An Ode to Trees, Forests and Foliage
September 13, 2025
Listen to the Podcast
What’s the Vermont foliage forecast for 2025? It’s tough to say.
Heavy spring rains followed by soaring temperatures and a severe drought over the summer make it harder to predict. Not only that, these unusual weather patterns—and a changing climate—are also putting stress on Vermont trees and forests.
“Forests have evolved with an ability to cope with environmental change. But the concern now is that environmental change is happening out of historic scale and pace,” says Mike Snyder, an independent forester and consultant.
-A backroad during fall foliage in Vermont’s Upper Valley.
Mike served as Vermont’s Commissioner of Forest Parks and Recreation for over a decade before leaving his post in 2022. Last week, Mike and I met on the Stowe Pinnacle Trail last week to record a Happy Vermont podcast episode about trees, forests and foliage.
He talked about the Vermont foliage forecast, the consequences of trail overuse, how to be more mindful outdoors, and ways to protect Vermont’s forests.
“We need to find ways to live in a reciprocal relationship with forests,” he told me. “For centuries, it was dominated by a take-from mentality.”
-Mike Snyder, Vermont’s former commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation. He’s now an independent forester and consultant.
What you’ll hear on the podcast
- Mike talks about the Stowe Pinnacle Trail and Lake Willoughby as examples of locations that have experienced growing pains due to popularity.
- The importance of having a stewardship ethic, and how we can see ourselves as part of the natural community.
- Mike’s path to forestry, inspired by a family interest in biology and a formative encounter with a county forester.
- How forests offer comfort and a sense of connection in an increasingly complex world.
“Forests are like a touchstone of authenticity, and we live in an increasingly inauthentic kind of world,” Mike says.
Where in Vermont? Test Your Knowledge of Vermont Geography
Can you name the town in the photo below? Share your answer by commenting below (be sure to give your name) or email me at [email protected].
The answer to last week’s quiz was Newbury.
Winners!
David Ertel
Suzie Reider
Bridget Brennan
Lillian Curran
Alison Dawkins
Steve Lovejoy
Robert Smyth
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