1,081 Hemlocks Protected!

Over four beautiful days in March, a dedicated and enthusiastic team of Connestee Falls resident volunteers, trained by the Hemlock Restoration Initiative, applied protective chemical treatments to hemlock trees at the Main Gate and along the Oakanoah, Equestrian, and Amakola Trails. These efforts will help safeguard the trees from the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA).

The CF property is blessed with thousands of remarkable hemlock trees, some over 100 feet tall and more than 200 years old. These hemlock trees are a critical "foundation species" that create a unique, cool, and moist ecosystem essential for biodiversity. The trees stabilize steep terrain, shade streams for aquatic life, and provide critical wildlife habitat. Without intervention, the CF hemlock trees will not survive and will leave behind a "ghost forest" of standing, dead, silver-gray skeletons of trees, creating a pale, haunting landscape that stands in stark contrast to healthy green forests.

While most hemlock stands in CF remain intact, those along the Salola Trail have been heavily impacted, and large standing dead hemlocks now dot the landscape (photo above). Because Salola Trail did not exist during the initial chemical treatments in 2004-2007, this area did not receive early intervention against HWA, which may have contributed to its current condition. Salola Trail was treated for HWA in 2022, and the remaining hemlocks currently appear free of infestation. With continued forest stewardship, the hemlock groves along Salola Trail have the potential to recover. In contrast, the Equestrian Trail (photo above) and the Amakola Trail System contain thriving, lush hemlock groves. The 2022 Equinox Environmental Natural Resources Inventory report highlighted that CF "Hemlock Friends" treatments have been successful in preserving mature, cone-bearing trees in Connestee Falls, bolstering the integrity and beauty of our forests.

In order to survive, hemlocks need to be treated against the invasive HWA insect every 5 years. This Spring's hemlock treatment initiative is a continuation of a treatment program started in 2004 by the CF Environmental Stewardship Committee; Liz Garrison (CFPOA Board of Directors); CF General Manager, Rick Wade; and GDI owner/operator (HemlockDoc) Latisha Galloway; which remained active from 2004-2016. It is likely that Connestee's current hemlock population survived due to early intervention by this group. In 2021, the "Hemlock Friends" volunteer group led by CF resident, Lisa Smith, took up the mantle eventually treating over 2,000 hemlocks over the course of 3 years.

Huge thank you to all who contributed to the 2026 Spring hemlock treatment event, including Hemlock Restoration Initiative; CF Manager, Nathan Freeland; NRSC members, Ray Jackson, Andy McCumber and Abby Braman; and resident volunteers, Roger Witmer, Debra and David Smale, Doug Kish, Brian Murphy, Kristine and Mike Buckley, Mary Clark, Bill Bullivant, Russ Leuthold, Debbie Bond, Laurel Young, David Sett, and Betsy Wise. Volunteers spent hours on several days walking our trails, scouting and treating hemlocks of all sizes, including groves of 100 of more baby hemlocks to the largest hemlocks over 40" in diameter. The hemlocks and our community appreciate you!!

SPRING 2026 NUMBERS

1,081 hemlocks treated

Main Gate, Oakanoah, Equestrian, and Amakola Trails

17 CF resident volunteers

667 hemlocks geo-tagged*

(*The majority of geo-tagged hemlocks are also physically marked with red, numbered tags that were affixed during the initial treatment cycle in the 2000s. This year, silver numbered tags were added to large hemlocks that previously lacked identification. The numbered tags and the new GPS inventory will allow NRSC to better monitor treatment efficacy, prevent HWA spread, and manage long-term forest health. It will enable precise follow-up assessments, provide data for forecasting, improve resource allocation, and ensure accurate record-keeping for future treatments.)

CF "Hemlock Friends" volunteers will be back in action this Fall treating hemlocks on the Amakola Trail System, East Fork Gate, and Ticoa Park Rd.

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE TEAM:

• VOLUNTEER with NRSC! Get notified about future NRSC stewardship activities by registering at the website link here: https://www.connesteefallsnrs.com/volunteer

• HELP OUR CF HEMLOCKS by joining the "Hemlock Friends" or signing up to get the hemlocks on your property treated by NRSC: https://www.connesteefallsnrs.com/hemlock-friends

• LEARN MORE about the history of CF's hemlock initiatives here: https://www.connesteefallsnrs.com/hemlock-restoration