From the Woods Today - April Fools Day Myths or Reality?

From the Woods Today - April Fools Day Myths or Reality?

Author: Renee Williams, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension April 3, 2026 Duration: 1:06:15
Ever heard that cutting only the largest trees is good for a forest? Billy Thomas, UK Forestry & Natural Resources - Extension, calls that bluff on this April Fools Edition of From the Woods Today. Billy will break down one of forestry's most common and costly myths.
 
Also on tap…Dr. Steve Price, UK Forestry & Natural Resources Department Chair, takes on common misperceptions about Kentucky's amphibians and reptiles — including frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes, and lizards.
 
We'll also hear from Dr. Matt Springer, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, as he dives into the clever survival strategies animals use to avoid predators, such as faking injuries with "broken wings," playing dead, mimicking venomous species, and even using themselves as bait.
 
This April Fool's edition mixes myth‑busting with a closer look at how forests and nature really work. 4.1.26
 
For more episodes of From the Woods Today, visit https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/woods-today. Each episode has the video of the segment on the website. 

Every Wednesday, the digital airwaves fill with the sounds of rustling leaves, insightful conversation, and practical knowledge straight from the heart of Kentucky's landscapes. From the Woods Today is your weekly companion for exploring the intricate, often overlooked world of forests and natural resources. Co-hosted by Renee Williams and Billy Thomas with the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, this live podcast serves as a direct line to experts, bringing the latest science, management tips, and ecological stories right to your ears. The discussions are grounded and accessible, moving beyond theory to focus on the tangible aspects of woodland stewardship, wildlife habitats, and the quiet wonders found just off the trail. You'll hear interviews with researchers, deep dives into seasonal changes affecting your local environment, and straightforward answers to the complex questions that landowners and nature enthusiasts face. Tuning in feels less like a lecture and more like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable neighbor who has spent a lifetime observing the rhythms of the natural world. This is a podcast for anyone curious about the life cycle of a tree, the management of a healthy watershed, or simply the latest news from the field of environmental science. It’s where professional insight meets personal passion, all dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the resources that sustain us. Join the live broadcast to be part of the conversation, or catch the episode on-demand to connect with the woods on your own time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

From the Woods Today
Podcast Episodes
From the Woods Today - Fireflies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:19
Dr. Jonathan Larson from the University of Kentucky Entomology Department, joins us to explain how fireflies produce their mesmerizing glow. Also on tap... Made in the Shade: How Shade Tolerance Influences Woodlands and…
From the Woods Today - Monitoring for Invasives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:23
This week, Frannie Preston, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, joins us to learn about invasive plants and how to monitor them. How they change, tracking them, and more! Late…
From the Woods Today - Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:28
Aleta Botts stops by the show to talk to us all about the Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative! The Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative was launched in spring 2024 to provide resources to farmers and landowners se…
From the Woods Today - Morels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:13
This week on From the Woods Today, we are joined by Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Pikeville, Byron Meade, for a segment all about morels! If you have ever wanted to learn how to identify these mushr…
From the Woods Today - Cicadas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:14
Cicadas in the news, again? It's true that a different brood is making its grand appearance in 2025 and most importantly, many of them are Kentucky cicadas! Jonathan Larson from UK Entomology will join From the Woods Tod…
From the Woods Today - Forest Management Plans and Forest Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:25
This week Dr. Lance Vickers, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, will be explaining to us exactly what a forest management plan is and why would you need one! Dr. Ellen Crocker will also…
From the Woods Today - Tree Planting Techniques and Methods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:28
Come celebrate Arbor Day with us this week! Environmental Control Supervisor, Jason Hunt from the Kentucky Division of Forestry will be stopping by to talk to us about the best tree planting techniques and methods! Also…
From the Woods Today - Native Kentucky Plants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:26
In this episode of From the Woods Today, Garrard County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Eric Comley takes us on a virtual walk through some of our common wildflowers and the hotspots to get out in the woods and…
From the Woods Today - Worst Tree Ever? Managing Callery Pear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:46
In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Dave Coyle, Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist at Clemson University, discusses the question springing up in everyone's heads as of late. Is Callery pear the w…