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In a previous post I wrote about the devastation that tiny insects called hemlock woody adelgids are bringing to one of the signature trees of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

On a recent trail-maintenance work trip in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, I saw just how bad things are. This photo, looking west-southwest from the summit of Rocky Top, a 5,400 peak located south of Clingman’s Dome, says it all. Most of the gray, dead tree skeletons carpeting the ridge are hemlocks, gone forever.

As I noted previously, the park is attempting to save some of the hemlocks by treating them with an insecticide, mostly along roads and in high-visibility areas. This photo shows the sad reality in the backcountry, where widespread treatment would be nearly impossible.

Another sad example presented itself in a dark cove (too dark for a decent photo with my limited skills) on our hike into the work site. On the Bote Mountain Trail at about 4,000 feet in elevation we passed a magnificent old hemlock, nearly five feet in diameter, with deep vertical bark furrows that gave the tree the look of a sturdy, wise elder. The tree must’ve been at least 200 years old, perhaps much older, but unfortunately it, too, was dead, killed by the adelgids.

Hemlocks, of course, thrived until humans unwittingly imported the adelgids from Asia in modern times.

If you want to make a donation to help save these gorgeous trees, visit http://www.friendsofthesmokies.org. The group has contributed more than $1 million to treat and save hemlocks in the Smokies.

1. Bill Starr says:

   June 18, 2009 at 10:30 am

   Nice post, Mike. Some of us are old enough to remember hiking in the late ’50s and ’60s before this damage became widespread. Now, as you say, it’s a tragedy. Thanks also for giving the link to Friends of the Smokies and for being involved in preserving this magnificent area.

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2. Dan Chapman says:

   June 22, 2009 at 3:27 pm

   mike,
   how goes? i too love the NC mountains having spent many a night camping there. n.c. officials used to say some of the tree damage may have come from midwest utilities? do they no longer say that?
   dan

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