Increased drought conditions in the mixed mesophytic and cove forest ecosystem may increase susceptibility of trees in this system to hemlock woolly adelgid, forest tent caterpillar, beech bark disease, and other insect pests and diseases.

Eastern hemlock is currently susceptible to widespread mortality from hemlock woolly adelgid, which is expected to dramatically reduce eastern hemlock populations over the next few decades. Emerald ash borer infestations have already damaged and killed many ash trees.