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Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network


Hemlock Woolly Adelgid


What is Hemlock Woolly Adelgid?

Most residents of northern Michigan are familiar with emerald ash borer – an invasive insect that arrived in our state, resulting in the widespread die-off of millions of ash trees. Forests once full of this large, native tree are now stocked with dead snags and state-wide quarantines are still in place preventing the spread of wood material from one place to another. Unfortunately, another invasive species is knocking at our front door, this time targeting a critical habitat species – our hemlocks. The photos emerging from the Appalachian Mountains are stunning. Entire swaths of forest appear to be brown as dense hemlock stands become fatalities to the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Originally from Asia, but now established in the eastern U.S. and moving west, this aphid-like insect can be hard to spot, but they situate themselves at the base of hemlock needles and feed off the trees’ nutrient supply, eventually resulting in mortality. Luckily, unlike with Michigan’s ash trees, this mortality is more gradual – often taking five to ten years. This allows natural resource professionals to work toward saving this crucial hemlock resource. 

How is ISN involved?

The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN), operating with funds from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (via the Ottawa Conservation District) has been working to stay ahead of HWA since fall of 2018. With populations of HWA identified in Mason County, just south of ISN’s service area, it is critical to tackle this issue head-on. Any invasive insect can have devastating outcomes, but hemlock is a particularly special component of northern Michigan’s forest ecosystem. They provide essential habitat for many forms of wildlife and because of where they tend to grow (i.e. along rivers), they offer shade that is crucial to the health of our fisheries.
 
In 2018, ISN and regional partners, using guidelines set by the State of Michigan HWA task force,  worked together to establish a map that narrowed down areas that were expected to be denser with hemlock – following the current trajectory of HWA movement in Michigan. Winter surveys took place to minimize any potential spread of the invasive and because it is easier to locate the woolly mass of HWA ovisacs underneath hemlock needles. ISN’s focus was on easier-to-access locations such as public land and conservation easements. The following winter, the focus shifted to private land and that goal continues as we enter the 2020/2021 season.

ISN is Seeking Survey Locations

​ If your home or land falls within the below parameters, you are encouraged to complete a landowner survey! Homeowner Associations are also welcome to participate. If you have questions, please contact ISN’s Invasive Species Specialist, Audrey Menninga –
​(231)941-0960 x18 or email amenninga@gtcd.org.
​

Do you qualify for a site visit?

  • Property is in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau or Manistee County (required)
  • Located within 10 miles of  the Lake Michigan shoreline​ (required)
  • A hemlock tree you planted was purchased from an online retailer
  • Special considerations: Property is along Manistee/Mason county line or along the Manistee River​
 If your home or land falls within the listed parameters, you are encouraged to fill out the below landowner form:
Landowner Survey Form

More Information: Save MI Hemlocks
Picture

Contact US

1450 Cass Road
Traverse City, Michigan 49685
-
(231)941 - 0960
-
​kgrzesiak@gtcd.org
Pleasant Peninsula Design, Habitat Matters 2017 
  • Home
  • About
    • About ISN & FAQs
    • Our Team
    • Our Partners
    • Steering Committee
    • Employment
    • Enewsletter
    • Donate to ISN
  • Events
  • ID & Report
    • Top 12 Species
    • Early Detection Species
    • Awareness Species
    • Other Invasive Species >
      • Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
      • Aquatic Invasive Species
      • Gypsy Moths
    • ID and Reporting Tools
  • Resources
    • Videos
    • Education
    • Tool Library
    • Planting Guide/Ordinance Templates
    • Requests For Bids
    • Treatment Information
    • Other Information
    • Native Plant Seeds
    • Invasive Species in the News >
      • ISN in the News
  • Go Beyond Beauty
    • Find Participants >
      • Nurseries >
        • Bioconcentric Farms
        • Birdsfoot Native Nursery
        • Black Cap Farms
        • Cyman Gardens
        • Garden Goods
        • Greystone Gardens
        • Misty Ridge
        • Northwoods Landscaping & Nursery
        • Pine Hill
      • Landscapers >
        • Cre Woodard
        • Cyman Gardens
        • Designs in Bloom
        • Greener Earth Landscaping
        • Dompierre Design
        • Heritage Landscape Design
        • Inhabitect, LLC
        • Lakeview Habitats
        • Laurel Voran, LLC
        • The Mossy Tree, LLC
        • Northwoods Landscaping & Nursery
        • Old Mission Associates
        • Inner-Coastal
        • Perennial Harvest
        • Pine Hill
        • Silverman & Company
        • Sustainable Landscape Design, LLC
        • TruNorth Landscaping
        • Wildlife & Wetland Solutions
      • Community Participants
    • GBB Achievement Program
    • Register >
      • Registration Form (Garden Professional)
      • Registration Form (Individual or other org)
      • Start-up Materials
    • Ornamental Invasive Species
    • Native Plant Species
    • Participant Signs
    • Japanese Barberry Trade-Up Day
    • GBB Resources
  • Contact