Our Vanishing Hemlocks
The devastating effects of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) infestation are evident all around us. While widespread loss of hemlocks is inevitable, it is possible for landowners to control HWA on their property. J-MCA wants to ensure survival of the hemlocks and has provided this information with the property owner in mind.

To Treat or not to Treat
Doing nothing and allowing hemlocks to die is actually more expensive than treatment by the landowner. Dead trees look ugly and reduce property values, and present a very real hazard. Removal of large trees costs thousands of dollars and planting a replacement tree can also be costly. On the other hand, a soil treatment with imidacloprid by a property owner can cost as little as 50 cents per diameter inch. Choosing to employ a professional will be more costly, but is often preferable due to their expertise. Be sure to find one with experience and success in treating HWA.
 
Treatment Options
 

The Future of Hemlocks
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is not a native species and has few natural enemies in eastern North America. Restoring and maintaining hemlocks as an important component of eastern forests may ultimately depend on development of effective biological controls. Several predator beetles known to feed exclusively on adelgids have been imported from the Pacific Northwest and Asia and are being released. It is likely that a complex of natural enemies rather than a single “magic bullet” will be needed. J-MCA is partnering with Clemson University on such a biological control program for our area. For more information on this collaborative project contact J-MCA.

How You Can Help – Adopt-A-Tree Project
J-MCA is sponsoring a program to provide treatment of hemlocks on public property.  This effort is focused on property such as town, county or state parks, church property, non-profit properties, and undeveloped land trust properties and similar sites.  JMCA will visit the site to evaluate the “adoptability” of the tree(s). Our staff will provide the insecticide for eligible sites, work with arborists and train volunteers to treat trees.

To address the need to identify trees for treatment in this program, J-MCA is seeking recommendations from residents and non-profit organizations who would like to participate.  To nominate a tree or discuss “Adopting-A-Tree” by sponsoring a tree treatment contact J-MCA.

Thanks to Scott Griffin, Georgia Forestry Commission and & LayLa Burgess, Clemson University Dept. of Entomology for this information.