) cone These beautiful trees are being attacked by a type of fuzzy white aphid, called a wooly hemlock adelgid. Colditz Cove State Natural Area, where I took this photo, has huge, ancient hemlocks. I hope the adelgids won't attack them. The Smoky Mountains have been attacked and many trees have died.
These may look like dry, brown flowers, but they are actually Tulip Poplar seeds. This one has already lost several of its' seeds. The seeds have a broad wing which helps them twirl in the wind a distance from the tree.
contain several seeds. The pods break off and blow in the wind.
