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Local News

West Michigan residents asked to check trees for hemlock woolly adelgid

Michigan forest health experts are asking west Michigan residents to check their trees for hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA).

 

The tiny insects secrete white wax as they feed on sap. HWA feeding can kill needles, shoots and branches. Over time, growth slows as trees become less vigorous. Eventually, infected trees may take on a grayish-green appearance and can die when combined HWA and with other stress factors, such as drought.

 

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) say the harmful insects are a serious threat to Michigan’s eastern hemlock.

Hemlock woolly adelgid has already been found in Ottawa and Muskegon counties. In cooperation with MDARD, Michigan State University and others, DNR staff this winter will be searching for HWA in state parks, state game areas and hemlock trees all over Michigan.

 

If you find a possible HWA infestation, take photos, note the location of the affected trees and contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 or MDA-info@michigan.gov. To prevent spread, do not move the potentially infested material.

 

A statewide response strategy requires knowing precisely where hemlock woolly adelgid occurs. When the insects have been detected in Michigan in the past decade, several state agencies have joined forces to address the threat. //

 

"We’re asking for assistance from the public in detecting occurrences of hemlock woolly adelgid in Michigan,” said Roger Mech, DNR forest health specialist. Quickly detecting and eliminating HWA is critical to slowing the spread of the insect. Eggs and very young adelgids can be carried by birds or moved on people’s clothing, hemlock nursery trees, logs or firewood.

Hemlock trees can be protected from HWA with proper insecticide treatments.

 

“Citizen involvement in reporting and treating HWA is crucial for the future of hemlock trees in Michigan,” said John Bedford, MDARD Pest Response Program specialist. “Examine your hemlocks, or have them examined by a qualified arborist and, if HWA is found, treat them or have them treated.”

Eastern hemlock is an essential component of Michigan’s 2.3 million acres of forests and critical for wildlife habitat.

 

For more on hemlock woolly adelgid, visit https://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/hwa/.  For further on treatments, visit www.michigan.gov/hwa.

 

Photos:

(upper left) Adult hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) on a hemlock twig.

(middle left) An eastern hemlock twig with cones.

 

 

 

 

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