Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Plantae>Coniferophyta>Pinopsida>Pinales>Pinaceae>Tsuga caroliniana Engelmann

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Endemic to the southern Appalachians, Carolina Hemlock is an uncommon medium-sized tree of rocky hillsides.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Carroll Co., VA 4/10/2011.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Carroll Co., VA 4/10/2011.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) cones

Ripening and mature cones.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 5/27/12.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) cones

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 5/27/12.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Carolina Hemlock is rare in the Piedmont, where it grows in a few sheltered areas, such as this north-facing ravine at Hanging Rock State Park.

Stokes Co., NC 6/14/09.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Carolina Hemlock is similar to the larger, more common, and more widespread Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), but has longer leaves (10-18 mm vs. 8-13 mm) that 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.

Stokes Co., NC 6/14/09.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)
Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

A healthy specimen, not yet affected by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae).

Carolina Hemlock seems to be only moderately affected by this introduced insect, which is completely destroying most of the mature Eastern Hemlocks in the state.

Alleghany Co., NC 5/29/05.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

The seed cones are longer on average than those of Eastern Hemlock (20-38 mm vs. 12-25 mm).

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

A healthy young tree in an area severely impacted by Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.

Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Spring flush of growth, same tree.

Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) bark

The bark is similar to that of Eastern Hemlock.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) tree

Typical habitat, on a rocky ledge, here overlooking I-77.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 5/27/12.

 

More information:
Gymnosperm Database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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