 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Hemlock Protection
Tips for maintaining hemlocks and avoiding or decreasing hemlock woolly adelgid infestations:
- Do not disturb shallow roots with heavy equipment or by digging or tilling;
- Keep hemlocks well-watered (apply about 1 inch / week around drip line) during droughts;
- Do not place a bird feeder amongst your hemlock trees in infested areas of the state. Birds can transport hemlock woolly adelgid crawlers to your trees.
- Remove large, heavily infested trees that can act as reservoirs for uninfested trees.
- Clip and burn heavily infested hemlock branches. If you can catch the infestation early enough, this may significantly slow the insect's spread and build-up.
- Do not change the grade (slope of the land) near hemlocks, such as excavations or tree wells;
- Do not change water runoff patterns around hemlocks. Simply moving a downspout or installing a patio can stress these trees;
- Do NOT fertilize trees infested with hemlock woolly adelgid with nitrogen. Researchers have found five times as many hemlock woolly adelgids on nitrogen-fertilized trees, regardless of whether fertilization occurred at infestation or six months later. Once an infestation has been eradicated, fertilize hemlocks lightly with a balanced fertilizer, such as 5-10-5, late in the fall.
- When applying lime or weed killers to lawn areas, keep them at least 10 feet away from the drip line (tips of outermost branches) of hemlock trees.