Massachusetts Hemlock Situation

Massachusetts Hemlock Situation

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Thurs, Nov 1 2007 2:58 pm
From: dbhguru@comcast.net

Larry,

I'm part of a DCR-sponsored effort to figure out what to do. Dave Orwig is also part of the group. We met once as a group back in June. Although we'll go through some motions, I doubt that the Bureau of Forestry is going to put much importance (if any) on saving the hemlocks. It is very easy to become cynical toward the Bureau of Forestry. They are so consumed with Green Certification and use it as a cover for some pretty stupid actions. Their solution was to begin cutting hemlocks while they still have commercial value. However, Chief Forester Jim DiMaio did respond to pressure from Harvard Forest and me and organized a group to investigate the options. Then he took chemical treatment off the table. Go figure.

Bob

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Thurs, Nov 1 2007 11:59 pm
From: dbhguru@comcast.net

Larry,

A few more comments about the DCR sponsored effort to develop a plan for saving some hemlocks on public lands. I am sad to say that I do not sense any genuine concern over Eastern Hemlock loss within the Bureau of Forestry. That is a generalization, and yes, I'm sure there are exceptions, but if the leadership of the Bureau has real concerns over hemlock loss, those concerns are being hid. The Bureau's concern seems to be getting to hemlocks at risk and cutting them. The same lack of concern cannot be said about the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Wildlife biologists and foresters within the Division seem to appreciate the ecological value of the hemlock. So, in summary, token gestures are being made by DCR toward saving at least a few examples of Eastern Hemlock habitat. DCR disavows the use of chemicals such as Imidacloprid based on very poor analysis of the danger, which with reasonable precautions is minimal. I suspect that the Bureau of Forestry will grasp at virtually an
y information to ban its use.

Conservation groups need to act on their own on their properties to treat hemlock stands in danger. TTOR has an active program. I'm unsure of how aggressive Mass Audubon intends to be.

Bob

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Usis hemlock update
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/b4c287119bcb07f6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Nov 2 2007 6:12 am
From: Elisa Campbell

Hi,
although not a scientist etc. I was permitted to attend the meeting that
Bob has described. I share his frustration with lack of action and
reluctance to use chemicals, and his observation that F&W is very aware
of the habitat value of hemlock and more open to taking action.
However, I'm not as negative about DCR's reluctance to use chemicals as
Bob is. Perhaps it is because I have been a local official and I have
found that being one of the people who is responsible for the decision
is far different from being an advocate for a particular decision. In
this context I'm an advocate, and I do - every time I see Jim DiMaio I
tell him I think we should use imidacloprid, and I tell everyone else
that, too. I've gotten very skeptical responses from some forester
professors who are also very concerned about wildlife, etc. I argued at
the meeting that setting up Forest Reserves where natural processes
would be allowed to take their course does not necessarily mean we have
to let accidentally introduced pests destroy them. I've decided that,
for me, preserving some of the species - especially but not only the
outstanding trees - is worth the risk; but although watching them die
makes me very upset, I don't expect everyone to agree with me.

Let's find ways to push treatment where we can, as quickly as we can.
The private owners, like TTOR. Let's push Audubon. Let's push UMass, if
it isn't too late for their old trees either on campus or in their other
forests (like the Arnold Rhodes area on Roaring Mtn near Mt Toby). Etc.

Elisa

== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Nov 2 2007 7:59 am
From: dbhguru@comcast.net

Elisa,

I can relate to your position and understand the decision maker has to woory about the law of unintended consequences. However, in DCR's case, they conveniently choose to ignore the evidence that Imidacloprid carefully applied is no threat. Furthermore, they seem completely indifferent to the loss of habitat and species that depend on living hemlock cover. They don't seem to worry a whet about their actions introducing non-native species. In short, I believe them to be disingenuous, content to see hemlock disappear in favor of commercially valuable species. I have reluctantly come to this point of view for several reasons. But, the coup de grace was the mindboggling incompetence they showed with respect to the Robinson SP situation. A 7-year old could have made better decisions.

Bob

== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Nov 2 2007 8:11 am
From: dbhguru@comcast.net

Dave,

Okay, your assurance is plenty good enough for me. For months, I've been seething about the utter incompetence DCR continued to show over Robinson SP and the Holyoke Range cut. My perception is colored by those situations. Not good. I'm being a bad boy. Bad, bad Bob.

Bob

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Cataloochee HWA death photo
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/6147c44dc2f54fa8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Nov 7 2007 3:19 am
From: dbhguru@comcast.net

Mike,

In Massachusetts, we have a state-sponsored committee that includes representatives from a number of organizations that own land or do research. I'm on the committee. We're supposed to figure out how to save some representative stands to include the old growth heritage stands. The UMASS representative believes biological controls are the only viable course. There is one beetle they are working with that shows promise of eating the adelgid. Releases of the tiny Asian beetle haven't proven effective. The beetle disappears. There is the possibility of chemical treatment of some hemlocks as a stop-gap measure until the beetles work. This is the option that I prefer.

I'm most concerned about the old growth hemlocks in Mohawk, Savoy Mountain, Monroe, Mount Washington, etc. State Forests. I don't want to lose 300-400-year old hemlocks while DCR futzes around feigning concern over hemlock loss. At the first sign of the adelgid, I'm for using imadicloprid on a limited basis. All I want from DCR is a commitment to do that. But you know DCR.

Bob

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Nov 7 2007 4:35 pm
From: "Mike Leonard"

Bob,

So someone is monitoring the State Forests you mention to see if and
when the adelgid arrives? Should imadicloprid be used prior to any sign
of infestation?
You need a multi-pronged approach. Thus far, the adelgid hasn't been
much of a factor in MA. But I agree with Joe that heavy thinnings of
hemlock at least on private land are in order since the abundance of
hemlock here is a result of widespread high-grading and greatly reducing
this abundance just might slow the spread of the adelgid a bit (although
real cold weather works best). The trouble with this of course is that
timber markets are in such a bad state now, you can't give it away! I
have two chipper crews going now and all the hemlock is going as chips.
I agree with using the pesticide as you want on the old growth hemlocks.
Man I would hate to see what that trail that leads down to the
magnificent Bash Bish Falls in the southern Berkshires would look like
without those big hemlocks! Injecting the big trees could be done in
conjunction with releasing the promising beetle. In the long run,
breeding a resistant hemlock or underplanting a similar species should
be looked at too.
Right now this issue is way down on my list. Just trying to survive in
this current timber depression and continuing to fight so my forester's
license is worth more than the paper it's printed on are my main
concerns now. Good luck in trying to get the state to help you to save
the ancient groves. It's a worthwhile endeavor but they may say they
don't have the money or whatever, but they could shift money from other
programs of dubious benefit. Perhaps you could compile a picture
portfolio of these ancient groves along with the aerials of the
skeletonized hemlock forests and show all the State Reps what will
happen if nothing is done. Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Mike

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Nov 7 2007 6:47 pm
From: "Will Blozan"

Mike,

I cannot possibly fathom the logic of your suggestion. I think you need to
see the scope of the death zone in the southern Appalachians to fully
appreciate what an impractical idea that truly is.

Will

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