Scientists and researchers are launching a battle against an invasive species that threatens the well being of a tree that is important to the region's eco system.
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Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
Why is our state tree (the Eastern Hemlock) in trouble? The Eastern Hemlock is being attacked by the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. This invasive aphid-like insect kills Hemlock by feeding on their starch reserves and injecting a toxin into them that causes their needles to drop more quickly. According to the article âRehabilitation Guidelines for Hemlock Stands,â âAdelgids cause damage by depleting the Hemlockâs starch reserves.â When the starch reserves are depleted, the tree doesn t have enough energy to grow. The Hemlock Wooly Adelgidâs toxin causes needles to fall off the tree faster, as shown in the article âForest Health Fact Sheetâ. With less needles to perform photosynthesis in and not enough energy reserves to grow new ones, the tree is unable to store enough energy to live well through the dark winters, and it dies within a few years.