Hemlock Help
Clinic Schedule

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Hemlock Help Program

Who's Responsible for Our Trees?

n   USDA Forest Service - National forests

n   GA Forestry Commission - Georgia's forest resources

n   GA Dept of Natural Resources - State parks, campgrounds, and historic sites

n   YOU -- Your private property

The Bad News -- and Why You Should Care

Hemlocks all over north Georgia are being attacked and killed by the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), and the beauty and value of your property are being threatened.  If aggressive action is not taken soon to address this problem, the results could be devastating and perhaps irreversible.

n   loss of certain shade-loving native plants
and the rise of invasive plants

n   loss of certain animal species that depend
on Hemlocks for food and habitat

n   loss of the cool stream temperatures that
trout need

n   decline in the scenic enjoyment of our mountains

n   closure of trails and recreation areas due to the
danger of falling trees

n   increase in soil erosion

n   degradation of water and air quality

n   decline in revenue from outdoor enthusiasts and
tourism and the associated jobs

n   increased exposure to drought

n   decline in the beauty and value of your property

n   expense to remove dangerous dead trees

The Good News -- Help is Here

SAVE GEORGIA'S HEMLOCKS has launched the Hemlock Help Program, a statewide initiative of education and charitable service to help north Georgia property owners save as many of their hemlocks as possible.  It was rolled out first in Rabun County where the HWA infestation began and is now available in Habersham, White, Towns, Fannin, Union, Gilmer, Murray, and Lumpkin Counties as well.  The program is being deployed across the state on a county-by-county basis wherever the HWA is a serious threat; other counties will be added as needed.

As the program is implemented in each county, free public Hemlock Help Clinics are held to give property owners information about the HWA problem, economical steps they can take to save their trees and protect their property value, and the free help that is available through Save Georgia's Hemlocks. 

Hemlock Help Clinic Schedule

Hemlock Help Clinics and other Save Georgia's Hemlocks activities for the fall season are being scheduled now.  Here are the events that are known at this time.  As others are scheduled, they'll be posted here.
 

SGH Hemlock Help Clinics and presentations are free and open to the public unless specifically noted in the schedule.  A typical Hemlock Help Clinic lasts about an hour and a half (but can be adjusted) and includes:

n   Slide presentation on the hemlock woolly adelgid crisis, the options for property owners to treat their own trees, information on qualified local professionals who do this work, and the free services available through our Hemlock Help Program

n   Hands-on demonstration of using a soil injector to treat hemlocks

n   Educational hand-out materials that you are welcome to reproduce and share freely

n   Plenty of time for questions and answers

Save Georgia's Hemlocks will be glad to schedule special presentations and workshops for property owner associations, conservation and recreation organizations, schools, churches, and other community groups.  Call the Hemlock Help Line^SM 706-429-8010 to discuss your needs and schedule a presentation.

Key Program Services

n   Education: Free public clinics, educational materials, and publicity materials to raise awareness of the HWA problem and solutions.  Volunteer Facilitator training is provided for individuals who want to learn more about the hemlock problem and solutions and then be available to help others in their community.  Please visit the Volunteer Facilitators page for the Volunteer Facilitator Job Description.

n   Advice: Hemlock Help Line 706-429-8010 to provide accurate up-to-date answers to your questions about the hemlock woolly adelgid crisis, treatment materials and methods, instructions for do-it-yourself options, sources for treatment products and application equipment, references for professional service providers, and concerns about product safety and effectiveness.  Also scheduling of on-site consultations with Volunteer Facilitators upon request.

n   DIY Support: Placement of soil injectors for borrowing (most of which are provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission), information on purchasing treatment products, and treatment instructions for property owners who want to do the work themselves.  In most cases, soil injectors may be borrowed from the Forestry Commission Office or County Extension Service in each county. 

n   Professionals: A list of qualified local companies that are properly licensed and insured and specialize in saving hemlocks for property owners who prefer to contract with a professional to treat their trees.

n   Hemlock Help Project Planning: Assistance to neighborhood and community groups for developing customized project management plans to address the HWA problem efficiently, effectively, and economically.  Please see Neighborhood Hemlock Help Planning Guide. 

n   New Trees: Healthy hemlock saplings for planting or reforestation.

n   Volunteer Hemlock Help Projects: As time, funds, and volunteers are available, we will assist property owners on a charitable basis to treat their trees.  Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Please call the Hemlock Help Line 706-429-8010 if you would like to request help or if you would like to offer help.

How the Program Works

1.   Inspect your hemlocks and see if they're infested with woolly adelgids.  The adelgids themselves are almost too tiny to see with the naked eye, but their egg sacs are easily visible, especially in the spring and late fall/winter.  They look like the white cottony end of a Q-tip, as shown in this photo.

2.   If you see ANY adelgids on even one of your trees, plan to treat ALL the hemlocks you want to save and do so as soon as possible.  Call the Hemlock Help Line
706-429-8010 to learn about the treatment options, services available, costs, and resources. 

3.   If you want to contract with a professional to treat your trees, the Hemlock Help Line can supply the names of some qualified local companies along with their contact information and average rate structure.  You should shop and compare the services and rates offered by each company.  (See Contacts page for a list of professionals.)

4.  If you want to treat your own trees, click on the treatment instructions  or call the Hemlock Help Line for details on assessing the level of HWA infestation, determining the appropriate treatment product and method, measuring your trees, estimating the amount of chemical needed, and learning where to obtain it in the most economical manner.

a.   Measure the trunk diameter at breast height for all the trees you want to treat and add up for a total.

b.   Based on the chart in the treatment instructions, you can estimate the amount of product needed.  The Contacts page lists the names of some stores where you can purchase it.  You should shop and compare prices.

c.   When you have the treatment product in hand, make arrangements to borrow an injector from one of the sources listed on the Contacts page.

d.   Treat your hemlocks according to the treatment instructions.

e.   Clean the injector and return it.

NOTE:  When you borrow an injector, you'll be asked to leave a deposit which will be refunded when you return the injector.  You may request some brief hands-on training from the lending entity.  You should also download a copy of the treatment instructions from the Resources page.

5.  You can also call the Hemlock Help Line to request an on-site visit from a Volunteer Facilitator to help you assess the infestation on your property, discuss appropriate treatment options, and assist you to get started taking care of your hemlocks.

The Cost

The Hemlock Help Program is designed to operate as a no-cost or low-cost charitable community service.  Here are the general cost guidelines.

*Donations to Save Georgia's Hemlocks are much needed and greatly appreciated.  We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so all contributions are tax-deductible.  If you'd care to donate, you can make your contribution by check payable to Save Georgia's Hemlocks and mail it to the address below or make a secure on-line donation through PayPal.  You'll receive a thank-you letter that can be used for tax purposes along with the offer of a free baby hemlock.

Save Georgia's Hemlocks
37 Woody Bend
Dahlonega, GA 30533

More Information about the Hemlock Help Program

n   Call the Hemlock Help Line 706-429-8010.

n   Press Release (July 1, 2009) -- Announcement of the initial program launch in The Clayton Tribune and The Rabun Town Crier.

n   Program Description (updated 8/6/10) -- Planning document including problem statement, program goal and objectives, guiding principles, scope, program services, and financial management plan.

n   SAVE GEORGIA'S HEMLOCKS (updated 8/6/10) -- PowerPoint presentation that defines the problem with the hemlock woolly adelgid, explains options for property owners to save their hemlocks at the lowest possible cost, provides an overview of conservation efforts on public lands, and introduces the free services available through the Hemlock Help Program for all of north Georgia.

n   Visit the Resources page for printed Save Georgia's Hemlocks materials, related articles and publications, and a list of helpful web sites.

Also check out our Facebook page to meet other members and join the cause!

© Save Georgia's Hemlocks 2009, 2010.  Hemlock Help Line^SM  706-429-8010.
Send comments or questions to donna@savegeorgiashemlocks.org.  Last updated 08/12/2010.