The Native Azaleas of. Hooper Bald. Hooper Bald. Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Species Study Group Project

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1 The Native Azaleas of Hooper Bald Hooper Bald Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society Species Study Group Project

2 Nantahala National Forest Hooper Bald is located in a remote region of the Nantahala National Forest in Western North Carolina

3 Map-01 O Hooper Bald is located in a remote region of the Nantahala National Forest in Western North Carolina

4 Once difficult to access, this region is easily reached now from North Carolina or Tennessee via the new Cherohala Skyway. Cherohala Skyway

5 Once difficult to access, this region is easily reached now from North Carolina or Tennessee via the new Cherohala Skyway. Map-01 O

6 Once difficult to access, this region is easily reached now from North Carolina and Tennessee via the new Cherohala Skyway. Cherohala Skyway A short walk on a gravel path leads to Hooper Bald

7 Hooper Bald is home Red to some rare forms of our native azaleas: Apricot Flowers come Rhododendron calendulaceum Hooper Bald in many COLORS The Flame Azalea Gold Orange

8 Some of very large flowered forms of the Flame Azalea grow on Hooper. Blossoms can exceed 3 inches across! Large Flowers

9 We call this unusual azalea Hooper s Copper Hooper Copper Blooms open Yellow But then change to Coppery-Orange 3! Its flowers can measure over 3! inches across!

10 Much But it of is rapidly Hooper getting Bald was overgrown. once open. Open Bald

11 Azaleas and wildflowers are being crowded out by trees and other vegetation Overgrown Rare treasures in nature often need our stewardship in order to survive.

12 Encroaching We have tried vegetation to was keep even that threatening plant from getting overgrown. Hooper s Copper Hooper s Copper is still safe Overgrown Hooper Copper at least for now.

13 Red Overgrown Other Azaleas and Wildflowers on Hooper Bald are not so fortunate. They are facing serious competition Without our help they could be lost.

14 Other Balds Concerned environmental groups help keep many balds open. Scenic Balds in the Southern Appalachians do require some assistance to keep them from returning to forest land:! Forest Fires! Heavy Grazing! Manual Clearing

15 The Roan Highlands The Roan Highlands The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy helps keep this region clear. Rare plants are flourishing. Flame Azaleas abound Rare Gray s Lilies are multiplying

16 Rhododendron calendulaceum catawbiense at on Engine Grassy Gap Ridge is spectacular! is world famous. Calendulaceum and catawbiense

17 Gregory Bald The Gregory Bald Azaleas are incredible! Gregory in the Bald Great Smokey Mountain National Park The National Park Service maintains this scenic bald. Another National Treasure

18 Each year, many people from around the world convene on Gregory Bald to enjoy the incredible display. People Even though the hike takes 3 to 4 hours each way, Hikers of all ages make the trek to admire the azaleas.

19 Trees had been reclaiming the top of Gregory Bald, too. Gregory Bald Overgrown

20 The Rare Park plants Service and has scenic been vistas cutting down could trees, easily trying have to been restore lost. Gregory Bald to its original size. Enlarging the Bald

21 The Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society wanted to help the Park maintain the native azaleas on Gregory Bald. Maintenance of the Bald

22 Hand cutting Workers previously cut down grass and brush around the azaleas by hand.

23 An ARS grant bought a Kawasaki 17.0 HP Mower to help Park workers make better use of their time. Brambles, brush, and grass can now be cleared with relative ease. Azaleas and other rare plants are flourishing without competition. Kawasaki Mower

24 The Azaleas are spectacular Park Setting The Dramatic Results! Gregory s rare dwarf Salix (willow) is Gregory Bald looks less threatened like a park Rare sedges have room to grow

25 We need to turn our attention to Hooper Bald. Restore Hooper too

26 We should preserve We could such restore treasures the for future generations natural beauty to enjoy. of Hooper Bald and save its rare plants, too. It could be similar to Gregory Bald. What Hooper could be

27 Work Crew The Middle Atlantic Chapter ARS was able to get approval from the Park Authority to begin restoring Hooper Bald. This group of concerned environmentalists converged on the peak this April to begin removing vegetation that has been threatening the azaleas. We invite you to join us!

28 Let s Restore Hooper Bald! Save Hooper Bald Thanks for Listening PowerPoint Presentation by Don Hyatt Middle Atlantic Chapter ARS Species Study Group Representatives: Jim Brant, Don Hyatt, and George McLellan

ARS ASA Convention, Williamsburg, Virginia Rhododendron Web Site Addresses: American Rhododendron Society

ARS ASA Convention, Williamsburg, Virginia Rhododendron Web Site Addresses: American Rhododendron Society MID-ATLANTIC RHODODENDRON NEWS AND NOTES A Publication of the Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society Vol. XXXXII No.1 February 2015 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING MEETINGS April 24-26, 2015