After the big snow storm, the snow-flocked hemlock grove at our Idea Bay Preserve was magnificent.
I love that hemlock stand, so shortly after The Nature Conservancy gave the preserve to Crossroads, I wrote an article about how special it was the Crossroads actually owned a healthy stand of these magnificent evergreens.
I wrote, “We have three or four of these majestic trees at our Big Creek Preserve, but in the Ida Bay Forest, groves of hemlocks are stunningly beautiful and the evergreens seem to be reproducing. Perhaps should be very grateful for the brutal cold spell we just experienced.
“In warmer climates like the southern Appalachian Mountains, where hemlocks once flourished, tiny aphid-like insects called Hemlock Woolly Adelgids (HWA) have killed almost 95% of these remarkable trees. The insects, originally from Japan, were accidently introduced to the West Coast. They were first discovered in Virginia in 1951 and without natural enemies, other than extreme cold, they spread. [It should be noted that in Asia, these insects survive in chilly climates, so is possible that even extreme cold won’t protect us from these invasive species.”]
Four year later, Hemlock Wooly Adelgids now have spread to the cold and snowy Lower Peninsula of Michigan and apparently, they are transported on nursery stock. None have been found in Wisconsin YET. So Michael Falk, a Plant Pest & Disease Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture is checking forests throughout the state. He was looking for a hemlock grove in an urban setting in Northeast Wisconsin where he could conduct a non-invasive, visual search for Hemlock Woolly Adelgids. When he found my article on the web he sent an email to find out if we would allow researchers on our property and if we had at least a hundred hemlocks. YES (researchers and anybody else) and YES.
So last week, Michael did a preliminary survey of Ida Bay Preserve and he showed me pictures of what he was looking for. If a hemlock is infested, one can observe what appears to be tiny cotton balls lined up between the needles along the twigs of hemlock trees. The insects can be found anywhere on the tree so fortunately for researchers, a check of lower branches usually is sufficient.
Michael also explained the survey protocol which was developed by the US Forest Service. The researcher zigs and zags on a course through the forest, checking at least a hundred trees.
He will be back, but I anticipate creating a citizen science activity for school children or youth groups to monitor our stand as well. Stay tuned.
When I left to him to complete his search, I was rather at a loss for words. I was just about to tell him “Good luck!” but that’s the last thing I wanted. If he finds HWA, our trees are doomed. Literally sapped of their energy by the tiny invasives, infested hemlocks turn grey and die.
So I told him to enjoy his hike. And I wish the same to anyone who would like to explore Ida Bay this time of year. We do not groom the trails at Ida Bay or The Cove preserves but they are great places to use snowshoes or just trudge through the snow.
All of our trails are free, and when conditions allow, we roll and track our Ski Trails and many (but not all) of our Multi-Use Trails. On Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, we lend snowshoe and ski equipment (including children’s sizes) to residents and visitors of Door County. The equipment is kept in our Maintenance Building. We have hosted participants from many states, Australia and Japan so far this winter.
The Business Office and Collins Learning Center (located at 2041 Michigan just east of the highway roundabout in Sturgeon Bay) will be closed for renovations this week . Restrooms and trails will be open.
Thursday, January 25
1:00-3:30 Ski for Free
Conditions permitting, ski equipment and snowshoes in a wide range of sizes will be available from our Ski Distribution Center (a.k.a .the Maintenance Building), free of charge. This program is staffed and sponsored by Friends of Crossroads and the Door County Silent Sports.
Saturday, January 27
1:00-3:30 Ski for Free
Conditions permitting, ski equipment and snowshoes in a wide range of sizes will be available from our Ski Distribution Center (a.k.a .the Maintenance Building), free of charge. This program is staffed and sponsored by Friends of Crossroads and the Door County Silent Sports.
Sunday January 28
1:00-3:30 Ski for Free
Conditions permitting, ski equipment and snowshoes in a wide range of sizes will be available from our Ski Distribution Center (a.k.a .the Maintenance Building), free of charge. This program is staffed and sponsored by Friends of Crossroads and the Door County Silent Sports.
