From the Woods Today

11 a.m. Wednesdays

From the Woods Today is a weekly internet show co-hosted by Renee' Williams and Billy Thomas and the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension team.

Join us live by clicking the watch LIVE button or click on an episode below.

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This survey is part of a research study and should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Participants must be 18 or older and no compensation will be provided. If you have questions, contact Ellen Crocker, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, e.crocker@uky.edu.

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From The Woods Today Episodes

From the Woods Today: After Arbor Day

Planting a tree is only the beginning! In this From the Woods Today episode, Chris Wiedamann with the Kentucky Division of Forestry explains what comes next after a tree has been planted. Learn practical tips to help keep your young tree healthy and discover how long‑term planning and management help trees thrive, which contributes to healthier forests!

Also on tap: Are strange spots or early leaf drop affecting your trees? Dr. Ellen Crocker, UK Forestry and Natural Resources, breaks down anthracnose — a common tree disease— explaining what causes it, which trees are most affected, and what you can do to manage it. Learn how to recognize the symptoms and protect the long‑term health of your trees and forests.
5.6.2026

From the Woods Today: Insect Songs

Ever wondered who’s really behind those nighttime chirps and buzzes? In this From the Woods Today segment, Jonathan Larson, UK Entomology dives into the fascinating world of insect songs—why insects make them, how to tell them apart, and what they can teach us about our forests.

Also on tap: What do you think about From the Woods Today? We invite you to share your feedback by participating in a short survey that is part of a research study. The survey takes no more than 5 minutes to complete. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. No compensation is provided, but your input will help us better understand our audience and improve future programming. Thank you for helping us grow From the Woods Today!

From The Woods Today: Earth Day

Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, is a reminder of the importance of caring for Kentucky’s forests and the benefits they provide. It’s also a good time to revisit forest health challenges, including the impact of the emerald ash borer.

In this edition of From the Woods Today Katherine Bullock, UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension helps us learn the history behind Earth Day and why we celebrate it each year.

Also on tap...Dr Ellen Crocker, UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, talks about the invasive insect emerald ash borer (EAB). In 2009, EAB was discovered in Shelby County, KY and it has killed millions of ash trees across the state ever since.

From The Woods Today - Key Issues for Woodland Owners

Owning woodland comes with both opportunities and challenges. In this episode, Dr. Ellen Crocker and Billy Thomas with the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension discuss the key issues woodland owners face and how to navigate them successfully. Learn how to address them and who can assist you on your woodland stewardship journey to make your property healthier and more productive.

Also on tap: What do you think about From the Woods Today? We invite you to share your feedback by participating in a short survey that is part of a research study. The survey takes no more than 5 minutes to complete. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. No compensation is provided, but your input will help us better understand our audience and improve future programming. Thank you for helping us grow From the Woods Today!

From The Woods Today - Tornadoes and Woodlands

Severe weather is a fact of life in Kentucky, with tornadoes being one of the most dangerous—and misunderstood—threats we face. In this episode, Matt Dixon, senior meteorologist with the UK Ag Weather Center, breaks down the basics of tornadoes, explaining how tornadoes form, what conditions are right for their development, and what the Fujita (EF) Scale really means when we hear tornado ratings like EF-2 or EF-4. While on the topic of tornadoes, Matt also discusses common tornado myths, including the dangerous belief that taking shelter under highway overpasses is safe. Matt explains why some long‑held assumptions about tornado safety can put people in danger instead.

Also on tap: the Kentucky Division of Forestry’s Tornado Strike Team plays a critical role in helping woodland owners assess storm-related damage. Forest landowners, homeowners, and municipalities or communities impacted by the December 2021 tornadoes can access technical forestry assistance and additional forestry services through this team.

From The Woods Today - Forestry Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

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.