Woolly Adelgid attack on the Hemlock Tree Seminar

Dr. Paul Arnold (r) is seen recieving an award of appreciation from Alan Polk, US Forest Service, for his work with the Wooley Adelgid.

Mr. Griffin will discuss the history and current status of the HWAinfestation. Identification and the life cycle of the HWAwill be covered, as well as the role the GFC is playing in the HWA battle. Beginning in 2005, Young Harris College established a predatory beetle-rearing facility, in response to the rapid spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid. Paul Arnold, the director of the facility, will talk about the strategies and current status of biopredator control in the north Georgia mountains, and what Georgians can do to help. Robert Brewer will let us know what we as homeowners can do for the hemlock trees in our own back yards.

Our Speakers:

Scott Griffin, Forest Health Specialist received a BS in forestry from UGA in 1994. HE has worked as a forester for the Georgia Forestry Commission for the last 12 years. Ten of those years were spent working in the southern end of the eastern hemlock range. In June of 2006, Mr. Griffin began working as the GFC Forest Health Specialist for North Georgia. One of the highest profile forest pests in his area is the hemlock woolly adelgid.

Dr. Paul T. Arnold

Dr. Paul T. Arnold of Young Harris College is a graduate of Huntington University, where he earned a B.S. in Biological Science in 1982. In 1987, he earned a B.S. in Biographical Science in 1982. In 1987, he earned his Ph.D. in Botany from Miami University in Oxford, OH. He came to Yong Harris College in 1987 and has taught courses in Biology, Botany, Invertebrate Zoology, Ecology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology. Biopredator control of the hemlock woolly adelgid and the flora of the southern Appalachian bioregion are primary professional interests of Dr. Arnold.

Robert Brewer is the County Extension Coordinator for Towns County. He is currently the Principal Research on a four county on-going research project to determine population levels and movement of small hive beetles in north Georgia. Mr. Brewer has taught more than 25 Master Gardener classes on subjects such as composting, beekeeping and gardening. This will be the third in this seminar series in which Mr. Brewer has taken part.

Program Details DATE: Friday, March 23, 2007

TIME: Registration 9:30 a.m., program 10:00

PLACE: Auditorium, GEORGIA MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER , BLAIRSVILLE THIS IS A FREE SEMINAR! SEATING IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 100 REGISTRANTS. Please return email your registration to gmrec@uga.edu

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 706-745-2655