Connestee Falls
Natural Resources Stewardship Committee
Hemlock Historical Record
Protecting our vital hemlock population is one of CF's longest-running conservation efforts
2003-2005
Early Intervention
In 2003, CFPOA participated in a free program offered by the North Carolina Division of Forest Services to promote best forest management practices. The community obtained the services of Ed Hicks of "Wildwood Consulting" to conduct a study of the CF forests. The forest survey identified an infestation of Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), a pest that infests and kills hemlock trees, a keystone forest species. The CF Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) and Liz Garrison, a member of the CFPOA Board of Directors, quickly launched a volunteer-based hemlock survey to guide the POA on which of our common areas and which trees in those areas should get priority attention. The CF ESC, POA Board of Directors, General Manager, Rick Wade, and his assistant, Earl Jenkins, designed a hemlock treatment program for the community. Board Notes from the Jan 2006 CFPOA Board meeting indicate that the Association spent $16k on the HWA treatment initiative in 2003.
2007
Sassie Beetles
Volunteers for the CF Environmental Stewardship Committee distributed 2,000 sassie beetles to control HWA. In this photo, Joey Galloway, CF golf course maintenance superintendent, ties a sprig carrying about 30 beetles to infested Hemlocks near Lake Ticoa while Barbara Cagney (center) transfers sassies one-by-one with an artist's brush from a container held by Iris Durand. The CFPOA purchased the poppy-seed-sized black beetles, which feed on adelgid egg masses, as part of its campaign to save Connestee hemlocks.
April 2021
Hemlock Inventory
Members of the CF Trail Stewards, under the guidance of local non-profit, Hemlock Restoration Initiative, conducted a comprehensive inventory of hemlocks along the 18+ miles of CF hiking trails to assess the number and overall health of hemlocks remaining within POA properties. A total of 2,461 hemlocks were counted, of which almost half were young saplings less than 4.5 feet tall. The largest hemlocks identified during the survey were located within the Amakola Trail System. One Amakola Trail hemlock, nicknamed “Grandmother Hemlock” measured 38 inches (3.2 feet) in diameter and, according to USFS, could be close to 200 years old.
Gratitude
“…it is important to recognize the foresight of past-POA Board member Liz Garrison, who, in 2004 in association with the complete Board, recommended treatment of hemlocks against the HWA infestation along existing hiking trails and roadway easements. The recent hemlock inventory revealed that the majority of the larger hemlocks, size classes greater that 5 inches DBH, that survive today were treated under the 2004 hemlock treatment initiative. These hemlocks are identified in the field by red tags attached to the trees by Connestee Falls resident Dick Fudge and other Hiking Trail Club members. A huge “THANK YOU” goes out to Liz, Dick, and all Connestee residents who supported this critically important hemlock treatment initiative. Their understanding of the destructive impacts of HWA on hemlocks and their treatment work saved our surviving larger hemlocks.” CF News, On the Trail, Lisa Smith, May 2021
2021
"Hemlock Friends"
In spring and fall 2021, HRI-trained CF resident volunteers, the "Hemlock Friends", conducted chemical treatment using the "soil drench" method on hemlocks at the Main and East Fork gates, and along CF Oakanoah, Equestrian, and Amakola hiking trails. This herculean volunteer effort, comprised of 21 CF resident volunteers led by resident Lisa Smith, resulted in:
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1,024
CF Hemlocks Treated for HWA
(Hemlocks located along CF waterways were professionally treated to eliminate the potential for impacts to the stream ecosystem.)
2021-2023
Thousands Saved
CF "Hemlock Friends" continued their volunteer efforts to treat CF hemlocks along additional hiking trail segments, common areas, and community right-of-ways. NRSC Board member, Roger Witmer, supported by CFPOA, began offering free residential treatments to homeowners interested in protecting their hemlocks on their own properties.
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Total hemlocks treated from 2021-2023:
2,122!
2025
GPS Mapping
NRSC Board members began using the CalTopo app to geo-tag CF hemlocks. The resulting GPS inventory will allow NRSC to better monitor treatment efficacy, prevent HWA spread, and manage long-term forest health. It will enable precise, repeated follow-up assessments, provide data for forecasting, improve resource allocation, and ensure accurate record-keeping for future treatments.
2026
Re-treat
Hemlocks must be treated every 5 years for protection against HWA. In March 2026, HRI will return to CF for volunteer refresher training. New and previous volunteers will spend the day learning about:
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​How to Identify a Hemlock and HWA
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Systemic vs. Contact pesticides and their applications
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Environmental hazards—surface water and flowering plants
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Marking and record keeping
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In 2026, CF "Hemlock Friends" volunteers, trained by HRI and led by NRSC, will re-treat hemlocks located at Main and East Fork Gates, along with Oakanoah, Equestrian, and Amakola Trail Systems.
