Hemlock Forests

There are many species that thrive solely in Hemlock forests. According to the Allegheny Forest Health Collaborative , there are over 120 different types of animals that depend on the Hemlock for survival. These can be bats and squirrels looking for food and shelter, deer or bear requiring the cover and protection from rough weather that Hemlock stands provide, or trout and crayfish that thrive in the hemlock-cooled streams of our northeast forests. Among the 120 species that depend on the Hemlock, 96 of those species are birds, and one of those 96 species of birds is the local White-breasted Nuthatch . The White-breasted Nuthatch is a commonly encountered bird at our feeders and along the trails. Despite their importance, Hemlock trees are in trouble! An invasive insect called the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has been creeping through the northeast, killing Hemlocks along the way. Most trees infested with HWA survive for only 4 years, so it is important we act fast to protect our Hemlock forests and the species that depend on them.