As part of precautionary efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 or the coronavirus, the Hemlock Management Workshop scheduled for the weekend of March 20 – 21 has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to working with the Hemlock Restoration Initiative to hopefully reschedule this event.
Please note: The Arboretum will continue to operate under its normal schedule; however, if visitors are sick or belong to a group identified by the Centers for Disease Control as High Risk, they are encouraged to postpone their visit.
Hemlock trees in Western North Carolina are an important and irreplaceable component of our forest ecosystems. Unfortunately, these trees have been suffering for over two decades from the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect pest that can kill an individual tree in as little as four years. In an effort to combat HWA and teach landowners and land managers practical tools and techniques to protect hemlocks, the Arboretum will be the host site for Hemlock Restoration Initiative’s Hemlock Management Workshop on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21 inside the Education Center.
Topics Covered:
- How to identify hemlock woolly adelgid and assess tree health
- Easy and affordable DIY treatment methods
- Hemlock management in forested vs. landscape settings
- Biological control of HWA and home monitoring
- When to seek professional help
*N.C. Pesticide and ISA credits are available
Workshop Schedule:
- Friday, March 20, 1 – 4 p.m. – Biological control session (optional)
- Friday, March 20, 6 – 8 p.m. – Overview of HRI, hemlocks, HWA and IPM (classroom presentation–open to general public)
- Saturday, March 21, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Hands-on chemical treatment workshop (lunch provided)
Pre-registration is required and is $10 per person. The deadline to register is Friday, March 13. Please note: Registration and event information should be directed to Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI).
Funding for this project was provided in part through an Urban & Community Forestry Grant from the North Carolina Forest Service, Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, Southern Region.