See details below for this upcoming event hosted by Mersey Tobiatic Research Institute:

As you know Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is a serious issue that we are now facing within NS, so we are left with making some fairly crucial and likely controversial decisions.   

Chemical and biocontrol conversations to help slow the spread of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Nova Scotia should soon begin. We have good scientific evidence from our neighbours to the south that both these methods are working. Treating our hemlocks with the neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid will bide us some time (5-7 years /injection) with the hopes that other, perhaps more environmentally friendly methods can be used to continue to keep these magnificent trees alive.

The cost at the moment is prohibitive on a large scale, but if companies such as ArborJet see that doing business in Nova Scotia could be profitable perhaps we can negotiate a more reasonable price.

We have an opportunity to bring in a couple of specialists in their field  to speak on chemical control and biological control in February.

The intent is to help people understand that saving hemlocks likely requires a two-stage strategy:  1) chemical control to span the gap of ~ 10 years (perhaps requiring only 2 inoculations) while research is feverishly completed on -> 2) biocontrol predators of HWA- to help our hemlocks live in balance with this new species in the Acadian forest.

Chemical Control. 

Learning from ArborJet scientists about ImaJet trunk injections for saving hemlocks, the only Canadian-approved chemical presently available for low dose, targeted treatments against HWA.  ImaJet is immediately available to save hemlocks in your woodlot.
Speakers: Joseph Doccola, Director of Research and Development, ArborJet Inc. -  Rob Gordon, Director, ArborJet Inc.

Biocontrol

 Learn about biocontrol research and the search for native predators for HWA. 

Speaker:  Jeffery Fidgen, Canadian Forest Service, Fredericton.