Stand of Hemlock Trees

Beebe Lake is home to hundreds of Eastern hemlock trees. A threat to this lakeshore ecosystem is a small insect known as the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. This invasive insect has decimated stands of hemlock trees in forests of Northeastern United States, and is abundant here and many other Cornell natural areas. Cornell Botanic Gardens staff have put much effort into preserving hemlocks and their genetic diversity by treating nearly 400 with a systemic insecticide, as well as training volunteers to detect infestations early and collaborating on adelgid control research.