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Hemlock Message -- The Trees Need Your Help!
 North Georgia’s hemlocks are in danger of almost total extinction due to a
rapidly spreading infestation of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive
insect from Asia with no local natural predator. Hemlock stands are of
vital importance to wildlife, water and air quality, local economy, and basic
quality of life, and their loss would create problems of enormous scope and dire
consequences.
Property owners have the option to save as many of their own hemlocks as they
desire, but focused efforts to raise awareness, promote action, and provide
assistance have been extremely limited in most north Georgia counties. SAVE
GEORGIA'S HEMLOCKS,
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
has implemented the Hemlock Help Program -- a statewide initiative of
educational and charitable service -- to address
this urgent need on both public and private
land, wherever
hemlocks are threatened in Georgia.
HWA
infestation has been confirmed in all 19 counties within the native hemlock
range in Georgia as well as several more counties in the Atlanta area. These magnificent trees need your help NOW!
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Aesthetically,
these beautiful trees contribute greatly to the enjoyment of those who live,
work, and play among them, as well as the many people who come to north Georgia
for tourism and recreation. What would your special places in the mountains look
like without hemlocks?
Environmentally,
hemlocks are a keystone species and play a unique role in providing food and
habitat for about 120 species of vertebrates and more than 90 species of birds, shade
for native plants, cool temperatures for trout streams, and protection for
watersheds and water quality. How many environmental "dominoes" might fall if
the hemlocks fall?
Economically,
healthy mature trees such as hemlocks can add as much as 7-10% to
property values, provide the net cooling effect of 10 room-sized air
conditioners running 20 hours a day, perform millions of dollars worth of water
purification per mature tree along our waterways, and save billions of dollars a
year by filtering CO2 and other pollutants from the air as they produce oxygen
for us to breathe. Can we afford to lose these valuable trees?
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Hundreds of thousands
of Georgia's hemlocks have already died due to the woolly adelgid, and
millions more are infested. Because of our
mild climate, the hemlock's decline here in the South is progressing more
rapidly than many scientists originally predicted, with infested trees dying in
as few as 3 to 6 years. The next two years may be the "tipping point" in
which aggressive action can still make a difference.
Please join us. Your participation and support are much needed and
very welcome! Check out the Schedule
of Events to see a variety of opportunities to participate in
educational events and volunteer service projects.
We also need and very much appreciate
your financial support. Visit
How You Can Help to learn how you can make a donation,
become a member, or find
your own special way to help.
Here are some
recommended
readings for knowledge and inspiration. Enjoy!
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