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.
Reposted by Steve Voelker
Join the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona for our 2026 Dendrochronology Intensive Summer Course (DISC)! Spend 3 great weeks (May 18th to June 5, 2026) in the field, lab, and classroom learning first-hand how tree-ring research is done! ltrr.arizona.edu/summerschool
Dendrochronology Intensive Summer Course (DISC) 2026 | Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
ltrr.arizona.edu
November 24, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Join the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona for our 2026 Dendrochronology Intensive Summer Course (DISC)! Spend 3 great weeks (May 18th to June 5, 2026) in the field, lab, and classroom learning first-hand how tree-ring research is done! ltrr.arizona.edu/summerschool
Now this is the way to start winter -- 14-27" of snow predicted by Thanksgiving in Houghton!
It's a short work week, but we've been busy this morning already working on exciting things to support you and the state.
A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, and Vilas Counties, with widespread 8-12" snow accumulations by Thanksgiving!
A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, and Vilas Counties, with widespread 8-12" snow accumulations by Thanksgiving!
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Now this is the way to start winter -- 14-27" of snow predicted by Thanksgiving in Houghton!
The paleo wood biologist niche is small so maybe I should elaborate.
First, finding 15 dugout canoes in a single lake boggles my mind. That is amazing and does not need another hook/lede.
Second, it IS initially surprising that a substantial portion of these are from the red oak group.
First, finding 15 dugout canoes in a single lake boggles my mind. That is amazing and does not need another hook/lede.
Second, it IS initially surprising that a substantial portion of these are from the red oak group.
I find this incredibly unlikely.
I cannot imagine a way red oaks could be injured up and down the length of the tree to induce extensive tyloses formation over years to decades without also inducing extensive decay.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
I cannot imagine a way red oaks could be injured up and down the length of the tree to induce extensive tyloses formation over years to decades without also inducing extensive decay.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Were ancient canoes found in Lake Mendota made of bioengineered wood?
The term "bioengineering" was coined in the 20th century, but ancient Ho-Chunk were likely practicing it for thousands of years.
www.jsonline.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The paleo wood biologist niche is small so maybe I should elaborate.
First, finding 15 dugout canoes in a single lake boggles my mind. That is amazing and does not need another hook/lede.
Second, it IS initially surprising that a substantial portion of these are from the red oak group.
First, finding 15 dugout canoes in a single lake boggles my mind. That is amazing and does not need another hook/lede.
Second, it IS initially surprising that a substantial portion of these are from the red oak group.
Reposted by Steve Voelker
Time to get your public comments in on the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule that would strip protections for countless wetlands and streams.
Trout unlimited has a tool on their page that will automatically send your message to the EPA as well as your representatives:
www.tu.org/conservation...
Trout unlimited has a tool on their page that will automatically send your message to the EPA as well as your representatives:
www.tu.org/conservation...
November 23, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Time to get your public comments in on the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule that would strip protections for countless wetlands and streams.
Trout unlimited has a tool on their page that will automatically send your message to the EPA as well as your representatives:
www.tu.org/conservation...
Trout unlimited has a tool on their page that will automatically send your message to the EPA as well as your representatives:
www.tu.org/conservation...
Reposted by Steve Voelker
#TansleyReview: Physiological roles of #lignins – tuning cell wall hygroscopy and #biomechanics
Pesquet, Cesarino, Kajita & Pawlowski
👇
📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#LatestIssue
Pesquet, Cesarino, Kajita & Pawlowski
👇
📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#LatestIssue
November 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
#TansleyReview: Physiological roles of #lignins – tuning cell wall hygroscopy and #biomechanics
Pesquet, Cesarino, Kajita & Pawlowski
👇
📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#LatestIssue
Pesquet, Cesarino, Kajita & Pawlowski
👇
📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#LatestIssue
I find this incredibly unlikely.
I cannot imagine a way red oaks could be injured up and down the length of the tree to induce extensive tyloses formation over years to decades without also inducing extensive decay.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
I cannot imagine a way red oaks could be injured up and down the length of the tree to induce extensive tyloses formation over years to decades without also inducing extensive decay.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Were ancient canoes found in Lake Mendota made of bioengineered wood?
The term "bioengineering" was coined in the 20th century, but ancient Ho-Chunk were likely practicing it for thousands of years.
www.jsonline.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I find this incredibly unlikely.
I cannot imagine a way red oaks could be injured up and down the length of the tree to induce extensive tyloses formation over years to decades without also inducing extensive decay.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
I cannot imagine a way red oaks could be injured up and down the length of the tree to induce extensive tyloses formation over years to decades without also inducing extensive decay.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
New grad student collecting her first fire scar data along the shore of Lake Superior today.
November 20, 2025 at 2:19 AM
New grad student collecting her first fire scar data along the shore of Lake Superior today.
Second annual I didn't see any deer while hunting in the UP, so I will post pictures of cool stuff from when I got bored and started hiking through the woods.
November 16, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Second annual I didn't see any deer while hunting in the UP, so I will post pictures of cool stuff from when I got bored and started hiking through the woods.
Apart from a bit of silliness I was out scouting for red pine dendro fire history sites along the shore of Lake Superior.
And I was doing it wearing my late father's "shooting glasses" that I came across this past week.
And I was doing it wearing my late father's "shooting glasses" that I came across this past week.
November 14, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Apart from a bit of silliness I was out scouting for red pine dendro fire history sites along the shore of Lake Superior.
And I was doing it wearing my late father's "shooting glasses" that I came across this past week.
And I was doing it wearing my late father's "shooting glasses" that I came across this past week.
Some people think I have a cushy job.
And this afternoon, they would have been right.
And this afternoon, they would have been right.
November 14, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Some people think I have a cushy job.
And this afternoon, they would have been right.
And this afternoon, they would have been right.
Reposted by Steve Voelker
1/2
To support this year's Global Carbon Budget, 2025, we are publishing
The big paper, made possible by the strong commitment of a core group of scientists, with @pfriedling.bsky.social at the lead, working with a network of equally committed contributors from 102 research organizations worldwide
To support this year's Global Carbon Budget, 2025, we are publishing
The big paper, made possible by the strong commitment of a core group of scientists, with @pfriedling.bsky.social at the lead, working with a network of equally committed contributors from 102 research organizations worldwide
November 13, 2025 at 1:09 AM
1/2
To support this year's Global Carbon Budget, 2025, we are publishing
The big paper, made possible by the strong commitment of a core group of scientists, with @pfriedling.bsky.social at the lead, working with a network of equally committed contributors from 102 research organizations worldwide
To support this year's Global Carbon Budget, 2025, we are publishing
The big paper, made possible by the strong commitment of a core group of scientists, with @pfriedling.bsky.social at the lead, working with a network of equally committed contributors from 102 research organizations worldwide
Re-upping this. Does anyone want to guess what this is used for?
I knew what it was when I found it, but it was the first time I had seen this thing in real life.
Hint: it was a small and shallow, mucky lake.
I knew what it was when I found it, but it was the first time I had seen this thing in real life.
Hint: it was a small and shallow, mucky lake.
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 12, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Re-upping this. Does anyone want to guess what this is used for?
I knew what it was when I found it, but it was the first time I had seen this thing in real life.
Hint: it was a small and shallow, mucky lake.
I knew what it was when I found it, but it was the first time I had seen this thing in real life.
Hint: it was a small and shallow, mucky lake.
Reposted by Steve Voelker
Looking for a postdoc with a specialization in forest carbon dynamics, climate policy, and nature-based solutions.
The fellow will work at the intersection of forest ecology and environmental policy, investigating the effectiveness of forest carbon offset programs
The fellow will work at the intersection of forest ecology and environmental policy, investigating the effectiveness of forest carbon offset programs
November 6, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Looking for a postdoc with a specialization in forest carbon dynamics, climate policy, and nature-based solutions.
The fellow will work at the intersection of forest ecology and environmental policy, investigating the effectiveness of forest carbon offset programs
The fellow will work at the intersection of forest ecology and environmental policy, investigating the effectiveness of forest carbon offset programs
Reposted by Steve Voelker
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Reposted by Steve Voelker
Here is the Newsweek magazine article that led to the song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," marked up to show key passages that Lightfoot borrowed. Short thread at quoted post. Thanks to @bikeguy.bsky.social for reminding me about this. #EdmundFitzgerald50
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Here is the Newsweek magazine article that led to the song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," marked up to show key passages that Lightfoot borrowed. Short thread at quoted post. Thanks to @bikeguy.bsky.social for reminding me about this. #EdmundFitzgerald50
Reposted by Steve Voelker
A.E. Douglass (founder of the science of dendrochronology) got fired by Percival Lowell for questioning the existence of 'canals' on Mars. Douglass was out of science for many years before getting a position at the University of Arizona. He would be expected to teach physics & physical geography:
November 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
A.E. Douglass (founder of the science of dendrochronology) got fired by Percival Lowell for questioning the existence of 'canals' on Mars. Douglass was out of science for many years before getting a position at the University of Arizona. He would be expected to teach physics & physical geography:
Reposted by Steve Voelker
Today’s local fieldwork was colder but older! I think we may have found some 300 yr old beech and sweet gum! Will be going back to this site in the future, some nice oak and Nyssa as well.
November 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Today’s local fieldwork was colder but older! I think we may have found some 300 yr old beech and sweet gum! Will be going back to this site in the future, some nice oak and Nyssa as well.
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.
Reposted by Steve Voelker
NOAA retirees “volunteering” including one who is working as an “unpaid intern” in order to help. I would like to never again hear anyone bitch about civil servants’ work ethic tyvm.
Volunteers Step In to Help Understaffed NOAA Track Hurricane Melissa
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:19 PM
NOAA retirees “volunteering” including one who is working as an “unpaid intern” in order to help. I would like to never again hear anyone bitch about civil servants’ work ethic tyvm.
Reposted by Steve Voelker
deadtrees.earth — An open-access and interactive database for centimeter-scale aerial imagery to uncover global tree mortality dynamics. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... Led by @cmosig.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
deadtrees.earth — An open-access and interactive database for centimeter-scale aerial imagery to uncover global tree mortality dynamics. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... Led by @cmosig.bsky.social
How's your aspen?
October 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
How's your aspen?