Scientists looking for healthy hemlocks to clone

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Scientists are looking for some healthy hemlocks.

A group of tree scientists at the University of Rhode Island is asking the public for help finding Eastern hemlocks that they can clone as they look for ways to combat two hemlock pests.

Laura Ingwell says the parasites, elongate hemlock scale and hemlock woolly adelgids, were introduced accidentally from Asia and have been killing trees from New England to North Carolina.

She says some trees appear to be resistant, and those are the trees they want to clone because the clones may also be resistant.

The URI scientists are asking hikers and others to tip them off to healthy hemlocks in area forests.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.projo.com/