ray

  • @seanagon182
    @seanagon1822 жыл бұрын

    Mycorrhizae fungi wow. completely mind blowing facts. Conifers wouldn’t do with out. Root grafts so cool. Beavers targeting unwanted species!. 100 yr old 2” diameter trees!. Bark is key. Spiral direction genetic. Spiral density environment. Wind stunted trees! All this I didn’t know. Thank you Tom. So cool!

  • @chipper442
    @chipper4422 жыл бұрын

    Red Green is still at it I see……. I’m just teasing, I really enjoy these videos. Born and bred in New England, wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else. After all, we do have the BEST terrain for riding dirt bikes!

  • @monicareid8858
    @monicareid88582 жыл бұрын

    Ive been enjoying these videos. I just bought undeveloped land up the side of a mountain in Schuyler, NY. with soil over clay. Very private, and out of the way. It’s over a third planted white spruce timbers, has an overgrown field, streams, an old apple orchard area, and hardwoods. Species variation is surprisingly limited and repetitive (but there’s NO poison ivy!). A lot of invasives have taken over. There’s massive amounts of honeysuckle, clamitis vine(sp?), multiflora rose, hawthorn, several invasive succulents, etc. There’s also huge amounts of goldenrod, jewelweed, and a few plots of Joe Pie Weed. I’d like to carefully cull the invasives and plant smart native species to increase diversity without destroying the layer of root-held soil. It would be a terrific project for an ecologist if anyone is interested. Terrific venue for KZread videos-showing start through to finish. My background is in biology, with an ecological emphasis, and I plan to work on it on my own, regardless But a team of strong and knowledgeable folk would be wonderful (I have limited strength), and would share the joy of the woods-it’s beautiful, and has many different kinds of landscapes.

  • @kentonseydellaolcp4785

    @kentonseydellaolcp4785

    Жыл бұрын

    What do you know about the Soil Food Web and Dr, Elaine Ingham. To effectively combat invasive species you need to know how they change Soil biology to suit them and not the natives they took over from. And how to shift the Soil biology to favor natives.

  • @SHADOWSKY10
    @SHADOWSKY102 жыл бұрын

    Tom Wessels is so amazing that his videos actually make me tear up with emotion about how beautifully complex and interesting biodiverse ecology is.

  • @jonathankranz2799

    @jonathankranz2799

    2 жыл бұрын

    Amen. If you haven't done so already, read his books.

  • @FlyTyer1948
    @FlyTyer19482 жыл бұрын

    Okay, you just astonished me. Interspecies root grafting & sharing energy with a cutoff stump? Wow!

  • @user-qk3sc8rq9r
    @user-qk3sc8rq9r5 ай бұрын

    You have more knowledge of trees then I do about my first born.

  • @triciaroy
    @triciaroy2 жыл бұрын

    I could watch stuff like this all day long. Thanks for sharing.

  • @swampyankee72
    @swampyankee722 жыл бұрын

    If you ever go to Connecticut, Devils Hopyard State park in East Haddam is a must see. If you go through the main gate, at the bottom of the hill there is a gated road that goes to the right. Take a walk in and its an ancient hemlock forest. It continues on the other side of 8 mile river. Prepared to be amazed

  • @ho2cultcha
    @ho2cultcha2 жыл бұрын

    When i was in college in the 1980s, one of my professors told me about 'Reading the New England Landscape' and i ran out and bought it. I still have it after reading it many times. I treasure it! My family's land is along the Connecticut River about an hour north of you. We've been buying up the land over the years and now we can walk for two miles along the river and still be on the land. It's very beautiful with some old growth on it as well. I've been told that we have some of the tallest white pines on record. Now, i own a native plant nursery in California, but i love going back to our place in NH/VT every summer.

  • @NewEnglandForests

    @NewEnglandForests

    2 жыл бұрын

    I hope you’re aware of the 3-part film series based on that very book, on this channel, at kzread.info/dash/bejne/rJeAs9xmn7Wco9o.html

  • @JP-su8bp
    @JP-su8bp2 жыл бұрын

    Tom is a fabulous presenter.

  • @SamuelBolduc
    @SamuelBolduc2 жыл бұрын

    What a nice surprise this morning to see this new video. I could listen to Tom for hours, I find everything he says so interesting!

  • @philipstockton2983
    @philipstockton2983 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much ! I could have listened to you for hours , so informative . Mr Wessels you are a true teacher !

  • @koholohan3478
    @koholohan34782 жыл бұрын

    If you ever get to visit Beartown State Park in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, you will be absolutely enthused. It's a geologic masterpiece, draped with old tree, moss and ferns, large crevasses everywhere.

  • @pthomps1111
    @pthomps11112 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful video! I could listen to Tom talk for much, much longer!

  • @lilyobrien119
    @lilyobrien1192 жыл бұрын

    this man is a king. thank you for the content, legend.

  • @reidphillips2828
    @reidphillips2828 Жыл бұрын

    Great video Tom! What a gem you are!!

  • @boredwarlock5216
    @boredwarlock52162 жыл бұрын

    That's the hugest birch I've ever seen! Can't wait to get a copy

  • @superhseep
    @superhseep2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video Tom. Didn't know about spiraling. The ~90% genetic distribution is fascinating, and how lightning follows it. Long time fan of Reading the Forested Landscape. Now I'm really looking forward to New England's Roadside Ecology. And as a local New Englander, I'm also looking forward to seeing the sites for myself. Though it may take me a year or two to go to all thirty. Keep up the great teaching! I hope to make it to one of your guided walks soon.

  • @dreamwell2020
    @dreamwell20202 жыл бұрын

    I think my wife and I should give each other that book for Christmas.

  • @CodyWBrown
    @CodyWBrown2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Tom, Ray, and New England Forests!

  • @JSAC66
    @JSAC662 жыл бұрын

    Here in northern West Virginia, there is a 60 acre old growth forest we like to visit; your videos have shown us much to look for. Thank you.

  • @TS-xj5mt
    @TS-xj5mt2 жыл бұрын

    I had no idea you could even read a Forrest like a book not to mention all the stories the Forrest has to tell. Brilliant.

  • @opheliaflful
    @opheliaflful2 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating!!! I wished I lived in new England. Need to find one of your brethren in Florida. Thank you!

  • @BAC-bm8em
    @BAC-bm8em2 жыл бұрын

    The trees of New England were also cut to build ships for the British Navy. The shipyards of New England produced 10 ships a month at one time and each ship took 2,000 trees to build.

  • @NewEnglandForests

    @NewEnglandForests

    2 жыл бұрын

    You’d likely appreciate our film “Eastern White Pine- the Tree Rooted in American History “, on this channel at kzread.info/dash/bejne/lIWnmdCops_cpKQ.html

  • @denispelletier5850
    @denispelletier58502 жыл бұрын

    Respect from Quebec. Our landscape is seemingly near of yours and your reports are such interesting!!! Such a wisdom you share with us! Thanks you very much, Denis P

  • @getintothewildwithjeffruma8777
    @getintothewildwithjeffruma87772 жыл бұрын

    All I can say is thank you for sharing your wealth of information with the world.

  • @DJ-bh1ju
    @DJ-bh1ju2 жыл бұрын

    Magnificent seminar... I have an old 85 acre farm in Western NY and am seeing many of these features here. Thank you !!!!

  • @smeagolmazurenko5238
    @smeagolmazurenko52384 күн бұрын

    That's so interesting about the beavers. Such a fascinating critter.

  • @AnthonyAntTony
    @AnthonyAntTony2 жыл бұрын

    Tom is a treasure.

  • @kathym6603
    @kathym66032 жыл бұрын

    There is a small "woods" on my property in North Carolina. Now I understand it better. Thank you.

  • @eddie_wolf_
    @eddie_wolf_2 жыл бұрын

    Great Tom. Good to see you publishing new stuff. Thank You 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

  • @openabyss827
    @openabyss8272 жыл бұрын

    Grew up in New England, now reside in the south west. While it is wonderful out here, certainly do long for the density of the New England Forrests. What a great channel.

  • @skubeeraw
    @skubeeraw11 ай бұрын

    more!!! more series featuring this guy!

  • @coolworx
    @coolworx2 жыл бұрын

    Dude should auction off "Walks with Tom". I'd pay good money to spend an afternoon in the forest learning from this guy.

  • @timl.b.2095
    @timl.b.20952 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating information with a delightful presentation.

  • @lprks60
    @lprks60 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing and caring ❤

  • @va35bn
    @va35bn2 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful - can't wait to read through your new book!

  • @10Fountainhead
    @10Fountainhead Жыл бұрын

    Tom - You are as amazing as these trees!

  • @brianb6426
    @brianb64262 жыл бұрын

    What a great channel. A wealth of knowledge and wisdom you don’t find very often. Thank you Tom for taking the time to share your knowledge

  • @lotsoffish
    @lotsoffish2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Tom, it is always a pleasure to watch one of your videos.

  • @joycee5493
    @joycee54932 жыл бұрын

    Oh wow, the size that yellow birch! Fantastic

  • @lako2582
    @lako25822 жыл бұрын

    Amazing information and well presented. My new favorite KZread channel.

  • @ericwid
    @ericwid2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks 👍

  • @marilynwargo6288
    @marilynwargo62882 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Having grown up in New England woods, this is a delightful way to revisit and learn more about the places, trees and plants I will always love.🌸🐌💙

  • @tuberzish

    @tuberzish

    2 жыл бұрын

    I've lived and worked long enough in the woods to see fields and meadows fill in and "disappear", yet there are other areas where the trees seem to have stopped growing. Now I have a better understanding of what may be happening there.

  • @scott4259
    @scott42592 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Ray and Tom this is wonderful. Always a joyous day when a NEF film is uploaded!

  • @roelex144
    @roelex1442 жыл бұрын

    As a horticulturalist and arborist by trade, I tend to get so focused on what is going on in the landscape industry. It is so nice to watch stuff like this and nerd out over trees and plants.

  • @shawnbixby1
    @shawnbixby12 жыл бұрын

    Please post link to book when available. Very excited visit these sites with family!

  • @NewEnglandForests

    @NewEnglandForests

    2 жыл бұрын

    The book should be available mid-August ‘21, and can be pre-ordered now, from the usual booksellers.

  • @shawnbixby1

    @shawnbixby1

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@NewEnglandForests Thank you.

  • @KarlBunker

    @KarlBunker

    2 жыл бұрын

    Amazon pre-order: amazon.com/New-Englands-Roadside-Ecology-Explore/dp/164326009X

  • @ashleyromero5302
    @ashleyromero53022 жыл бұрын

    I’m so curious about the information exchanged among the forest floor network. Also how cute are those porcupine! Love this channel, I’ve lived in New England /hiking most of my life here and I’m learning so much.

  • @freddurbin9106
    @freddurbin91062 жыл бұрын

    Tom I just found out about this video posting, super great 👍 documentary, I just started watching your video today, you do a great job 👏

  • @NewEnglandWildlife
    @NewEnglandWildlife2 жыл бұрын

    Great job New England Forests! 👍

  • @interstellardeskplant
    @interstellardeskplant2 жыл бұрын

    As an avid hiker, your videos have increased my enjoyment out of hiking even more now that I have some ideas about what is happening in the woods around me. These videos are always fantastic and Tom does a great job of explaining these concepts in a way that is easy for all to grasp. If you ever make your way into the west, I'd love some videos about the ecology of say California forests, where I primarily hike.

  • @keith6308
    @keith63082 жыл бұрын

    The book sounds awesome, gotta find one for Pennsylvania like that.

  • @MoeElliot
    @MoeElliot2 жыл бұрын

    Tom Wessels is awesome!

  • @terrymorton7444
    @terrymorton74442 жыл бұрын

    I recently bought your book and I am enjoying it quite a lot and have been to 4 different Sites thank you. I've always enjoyed the forest and hiking but now knowing what I'm looking at and how to decipher the forest has been a real benefit to me

  • @jacelandadventures1523
    @jacelandadventures15232 жыл бұрын

    so so good! amazing information thanx for sharing!

  • @dashlamb9318
    @dashlamb93182 жыл бұрын

    Love your videos! I wish you lived in Missouri. We have some nice forests here and I've been interested in trees all my life. Thanks again.

  • @j121212100
    @j1212121002 жыл бұрын

    so glad i discovered your channel! fascinating!

  • @firefighterd1265
    @firefighterd12652 жыл бұрын

    I would love to go for a walk in the woods with this guy.

  • @RobMutch
    @RobMutch2 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic videos. Thanks for posting.

  • @peehandshihtzu
    @peehandshihtzu2 жыл бұрын

    Discovered a peculiar grove of trees here in western Washington recently. Not only have I lived in and frequented the region all my life and have never seen these but I'm having a tough time identifying them. The most notable characteristics are that they are deciduous and the very uniform and striking grey bark with a hint of blue that is fairly smooth. They are absolutely lovely. Anyone have any guesses to what they could be. Some extra detail is that they are not typical to this area but being that they are in an old growth protected area I do believe them to be native. Any guesses as to grey barked trees of this region would be helpful, I just don't even know any grey species here TBH. Thanks, Great video, I love these and happy 4th. :)

  • @NewEnglandForests

    @NewEnglandForests

    2 жыл бұрын

    My suggestion would be to post some photos of the trees on the Native Tree Society bulletin board site, www.ents-bbs.org ... you’ll likely get an answer there.

  • @peehandshihtzu

    @peehandshihtzu

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@NewEnglandForests Hey thank you so much, I appreciate the direction. :)

  • @forestxander
    @forestxander2 жыл бұрын

    Great videos. Bet his classes are highly enriching.

  • @goognamgoognw6637
    @goognamgoognw66372 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating. Tom Wessels is a fountain of knowledge on trees.

  • @JXZ-JAM
    @JXZ-JAM2 жыл бұрын

    It's also remarkable how dogmatic some institutions are , who still teach and claim the whole complete competition even between genetically related individuals while dismissing the interconnections of these ecological systems. Times are changing thankfully however, largely in part thanks to Peter Wohlleben, Elaine Ingham, Allan Savory, Suzanne Simard......and of course people like you Tom Wessels. I thank you and commend you.

  • @geschaftsmanngeschaftsmann6891
    @geschaftsmanngeschaftsmann68912 жыл бұрын

    Never considered that porcupines were as dependent on trees as beavers, what an interesting fact. Also, going into fantasy, the Lord of the Rings books include many accounts of trees communicating with each other and helping each other. The interconnected root system is quite interesting.

  • @jdhinckley1954
    @jdhinckley19542 жыл бұрын

    I love these videos and have learned so much about the New England forests that have known all my life. Grateful to the filmmakers and Tom for taking the time to do this!

  • @PondokKlene77
    @PondokKlene772 жыл бұрын

    Hutannya lebat dan suasananya sejuk dan terjaga dengan baik.

  • @daviddavid-ud9bt
    @daviddavid-ud9bt2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you SO much for posting these videos. I learn more here than I did in Forestry school.

  • @NewEnglandForests

    @NewEnglandForests

    2 жыл бұрын

    Others have said that too. Tom is one of the best teachers out there.

  • @nickmale4167
    @nickmale41672 жыл бұрын

    I love learning fragments of the knowledge Tom possesses, would love to see him do a video in Maine

  • @mikezettek2304
    @mikezettek23042 жыл бұрын

    The next best thing to walking and interpreting the landscape with you, Tom. Thanks for this!

  • @petersuriner2928
    @petersuriner29287 ай бұрын

    Just for information sake, October mountain state forest in Berkshire county mass is 16500 acres.

  • @artbyty
    @artbyty2 жыл бұрын

    I love these videos!

  • @danlevecque7203
    @danlevecque7203Ай бұрын

    Great presentation

  • @goodun2974
    @goodun2974 Жыл бұрын

    I am reminded of the Paul Newman movie "Hombre" where Richard Boone says, "Mister, you sure got some hard bark on you...."

  • @filippofortuna4652
    @filippofortuna46522 жыл бұрын

    does anyone know, wether I can find any youtube channel or video repertoires dealing with european forests like New Englands Forest does? The quality of this service is astonishing, keep up the good work!

  • @elizabethstatom4456
    @elizabethstatom44562 жыл бұрын

    It's joy walking in the woods with you. Thanks.

  • @christiaanbon3805
    @christiaanbon38052 жыл бұрын

    As always, incredible insight by Tom. Thank you for continuing to post interesting content.

  • @anthonymorales842
    @anthonymorales8422 жыл бұрын

    My orientation to these new england forest are the native trout streams. Everything radiates out from that orientation.

  • @trevorg2349
    @trevorg23492 жыл бұрын

    This channel reminds me of reading Ken Weber in the providence journal every saturday morning when I was a kid

  • @brocktoon8
    @brocktoon8 Жыл бұрын

    Your videos and knowledge fund is so wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

  • @jonathankranz2799
    @jonathankranz27992 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely marvelous! Pisgah is one of my absolutely favorite walking spots, and Tom Wessels has really done it justice. So much to see!

  • @apelincoln1616
    @apelincoln16162 жыл бұрын

    Intriguing and useful content to that is well explained. I wish someone would make videos like this for the southern woodlands

  • @tolbaszy8067
    @tolbaszy80672 жыл бұрын

    Beautifully done! Thanks!

  • @almollitor
    @almollitor2 жыл бұрын

    So much great information! I didn't know black birch could be so old or that porcupines could impact the hemlock in an area for generations.

  • @petehendry4756
    @petehendry47562 жыл бұрын

    Great video ! thanks for posting .

  • @protectanimals9792
    @protectanimals97922 жыл бұрын

    What a great education I just got. Great job Tom. Thank you !

  • @2321macsr
    @2321macsr2 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Thank you!

  • @wazoologist
    @wazoologist2 жыл бұрын

    Amazing information again. Thank you for your vids.

  • @SoNoFTheMoSt
    @SoNoFTheMoSt2 жыл бұрын

    So glad i subscribed :) i needed something awesome to watch :)

  • @TheSkatingAces
    @TheSkatingAces2 жыл бұрын

    Incredibly well explained!!