hemlock seed collection   Fores-@aol.com
  Nov 20, 2006 16:20 PST 
Ents:

This is a link to a recent article on a hemlock seed gathering effort in NC.

Russ

http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/504209.html
RE: hemlock seed collection ???   Will Blozan
  Nov 20, 2006 20:33 PST 
HOLY++++! ~$660 per TREE would keep the trees ALIVE for decades with
chemical control! I am not disagreeing with the idea but why not keep the
trees alive in this country?



Meanwhile the Smokies die.



Will
Re: hemlock seed collection   Edward Frank
  Nov 21, 2006 09:52 PST 
Russ,

Thanks for posting this article. I think it is an important step in the process to try and save the hemlock species from extinction. It is a different approach than Will's Tsuga Search project when individual stands are chemically treated to prevent their deaths. I want to see a variety of approached taken to try to preserve the hemlock. I had this discussion before, and am wondering what criteria were used to select the trees from which the seeds are gathered. I would in particular like to see a concerted effort made to collect seeds from smaller isolated populations as genetic variations that are few in number among the general population are often concentrated in greater numbers in these settings. Some people have said they are not worried about sub-populations or sub species. In light of the death of the entire species (both Carolina and Eastern), that is of course a small concern, but while there is an opportunity to collect seeds and at least preserve the genetic line of these sub-populations we should be doing so.

The CAMCORE homepage is:
http://www.camcore.org/

They have a nice page describing their hemlock seed collection effort at:
http://www.camcore.org/projects/hemlock.php

I wonder if some type of cooperation between our organizations might benefit the efforts of both groups?

Ed Frank
Re: hemlock seed collection   wad-@comcast.net
  Nov 21, 2006 11:05 PST 
ENTS

I personally don't think the species will go extinct, maybe locally. I think the solution is in the introduced beetles that control the adelgid. It will take many years before evidence of their effectiveness shows. Could they freeze the seed instead of planting it elsewhere? Maybe they could do what they did with the fraser fir in the Smokies, and plant up genetic banks of trees in a nursery setting to use later when the insect is stabilized? I just don't get why they have to go all the way to Chile? Will is right. It seems expensive.

I wonder if anyone did any trials to see if hemlock might be invasive in South america? If it were to escape into the natural areas, it could cause a problem?

Scott