Steve Voelker
@thetreecorener.bsky.social
Mostly a forest, tree and plant nerd. I teach about climate change. Expert in plant ecophysiology & stable isotopes & dendrochronology. I also study fish through their otoliths. Husband and Dad. Assoc Prof of Forest Ecology & Mgt at Michigan Tech.
Your backwoods knowledge score is 10/10 if you know what this is immediately.
Found it this weekend under a small rowboat on the shore of a remote, undeveloped lake on Forest Service land.
Found it this weekend under a small rowboat on the shore of a remote, undeveloped lake on Forest Service land.
November 10, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Your backwoods knowledge score is 10/10 if you know what this is immediately.
Found it this weekend under a small rowboat on the shore of a remote, undeveloped lake on Forest Service land.
Found it this weekend under a small rowboat on the shore of a remote, undeveloped lake on Forest Service land.
A recent photo from Silver Mountain (shown at the top, center of DEM image below).
One of my favorite places in the UP.
During the summer of 2000 I camped many weekends in the shadow of Silver Mt because my first forest ecology research job as an undergrad only paid for hotels during weekdays.
One of my favorite places in the UP.
During the summer of 2000 I camped many weekends in the shadow of Silver Mt because my first forest ecology research job as an undergrad only paid for hotels during weekdays.
November 7, 2025 at 4:21 AM
A recent photo from Silver Mountain (shown at the top, center of DEM image below).
One of my favorite places in the UP.
During the summer of 2000 I camped many weekends in the shadow of Silver Mt because my first forest ecology research job as an undergrad only paid for hotels during weekdays.
One of my favorite places in the UP.
During the summer of 2000 I camped many weekends in the shadow of Silver Mt because my first forest ecology research job as an undergrad only paid for hotels during weekdays.
Here are some of the forests that occur along the Sturgeon river gorge shown in the DEM image below. These pictures were taken at the north edge of the image looking south across the gorge or downslope. These fire-scarred red pines are somewhat uncommon as this area is mostly northern hardwoods.
November 7, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Here are some of the forests that occur along the Sturgeon river gorge shown in the DEM image below. These pictures were taken at the north edge of the image looking south across the gorge or downslope. These fire-scarred red pines are somewhat uncommon as this area is mostly northern hardwoods.
Across the northern hemisphere stable isotopes in precipitation tend to get more negative at increasing latitudes.
However, adjacent to Lake Superior the opposite pattern occurs (see figure) and is particularly pronounced during cold conditions.
Does anyone know what is going on here ?
However, adjacent to Lake Superior the opposite pattern occurs (see figure) and is particularly pronounced during cold conditions.
Does anyone know what is going on here ?
November 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Across the northern hemisphere stable isotopes in precipitation tend to get more negative at increasing latitudes.
However, adjacent to Lake Superior the opposite pattern occurs (see figure) and is particularly pronounced during cold conditions.
Does anyone know what is going on here ?
However, adjacent to Lake Superior the opposite pattern occurs (see figure) and is particularly pronounced during cold conditions.
Does anyone know what is going on here ?
Today on a walk I came across this UP mining cabin from the mid to late 1800s. It would have been just tall enough to stand stooped at the peak.
There are some nice local white cedar rings in the logs walls.
There are some nice local white cedar rings in the logs walls.
October 29, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Today on a walk I came across this UP mining cabin from the mid to late 1800s. It would have been just tall enough to stand stooped at the peak.
There are some nice local white cedar rings in the logs walls.
There are some nice local white cedar rings in the logs walls.
How's your aspen?
October 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
How's your aspen?
Here is something you will only find in this part of the UP.
A person on FB selling a 515 lb piece of "float copper"
This means it is a piece of nearly pure copper deposited here during the last deglacial.
People search for these with metal detectors since anything at the surface has been found.
A person on FB selling a 515 lb piece of "float copper"
This means it is a piece of nearly pure copper deposited here during the last deglacial.
People search for these with metal detectors since anything at the surface has been found.
October 21, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Here is something you will only find in this part of the UP.
A person on FB selling a 515 lb piece of "float copper"
This means it is a piece of nearly pure copper deposited here during the last deglacial.
People search for these with metal detectors since anything at the surface has been found.
A person on FB selling a 515 lb piece of "float copper"
This means it is a piece of nearly pure copper deposited here during the last deglacial.
People search for these with metal detectors since anything at the surface has been found.
Two redwood sampling pictures from the archives. This tree cross-dated really well from 1996 to 450 CE.
It fell in a storm during the winter of 96/97 in the Rockefeller Forest area of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
It was tricky to cut because it was partially buried in the soil from when it fell.
It fell in a storm during the winter of 96/97 in the Rockefeller Forest area of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
It was tricky to cut because it was partially buried in the soil from when it fell.
October 10, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Two redwood sampling pictures from the archives. This tree cross-dated really well from 1996 to 450 CE.
It fell in a storm during the winter of 96/97 in the Rockefeller Forest area of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
It was tricky to cut because it was partially buried in the soil from when it fell.
It fell in a storm during the winter of 96/97 in the Rockefeller Forest area of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
It was tricky to cut because it was partially buried in the soil from when it fell.
Went to the Huron Mt Club this weekend for a small conference and caught up with my M.S. advisor for the first time in 16 years.
October 6, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Went to the Huron Mt Club this weekend for a small conference and caught up with my M.S. advisor for the first time in 16 years.
Walking in the deep UP woods recently I came across two of the biggest trees I have seen a beaver go after -- two ~20 inch dbh aspen.
It felled the first tree (that had some decay) but gave up most of the way through the second -- which is still alive and mostly well.
It felled the first tree (that had some decay) but gave up most of the way through the second -- which is still alive and mostly well.
October 2, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Walking in the deep UP woods recently I came across two of the biggest trees I have seen a beaver go after -- two ~20 inch dbh aspen.
It felled the first tree (that had some decay) but gave up most of the way through the second -- which is still alive and mostly well.
It felled the first tree (that had some decay) but gave up most of the way through the second -- which is still alive and mostly well.
I am pretty sure most people who follow my posts more or less know what bristlecone pine trees look like. There are so many iconic images from high elevation.
But at low elevation in the Rockies their form can get crazy. Here is a pic from one site I sampled a while back when I lived in Utah.
But at low elevation in the Rockies their form can get crazy. Here is a pic from one site I sampled a while back when I lived in Utah.
September 26, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I am pretty sure most people who follow my posts more or less know what bristlecone pine trees look like. There are so many iconic images from high elevation.
But at low elevation in the Rockies their form can get crazy. Here is a pic from one site I sampled a while back when I lived in Utah.
But at low elevation in the Rockies their form can get crazy. Here is a pic from one site I sampled a while back when I lived in Utah.
Today on a bushwacking treck to find remote stands of red pines in the western UP I found this abandoned Forest Service cabin.
If everything goes to hell, this could be a viable option -- with a little work.
If everything goes to hell, this could be a viable option -- with a little work.
September 25, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Today on a bushwacking treck to find remote stands of red pines in the western UP I found this abandoned Forest Service cabin.
If everything goes to hell, this could be a viable option -- with a little work.
If everything goes to hell, this could be a viable option -- with a little work.
Here are three images of the same wetland/pond surrounded by intensively managed UP red pine forest that transition from dry to wet conditions (2012, 2014, 2019).
The linear features -- ecological legacies of old growth pine trees that fell into the pond 10s to 100s of yrs ago are really cool!
The linear features -- ecological legacies of old growth pine trees that fell into the pond 10s to 100s of yrs ago are really cool!
September 24, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Here are three images of the same wetland/pond surrounded by intensively managed UP red pine forest that transition from dry to wet conditions (2012, 2014, 2019).
The linear features -- ecological legacies of old growth pine trees that fell into the pond 10s to 100s of yrs ago are really cool!
The linear features -- ecological legacies of old growth pine trees that fell into the pond 10s to 100s of yrs ago are really cool!
You think you know oak trees by their bark? Here are two >200 year old bur oaks I sampled in Northern Wisconsin, a St Croix River flood plain/terrace.
September 19, 2025 at 2:15 AM
You think you know oak trees by their bark? Here are two >200 year old bur oaks I sampled in Northern Wisconsin, a St Croix River flood plain/terrace.
Today a former student dropped off this white cedar cross section that clocks in at exactly 300 rings. It is from an area we have been developing a chronology, so it will be a nice addition.
The dead tree was felled as a hazard. The sample was from halfway up the stem due to extensive basal decay.
The dead tree was felled as a hazard. The sample was from halfway up the stem due to extensive basal decay.
September 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Today a former student dropped off this white cedar cross section that clocks in at exactly 300 rings. It is from an area we have been developing a chronology, so it will be a nice addition.
The dead tree was felled as a hazard. The sample was from halfway up the stem due to extensive basal decay.
The dead tree was felled as a hazard. The sample was from halfway up the stem due to extensive basal decay.
Living hemlock stump due to root grafting (i.e., the real wood-wide web).
September 15, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Living hemlock stump due to root grafting (i.e., the real wood-wide web).
I, owner of many saws, apparently now own an ice saw too.
September 15, 2025 at 1:56 AM
I, owner of many saws, apparently now own an ice saw too.
I don't know how many people have asked whether Lake Superior has been anomalously warm during recent years, but my lab has been on the job!
Preliminary data indicate that it has been warming very fast of late (at least it's surface temps).
Peer-reviewed results will have to wait a few months.
Preliminary data indicate that it has been warming very fast of late (at least it's surface temps).
Peer-reviewed results will have to wait a few months.
September 9, 2025 at 12:42 AM
I don't know how many people have asked whether Lake Superior has been anomalously warm during recent years, but my lab has been on the job!
Preliminary data indicate that it has been warming very fast of late (at least it's surface temps).
Peer-reviewed results will have to wait a few months.
Preliminary data indicate that it has been warming very fast of late (at least it's surface temps).
Peer-reviewed results will have to wait a few months.
Just yesterday I stopped in Ishpeming at Lawry's, a UP establishment for decades.
Most people would drive by and not even notice the restaurant.
While there my colleagues were eating their cudighi sandwiches (only available in the UP!) and an older gentleman came in and ordered 6 pasties to go.
Most people would drive by and not even notice the restaurant.
While there my colleagues were eating their cudighi sandwiches (only available in the UP!) and an older gentleman came in and ordered 6 pasties to go.
September 7, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Just yesterday I stopped in Ishpeming at Lawry's, a UP establishment for decades.
Most people would drive by and not even notice the restaurant.
While there my colleagues were eating their cudighi sandwiches (only available in the UP!) and an older gentleman came in and ordered 6 pasties to go.
Most people would drive by and not even notice the restaurant.
While there my colleagues were eating their cudighi sandwiches (only available in the UP!) and an older gentleman came in and ordered 6 pasties to go.
I am down to the bottom of the barrel for sunken hemlocks to measure. Only samples with few rings (<100) after this one that saw some things.
I didnt have a lot of hope for this sample, but it still cross-dated reasonably well except for one section of micro-rings w/ 4 missing rings
I didnt have a lot of hope for this sample, but it still cross-dated reasonably well except for one section of micro-rings w/ 4 missing rings
September 4, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I am down to the bottom of the barrel for sunken hemlocks to measure. Only samples with few rings (<100) after this one that saw some things.
I didnt have a lot of hope for this sample, but it still cross-dated reasonably well except for one section of micro-rings w/ 4 missing rings
I didnt have a lot of hope for this sample, but it still cross-dated reasonably well except for one section of micro-rings w/ 4 missing rings
Yesterday was a Lake Superior beach day. Not many people for Labor Day weekend. The colors of rocks are always so varied and pleasing. I have never been anywhere else with such great rocks on the beach.
September 1, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Yesterday was a Lake Superior beach day. Not many people for Labor Day weekend. The colors of rocks are always so varied and pleasing. I have never been anywhere else with such great rocks on the beach.
This piece pushes our hemlock chronology from the Huron Mts, MI back to the 1400s CE.
The rings crossdate on this species better than pines in many cases, but many sunken logs have extensive decay that make it a pain to prep and measure.
The rings crossdate on this species better than pines in many cases, but many sunken logs have extensive decay that make it a pain to prep and measure.
August 29, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This piece pushes our hemlock chronology from the Huron Mts, MI back to the 1400s CE.
The rings crossdate on this species better than pines in many cases, but many sunken logs have extensive decay that make it a pain to prep and measure.
The rings crossdate on this species better than pines in many cases, but many sunken logs have extensive decay that make it a pain to prep and measure.
Wow, I love the cover art on the Marquette monthly featuring a driftwood sunset on the shore of Lake Superior!
August 20, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Wow, I love the cover art on the Marquette monthly featuring a driftwood sunset on the shore of Lake Superior!
Removed some boards on our covered deck that had become decayed on the outer edges after 57 yrs.
I could tell that there was some nice wood underneath the many layers of paint. According to my nose it is old ponderosa pine.
And, there was even a fire scar (at center, transected by a rusty nail)!
I could tell that there was some nice wood underneath the many layers of paint. According to my nose it is old ponderosa pine.
And, there was even a fire scar (at center, transected by a rusty nail)!
August 11, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Removed some boards on our covered deck that had become decayed on the outer edges after 57 yrs.
I could tell that there was some nice wood underneath the many layers of paint. According to my nose it is old ponderosa pine.
And, there was even a fire scar (at center, transected by a rusty nail)!
I could tell that there was some nice wood underneath the many layers of paint. According to my nose it is old ponderosa pine.
And, there was even a fire scar (at center, transected by a rusty nail)!
I spend arguably too much time looking at lakes in Google Earth
However, today I came across a lake that has more submerged logs than I have ever seen. This one 50 m section has >200 logs visible.
I estimate there are at least 7,000 logs preserved in this remote, undeveloped lake in MI's U.P.
However, today I came across a lake that has more submerged logs than I have ever seen. This one 50 m section has >200 logs visible.
I estimate there are at least 7,000 logs preserved in this remote, undeveloped lake in MI's U.P.
August 6, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I spend arguably too much time looking at lakes in Google Earth
However, today I came across a lake that has more submerged logs than I have ever seen. This one 50 m section has >200 logs visible.
I estimate there are at least 7,000 logs preserved in this remote, undeveloped lake in MI's U.P.
However, today I came across a lake that has more submerged logs than I have ever seen. This one 50 m section has >200 logs visible.
I estimate there are at least 7,000 logs preserved in this remote, undeveloped lake in MI's U.P.