Thursday, January 06, 2011
Hemlock Trees Threatened
KENTUCKY...
A Kentucky official has launched an effort to stop an insect that is threatening the state's hemlock trees.
Energy and Environment Secretary Leonard Peters says the hemlock woolly adelgid could potentially destroy some of Kentucky's 76.6 million eastern hemlock trees. Peters says that would have a great impact on forest ecosystems, as well as tourism and recreation.
Peters has issued a declaration of public nuisance against the insect, which directs the Division of Forestry to protect forest resources from infestations and to seek funding for projects aimed at saving the hemlock trees.
Infestations of the insect have been found in 15 Kentucky counties since 2006. The cabinet says the insect feeds on hemlock needles and can spread rapidly, reproducing during warm weather.
For more information, visit Save Kentucky's Hemlocks website at www.kyhemlocks.org.
A Kentucky official has launched an effort to stop an insect that is threatening the state's hemlock trees.
Energy and Environment Secretary Leonard Peters says the hemlock woolly adelgid could potentially destroy some of Kentucky's 76.6 million eastern hemlock trees. Peters says that would have a great impact on forest ecosystems, as well as tourism and recreation.
Peters has issued a declaration of public nuisance against the insect, which directs the Division of Forestry to protect forest resources from infestations and to seek funding for projects aimed at saving the hemlock trees.
Infestations of the insect have been found in 15 Kentucky counties since 2006. The cabinet says the insect feeds on hemlock needles and can spread rapidly, reproducing during warm weather.
For more information, visit Save Kentucky's Hemlocks website at www.kyhemlocks.org.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 11:21 PM 
