== 4 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 30 2008 9:52 pm
From: JamesRobertSmith


Will.

Does anyone know if the hemlock groves around Douglas Falls have been
treated with Imidacloprid? The folks in charge of our forests are
convinced that the relative health of this grove is due to the release
of beetles. If this is not true, if someone went in and treated that
grove with Merit or some other insecticide, then this should be
pointed out to them and publicized. No guilt need be implied. Surely a
soil test would confirm the presence of any applied chemicals.

At any rate, if the grove was treated with Imidacloprid, it would be
best if this could be made known and that this is the only sure way to
fight against the adelgid. If no insecticide was applied here, then
why are the trees still healthy? (Last year, when I hiked from Craggy
Bald down to Douglas Falls and back, the grove was in pretty darned
good health, especially considering that the groves all around were
dead or almost dead.) If no one went in on their own and treated these
trees, I would be very curious to find out why they are still doing
okay. Is it a fluke? Is it because of moisture? Temperatures? The
beetles? (I don't think the beetles do any good, because I see how
miserably beetle release did in the Smokies.)

Something has caused these trees to thrive when all of the hemlocks
around them are dead. If we know why they're still living, then surely
the Forest Service needs to know.

Bob Smith.

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Thurs, Jan 31 2008 12:20 pm
From: Josh


Bob,

The hemlock groves at Douglas Falls have had a beetle release, and
Pisgah National Forest currently has a policy that does not allow
chemical treatment within 1/2 mile of beetle releases. With that
policy, those groves are doomed. Feel free to call or write to Pisgah
NF and tell them what you think of that policy. I think 50 meters
would be a more appropriate threshold.

However, WildLaw and Quality Forward are in the process of entering
into a service contract with that district of Pisgah NF to do some
chemical treatments. High on the list will be the two large specimens
that Jess Riddle and I found on Waterfall Creek (check the trip
reports on the website) back in 2006. Other surviving, old-growth
groves are also priorities, including one in the Hickey Fork
Headwaters and one in the Nolichuckey Gorge.

Josh

== 1 of 6 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 3 2008 8:37 am
From: JamesRobertSmith


Well, something was keeping the hemlock groves leading down to Douglas
Falls in a relatively healthy state. I find it hard to believe that
it's the release of beetles. My impression from seeing those trees is
that someone (or group) went into that watershed and treated the hell
out of the hemlocks with Imadacloprid. The only other explanations are
just plain luck of the draw, or the beetle release worked. Some
research is in order, I'd think.

Of course all this could be rendered moot if the groves have started
dying off since I hiked in there. It's been one years since the hike.

Bob Smith.

== 2 of 6 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 3 2008 9:31 am
From: "Will Blozan"


James,

When Jess and I were there ~two years ago they looked awesome. HWA was just
getting a start so they hadn't declined yet. I talked to someone who was
there just a few weeks ago and they are getting gray and sickly. The grove
just hasn't been infested that long.

Will