Hemlocks in North Georgia are being threatened by a spreading infestation of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect native to Asia with no local natural predator. It is estimated that if no action is taken we could see the extinction of Hemlock stands within the next 10 years. Hemlocks are the only old growth forests in the east and are of great importance to wildlife, water quality, and some local economies.

A new nonprofit, Hemlock Help for Homeowners program sponsored by Save Georgia's Hemlocks, was launched the first week of July 2009. It is being implemented in Rabun County where the HWA infestation began and will be deployed on a county-by-county basis across all north Georgia counties except for Lumpkin County where the Lumpkin Coalition offers a similar program. The initial services focus on education and treating trees by soil injection. Also being reviewed is the release of low-density beetle populations, which feed on HWA, on private property as a future option.

Homeowners can call the Hemlock Help Line at (706) 429-8010 to receive information about the HWA threat and treatment, to include licensed professionals and do-it-yourself options.

UCCTU has financially supported a program to raise and release beetles that feed on the Hemlock Woolly Aldegid. While our focus is the upper Chattahoochee we are still involved in mountain issues we feel worthy of UCCTU assistance, in this case the HWA threat on the indigenous Hemlock and the potential downstream impact.

We ask UCCTU membership to take action if they own impacted properties and to inform family and friends who are property owners in impacted areas. Also posted is the Hemlock Help July1, 2009 press release and an environmental assessment from the US Department of Agriculture providing full details.

Hemlock Help For Homeowners

Conservation of Eastern Hemlock by Suppression of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestations

Find your elected officials and take action on issues affecting coldwater conservation.

In October 2006, Georgia TU announced a groundbreaking partnership with Georgia Wildlife Federation’s Camouflage Coalition joining thousands of conservationists, anglers and hunters throughout Georgia. Receive easy to use Camo Alert emails.

The Georgia Environmental Action Network (GEAN) is a collaborative effort among environmental and conservation organizations throughout the state to educate and mobilize their members utilizing a state-of-the-art electronic email alert system.

Call 1-800-241-4113 or *DNR (AT&T Mobility Customers) 7 days a week/24 hours a day. Turn In Poachers (TIP) is a non-profit Georgia conservation organization whose mission is to protect wildlife by increasing public support for wildlife law enforcement.