Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Plantae>Coniferophyta>Pinopsida>Pinales>Pinaceae>Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)/Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)

A common large tree of the Mountains of North Carolina, Eastern Hemlock is in serious trouble because of the recently introduced Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) (seen at left). Eastern Hemlock also occurs in a few locations in the Piedmont, as far east as Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve in Cary, NC. Because of the many planted trees between the mountains and this disjunct population, the adelgid has unfortunately reached Hemlock Bluffs.

Planted tree, Greensboro, NC 4/4/10.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Eastern Hemlock is similar to the smaller, less common, and less widespread Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana), but has shorter leaves (8-13 mm vs. 10-18 mm) that do not spread from the twigs at all angles. In Eastern Hemlock the leaves spread from the sides of the branches; the leaves that come off the tops and bottoms of branches are closely appressed. Eastern Hemlock rarely occurs in the Piedmont — there is an outpost in Wake County, NC.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)/Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)

Alleghany Co., NC 5/29/05.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Healthy spring growth from a sapling in an infested area.

Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)/Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)

It is difficult to take a photo of Eastern Hemlock without Hemlock Woolly Adelgids in it.

Carroll Co., VA 7/3/06.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)/Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)

A hopeful sign - a ladybug (ladybird beetle) larva eating adelgids.

Carroll Co., VA 7/3/06.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

A typical 20 year old tree, severely impacted by the woolly adelgids for the last 10 years, but still putting on a little new growth.

Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Note that the branches are mostly bare.

Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) dead bark

Bark of a dead tree, with fungi growing out of it. There are many more dead trees than live ones in North Carolina and Virginia.

Carroll Co., VA 4/10/2011.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) dead trees

Dead trees.

Carroll Co., VA 4/10/2011.

 

More information:
USDA PLANTS database
US Forest Service Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides