Next Meeting
Tuesday, 1/13/09 
&
Notes from Previous Meetings
Click here

Save the Hemlocks

The eastern and Carolina hemlock trees are dying due to a spreading infestation of the hemlock woolly adelgid, an aphid-like insect native to Asia.  Hemlock stands are among the only old growth forests in the east and are of great importance to wildlife, water quality, economy, and basic quality of life.

This page contains a great deal of information about the hemlock woolly adelgid, the measures that are being taken to combat it on the state and national level, and what you can do as a private citizen to save your own hemlocks.  Click on a link below.

The Problem*

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is killing Georgia's beautiful hemlocks.  This exotic aphid-like insect from Asia infests hemlocks, sucks their sap, and kills them in 3-6 years.  Hemlocks provide cooling shade for trout streams, food for birds, and they hold soil in place so it doesn't runoff into rivers.

The woolly adelgid is native to Asia where predator beetles hold HWA populations in balance.  Hemlocks in the Western U.S. are unharmed because a native predator beetle keeps the adelgid in check.  Eastern hemlock species have no effective native adelgid predators. 

The Plan*

With an unprecedented degree of collaboration, citizen groups, government agencies, scientists and Georgia’s conservation community are working together to combat the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and hopefully check its populations before it is too late for these beautiful evergreens.  A three-pronged plan has been adopted at the state and federal levels to combat the HWA:

• Evaluating and implementing biological controls (such as beetles)
• Chemical controls for short-term treatment and in locations/situations where these are the best option (such as landscape and some forest settings)
• Preservation of genetic material for both the eastern and Carolina hemlock so that, in the event of a catastrophic impact by the HWA, we may be able to restore the hemlock species in the future

Thanks to the hard work of all concerned, there are now three labs in Georgia -- one at Young Harris College, another at UGA, and the newest Predator Beetle Lab at NGCSU -- for rearing predator beetles for release on hemlocks within our forests.  With these successes, Georgia has joined a multi-state effort to find an effective biological control for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. 

This is a highly scientific yet experimental pursuit, not a silver bullet.  But most experts and Georgia citizens alike believe we must do all we can to save our hemlocks.

Photo by Wayne Jenkins Entomologist, Dr. Tom Coleman, speaking to the press about predatory beetle-rearing in the new lab at UGA (Spring 2007).  These small suspended chambers contain beetles that eat only the HWA.	Lab Director, Dr. Paul Arnold, explaining the beetle-rearing and release processes in the lab at Young Harris College (Summer 2006).	Lab Coordinator, Sarah Osicka, hosting the grand opening of NGCSU beetle lab in Dahlonega (Spring 2008).

*Information from Georgia ForestWatch and USDA Forestry Service

Progress Reports From the Labs

Each of the predatory beetle-rearing labs in the Southeast (Young Harris College, UGA, North Georgia College, and Clemson University) was recently requested to provide an update on their Hemlock Project activities, accomplishments, challenges, and hopes for the future.  We very much appreciate the excellent work they are doing and want to share their comments and good news with you.

• Update from Dr. Paul Arnold of Young Harris College
• Update from Dr. Robert Fuller and Sarah Osicka of North Georgia College
• Update from LayLa Burgess of Clemson University
• Update from Dr. Gretchen Pettis of University of Georgia   (NEW)

What LC Is Doing to Help

Saving the hemlocks has been a primary focus for Lumpkin Coalition since our beginning.  Our goals for the hemlock project are:

• Raise public awareness of the problem and promote action.
• Support establishment of a beetle-rearing lab at the University of Georgia (goal accomplished) and continue to support the efforts of all three labs in Georgia that raise predatory beetles to combat the HWA on public lands.
• Assist businesses and homeowners to protect the hemlocks on private land.

Special Events -- Through annual fundraising events such as HemlockFest and the Beetle Battle Paddle and generous donations from the community, Lumpkin Coalition contributed substantially to the establishment of the UGA lab (completed March 2007) and continues to support the efforts of all three labs in Georgia.  Along with related organizations such as Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Atlanta Audubon Society, Sierra Club and others, we continue to increase public awareness through outreach and community events all during the year.  In addition, we provide information and assistance to private landowners to evaluate HWA infestations and treatment options via the Hemlock Hotline at (706) 864-4787.

Community Participation -- Another way Lumpkin Coalition works to raise awareness about the plight of the hemlock (and other issues as well) is by participating in local festivals, gatherings, and community events such as those listed below.  Whenever possible, we take our Lumpkin Coalition exhibit "on the road" to share information about the hemlock issue, bring in experts to answer questions, and let folks know what's being done to help.

• Lucky Ducky Derby Day at Camp Glisson -- August 16

• Lumpkin County River Rendezvous on the Chestatee -- September 20

• Yahoola Creek Trails Conservancy (YCTC) Native Plant Sale -- October 11

• Tree Hug Fest in Dunwoody -- October 12

• Gold Rush Days -- October 18 & 19

We hope you'll join the effort to increase public awareness, find out what you can do to preserve the hemlocks on your own property, and increase the chances that more hemlocks will be saved. 

Forest Hilyer & Raymond Deblois at Camp Glisson for Lucky Ducky Derby	Judy Toppins & friends at YCTC Native Plant Sale with hemlock saplings donated by LC	Mark Shearer & Holly Gilkeson                       at LC booth during Gold Rush Days

What Private Citizens Can Do

Be Aware -- In Georgia, HWA infestations have already reached Rabun, Towns, Habersham, Stephens, Union, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, and Dawson Counties and are traveling fast.  Unless treated, infested hemlocks sicken and die, usually within 3 to 6 years.

Be Alert -- Because HWA can damage trees so quickly, it is important to detect infestations early.  Frequent visual inspection is the best way to tell if a tree is infested.  For most of the year the white "wool" is quite conspicuous contrasted against the dark green needles on the undersides of the young twigs.

Be Active -- If you find even a couple of white, woolly balls, call a professional for help.  There are two individuals in North Georgia who do this kind of work at a reasonable cost and are willing to travel to your property.  Please let us know of others who can help.

• Mark Shearer of The Hemlock Doctor in Dahlonega at (706) 864-4787

• Kevin Johnson of Grow It Green in Blue Ridge at (866) 883-2420

These individuals will inspect your trees, explain the treatment options, and give you an estimate for treating them.  They will also advise you on when you will need to re-treat your trees, since the chemicals are effective only for up to three years.

Be Proactive -- In addition to taking care of your own trees, you can have an important impact on your community as a whole.  How?  By talking to your friends and neighbors to raise awareness about the hemlock problem and by supporting the efforts of Lumpkin Coalition to raise funds for the hemlocks' defense.  And be sure to come out for HemlockFest and be a part of the solution!

Resources and Articles

LC Printed Materials

• Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Fact Sheet

• Understanding the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Issue

• Homeowners Alert

• Treatment Options

• Save Our Hemlocks

• How Do I Save My Hemlocks?

HWA Web Sites

Articles -- Information/Education

• The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Georgia, 2008 (pdf)

• HWA Infestation & Suppression Effort in Chattahoochee-Oconee Nat'l Forest, Winter 2007

• Hemlocks - Gift Giver of the Standing People (by Mark Warren)

• General Hemlock Information, 2005

• Information on Woolly Adelgids, 2005

• Environmental Assessment - Suppression of HWA, 2005

• Biological Control of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, 2005

• Wildlife Habitat Associations in Eastern Hemlock, 2000

Articles -- Some Good News

• S.C. Acts to Save Eastern Hemlocks, November 2008   (NEW)

• Young Harris College - Beetle Lab Update, July 2008

• Organizations Align to Fight Woolly Adelgid, July 2008

• New Beetle Could Fight Adelgids, March 2008

• Tiny Fly Could Aid the Mighty Hemlock, March 2008

• Hemlocks a Priority in the Smokies, January 2008

• Bug vs. Bug -- HemlockFest Helps Georgia Labs, October 2007

• Georgia Lab (UGA) Aims to Halt Hemlock Pest, March 2007

• NC Scientists Savings Hemlock Seeds, October 2006

• Beetles Working in Connecticut, September 2006

• Connecticut Beetles Working in Western North Carolina, September 2006

Back to Top

                                     © The Lumpkin Coalition 2008.  Send comments/questions to donna@lumpkincoalition.org.  Web site updated: 12/10/08.