Hemlocks

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Hemlocks HWA in Georgia
Date February 4, 2009 Name Scott
Griffin Title Forest Health Specialist Georgia
Forestry Commission PO Box 819 Macon, GA 31202
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Objectives

• Hemlocks in Georgia
• Different species
• Range
• Spread of HWA in Georgia
• History
• Current HWA infestation
• Health of Georgias hemlocks
• Snap shot of areas heavily impacted by HWA
• Champion tree status
• GFCs role regarding HWA

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Hemlocks in Georgia

• Eastern and Carolina Hemlocks are found in
  Georgia
• Eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) are the most
  common found from southern Canada to the
  great-lakes region southward to Georgia and
  Alabama
• Carolina hemlocks (Tsuga caroliniana) are found
  from Virginia to Georgia
• Eastern hemlocks occur on around 250,000 acres in
  North GA mountains
• Occurs on moist, deep soils along streams and
  lower slopes
• Found on upper north facing slopes
• Long-lived tree 500 year old trees not uncommon
• Record is 988 years!
• Very shade tolerant
• Eastern hemlock is a valued ornamental (70
  cultivars)

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Carolina Hemlock
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Health of Georgias Hemlocks

• HWA first found in NE Rabun County
• Serious decline in the area
• Hemlock decline varied in other areas

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Health of Georgias Hemlocks

• The recorded state champion eastern hemlock is
  dead
• Search for a new state champion
• Raise awareness of HWA problem

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GFCs Role Regarding HWA

• Education
• Training sessions for the general public, GFC
  personnel and other resource professionals
• Information on our website http//www.gfc.state.
  ga.us/ForestManagement/HemlockWoollyAdelgid.cfm
• Media releases
• Providing kioritz injectors for loan to private
  landowners (Habersham 706-754-2354, Union
  706-781-2398, Lumpkin 706-867-2898 Fannin
  706-374-6232)
• Branch hauling to UGA lab
• Working with DNR State Parks
• One GFC survey employee Jim Sullivan (funded by
  the USFS)

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Survey is funded by
the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and administered
through the Georgia Forestry Commission. The
University of Georgia has provided research
assistance with both HWA and biological release
monitoring.
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• Scott Griffin
• Georgia Forestry Commission
• 770-538-2666 Office
• sgriffin_at_gfc.state.ga.us
• www.gatress.org