If you like nature and you like to go up to the Blue Ridge Mountains, then I have a great story to tell. I was reading a report in my favorite magazine about our area that post great concern, for I think most are familiar with plight of the American Chestnut tree (gone). There is another tree species that deserves our help and attention and most of us are oblivious to the heroic efforts of folks trying to save some very old trees, the Giant Hemlock (Eastern Hemlock). This group of scientists have found a grove of giant hemlocks more than 160 feet tall with a base of 13 feet and some. The sad news is that they are beng attacked by the woolly adelgid and it takes time dedication and most of all money to do what is necessary to stop the invading horde of beetles on the precious North Carolineans.

Most all of us know about the giant sequoias in the western USA and have seen pictures of visitors to the parks, so while these giants get the attention our giant hemlocks are in some quiet corner being cared for by dedicated park personnel and scientists. Probably most of us will never get to see these trees because physically it's a long hike into the grove and then our remote wilderness in the blue ridge is shrinking except for the Great Smokey National Park. If you want to see the birth place of our hemlock just take a nice weekend drive to Linville Falls and walk among some Carolina hemlocks, enjoy the cool breeze and the wonderful earthy smell around them on a warm Summer day.

If your like to read great story's about our Blue Ridge Mountains and it's people that make it special, then pick up a copy of Blue Ridge Country, or better, subscribe to it. If you wish to make a donation to this project saving our hemlocks then send your contribution to Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, P.O. Box 20986 Roanoke, VA 24018 (1-800-228-7275) and if you want to do it on-line www.blueridgefriends.org and Click the "Donate" button.