The hemlock is a favorite of mine. It is a stunning, graceful tree with it’s sweeping branches and has a lot going for it in the wildlife garden. They are evergreen and provide nesting sites for birds, in particular several species of warblers, a bird which can use all of the help we can give them. This weekend was HemlockFest in north Georgia, a benefit to raise funds and awareness of the Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) which is killing these beautiful trees.

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 natural adelgid predators.

HemlockFest was a great time with nature walks, kids activities and a lot of music. While there I was able to “adopt” two Eastern hemlocks to plant on my own property for a donation. As far as I am concerned this is a great way to get a new tree. I had intend to purchase two for my habitat garden regardless, but this way I was able to donate to a good cause and get my trees. Lucky me!

If you have hemlocks on your property, please visit the The Lumpkin Coalition website to learn about the Hemlock woolly adelgid, what signs to look for and how to control this pest. It is not a death sentence to the tree and can be managed. The death of this tree would be a loss in American woodlands.