Hemlock adelgid and the USFS

[NC4TN]

Does anybody on this forum who logs in the southern appalachians know what the USFS actions are regarding the adelgid infestation that is devastating the eastern hemlock population? It would seem to me that they should allow nearly unlimited hemlock removal in an attempt to remove the adelgid host; but everywhere I look in Pisgah and Cherokee National Forest, there are massive hemlocks that are dying and nothing is being done at all. I should have known though, that the tree huggers in the USFS southern region here would do nothing.

 

[fredmc]

I was in Gatlinburg around may and I was awed at the devastation.

 

[056kid]

I dont know, eastern hemlock is considerd trash wood around here applachia VA/WV. I have cut love ones,but I have seen alot of dead ones. Govt forest up the road from my bosses shop has large quantities of mature hemlock, everysingle one of them is dead though...

 

[slowp]

Does anybody on this forum who logs in the southern appalachians know what the USFS actions are regarding the adelgid infestation that is devastating the eastern hemlock population? It would seem to me that they should allow nearly unlimited hemlock removal in an attempt to remove the adelgid host; but everywhere I look in Pisgah and Cherokee National Forest, there are massive hemlocks that are dying and nothing is being done at all. I should have known though, that the tree huggers in the USFS southern region here would do nothing.

So, why don't you ask them tree huggers what they are doing? They ought to know more than anybody on here.

 

[forestryworks]

Pretty sure the Feds won't do anything about it. They may write a paper that explains what should be done though. :monkey: And the hippies will cry futile tears of joy that the hemlocks aren't getting logged... but they are dying... The true story of the National Forests.

 

[PB]

The simple removal of the hemlock won't get rid of the adelgid. The bug only spends part of its life cycle on the hemlock and the rest on a spruce or in some cases pine trees. They are nasty little critters that are hard to control, and the USFS is lagging behind most state foresters. PA has been doing a lot with chemical and biological control, and fortunately last winter was especially hard in some areas and beat back the adelgid.

Here is a link to the PA DCNR's website for the adelgid. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/woollyadelgid/pestmanagement.aspx

 

[crackajeff]

It definitely seems like the states are doing more than the Feds. I work for the WV Department of Agriculture and have worked with crews treating individual trees. I know they also have done beetle releases in some places. I've seen some salvage logging on private lands, but that's it. It would make sense to me to cut it, use it, and maybe even make a little money than to let it rot. Same with beech stands with beech bark disease. I guess that's the government for you.

 

[slowp]

More likely different rules. The FS has to do an environmental document--NEPA National Environmental Policy Act. They have to write a document explaining what is going to be done and what the effects will be. Then there is a time for comments, a time for appeals, and well, if it takes long enough the trees will be worthless.

Such is law.

 

[LAH]

It definitely seems like the states are doing more than the Feds. I work for the WV Department of Agriculture and have worked with crews treating individual trees. I know they also have done beetle releases in some places. I've seen some salvage logging on private lands, but that's it. It would make sense to me to cut it, use it, and maybe even make a little money than to let it rot. Same with beech stands with beech bark disease. I guess that's the government for you.

I'm in southern WV also. I've cut several, split small, & sold for camp wood..........Lynn

 

[joesawer]

I was in Gatlinburg around may and I was awed at the devastation.

The pine beetle turned those hills brown in the mid 90's. I cut a huge pile of dead pine trees out of that part of the country during that time. I wonder if it is a natural cycle back to a mostly hardwood forest?

 

[mdavlee]

It might be doing that. Pine, cedar, and hemlock in certain areas have taken over. I leased a 100 acre farm that had 35 acres of cedars that regrew after they logged the hardwoods off it. I leased another 50 acres that had beetle kill pine on it everywhere. After every big wind I had to ride over and check it out and usually cut one or two off the fence.

 

[NC4TN]

I dont know, eastern hemlock is considerd trash wood around here applachia VA/WV. I have cut love ones,but I have seen alot of dead ones. Govt forest up the road from my bosses shop has large quantities of mature hemlock, everysingle one of them is dead though...

Some do consider Hemlock trash; in this part of the woods there was the myth belief that hemlock lumber is naturally resistant to termites. I've never been convinced of that; about any lumber that stays dry and doesn't get "doedee" (partially rotten) will resist termites relatively well.

I do know that it saws really well and makes a strong lumber that doesn't warp much; good barn lumber, cabin logs, and subflooring. I wish the USFS would let us harvest some of it, but they'll let it die, rot, and fall before they'll let anybody cut any of it. Just makes me sick seeing the big ones stand and die.

Another thing; I've checked a lot of the sites that deal with the adelgid infestation; the pesticides that are recommended and labeled for use are expensive as all get up. It just doesn't make sense to start saturating the ground around a hemlock with pesticides that nobody but the government can afford. I get mad as hell about the whole situation.