DEC Working to Protect Cayuga County Hemlocks from Invasive Species

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was in Cayuga County to protect against invasive insects.

The DEC was recently at the Carpenter Falls Unique Area in the Town of Niles to treat hemlock trees on approximately 5 acres of land with pesticides to protect against the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, an invasive species that infests the trees and causes needle discoloration, needle loss, and eventually death.

Hemlock trees provide unique environmental conditions under their dense canopies, allowing for the survival of various species. The trees also protect water quality by preventing soil erosion.

Bear Swamp Creek, located at Carpenter Falls, flows into Skaneateles Lake which provides drinking water for Syracuse and surrounding towns. This makes the area a high priority for adelgid treatment.

The DEC says observations of the insects are increasing throughout the Finger Lakes and Central New York.

Carpenter Falls Hemlock Trees. Via NYSDEC

Carpenter Falls. Via NYSDEC