Most of the Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh). Poir.) in the Noland Divide Watershed has died due to infestation by the balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae Ratz.), an exotic insect.

Map of the Noland Divide Watershed (NDW) and locations of permanent monitoring plots. NDW is 17.4 ha in size and is located on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Gearing up for monitoring activities.

View of North Carolina from the upper elevations of the Noland Divide Watershed.

The Noland Divide Watershed has never been logged and the overstory is dominated by large red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and yellow birch (Betula lutea Michaux. f.).

Noland Divide Watershed has a dense understory with many herbaceous species. A purple fringed-orchid is pictured (Habenaria psycodes (L.) Sprengel).