Hemlock woolly adelgid is a destructive creep of eastern region US hemlock species. This creep, first imported from Asia in the 1920’s, feeds on starch reserves at the base of needles located on twigs. Woolly adelgid is so damaging, that if left untreated, can kill a mature tree within 3-5 years.
Since the introduction of hemlock woolly adelgid 1000s of acres of native hemlock forests have been killed. While there aren’t too many hemlocks in the Charlotte Metro area, this is a major forest and landscape species in the Greater Asheville area. The good news is this insect is easily treated for in the landscape.