In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the high elevation spruce-fir forest has been under attack for several decades, and the tall Douglas and Frasier firs and the Eastern Hemlock are being lost forever.
What is interesting is that these might giants are succumbing to the tiniest of enemies. The culprit is a small insect, the wooly agelid. The agelid is a parasite that infests the trees and over a long period of time, literally sucks the life out of them. What once was a magnificent forest cover has been reduced to tall wooly skeletons of what once was.
These trees did not give in to an axe, or longsaw, or any obvious peril. It was a small, persistent nuisance that eventually toppled the giant!
The lesson here is obvious. In our lives and careers, we are prepared to overcome the obvious foes that would attempt to triumph over us. Yet we often overlook the little things, the minute details, or nuisance items and consider then trivial and unimportant.
Yet more often than not, given enough time, these pesky little critters can bring us down. So pay attention to that gnawing undertone from within, it just might be worthy of your immediate attention!
Photo courtesy of SmokyPhotos.com
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All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008. |
All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
Richard, it is one of the saddest sights when driving through the mountains. It is most evident in and around the Ocoee and Nantahala rivers. They are some of the most idyllic and pristine forests in the world. I have kayaked and camped there for years and about 10 years ago is when we started noticing it. It is devastating. However, like anything it will pass and nature will prevail. There is already new growth. Your post is a great analogy. My father always says, you never trip over giants, it is the. it is the little stuff that gets us tripped up.
Thanks
BO
Richard,
Thanks for an eye-pening post. Sort of adds a new twist to the "don't sweat the small stuff" philosophy.
Steve
Richard - it's the details, the minutia that can make all the difference between a pleasant conclusion for all concerned and a fiasco. Just more proof that trite sayings as "Don't sweat the small stuff" (thanks Steve) and "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" are meaningless.
Bo...
My first experience in the Smokies region was the mid seventies. Friend took me up to raft the Natahala. We made a side trip to Cades cove and I was hooked forever.
I am also disturbed by the unchecked development in the area. I love the mountains and they are destroying the very thing that makes it such a great place.
Steve...
Don't sweat it until in finishes you off. lol and thanks!
Mike...
It the "Achilles Heel" syndrome. Or the little opening in the Death Star in STAR WARS! lol and thanks.
Richard, think of the black plague killing so much of Europe. It was the flea that did in the people. A very valuable lesson you are pointing out on the little things here with the trees and insects.
Richard: A great lesson to us all. It's amazing how something so small can have such an impact on the greater landscape.
Gary...
It is indeed, and it is always something to keep in mind! Thanks.
Chris Ann...
It's really something to keep in mind, isn't it? THX
WhatI have seen since starting in real estate is that those that are great salesman, lack so much in details...those that are great with details lack the salesmanship. In order to be successful, you gotta have balance.
Difinitely gives you something to think about. I know the point was not the trees but have they found anything to combat the agelid?
Richard,
This post and Debe Maxwells' post are so tied together. We need to be ever vigilant to protect ourselves. We need to protect ourselves from intruders/parasites daily and that can only be done, IMHO, by hard work and education.
Jeremy...
Especially today, you either need balance or a good partner! Thanks.
George...
The latest efforts have been with imported beetles that will eat the agelids, but the success rate has not been all that good so far, and has been very expensive. THX.
Don..
I agree, and we need to stay vigilant, as you so correctly stated!
I tend to focus on the details that are important to me. As selfish as it sounds, it is true. Time to re-think what is important.
Mel...
Yes, I think we have BOTH discovered that it is time for introspection! Thanks.
I was told by a businessman years ago, that it isn't the big things that kill you. Most of the time it's the little things