Whether you realize it or not, Eastern Hemlock trees likely had a profound impact on you during your visit to the Smokies:
That shady green forest you drive through between Gatlinburg and Sugarlands Visitor Center? Hemlock trees!
Those gently drooping boughs that arched over you while you dipped your feet into the icy river in Greenbrier? Hemlock trees!
The trees with delicate, tiny needles that you walk among on almost every trail in the Smokies, that you see on almost every hillside… Hemlock trees!
But the quintessential Smokies’ tree is being killed by a non-native insect that’s no bigger than the dot at the end of this sentence. Saving the trees is a complex problem, involves a lot of sweat and effort, and some interesting biology too.
I’ve put together a 3-part film, posted below, to explain what the problem is, and what’s being done to save the trees. Click each photo to play its film.
Part I: The Problem
Part II: Soil Drenching
Part II: Beetles
One Comment
This week’s videos are great. I really enjoyed learning about these control methods.