Potential
Hemlock Hybrids Tolerant to Invasive Hemlock Woolly
Adelgid (Nov
10, 2010) USDA. Agricultural
Research Service.
New hemlock hybrids
that are tolerant to the invasive insect known as Hemlock
Woolly Adelgid have been created by USDA
scientists. Over the past few decades, two hemlocks
native to the United States—Tsuga Canadensis (Eastern
hemlock) and Tsuga caroliniana (Caroline hemlock)—have
been under attack by the HWA. Originally from Asia,
this aphid relative has spread to forests and backyards
in 17 eastern states, killing hemlock trees and devastating
natural ecosystems. The scientists and their colleagues
crossed hemlock species native to the U.S. with
germplasm—collected
in Asia—of hemlocks that have shown tolerance to the insect.
The hybrids are appealing not only due to their tolerance,
but because they have good vigor and shape. Still,
the researchers have several years of testing to
complete before they can release these hybrids. Read
more about the research in the article Saving
America's Hemlocks, published in the Nov/Dec 2010
issue of Agricultural Research magazine.
