Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - 52
science along with the discovery of a nonvirulent
strain of the blight offer hope for
the return of this queen of the forest.
Fraser Fir. The aromatic quality, upturned
branches and soft needles of this
native species make it a favorite choice for
a Christmas tree. While thriving on farms
for this purpose, it is endangered in its natural
high-altitude ranges. The cause: the
balsam woolly adelgid-an invasive insect
that was inadvertently introduced around
1900 and detected in the 1950s. By the
1980s, it had decimated the population.
The good news is that this tree, native
only to the southern Appalachian
Mountains, appears to be making a
comeback. Living above 5,000 feet, this
remnant of the last Ice Age can still be
seen in the mountains of North Carolina,
Tennessee and Virginia dotted by the
standing skeletons of those that did not
survive yet still contribute to the life cycle
of the forest. Scientists have discovered
that these stands of young trees are more
resistant to the deadly insect than their
older counterparts.
ABOVE AND INSET: Efforts to
restore the once widespread
American chestnut focus
primarily on genetics.
BELOW: Fraser Fir, a favorite
Christmas tree, has shown
signs of resistance to the
balsam woolly adelgid, which
devastated its population by
the 1980s.
Eastern Hemlock. Often referred
to as the " redwood of the east, " these giants
can grow taller than 170 feet and live
for more than 800 years. Their dense foliage
begins at the forest floor and reaches
to the canopy, creating a unique ecosystem
utilized by over 120 species of vertebrates.
Typically standing beside creeks
and streams, this species prevents erosion,
regulates water temperatures and increases
oxygen levels-all necessary for aquatic
species health.
Enter another tiny aphid-like insect,
the hemlock woolly adelgid. Likely introduced
in the early 20th century and identified
in the 1950s, this invasive pest has
reportedly infested over half the population
of eastern hemlocks. The problems
are also exacerbated by warmer winters
allowing more of the insects to survive.
Recent research shows that certain conditions,
like increased sunlight, help the
52 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
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Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - Cover1
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - Cover2
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - 3
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - 4
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - 5
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - 6
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - 7
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - 8
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Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - Cover3
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2023 - Cover4
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