Dead trees pose dangerous threat on Appalachian Trail

Hurricane Helene produced damages on the Appalachian Trail that were ones you could see with trees toppled on top of shelters and in the AT pathway.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy says new threats have come to light—the amount of dead and dying trees—that hikers will have to look out for.

One of their reports says destructive insects are taking out species like Oak, Ash, Beech and Hemlock and the most destruction catalogued is in Virginia and the Mid Atlantic.

These effects are shifting the health of the woods around the trail, according to the report, and will change ecosystems, wildlife, water and visitor safety.

(IMAGE: Pexels / B. Buskirk)