Robert Jetton, research associate professor of forest health and conservation in the department of forestry and environmental resources at North Carolina State University, will be the guest speaker at the next program in the Foothills Association of Master Gardeners’ Lecture Series at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4.

The presentation will be at the Polk County Extension Office at 79 Carmel Lane in Columbus (behind the Senior Center on Skyuka Road). 

Jetton works with Camcore, an international tree breeding and conservation program, leading Camcore’s research and outreach efforts in the conservation and restoration of endangered tree species threatened by insects, disease, forest fragmentation, climate change and other human-mediated disturbances.  

The majestic hemlock tree serves important roles in the southern Appalachians, providing habitat for birds and other animals and shading streams to maintain water temperatures required by fish and other aquatic organisms. Since the early 2000s, eastern hemlocks and Carolina hemlocks have been decimated by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, an invasive, non-native pest that, without control, kills hemlocks within five to seven years. 

Jetton will speak to the audience about the plight of the hemlock, the progress being made to control the Woolly Adelgid, and what is being done to save the hemlocks for future generations.

The lecture is open to the public and free of charge, with no reservations required.

– Submitted by Ann Mazzullo