Success StoryHemlock Demo Days with KDF



Hemlock Demo Days with KDF

Author: Tracie Goodman

Planning Unit: McCreary County CES

Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

In early 2021, a client reached out to me regarding an issue with his 80 year old hemlock trees that were rapidly losing foliage. I conducted a home visit to determine the issue, and upon investigation discovered that it was due to a hemlock woolly adelgid infestation. I contacted Alexandra Blevins, Forest Health Specialist with Ky Division of Forestry, to come out and inspect these trees to determine if they could be saved. During that visit she recommended a treatment option that would work to save his trees. This visit spurred a conversation about the need for hemlock woolly adelgid education in McCreary County, as I had received several calls about this from local clientele. During 2021, we also had local volunteers who cleaned up the Campus Trail outside of our office. One of the volunteers was able to recognize hemlock woolly adelgid, and identified several trees in need of treatment along the trail. I reached out to Alexandra again to inquire about our options for having them come down and treat those trees along the trail. We realized this was the perfect opportunity for an educational/volunteer event in the county for landowners, youth, and other clientele to learn about this invasive species and how to treat it on their own property. Alexandra worked with her team to procure the chemicals needed, and they began work treating over 200 trees along our trail in early October. She and I made a video discussing the project, and several of our 4-H Youth came out and helped prepare the trees for treatment. This was an excellent partnership and one that I hope to repeat in the future. Our youth were very excited about working with the forestry crew, and they took information about hemlock woolly adelgid home to their families. The treatment applied lasts for about 5 years, after which they will be treated again by KDF. Members of the public will be able to enjoy them along the community trail for years to come, and it will also serve as a demonstration site for future programs on hemlock woolly adelgid.   






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