We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

Since the mid-1990s, the Eastern Hemlock has been in steady decline across Western North Carolina due to an invasion of the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect that feeds on the tree’s sap. This tiny pest attaches itself to the base of hemlock needles, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and water. Over time, infested trees weaken, lose their needles, and ultimately die—often within just a few years if left untreated. 

Eastern Hemlocks are a foundational species in the forests of Western North Carolina, playing a critical role in maintaining ecosystem health. They provide year-round shade that keeps streams cool, which is essential for native fish and aquatic life, and they help stabilize soil along riverbanks, reducing erosion and protecting water quality. Their dense canopies also create habitat for a wide range of wildlife species. As these trees disappear, the effects ripple through the entire ecosystem, altering habitats and putting additional stress on already vulnerable species. 

Efforts to address this crisis are ongoing, with conservation groups and community organizations working to slow the spread of the adelgid and restore hemlock populations. Reseeding initiatives, biological controls, and targeted treatments are all part of a broader strategy to support regeneration and long-term survival. Protecting and restoring. Eastern Hemlocks is not just about saving a single tree species—it is about preserving the balance, health, and resilience of the region’s forests and waterways for generations to come.