Tiny white, cottony tufts on hemlock branches around Thurmont and the Catoctin foothills are a sign of hemlock woolly adelgid.
This invasive insect has been damaging hemlocks across Maryland's mountains for years. It spends the summer dormant and becomes active again in fall, when its woolly coverings build up at the base of the needles on the underside of branches. Over several years, infested hemlocks thin out, lose their deep green color, and stop producing new growth.
Hemlocks caught early can often be protected with treatment from a licensed applicator. A tree that has lost most of its foliage may be beyond saving, and a dead hemlock near a home, cabin, or driveway becomes a removal concern. Large dead hemlocks become brittle quickly and are safest to remove before they start dropping limbs.
Watts Tree Experts brings local knowledge of Frederick County and Catoctin-area species to tree assessments and removals in Thurmont, Emmitsburg, Frederick, and nearby communities.
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A real close-up of the underside of a hemlock branch showing white woolly tufts at the base of the needles, plus a wider shot of a thinning, grayish hemlock on a local property. Authentic local photos strongly preferred. Authentic photos of real Watts Tree Experts crews and job sites are strongly preferred over stock images.
Canva text suggestion: "Check Your Hemlocks for White Tufts" or "Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Is Active Now"