Using Forestry Techniques to Inform Management of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid at Deer Valley Camp in Somerset, PA

Abstract

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an invasive pest that has invaded the United States from Japan. This aphid species has the potential to eliminate the eastern hemlock tree that happens to be a keystone species along the East Coast of the United State. Insecticides such as Imidacloprid have been known to effectively control Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, but only so much can be used on an acre of land. During this experiment, we inventoried each hemlock tree in each acre and considered whether the tree was producing cones, if it was infected with the pest, the diameter at breast height (DBH), and the canopy percentage to give it a field score. The scores were ranked between 1-4, where 1 is of the least importance (either too young or dead to need insecticide) and 4 is of the utmost importance (large, full canopy, and cone producing). We found there were a few 1s and 4s, but several 2s and 3s. The 3s and 4s should get treated first, and as time goes on, the 2s can get treated as well. The 1s are the last that need treatment, if they need treatment at all.